If you’re looking for the perfect Tultum Itinerary, I’ve got you covered! After extensive research and four wonderful days in Tulum, I created the ultimate Tulum itinerary for first-time visitors.
At first glance, Tulum may seem like your typical beach vacation spot. While there are pristine beaches and the beautiful Caribbean Sea, Tulum is so much more than just a beach destination. There are so many things to do in Tulum, areas to discover, and food to indulge in. Chances are you won’t be able to see and do everything on one trip to Tulum while still enjoying the slowed beach pace. After spending four days in Tulum, I just began to scratch the surface. I left wanting more and knowing Tulum is a destination where you can constantly discover something new. This Tulum itinerary is perfect for 3 to 4 days in Tulum.
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Before You Go
🛏️ Book the incredible Hotel Diamante K, a stunning yet affordable beach bungalow in Tulum! This is one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed!
🎟️ Best tours: This Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Tour. This is the best day trip from Tulum! It’s a must on your trip.
Table of Contents
What to Know before visiting Tulum
When’s the best time to visit Tulum?
When planning a trip to Tulum, you’ll want to plan to visit in the winter or spring. December to April is considered the best time to visit Tulum, as the weather is moderate. You’ll have warm days perfect for exploring or beach days, yet they will not be too hot.
Avoid summer, as it gets extremely hot and humid in Tulum. Also, avoid visiting between September and October, as that is hurricane season.
How to Get to Tulum
The Tulum Airport is the best airport to fly into for your Tulum trip. Depending on where you are flying from and the cost of flights, you may opt to fly into the Cancun Airport. Keep in mind, if you fly into the Cancun Airport, you will need to transfer the two hours from Cancun to Tulum.
Do you need to Rent a Car while in Tulum?
Renting a car is not necessary for this Tulum itinerary! You can get everywhere you need to go either by bike or taxi. From the two hotels I stayed at in Tulum, I found that I could get almost everywhere by bicycle. That being said, if you stay at one of the hotels that are further down the beach road, you may consider renting a car to avoid spending a lot on taxis.
You will need a car if you want to explore further afield and see some cenotes or towns outside of Tulum.
How to Get Around Tulum
Unless you have a rental car and are using that to get around, the best way to get around Tulum is by bike or taxi. Unless you plan to lounge at the beach during your entire visit, you will need a way to get around to see everything on this Tulum itinerary.
By Bike
I highly recommend renting a bicycle while in Tulum. This is such an affordable, fun, and quick way to get around. Things to do in Tulum are fairly spaced out, so you will not be able to get by walking everywhere. However, biking is the perfect way to do everything on this Tulum itinerary. Tulum is bike-friendly; plenty of bike paths can get you through town and to the beach. Ola Bike Tulum is a great rental company in town.
By Taxi
Chances are you will need to take a taxi at some point during your stay, whether from town to the beach, to your hotel, or back from dinner in the evening. Taking a taxi in Tulum can be pricey if you’re not savvy and aware of what the cost should be. For example, from Tulum town to the beach, you should expect to pay around 100 to 150 pesos. Negotiate the price beforehand so you don’t get ripped off.
The Ultimate Tulum Itinerary: 3 to 4 Days in Tulum
Typically, when I travel, I have a much more packed itinerary. I try to see and do everything there is in a destination. Yet, I truly felt like this was the perfect balance of activities to still enjoy some necessary R&R. This Tulum itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors who want to get a sampling of what Tulum has to offer. This 3 to 4-day Tulum itinerary is the perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxing!
Day 1- Arrive in Tulum
Upon arrival in Tulum, you will need to get your bearings before you jump into any activities. Most flights to Tulum from the U.S. don’t arrive until the afternoon, so by the time you arrive, it will already be mid-day. While you won’t have much time for activities on your first day, you can get the lay of the land and grab a delicious dinner.
Rent a Bike
After checking into your hotel, head to Ola Bike to rent a bike for your stay in Tulum. Biking is one of the best ways to get around Tulum, so you will want to make sure to get a bike as soon as you arrive.
Bike to the Beach
The first thing I wanted to see upon arrival in Tulum was the beach. If you’re a beach lover, I suggest riding to the public beach via the bike path on Main Road 109. Time permitting, you can go for a quick swim in the turquoise water or go for a walk along the beach.
Have Dinner in Town
Grab dinner and drinks in town to end your first day in Tulum. Stop by the popular Batey for mojitos and live music in Tulum town. This will likely be one of the best mojitos of your life, as they press sugarcane for the mojitos in-house. If you’re feeling peckish, order some of their light snacks to go alongside your mojito.
Get Late Nights Tacos
Before or after your drinks, stop by one of the many taco stands in Tulum to get a cheap, delicious late-night meal. My personal favorite is the Al Pastor, which is pork with pineapple.
