r/tulum Apr 14 '25

Tulum FAQ 3.0

14 Upvotes

ADO Bus

  • The ADO bus is the cheapest option for transportation but not the most time-efficient one. Tickets can be purchased just outside the terminal or online ado.com.mx

Airport Transportation

Private transfer is available, one way and round-trip service. These are generally vans, they wait outside the terminal with your name on a placard to take you straight from the airport to your accommodations. Quick beer, liquor and snack stops are generally available on request.

Mexico Kan Tours Shuttle (Local Operator - Tulum and Cancun Airport)

Cancun and Tulum Airport Transportation 

Nexus Transfers (Tulum and Cancun Airport)

Canada Transfers (Tulum and Cancun Airport)

Tulum Airport & Hotel Transfers by Viator

 USA Transfers

Taxis

Taxis are available, specially expensive from airports and bus stations, but readily available. It’s recommended to discuss the fare before getting in the taxi. Always agree on the price in advance.

Car Rental

Rental cars are available. Common major US companies are available in the airport. They wait with your name on a placard outside the terminal and transfer you to their offsite office to perform the paperwork and get you on your way.

Check out Hertz Mexico

Where to Stay?

Tulum has several distinct areas, each offering a different experience:

Hotel Zone (Beach): High-end boutique hotels and resorts right on the beach. Perfect for direct beach access, dining, and nightlife, but expect premium prices. Not the best for easy transportation or budget travelers.

Aldea Zama: A modern residential area between the beach and town. It offers upscale condos, vacation rentals, and a quieter atmosphere, but you'll need a bike, scooter, or taxi to get around.

Tulum Town (Centro): More affordable hotels, hostels, and Airbnb options with access to local restaurants and services. A great choice for budget travelers and those looking for a more local experience, but it's a bike or taxi ride away from the beach.

Surrounding Areas: There are eco-lodges and vacation rentals in the jungle or along nearby beaches, offering tranquility and nature at the cost of convenience and accessibility.

Check out the best hotels to stay in Tulum (Expedia)

Guided Tours and Activities

Chichen Itza / Cenotes / Sian Kaan / Yoga / Scuba Diving

Check out the recommended tours

Weather

Hurricane season on the Riviera Maya runs from June 1 through November 30. The highest risk of storm activity is historically between August and October. The good news is, hurricanes are fairly rare. However, daily showers are to be expected year-round. It is a tropical environment. Just because your weather forecast predicts rain doesn’t mean your day will be washed out. Always Google "Caribbean weather radar" to find major approaching weather patterns. In the Caribbean, even during rainfall, it remains pleasantly warm.

Check out the Live Beach Camera

Weed

Cannabis is not legal in Mexico.

From Wikipedia:

"On June 28, 2021, the Supreme Court voted 8-3 to legalize adult use marijuana under Mexican law. However, state and federal penal laws remain in place, pending action by the Mexican Congress to clean up inconsistencies and remove penal language. No legal structure has been put into place allowing for legal sale of marijuana, nor are there provisions for commercial growth and production. Meanwhile, those incarcerated for sale or possession have no path to release. All these await legislative action to bring Mexico's laws into alignment with the Supreme Court rulings. Unlike in the US, a Supreme Court ruling does not automatically invalidate all existing laws. Congress has had years to act, but has not yet done so successfully."

When things change, we'll revisit the rules of the sub.

Exchange

Dollars or pesos?

While US dollars are widely accepted in and around the Riviera Maya, using them opens you up to get the worst possible exchange rate. Therefore, using Mexican currency is highly recommended. So how do you get pesos? You can visit your home bank and allow them to make the conversion. You can visit any one of the numerous currency exchange booths or stores located all over the region, including the airport. But you generally get the best exchange if you simply use your ATM card at a trusted ATM machine. By “trusted”, we suggest inside a bank or major supermarket where surveillance is in place. Using a machine that is outside and not monitored opens you up to ATM “skimmers”. Also very important, some ATMs offer to do the conversion to pesos right there, at the machine. Always DECLINE this option. The ATM machine gives you a terrible exchange rate.

