green palm tree near body of water during daytime

Tulum

Clifftop Maya ruins, cenote swims and a beach road of thatched cabañas make Tulum a trip for sightseeing, swimming and slow beach days.

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Tulum is a town on the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo in southeastern Mexico, and the site of a walled Maya city built on cliffs above the sea. The ruins are the area's best-known sight. The town began as a small fishing village and a stop for chicle harvesters. It grew after Highway 307 was built in the 1970s and tourism to the ruins rose in the 1990s. The beach hotel zone, about 2 kilometers from the town center, has more than 70 hotels, mostly thatched Maya-style cabañas, plus some upscale ones.

Travelers come mainly for the ruins, the cenotes (natural sinkholes used for swimming and diving) and the beach. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nearby, runs mangrove and lagoon tours, and Cobá, Akumal and Xel-Ha are day trips. Tulum International Airport opened in December 2023 and the Tren Maya serves the town. Winter and early spring are the busiest and driest months, and hurricane season runs roughly June to November.

Tulum in five

Be at the ruins at openingThe clifftop site is small and has little shade, and tour groups arrive mid-morning. Early light is the best for photos too.
Shower before cenote swimsMost cenotes ask you to rinse off and skip sunscreen and repellent to protect the water. Bring cash for entry.
Rent a bike for the beach roadA bike lane runs between town and the beach, and bikes beat taxis for short hops.
Fly into Tulum or CancúnTulum airport (TQO) is south of town. Cancún has more flights and is about 2 hours away by car or ADO bus.

Things to do in Tulum

See all attractions in Tulum

Park · TulumParque del Jaguar

gray rock formation near body of water during daytime

Sight · TulumADO Bus Terminal - Tulum Ruins

Sight · TulumSFER IK TULUMCheck which SFER IK location you are planning to visit, as there is also a larger site deeper in the jungle.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TulumPut the places you like in Tulum on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Tulum (TQO) or Cancún (CUN), about 2 hours north
Getting there: ADO bus or Tren Maya from Cancún and Playa del Carmen
Getting around: Bike, taxi or colectivo on Highway 307
Best base: The beach road for the sea, town for value
Time needed: 3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Dry, breezy
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, warm
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, busy
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, hot
MayRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Sargassum risk
JuneRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Hurricane season
JulyRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hot, humid
AugustRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hot, storms
SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Peak storm risk
OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Storm risk
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Drier, quieter
DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Tulum, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Tulum

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 26°
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 67%

Tulum

02:52 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT-5

Today30°22°67%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 67%.
Wed30°23°75%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 75%.
Thu30°22°49%Thursday: Fog. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 49%.
Fri30°22°49%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 49%.
Sat30°22°53%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 53%.
Sun28°23°71%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 71%.

Updated 02:19 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.61 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Cobáabout 45 min by carA Maya city spread through the forest, best explored by rented bike.Read the guide
Akumalabout 30 min by carA bay known for sea turtles; follow the local rules on guides and zones.Read the guide
Sian Ka'anabout 30 min to the Muyil entranceA biosphere reserve of lagoons and mangrove channels south of town.

Before you go to Tulum

Cenote and Sian Ka'an toursGuided swims and mangrove boatsCompare tours

Beach road and town staysSea views or a lower nightly rateCheck availability

eSIM for TulumSignal along the beach road and jungleRead the guide

Travel insurance for TulumCover for cenote swims and storm delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Tulum, checked

Many nationalities need a visa or a tourist permit (FMM) for Mexico. Check your entry requirements on the official gob.mx site before you book.Source
Sian Ka'an is a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. Book its mangrove and lagoon tours through a tour operator and follow the guide's rules on wildlife and trails.
Some cenotes restrict sunscreen or insect repellent. Ask the staff before you swim, and rinse off before entering the water if they ask you to.
Tipping is customary in restaurants and for tour guides. Check the bill first, since some places add a service charge.

Plan around Tulum

All of Mexico

Regions, entry, money and when to go

Read the guide Cobá

The forest Maya city, 45 minutes inland

Read the guide Akumal

Sea turtles and a calm bay to the north

Read the guide Chichén Itzá, Cobá or Tulum

Which Maya site to pick

Read the guide Playa, Tulum or Cancún

Which Riviera Maya base to choose

Read the guide Playa del Carmen

The bigger town an hour north

Read the guide Getting around by bus

ADO, colectivos and transfers

Read the guide

Tulum FAQ

Is Tulum worth visiting over Cancún?

Pick Tulum for the ruins, cenotes and a low-rise beach; pick Cancún for big resorts and more flights. Many trips do both.

How do I get from Cancún to Tulum?

ADO buses and the Tren Maya run from Cancún, or drive about 2 hours on Highway 307.

Can I swim in the cenotes near Tulum?

Yes. Most charge an entry fee in cash and ask you to shower first and skip sunscreen to protect the water.

Should I stay on the beach road or in Tulum town?

The beach road has the sea, boutique hotels and higher prices, with taxis or a bike for dinner. Town is cheaper, closer to supermarkets and the bus station, and a short ride from the beach.

Are the Tulum ruins worth visiting?

Yes, for the clifftop setting over the Caribbean, though the site is small and crowded by late morning. Go at opening, then swim at the beach below or head inland to Cobá for a quieter, larger site.