Day 2 – Cenote Hopping
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is known for its cenotes, underground chambers, or caves containing water. Essentially, they are natural swimming holes that are a must-see in this region of Mexico. Tulum has various cenotes, yet I chose two that were easily accessible by bicycle. If you have a rental car or prefer a guided tour, you may have time to visit more cenotes. However, I thought visiting two was perfect as I could stay and truly enjoy swimming in each cenote. Visiting independently allows you to spend more time at each cenote, while tours allow you to see more. So it truly depends on if you want to see as many cenotes as possible or spend leisurely time swimming.
Gran Cenote
Get your day started early at Gran Cenote, which is approximately a 15-minute bike ride from Tulum Town and one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum. Gran Cenote can get quite busy during the day when tour groups arrive, so you will want to arrive near the opening time, at 8:00 a.m., to avoid the crowds. With crystal clear water, caves to explore, turtles, and ample area to swim around, it is no surprise that Gran Cenote is so touristy. It is well worth a visit.
Cenote Calavera
After checking out Gran Cenote, ride back towards town and stop at Cenote Calavera. The entrance to Cenote Calavera is a small hole leading to the cenote, with several even tinnier entrance holes. This cenote appears small at first glance, yet there is plenty of swimming area in the caves (if you’re brave). This cenote has a depth of 50 ft, so it is fun to jump into and swim around.
Food Truck Park – Palma Central
You will likely have worked up an appetite after a full day of exploring cenotes. For dinner, head to Palma Central, which is a food truck park in Tulum town. Palma Central has tons of food trucks that serve different types of cuisine. If you’re looking for a sampling of different foods, you can get a few dishes from different food trucks. There is an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere here.
Day 3 – Tulum Ruins + Beach Day
Plan to spend the full day at the beach on your third day in Tulum. Today will include plenty of time to rest and relax, swim in the Caribbean Sea, and visit the Tulum Ruins.
Tulum Ruins
After sunrise from your beach bungalow and breakfast, head down Beach Road to the Tulum Ruins. The Tulum Ruins are one of the most visited archeological sites in Mexico. It is easy to see why, as the Tulum Ruins face the Caribbean. Spend time exploring these seaside ruins and learning about the Mayan civilization. There is even a beach at the Tulum Ruins, so bring your bathing suit. There’s nothing quite like going for a swim with views of ancient ruins.
Beach Time
Now that you have gotten a bit of culture out of your trip, devote the rest of your day to enjoying the beach. Tulum has such a beautiful coastline that it would be almost criminal not to appreciate it. If you’re staying at a hotel on the beach (which I highly suggest for at least a couple of nights), spend some time at your hotel’s beach. Grab a cabana or lounge chair, order tropical drinks, and spend the entire day swimming.
Staying at Diamante K proved to be the perfect spot, as I was able to spend time relaxing at the small private beach on the property and walk the short distance to the public beach, where the waves were bigger, and there was more excitement.
Alternatively, if you are not staying on the beach road, the public beach is just a bike ride away from Tulum town. The public beach is beautiful, so you cannot go wrong by visiting. Or, spend your day at one of the many beach clubs in Tulum.
Dinner at the Beach
Of course, you must have dinner at the beach! I ended up having dinner at Diamante K, yet I’ve heard so many good things about Mezzanine, which is a Thai restaurant in Tulum. If you’re only in Tulum for three days, this is the perfect way to wrap up your itinerary.
Day 4 – Depart Tulum or Beach Club
If you’re departing Tulum, wake up early to enjoy the last few hours at your beachside hotel before heading to the airport or your next destination in Mexico.
If you still have one more full day in Tulum, spend it at a beach club. Beach clubs are a huge part of the Tulum experience and a great addition to any Tulum itinerary. Here, you can enjoy the beach, access lounge chairs, and cabanas, and experience the lively beach energy from these clubs. Most beach clubs in Tulum have a minimum spend at their restaurants and bars which allows you to have access to the amenities. Two popular beach clubs are Papaya Playa Project and Ziggy’s Beach Club.
Tulum Itinerary: Where to Stay in Tulum
There are two main areas in Tulum: Tulum Town and Tulum Beach (Hotel Zone). Both areas have their benefits. Tulum Town is more affordable, and nearby plenty of restaurants and bars. While Tulum Beach is pricier, you are staying on the beach, which is a perk in itself. I opted to stay two nights in town and two nights at the beach to get the best of both worlds. Either of these areas can be a good base for this Tulum itinerary. These are the hotels I stayed at during my stay:
Zendero Tulum- Tulum Town
Zendero Tulum is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a nice, budget-friendly place to stay in Tulum Town. This hotel has nice rooms, complimentary breakfast, and a small rooftop pool. It’s also in a nice central location, making it easy to bike anywhere in Tulum and even walk to restaurants and cafes.
Diamante K -Tulum Beach
Diamante K is a boutique hotel located on the beach, it has a small private cove-like beach at the hotel and is a 5-minute walk from the public beach. This hotel gives off that boho Tulum beach vibe and is a fantastic spot to spend a couple of nights on the beach. Read all about my stay at Diamante K here.
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