Check the exchange rate on casa de cambio San Jorge

Scams

Gas pumps are a common place where tourists get scammed in Mexico. Avoid such scams. Rule #1 should just be never use a credit card. Same goes true with taxis. Credit cards are just a simple way for tourists to get ripped off. Make sure they zero the pump before beginning pumping. Don't give any money until the transaction is 100% complete.

What to do If you get stopped

Afterlife / Zamna / Day Zero / Ticket Exchange

Dedicated community for ticket resale for Tulum events such as Zamna and Day Zero

r/Zamna

r/Tulum_TicketExchange

Tulum Marketplace

Dedicated community for advertising, selling, buying and trading

r/Tulum_Marketplace and r/tulumNSFW

SAFETY

While it’s true Mexico has a significantly higher homicide rate (28 per 100,000 people) than the United States (7 per 100,000 people), data suggests violence against American citizens remains rare. In 2021, 75 U.S. citizens died by homicide in Mexico, according to the State Department.

That represents a small fraction of the more than 28.8 million Americans who went to the country over the same time period. Using those figures, the murder rate of U.S. citizens in Mexico was around 0.26 per 100,000 visitors, significantly lower than the rate in the United States.

Reporting Police Misconduct, Extortion and Corruption.

If you witness or experience inappropriate police behavior in Tulum, visit the portal at denuncia.qroo.gob.mx/sitio where you can submit your complaint. Your input is crucial for promoting accountability and ensuring a safe community.

Choose your type of report: The system allows users to file denuncias (formal complaints of administrative violations) and manifestaciones (non-corruption-related grievances).

Provide detailed information: Specific details such as the time, location, and identity of the public official involved are essential to ensure proper investigation.

Follow up on your report: Even if filed anonymously, you can track the status of your complaint on the same platform​.

Anonymous option: You can file anonymously, and the system allows you to follow the case progress online. This is particularly useful for those who fear retaliation​.

Emergency 911

The main emergency number in Mexico is 911, they will answer in spanish, they will probably have someone for english too.

In Tulum there is also a local number for the Local Police

Seguridad Pública (+52 1) 984 871 2055

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Contact Us for personalized recommendations! Private tours, massages, yoga, unique experiences, cooking classes, and more!

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This sub organizes posts with flairs to help you find information. Click on a flair below or use the search bar to filter posts by topic:

🏨 Lodging 🚖 Transportation 🍽️ Restaurants 💦 Cenotes 🏛️ Ruins ⭐ Reviews 📸 Photos 🏖️ Beach 🌴 Beach Clubs 🍹 Bars & Clubs 🌦️ Weather 🎉 Events

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Help us in keeping this information up to date. If you notice any changes or inaccuracies, please let us know.

Don't forget to check out the recommended tours and activities

With love from Tulum ❤


r/tulum Apr 14 '25

Tours, Activities and Airport Shuttle

10 Upvotes

Affordable air-conditioned shuttle to and from Cancun and Tulum airports

Mexico Kan Tours Shuttle (Local Operator - Cancun and Tulum Airports)

Cancun and Tulum Airport Transportation

Canada Transfers (Tulum and Cancun Airport)

Tulum Airport & Hotel Transfers by Tripadvisor

Nexus Transfers

USA Transfers

The ADO bus is the cheapest option for transportation but not the most time-efficient one. Tickets can be purchased just outside the terminal or online ado.com.mx

CAR RENTAL

Hertz Mexico --

CHICHEN ITZA

Selected as one of the New World Wonders, Chichén Itzá is without a doubt one of the most spectacular and important archeological sites of the Yucatan peninsula and Mesoamerica. The Maya-Toltec style; which can be appreciated in Chichén Itzá is the result of the cultural exchange between the different cultures of Mesoamerica.

