Top 12 Things to do in Tulum in 2025

Visiting the ruins in Tulum is the perfect activity for anyone visiting this charming area. These ruins are steeped in history, are incredible for photo taking, and it is even possible to jump in the ocean once you finish admiring the stunning archeological site.

These ruins are impressive in their scope and because of their location. The ruins themselves are surrounded by a 784-meter limestone wall that is as well preserved as the many limestone structures inside it.

The ruins are also perched on a hill next to the ocean, making them the most stunning and photogenic ruins. This is the perfect spot for a family photo while in Tulum – just make sure you arrive before it gets too hot.

There are always local guides available, and you can negotiate a price with them upon purchasing your tickets. There is a lot to learn here, so a guide is always a great way to know exactly what you are looking at.

Riviera Maya is home to thousands of cenotes, which are crystal-clear bodies of groundwater that were formed in the limestone earth. Tulum happens to have several of the best cenotes very close by. Gran Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos are both wildly popular cenotes among visitors. These are both a short distance from Tulum town and a very quick car ride.

You can also join a tour and hop on an ATV to visit several cenotes. This is a fun excursion as several cenotes you visit on these tours are off very bumpy roads, and are therefore rarely visited by those in rental cars.

Cenotes are great for cooling off in the hot afternoon sun, and some cenotes are even great places for escaping crowds. While you are bound to find crowds at Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, and even Calavera, consider visiting less popular cenotes like Cenote Cristal and Escondido. You can visit both of these cenotes without having to share them with hoards of tourists. It’s also so close to the center of Tulum that it’s possible to ride your bike.

While much of Tulum’s identity is steeped in its Mayan history and natural wonders, it is also now well-known for its ultra-chic and bohemian luxury resorts and day clubs. In fact, it is almost impossible to scroll on social media without seeing an influencer posing in a macrame chair or swinging bar stool at one of Tulum’s hottest bars or beach clubs.

While the selfies and lines to take photos in front of certain monuments can be irritating, it is definitely worth checking out at least one of these spots to see what the hype is all about. Sure, the drinks are overpriced, and the Mexican authenticity is a bit watered down (if not altogether gone), but it is still a relaxing, posh, and altogether great way to spend an afternoon.

All the oceanfront resorts run along the same street, Route 15, in the hotel zone, so you can pick whichever one seems to best suit your mood and interest. Keep in mind many spots have different specials and events on different days of the week.

Tulum has also become a very popular place for spiritually-minded travelers. There are many who come to Tulum to seek a calming vibe or at least like-minded spiritual people who enjoy mystical healing practices. While this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it is great to embrace this mentality while visiting the area – and there is no better way to immerse yourself in Tulum’s mystical energy than to participate in a Temazcal ceremony.

Temazcal is a ritual that originated in Mexico and has been around for thousands of years. It also happens to be quite popular in Tulum, and several wellness centers offer Temazcal ceremonies. The ritual involves entering a dome-like structure and then sitting while hot volcanic rocks are brought in, and water is poured on them. It is a sweat lodge, but there is also often a more spiritual element.

Some ceremonies include the presence of a local shaman or some ritualistic chanting. While others include herbs and fragrances along with hot rocks that are thought to have healing properties. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, this ceremony can greatly benefit your skin clarity, and circulation, and it is even said to aid in weight loss.

The pinnacle of Mayan ruins is, without a doubt, Chichen Itza. Not only is Chichen Itza the best place to go to see impressive Mayan ruins, but it is one of the most incredible and famous archeological sites in the entire world. What makes Chichen Itza superior to the other temple complexes in Mexico involves both the impressive nature of the structures themselves as well as what they say about how advanced this civilization was.

The Chichen Itza, one of the largest cities ever built by the Mayans, is located about a 2 hour and 30-minute drive from Cancun, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. There are a total of 20 buildings within this vast temple complex. Among these structures are the famous ball court, the Venus platform, and the iconic Temple of Kukulcan.

The Temple of Kulkuclan is a perfect example of why Chichen Itza is so impressive. The towering temple has 365 stairs, which represent all the days of the year. The temple has four sides with four staircases, which also act as a compass. Most impressively, these decorative staircases light up impressively on both the spring and fall equinoxes, showing just how knowledgeable the Mayans were when it came to their understanding of the Earth and the sun.

A trip to Chichen Itza can be done independently or through a tour company. Many tour companies include a visit to a cenote and the picturesque town of Valladolid, which makes for a complete and memorable day trip.

If you like to stay fit and active during a holiday, then Tulum is a great place to visit. In addition to the many underwater activities available, Tulum is also the epicenter of yoga, meditation, and wellness in the Riviera Maya.

