Location: Tulum
Top Things to do in Tulum
What to do and see in Tulum, Quintana Roo: The Best Things to do
Mayan ruins tower over the sea in Tulum. The formerly walled city was one of the last to be built by the Mayans, and its archaeological sites are incredibly well preserved. Take a break from the beach to visit El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God. Explore an underground river under a canopy of stalactites in the sacred caverns of LabnaHa Eco Park, or dive into Cenote Dos Ojos to snorkel inside of caves in the middle of a forest.
Restaurants in Tulum
1. Cenotes Sac Actun
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,633 reviews
Underground water paradise in the Riviera Maya, this visit will certainly be a unique experience like no other, mystical and extreme, you can snorkel or dive in the cavern full of formations.
Reviewed By StefR - Brooklyn, United States
After reading about so many cenotes, I was a bit overwhelmed as to which to choose. So we let our tour guide make this recommendation. It just so happened he had worked as a guide at this cenote for several years before becoming a tour guide so we just got lucky. This cenote is amazing! After parking and picking up lifejackets, we headed down the stairs and into the mouth of the cave. Our guide didn't really describe what we were about to do so it was a bit of a surprise to find such a huge cave system before us as we swam around. He knew his way around and we had such a great time seeing this natural wonder. We were there for 2 hours before seeing another soul. We had the whole place to ourselves for almost the entire time. There seemed to be endless tunnels and caves to explore so we were very happy to have a guide as we would have gotten lost very easily. Can't recommend this site enough! Definitely get a guide, bring a waterproof camera (or waterproof case for your phone) and enjoy!
2. Tulum Archaeological Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29,609 reviews
Tulum (Spanish pronunciation: [tu'lum], Yucatec: Tulu'um) is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba.[1] The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.[1] Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society and eventually causing the city to be abandoned.[citation needed] One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.[1]
Reviewed By discoveringdest - Montreal, Canada
Oh yeah guys, we were in Tulum last week! We were blessed with a perfect sunny week in Riviera Maya. Our idea was to spend a week relaxing on the beach. Then we saw pictures of Tulum and found out it was 20 minutes away. So... “Why not” ?!? We never know the next time we'll be in Mexico. Tulum for a 1/2 day tour with guide was $69usd per person. Expensive we thought, but we got a nice van, with a good driver and a really knowledgeable guide Jazmin. She studied history in Mexico and was clearly passionate about that. In Tulum are ruins of an ancient Mayan port city just next to wonderful Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Some go to visit the remaining structures and others to enjoy the beach. The tour was 4 hours in total. That includes the drive to Tulum, the guided tour and 1h30 of free time to spend walking around. With this time, we could go around, take pictures, swim and shop around in one of the local shops. We decided to walk around to enjoy the astonishing views of the coastline. We were mesmerized by the turquoise green and blue water and multicolour iguanas that gaze at the sun as though they were kings of the Mayan city! According our guide and in Wikipedia, Tulum is one of the best preserved coastal Maya sites and is really famous touristic point. The important part of Tulum is its history, since the city has access land and sea trade routes, making it an important trade hub. It was really cool to hear our guide speak about the Mayan history. She described a mystical place on a beautiful sunny day just like the one we were experiencing. We took the tour from the hotel so everything was pre arranged for us. Alternatively, you can always rent a car and drive over. Our Ratings Serge: 5 Eli: 5 Recommend: Absolutely. Tulum is a very unique historical Mayan ruin, feel free to view the grounds or go for a swim. Important Tips: 1. Tulum in a sunny day is really “Hot”, so get your sunblock ready and if possible, an umbrella. 2. Please, “Do NOT forget” an insect repellent because Tulum is a mix of Beach & Jungle, we are the bite marks to prove it. 3. Bring water and if you decide to go swimming, make sure have some protection (sun block and repellent). 4. If you have a professional or semi professional camera (GoPro counts), you will need to pay a extra tax. The tax is calculated per camera.
3. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 477 reviews
Punta Laguna is part of a 5000-hectare nature reserve called Ma'ax Yetel Kooh.