World Wonder Discovery by Mexico Kan Tours (Local Tour Operator)

World Wonder Discovery Private by Mexico Kan Tours

Chichén itzá, Valladolid and Cenote Tour by Ocean Tours (Local Tour Operator)

Chichen Itza by Tripadvisor

SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE

  • Sian Ka'an Adventure - An Epic Journey by boat across lagoons, aquatic nesting grounds & the Caribbean shore
  • Sian Ka'an + Muyil - A relaxing, informative & inspiring experience among Mayan temples & UNESCO protected wetlands
  • Sian Ka'an Discovery - An intimate visit to the saltwater lagoons, coral reef & mangrove forests of the Biosphere

More Info

CENOTES & SNORKELING

  • Mayan Underworld - Explore an outstanding underground river and snorkel with Caribbean fish
  • Cenote Trail Bike Tour - An off-road jungle bike tour to explore a variety of epic cenotes
  • The Cenote Adventure - The definitive adventure in the underground world of Cenotes
  • Whale Sharks boat tour - Snorkel & Swim with Whale Sharks ! A unique experience to connect with these impressive animals
  • Jungle Bike Adventure - Pedal through the jungle in an impressive adventure park with cenotes, zip lines, canoe, and snorkeling in crystal clear water - an incredible combination!

More Info

BIKE TOURS

  • Tulum Ruins & Tacos Bike Tour
  • Cenote Trail Bike Tour
  • Tulum Highlights E-Bike Tour

More Info

SCUBA DIVING (PADI & NACD)

  • Coral Reef Diving - Explore the vibrant coral reefs, the diverse marine life and stunning underwater landscapes of the Caribbean Sea.
  • Cavern Diving - A unique adventure into the captivating cenotes (natural sinkholes) of the Yucatan Peninsula. A mesmerizing journey into the mystical underworld.
  • Discovery - Introductory diving course designed for beginners to explore the basics of scuba diving.
  • Open Waters - Builds on the Discovery level and focuses on developing foundational diving skills.
  • Advanced - Intermediate-level course for certified divers seeking to enhance their skills and explore more challenging diving environments.

More Info

SCUBA DIVING COURSES

  • SSI Basic Diver
  • SSI Scuba Diver
  • SSI Open Water Diver
  • SSI Advanced Adventure Diver
  • SSI Sidemount Diving
  • SSI Cavern Course

More Info

MAYAN HISTORY & CULTURE

  • Mayan Inland Expedition - Explore the Amazing History of Coba & local Mayan Culture in Community Eco-Tourism Projects & Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
  • World Wonder Discovery - Visit Chichen Itza, Valladolid and a beautiful Cenote. A Full day out into the Fascinating World of Ancient Mexico, the Spanish Colonial Era & the Mayan Culture of Yucatan
  • Classic Tulum Bike Tour - The Breathtaking site of Tulum is the main focus of this bike tour which also includes a cenote & many other special features
  • Mayan Backroads - An Active Adventure into Nature & Rural Communities where we connect with Local Culture, gastronomy & cenotes
  • Tulum Jungle Adventure - Visit Tulum Ruins and then head into the nearby tropical Jungle to explore cenotes, lagoons, zip lines and the native culture
  • Tulum Mayan Underworld - Visit Tulum ruins, explore an outstanding underground river and snorkel with colorful fish.
  • Bacalar - Lagoon of 7 Colors. Integrating yourself with the elements!
  • Rio Lagartos - Discover this pristine nature reserve, las coloradas and a stunning Cenote!

More Info

HOLISTIC & WELLNESS

Cenote Sound Journey - An Enlightening Adventure of the Spirit including a Musical Meditation Session within the Underworld.

Temazcal & Cenote - An Exploration of a Fascinating Mayan Healing Ceremony with numerous Health Benefits & Cultural Insights.