When you walk through Tulum, it is hard to go more than 5 minutes without seeing someone walk by or speed by you on a moped while carrying a yoga mat. Most resorts offer yoga and meditation classes, and some even offer entire wellness retreats. If you are looking for a way to completely unplug and reconnect with yourself on holiday, head over to Holistika, a resort that has tons of different classes and workshops.

Holistika is just one of many resorts whose brand focuses on yoga and wellness. Even in Tulum town you will find plenty of yoga studios and guided meditations. So pack your yoga mat, or buy one in Tulum, and enjoy some top-notch yoga in an unmatched tranquil jungle environment.

Tulum has lots of amazing food options. From giant and delicious burritos at Burrito Amor to fantastic seafood at El Camello Jr., the options are endless and delicious – but for the best and most authentic Yucatan food nothing beats Taqueria Honorio.

Taqueria Honorio is a simple and unpretentious taqueria in the heart of central Tulum. It doesn’t have any fancy frills, but it does have shockingly low prices and a menu that serves up all of Yucatan’s signature dishes. These dishes include delicious taco-like creations salbutes and panuchos, as well as a delicious slow-roasted pork dish called cochinita pibil.

There are many places in Riviera Maya to have great authentic food. Taqueria Honorio stands out among others because it has a prime central location, great prices, and some of the best food in the area. Because of this, expect a line shortly after they open – but it’s worth the wait.

Tulum might be lined by beautiful ocean, but reaching a public beach can be more challenging than you might think. Many resorts make it hard for the public to access certain portions of the beach, and other long stretches are slightly blocked by the dense Yucatan jungle. But there are some public beaches that are easy enough to access, and the best among them is Playa Paraiso.

Playa Paraiso has the stunning baby blue water and soft white sand Tulum is known for, and it has so much more. You can simply lay out with other beach bums or opt to rent a daybed or cabana at one of the many beach clubs along the water. These places range anywhere from about 100 pesos to 500 pesos.

This beach stretches all the way to the Tulum ruins. So if you feel like an epic beach walk, you can arrive at Playa Paraiso early, walk to the ruins, and then walk back. Best of all, if you get tired or hot, the ocean and ample restaurants are just a few steps away.

For those looking to completely connect with nature, there is no better place in Riviera Maya than at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, the Mexican Caribbean’s largest protected natural area. Sian Ka’an Biosphere is so stunning and critical that it was named a UNESCO Heritage Site.

There is so much to do and see in this area. There are lagoons, marshes, and mangroves you can paddle through on a kayak and explore. You can gaze up to the sky and spot some incredible exotic bird species or trek into the jungle to spot local flora and fauna.

The Yucatán has an incredibly unique and diverse ecosystem, and no place showcases this rich bounty of life quite like the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. It is a great way to embrace the rugged wilderness and experience what this peninsula was like before the all-inclusive resorts took over.

Tulum has a very particular aesthetic. It is full of macrame clothing and wall art, dream catchers, elaborate hammocks, and adorable swings. If you fall in love with these designs, you are in luck because these items are all available for purchase in abundance.

There is some great and unique shopping in the center of Tulum. On the main street as well as more populated side streets, there are shops with all sorts of fashionable creations. You can find some really chic and trendy pieces for your home and even your closet. Expect to pay more than cheap tourist stores in Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, but you are likely paying for higher quality. There are, however, plenty of cheap souvenirs available here as well.

If you are looking for an eventful, easy, and affordable day trip from Tulum, consider taking the ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen for an afternoon. Buses leave every thirty minutes or so from the center of Tulum and arrive in the center of Playa Del Carmen approximately 90 minutes later.

ADO buses are air-conditioned and usually relatively clean. The pickup and dropoff locations are super convenient, making it so you might not need a taxi at all – especially if your accommodation is located in the center of Tulum.

Playa Del Carmen has a lot more shops and experiences geared towards tourists. You can easily spend several days here checking out the Xcaret parks, taking a ferry to Cozumel, or just walking La Quinta Avenida, the city’s bustling pedestrian-only avenue.

Scuba diving in Riviera Maya is some of the best diving in Mexico, and the pinnacle of diving in this region is off the shores of Cozumel. Cozumel’s Coral Reef National Park is massive and is part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, which is the second largest in the world.

This abundant reef has tons to see. From sharks and sea turtles to colorful coral and impressive sponges, it has it all. After an epic dive, you can enjoy the laid-back island of Cozumel, as well as its incredible seafood and great beaches.