Reviewed By GIPSY201 - New York City, United States
We visited Punta laguna with a Private Guide her name is Marisa costa ( Facebook: costa Private tour guide & wassap :+521-984-144-5722 ) Punta laguna its an unique Reserve & our guide Made this Journey so Excepcional . She have important information about monkeys,plants ,Maya’s & Reserve . She pick us at our Airbnb with her personal car & Drive us to Punta Laguna . We saw monkeys ,crocodiles & many birds . We did zip line over the lagoon & rappel in a sacred cenote . She was so Fun and also give us some delicious food & drinks during our visit .We receive a warm welcome by a mayan Shaman and get purified by him upon arrival . This is not a very touristic place but it’s a definitely an Unique experience .we found Marisa Costa Online and we would like to recommend her if you visit Punta Laguna Price was 150 Usd per person
4. Gran Cenote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,137 reviews
Grand Cenote has 140 square meter for swimming, there is one big cave, a cavern and 100 square of wooden platforms where you can walk, chill with the nature and take pictures .
Reviewed By A7473SDmatthewk
If you are in Tulum, you have to experience the cenotes and in my opinion the Gran Cenote is one of the best. A quaint cenote that you can snorkel and see stalagtites and stalagmites as well as bats and small turtles. Water is clear with a little chill. Also, pretty inexpensive. Shouldn’t cost you anymore than $20 USD per person.
5. Cenotes Dos Ojos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,271 reviews
Reviewed By vinnietrip32
You haven’t discovered the true wonders of Tulum or Playa del Carmen until you explore one of the Cenotes (caves). We explored the “Dos Ojos”, and chose to tour the Los Monos Cenote, discovered less than 12 months ago - an underwater Haven. The water is crystal clear, tranquil beauty, the rock formation is incredible, with all the natural formations of the Stalagmites and Stalactites leaving you breathless - unique experience that you will cherish forever - I promise you that. When you arrive, ask for “Eddy”, one of the best tour guides we have ever encountered, he was absolutely amazing, his passionate for the Cenotes is like no other, he does whatever it takes to make your experience one to remember. He took so many photos for us, swimming through the bends and Stalagmites and Stalactites of the Cenote and for a very small fee, sent us all the photos in high res so we can print them off when we get home.
6. Playa Paraiso
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,869 reviews
Reviewed By Andreiaa27 - Lisbon, Portugal
It is like the name says: a paradise! It's one of those beaches where we would like to stay forever, watching the endless crystal clear blue waters, the coconuts palm trees and relaxing on the "hamacas" on that beautiful white sand!
7. Casa Cenote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,036 reviews
Reviewed By eimileigh - Sun Prairie, United States
Casa Cenote is absolutely amazing! I snorkeled in the Cenote while my fiancé did a scuba dive tour. We both had an amazing experience! We went bright and early so we had the Cenote all the ourselves! This Cenote is a must see!
8. Laguna Kaan Luum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 322 reviews
Reviewed By T9454ZAstevend - Chicago, United States
Laguna Kaan Luum is an amazing and quiet getaway from crowds. I have been twice and thoroughly enjoyed both trips. Because it is part of an underground Cenote, it is fresh water and can look either sky blue or emerald green. Most of the water depth is about waist deep. They added swings and hammocks to add to the enjoyment.
9. Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By F6074DGdavidn - Buford, United States
First time visiting a Cenote and this was a great experience. We got to see 4 cenotes - 2 closed and 2 open. They were all very clear and clean and water temperature was about 75 degrees in December. Not chilly at all. i would recommend good sandals or water shoes for the walk between Cenotes as it is mostly gravel. Also, having a GoPro or waterproof case so you can get pictures in the closed Cenote would be a big plus. We will probably to back in the future. We did a private tour with Lomas and so we could go at our own pace. Also one of the closed Cenotes is very tight and not recommended for someone who is claustrophobic.
10. Tulum Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 536 reviews
Reviewed By kimlovesvancouver - Vancouver, Canada
Go visit these ruins! MUST SEE. I’ve been about 3 times now. Easy to drive to from your resort or take a local high end shuttle bus from DT Playa Del Carmen. It’s very inexpensive compared to a tour arranged through your resort. Don’t recommend doing it this way if it’s just 1-2-3 of you. The ruins are super cool and are perched high up above Tulum beach which is a little cool spot below via a long staircase. Bring your bathing suite, picnic and enjoy a few hours swimming where the Mayans once did. Enjoy!
