The brand new Tulum airport recently announced their opening so I wanted to share all of the best things to do in Tulum for anyone planning a trip there! This new route will take you right into Tulum, whereas you used to have to fly to Cancun then drive over an hour to reach it! Travelers can now fly into TQO or Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport – tickets on sale now for flights beginning December 1, 2023! It is so accessible now making it the best spot for a long weekend getaway this fall or winter.
There are tons of activities in Tulum whether you are more adventurous or want to be lazy in the sun. It’s the perfect destination for almost any occasion because there’s something to please everyone. A bachelorette, couples trip, guys weekend, honeymoon, family getaway, you name it! Here are all my top picks for things to do in Tulum…
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Gran Cenote
If you know anything about Tulum, you’ve likely seen the cenotes as it is one of the top things to do. Cenotes are essentially large sinkholes from limestone rock that have filled with clear water over time. They are basically underwater caves to cool off from the hot Mexican sun! I visited Gran Cenote which is closest to Tulum beach, but there are tons all over the Yucatan Peninsula. Go early, like when they open, as traffic down the one dirt road of Tulum can get very busy. You’ll pay the $15 entry fee then be required to shower off before entering the water. Don’t bother doing your hair and makeup so you can enjoy swimming! We had our hotel arrange a taxi and the driver waited while we explored the cenotes since it can be hard to find a return taxi that early.
Best Cenote Tours
- Hidden Cenote Swim, Snorkeling With Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch
- Full Day Tour in Tulum Dos Ojos and Grand Cenote
Tulum Mayan Ruins
We wanted to spend most of our vacation time at the beach so we combined our activities that required a drive into one day. Following our cenote experience, our next stop was the Tulum Mayan Ruins! Tulum has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and the ruins sit up high on a cliff overlooking the blue waters. You’ll travel back in time wandering through the ancient Tulum ruins. Definitely bring lots of water and wear tennis shoes, because my sandals did not quite cut it!
Best Tulum Ruins Tours
Party at the Beach Bars
There are tons of great little beach bars along the shoreline. The beach bar at Hotel Panamera (where we stayed) is open to the public and it was always busy throughout the day. There are tons of party spots and laid back places depending on your preferences. Wander up and down the beach to find what best suits your vacation style.
Relax at the Beach
Obviously you will want to spend a lot of time on the beach enjoying the white sand and sea. It’s a gorgeous beach so definitely take an early morning or sunset walk to experience the quieter side. We loved walking along the beach to dinner each night.
Day Trip to Valladolid
Tulum is only an hour from Valladolid and Chichen Itza making it a great place to day trip from. Valladolid is the most charming little town with pastel colored buildings. There is plenty to do from tours, learning about culture, Mayan ruins, and more cenotes.
Best Luxury Tours to Valladolid
- Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote Luxury Tour from Tulum City
- Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Private Tour
Tour Chichén-Itzá
Chichén-Itzá is located right beyond Valladolid and is a must see in the Yucatan Peninsula. The famous Mayan ruins feature a massive step pyramid called El Castillo. The ancient city thrived from 600 AD until the 1200s!
Top Tours to Chichen Itza
Dine Under the Stars
There are so many fabulous restaurants in Tulum especially for being such a beachy destination. The food scene is quite impressive. What I love most is the atmosphere at so many of the restaurants. They are mostly open-air without roofs so you can dine under the stars! Check out my favorite restaurants in Tulum.
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