Tulum, Mexico is such an amazing destination with an array of activities that won’t leave you bored. Whether it is diving into the cool, crystal clear waters of a hidden cenote, or discovering the freshest mojito you’ve ever had as you walk along their infamous eco-chic bohemian beachside road. Needless to say, Tulum is definitely one for the books. Continue reading for a checklist of the top things to do in order to get the most well-rounded and magical experience out of your trip to Tulum!
1. Marvel at the Gran Cenote
The Gran Cenote is definitely a classic and high on the popularity scale, but that is definitely not something that should stop you from visiting – as this Cenote has charm unlike any other. It will most likely be around a 5-10 minute drive from wherever you are staying in Tulum, so you have beauty and convenience nicely packaged into one.
Took a quick pic when nobody was around!
El Gran Cenote
If you’re wanting to take pictures and beat the crowds, getting here early is a must! And don’t worry about bringing snorkel gear as these are normally available to rent on site.
As you submerge yourself into the water, you will instantly realize that you are entering a different world. The depth, clarity and shimmering light rays were first to catch my attention when submerging into the mystical scene off of the main deck.
Swimming through the Gran Cenote off of the main deck.
The turtles here are the cutest! Be sure to respect the wildlife no matter where you go by keeping your distance. If you want another convenient cenote to go to nearby, Cenote Calavera is only a 5 minutes drive away from the Gran Cenote (be prepared to jump)!
2. Get Breakfast at Burrito Amor
Grab a bite to eat at this local eatery located in Tulum town. This place is hard to miss with its high ceiling and rustic welcoming outdoor eating area. You won’t be disappointed with their amazing coconut tortilla + gluten-free burritos.
Burrito Amor
3. Go Mermaid-ing (or Merman-ing) at Cenote Nicte-Ha
Cenote Nicte-Ha is teeming with life. Visiting this cenote, you will be surrounded by lily pads, underwater greenery and fish swimming all around you. You will feel as if you are swimming in a gigantic aquarium!
As with any cenote, please be sure that you are not wearing any sunscreen or bug spray as it will harm the natural balance of this delicate environment. This cenote in particular is home to abundant amounts of underwater life that need your help keeping their home safe and toxin-free.
Swimming around Cenote Nicte-Ha surrounded by lilies and small fish.
4. Take a drive to Bacalar Lagoon
Bacalar Lagoon is about a 2 hour drive away from Tulum. So if you’ve rented your own car and are up for a small road trip or a little bit of a different adventure besides going to the beach and visiting the cenotes (not that I would ever get tired of that), Bacalar Lagoon will impress you with it’s beautiful, vast, turquoise-blue lake that makes you feel as if you are in a freshwater ocean.
Taking a dip in Bacalar Lagoon
You can definitely make a day out of it if you consider the drive, having lunch, visiting different parts of the lake (it’s huge!), taking a dip, and/or maybe even taking a tour boat out into the open waters to breathe in the fresh air and take in the beautiful hues of greens and blues.
La Playita is an amazing lunch spot located right on the lagoon equipped with amazing food, lounging areas and their own dock that leads out into the lagoon. I highly recommend eating here if you are planning to spend the day at Bacalar!
5. Explore Tulum Town
In contrast with the beach strip where you will find more of the ‘bougie’ hangout spots, Tulum town offers another angle of Tulum. It is a more ‘street’ version of Tulum where you’ll find you can have just as much fun shopping, eating and taking in the sights and sounds of a slightly more authentic ‘Mexican’ side of Tulum, as you pass a plethora of local eateries, lively bars, mariachi duos, and locally owned shops filled with bargain-worthy items.
Tulum town is full of take-home worthy souvenirs
6. Take a Snorkel Tour at Cenote Taak Bi Ha
An interesting thing to note about this cenote is that it is privately owned by a local family. The entrance to this cenote is lesser known, as it is overshadowed by the main attraction in the same vicinity, which is the more crowded, “Dos Ojos” Cenote.
The man that gave us a tour, Felix, was very sweet and had asked me to refer Cenote Tak Be Ha to anyone that I could. I have no problem doing so as I absolutely loved this cenote as, besides being stunningly beautiful, there were long stretches of time when this cenote was completely empty. You could even hear the echoing drops of water falling from the ceiling.
A tour isn’t mandatory, however with the tour, Felix or someone else will lead you on a snorkel excursion all along the perimeter of the cenote, as you normally would not be able to do so without a guide. The underwater sights you will see are spectacular, and it is the closest thing you will get to scuba-diving sight-seeing without actually scuba diving 😉
Snorkeling at Cenote Tak Be Ha
This photo of me was taken at Cenote Tak Be Ha after we had finished our snorkel tour around the perimeter of the Cenote. Hands down one of my favorite of the lesser popular cenotes!
