These are all the Tulum guides we've written: where to stay, what it costs, what to do, how to get around and what to expect each season. They're built to settle concrete decisions before and during the trip, not to pad a blog.
We write them from downtown Tulum, where the apartment we rent out is, so many of them include real distances and drive times measured from there.
Before you book
Where to stay in TulumTown, beach zone and Aldea Zama compared without the gloss.What it costs to stay in TulumReal ranges by area and season to build a budget.Apartment vs. hotelWhich wins based on how long you stay and who you're with.Best time to visit TulumSeasons, weather, prices and crowds month by month.Sargassum season in TulumWhen it arrives, how long it lasts, what to do about it.Is Tulum safe to visit?What's real, what's overblown, and which precautions help.Booking direct, no commissionHow direct booking compares with the platforms.Tulum ItineraryDay-by-day plans for 3, 5, or 7 days: ruins, cenotes, Coba, and Bacalar from downtown.Tulum with KidsShallow cenotes, the new ruins entrance, and where families should stay.Tulum vs CancunBeach, sargassum, prices, nightlife, airports: the honest 2026 side-by-side.What to Pack for TulumWhat to bring, what to skip, and the sunscreen and cash mistakes everyone makes.Tulum in OctoberThe rainiest month is also the cheapest: fading sargassum, quiet streets, Hanal Pixán.How much a Tulum trip really costsThe full trip in numbers: transportation, food, and activities by traveler type.Tulum in NovemberReal weather numbers, the 2026 seaweed reality and the best weeks to book.Tulum in DecemberBest weather of the year, fullest month: what to book and how far ahead.Renting an apartment in Tulum by the weekWhat actually matters when you book seven nights instead of two.Tulum for couplesA real 4 to 5 day plan for two, honest costs, zero cheesy stuff.Tulum in JanuaryCoolest month, seaweed, Day Zero and the best January weeks to book.Tulum in FebruaryDriest winter month: long weekends, carnival and the quiet weeks to book.Tulum in MarchDry and warming up: the March 15 weekend, the equinox and Easter week.Tulum in AprilDry and hot: after Easter, the start of seaweed season and quiet weeks.Tulum in MayHeat, thin crowds, the first rains and the start of turtle nesting.Tulum in JuneLow season: rain, the start of hurricane season and the longest day.Tulum in JulySummer vacation, 84 °F sea, afternoon rain and turtle hatchlings.Tulum in AugustAfternoon rain, rising hurricane season and a quiet second half.Tulum in SeptemberThe quietest month: hurricane peak, 85 °F sea and Mexican Independence.Long weekends in TulumEvery US federal holiday through 2027, which long weekends suit Tulum's weather, and what 3-4 nights cost.
Things to do
Things to do in TulumWhat's actually worth it, sorted by the kind of day you want.Best cenotes near TulumWhich are worth it, what they cost and what time to go.Best beach clubs in TulumPrices, minimum spend and which one fits your plan.Cobá ruins from TulumHow to get there, how long it takes, what to expect.Cenotes, ruins and beachHow to combine all three in a few days without burning out.Downtown TulumWhat's there, how it moves, and why many people stay in town.Tulum's Public BeachesPescadores, Santa Fe, Paraíso: what's free in 2026 and how to get there from town.Tulum Ruins2026 hours and fees, plus the 10-minute bike ride from downtown Tulum.Where to eat in TulumFrom cheap tacos to beach-road tasting menus, sorted by area and budget.Grocery shopping in TulumTulum's four supermarkets, the market and tortillerías: where to stock up, for how much.Tulum at nightTown bars vs. beach clubs: 2026 closing times, real prices, and how to get home.
Getting around
Cancún to TulumADO bus, rental car, shuttle and private transfer compared.Playa del Carmen from TulumHow long it takes and whether it works as a day trip.Bacalar from TulumThe seven-colour lagoon: distance, timing and tips.Tulum vs. Playa del CarmenWhich to choose based on what you want from the trip.Tulum for digital nomadsInternet, coworking, cost of living and long stays.Tulum Airport to DowntownADO bus, cabs, shuttles, rentals, or the train: the smart way from TQO to town.The Maya Train in TulumThe station isn't downtown: 2026 routes, tickets, and when the train beats the bus.Swimming with turtles in Akumal, from Tulum2026 rules, real prices, hours and how to get there by colectivo from downtown.Chichén Itzá from TulumHow to get there, 2026 prices, and when Cobá is the better call.Valladolid from TulumHow to get there, what to see, and whether one day is enough.Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve from TulumMuyil or Punta Allen: 2026 costs, the canal float, and how rough that road is.
Frequently asked questions
How many Tulum guides are on the site?
There are 18 guides in Spanish and the same 18 in English, grouped into three blocks: before you book, things to do, and getting around.
Which should I read first if I've never been to Tulum?
Where to stay in Tulum and Best time to visit Tulum: between them they settle area and dates, the two decisions everything else depends on.
Are the guides kept up to date?
Yes, they're reviewed periodically. Seasonal ones, like the sargassum guide, are updated with current-year information.