XCARET / XENSES / XPLOR

  • Xcaret Tours and Tickets
  • Xcaret Park Day Trip, transportation and Cultural Night Show
  • 2 Day Combo Tour, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza Option
  • Xenotes

More Info

MORE TOURS by Civitatis

  • Catamaran Cruise to Isla Mujeres
  • Chichén Itzá and Chichi Kan Cenote Day Trip
  • Excursion to Xel-Há Natural Park
  • Xcaret Park Day Trip
  • Tulum & Akumal Day Trip + Snorkelling in a Mayan Cenote
  • Chichén Itzá and Tulum 2 Day Combo Tour
  • Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres Tour
  • Tulum & Coba Day Trip
  • Camel Ride in Riviera Maya
  • Transfers

More Info

AROUND TULUM

  • Tulum Ruins, Akumal Turtles & Cenotes Tour - Swim with Turtles, Visit Tulum Ruins and Cenotes
  • Tulum and Cenote Half Day - Explore Ancient Ruins & Jungle Cenotes with Expert Guides
  • Snorkel Discovery Half Day Tour - Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal Bay & Cenote Tour (AM)

More info

AROUND QUINTANA ROO

Isla Mujeres / Horseback Riding / Sunset Sailing

More info

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Mexico Kan Tours is one of the oldest, most professional and reliable tour and transfer operators in Tulum. We trust them with our members, and you will not be disappointed.

Scuba Tulum stands as one of Tulum's most established, thoroughly professional, and consistently dependable dive shops. Our confidence in them to serve our members is unwavering, and you can expect nothing but satisfaction from their services.

Remember to check out our Frequently Asked Questions

With love from Tulum ❤


r/tulum 19h ago

General A Vow Renewal

2 Upvotes

Hello All,

My husband and I will be in Tulum in December for our 10 year wedding anniversary and would like to renew our vows. Google searches seem to be yielding big fancy venues, but we’re really looking for a spot in the jungle or near ruins where we can spent 10-15 minutes quietly renewing our vows. We will have two friends with us and maybe be hiring a photographer, but we want to be sure we’re following the rules and not being disrespectful of cultural sites. I won’t be in a wedding gown or anything but we’ll be a little dressed up so it will be obvious we’re doing something.

Anyone have any recommendations for a quiet spot that would be appropriate for a quick little thing like this? Really hoping for a beautiful and special location to celebrate this milestone.


r/tulum 1d ago

Events Day Zero 2027

3 Upvotes

Thinking about celebrating my 30th bday at Day Zero Tulum! Curious to hear how the festival is, getting to and from, etc all there is to know! I am a very seasoned raver and have traveled a ton. TIA ❤️


r/tulum 3d ago

Review Hot Take: People who complain about Tulum , you’re just ungrateful.

10 Upvotes

I see so many bad reviews… WHY? Tulum is stunning. The locals have hearts of gold, the weather is amazing, cheap places & great food. I would hate to be such a complainer that I think Tulum is bad lol. Open your eyes and appreciate.


r/tulum 5d ago

General Travel Help

5 Upvotes

So I’m thinking of taking my family of 5 to Tulum from Mexico City in July (10-15
Preferably) I’m trying to see what are the best places/beaches to go to with little kids and a teenager, prices aren’t really an issue but i’m also not trying to break my bank. If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations on where I should take my family pls let me know i’m a bit lost.

Also to anyone that has been there and rented a car how was the overall experience? I’m looking into either renting a car or hiring a private driver for the whole trip, if anyone has any feedback on the rental companies pls let me know.


r/tulum 5d ago

Weather Rainy day plans?

4 Upvotes

Today is our last day in Tulum and we’re not sure what to do with the weather looking so bad today! We’re staying at a hotel in Jaguar Park but are open to going to Centro or the Hotel Zone to do something fun!


r/tulum 5d ago

Advice Pivot or stick with the plan?