7. Explore Tulum Ruins
If you’re up for a historical sight seeing adventure, Tulum Ruins is a must! I found that visiting the Tulum Ruins after a full day of enjoying the cenotes works out nicely, considering that the cenotes typically close between 4 and 5pm, while the Tulum ruins are open until 7pm. So if you’re looking to make the most out of your day and not sure what sort of day activity to fit in between the nearby cenotes and a late dinner, Tulum Ruins is the perfect activity to fill in that time slot, especially if it’s on your bucket list.
Tulum ruins on a beautiful, cool evening
8. Walk the Beach Strip
Whether on foot or by bike, taking in the sights and sounds of the Tulum Beach Strip is essential to making your trip complete. This one-of-a-kind bohemian town is one for the eyes, with their beautiful eclectic shops, restaurants, bars and little surprises with every twist and turn that you make. You’ll have to see for yourself!
9. Grab a Cocktail at Coco Tulum
Coco Tulum is most definitely a staple spot for pictures and cocktails! I went for their freshly meddled mojito, enjoyed on their iconic white swings.. topped with the view of beautiful Tulum beach of course.
Having a fresh Mojito at Coco Tulum
10. Indulge at a Spa Retreat
If your time and budget allows for it, I would highly recommend indulging in one of the many spa retreats Tulum has to offer! What better feeling is there than to pamper yourself with a spa retreat after an amazing visit to a cenote, or even as an amazing way to enjoy your evening right before a great dinner.
For a budget-friendly conscious retreat that will undeniably leave you feeling relaxed, the one-of-a-kind facility at the “Leaf Spa” at Los Amigos Condominiums is one I highly recommend indulging in. You will be pleasantly surprised at the facility’s approach to leaving your body feeling “next-level”. Click here to ready more about my experience at the Leaf Spa.
If you are looking for a truly unique experience and are willing to spend a little extra for an unforgettable relaxation retreat that speaks “Tulum” in every sense of the word, I’d highly recommend booking an appointment at the Maya Spa. This beachfront relaxation retreat is brought to you by Azulik, the infamous eco-chic establishment that you may have already heard of.
Maya Spa
Maya Spa offers different massage areas throughout the facility. We chose the beach front massage area and fell asleep to the crashing waves. A truly unforgettable experience!
Beach front massage beds at Azulik
The facility here is to die for. You’ll feel as if you are in some story book as you hop through stepping stones surrounded by water and make your way around this astonishing jungle-inspired Mayan retreat. Make sure to look through the different experiences that they offer by clicking here.
Walking around the beach-side area of the Maya Spa before just before receiving the best massage ever!
11. Have Dinner at Gitano
This restaurant is not only beautifully built into the jungle but has great atmosphere and the night scene only picks up as you stay further into the evening. I ordered the shrimp tacos – it was definitely not a large portion, but eating light only left more room for my amazing strawberry cocktail!
The entrance to Gitano.
Final word on Gitano – come here if you are looking for a classic Tulum ambience, good music, good food / cocktails and the possibility of dancing the night away. They are equipped with local bands, DJ’s and fun entertainment. This is definitely the place to be if you are looking for a fun restaurant atmosphere to have dinner and take you away into a magical night in Tulum.
12. Explore Azulik
The only way to get into Azulik (if you’re not already staying at their pricey hotel rooms!) is to book a reservation at one of their restaurants or their spa center. Be prepared to drop some cash, as you will see that the food, architecture and eco-sheek atmosphere here is truly one of-a-kind.
Greeting Incense at Azulik
As for the food? Azulik boasts top of the line chefs and it’s apparent after you taste your first bite. But if you do decide to make a reservation here, know that you are getting much more than just exquisite eats, but a dining experience different from anything else.
Sure, you can choose to explore any of the hotels on Tulum’s beach front. However, Azulik’s eccentric, jungle-inspired architecture and ambience that they have created here, may quite possibly be like nothing you have ever experienced. Walking through Azulik is like walking through a work of art.
Museum at Azulik
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Those are my top go-to recommendations when visiting Tulum! If you are planning a trip to Tulum you have everything to be excited about, as there are an abundance of sight-seeing attractions and endless ways to have a good time. I would love to hear about your own recommendations, so if you have any, feel free to leave a comment below. Even better, I’d love to see pictures of your own experience!