2 Upvotes

I booked an AirBnB in Tulum and flights into Cancun for a honeymoon in July. After the fact I actually started researching the area and it doesn’t look so great with sargassum and apparently the area has gone downhill. Do I try to pivot and go somewhere else or stick with what I’ve got. If I cancel I would be out $1300USD on the AirBnB and $1100USD on the flights. I don’t have just a ton to spend but if it’s gonna make our honeymoon suck I’ll change it.


r/tulum 6d ago

Weather Weather

2 Upvotes

I see rainy weather and thunderstorms in the forecast for this weekend (5/28- 6/1). Can we expect rain all day? Should we avoid beach clubs? Has the weather been stormy this past week or can we expect more short spurts? Thanks! 💚


r/tulum 7d ago

General If any expats need a good tiler/furniture maker/handyman...we found the one

Thumbnail gallery
141 Upvotes

We have been using the same one for the past three years. He did a ton of custom work for our house here in Tulum. Now that we're nearly done, I figured I'd put his work out there, so if anyone needs him, feel free to PM me. He and his family live closer to Coba and are awesome people.

Excuse the mess. Making a bunch of changes right now to the house.

Here's what they have done so far:

Dining room table, chairs, pool loungers, tv table, coffee table, outside chairs, outside table, desk, desk chair, kitchen shelves, metal roofs, tiled all three of our pools, custom limestone king beds, custom limestone bar with bar chairs, large mirrors, and custom decking outside by the pool.

Very inexpensive, too.


r/tulum 6d ago

General Best currency exchange place

5 Upvotes

I’m looking for the best currency exchange in Tulum I heard the airport has the worst rates or am I wrong
Thank you!


r/tulum 6d ago

General Sipalitos, Neek or Vesica on a Sunday?

5 Upvotes

I will be in Tulum soon with a group of like 8 people. Deciding between these 3 options because we’ve been advised to avoid the beach clubs (?!).

What would you pick??


r/tulum 7d ago

Lodging Recommendations please

2 Upvotes

Full disclosure ive done a fair bit of research but still need help. Have a 2 day trip planned to tulum (please don’t come at me; I’m from Asia so it’s a long travel as is🤭)

1) i don’t want an all inclusive because I’m there for a super short time (since it’s July prioritising more time in Mexico City instead) but breakfast would be great
2) I’m looking for something beachfront with beach beds to laze around or atleast a great pool incase sargassum is gonna peak hard in July
3) i don’t plan on renting a car and would rather drive bicycles/walk around. So need something that would be centrally accessible for us to grab dinner & drinks
4) Budget is around 200 USDa night

Please suggest hotels I can stay at! TIA


r/tulum 7d ago

Restaurants Best tacos/food in Tulum - centro not beach

7 Upvotes

Hi,

We are leaving for Tulum tomorrow and are sceptical about it, suspecting it might be overly developed for tourists. We are staying in the town not on the beach, and would like to find the best food in Tulum.

I find Google ratings quite difficult here as it often rates how fancy a place is, rather than how good it is. Happy with hole in walls, cute places whatever - as long as the food is great. In Bacalar we loved Mr Tacos which I found thanks to a Reddit thread.

So any ideas?


r/tulum 7d ago

Review I got attacked in Tulum by a drunk local

4 Upvotes

I heard so much about Tulum but since I arrived on Saturday it’s been nothing but terrible experience after terrible experience. By far the worst thing that happened to me was the drunk guy charging at me & my friend in the streets in Centro Saturday night. Luckily for me, while I was in that state of shock my friend jumped into action and punched the guy in the face like she was Floyd Mayweather. I was seriously impressed. But that interaction should have never happened.

Other than that, finding an In-Driver in that city was difficult & expensive for no reason. Transportation sucks there.

We went to Playa Paradiso for snorkeling, afterwards we decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the beach clubs and I ordered wings and fries. When the guy had dropped out our food, not only was the fries stale but the wings were extremely small and they had white stuff inside of it as if they were old and spoiled. I get that it is the low season, but that still is not a reason to try to sell off your spoiled food tourists. To be honest those wings are so small. I don’t think it was chicken, I have reason to believe that it was pigeon meat.

Now this isn’t necessarily “Tulum’s fault”, but I did end up having some sort of chlorine reaction to the pool water at my villa, and it was in the worst place possible, on my butt! It’s still hurts to sit down, and now I have scarring that makes me feel seriously insecure.

Overall I was very unimpressed with the nightlife, the men were rude and bumping into me and my friend, as we were trying to walk through the club. another club stole our bottle and gave us hell about getting it back.

I will never visit Tulum again. I am extremely disappointed. The energy I experienced does not match what I felt to lose would be like.


r/tulum 8d ago

Lodging Zona Hotelera vs El Centro

6 Upvotes

is it better to rent an Airbnb in the center or to stay at a hotel in the zona hotelera? we like beaches but also like to walk around


r/tulum 8d ago

Restaurants Is food really very expensive?

4 Upvotes

I keep hearing that Tulum is very expensiv. I’ve never been to Mexico so I’m not really comparing it to the prices through the rest of Mexico, but am used to prices in NYC and am in Europe often. How much should I expect to spend per person for dinner? TIA!


r/tulum 9d ago

Transportation AIRPORT -> AIRBNB BEST TRANSPORT METHOD

3 Upvotes

Airbnb quoted 2900 pesos round trip for private driver

Got in touch with another driver who also said 2900 lowest due to airport pickup fee.

Anyone to give their thoughts? I heard from a friend that the bus isn’t great

EDIT: I’m landing in Tulum airport


r/tulum 11d ago

Restaurants Tulum food scene is getting better and better

25 Upvotes

So many top notch restaurants. We always eat in centro/la valeta. So far we've had authentic chinese (Wang), authentic thai (sukothai), and BBQ (las BBQ). And of course, my favorite taco joint (El Tio), which is way past Centro, where the locals live. I feel like there's always something new every time I come here.

I travel all over the world. These places are on par with just about everywhere else. Prices are great, too. ~$25 per person, including drinks and appetizers.


r/tulum 11d ago

General Tankah

2 Upvotes

Hello, is there any way to check if Caleta Tankah is sargassum? I searched for webcams but I couldn't find any.


r/tulum 11d ago

Weather Weather

2 Upvotes

I see rainy weather in the forecast for the weekend of 5/28. Does the rain last for long in Tulum? We are staying in the Aldea Zama area. Or can we expect more tropical weather where rain lasts in short spurts? Thanks!


r/tulum 11d ago

General Sick with chest congestion for a month

9 Upvotes

Me and the entire group of people I was with got back from Tulum and have all been sick for a month or longer. Chest congestion, coughing, extreme exhaustion. Has anyone had any similar experience?


r/tulum 13d ago

General questions about wellness/nature in tulum!

4 Upvotes

hi! i'm planning to do a little ~wellness trip~ before my sister's bachelorette here in tulum. myself and my sister are going a few days early to do yoga, go to the beach, go scuba diving, and chill before the party starts! would love any advice and recommdantiosn on wellness in the area.

  1. we want to dive both cenote and ocean! PADI certified but do we need a specific certification for cenotes? which cenotes do you guys recommend as can't-miss if we can only do 1 or 2? and are ocean dives worth it or is cenote the main attraction here?

  2. looking for yoga or pilates studios with beautiful views

  3. restaurants with organic food and beautiful views

  4. best beaches for laying about

  5. best tour companies to go on a boat and snorkel tour with (and which snorkel locations?)

thank you so much in advance!


r/tulum 13d ago

General Tulum did not fail…it was pushed!

24 Upvotes

r/tulum 13d ago

Advice Tulum recommendations 🙏🏼

9 Upvotes

Hi all!

Would love to get some recommendations for my upcoming trip to Tulum in July please!

It’s my husband’s birthday whilst we are there and wanted some suggestions on reputable private drivers or tour operators and any recommendations on fun, exciting things to do for his birthday!

When I went to Zanzibar, I had an amazing driver who I recommend to everyone because he took me to the coolest places, recommended really good activities and I was so well looked after so I’d love to find something similar in Tulum!

Advice from anyone living in Tulum is also greatly appreciated 💜