How much does it cost to travel to Tulum?
You should plan to spend around $45 (M$755) per day on your vacation in Tulum. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $13 (M$219) on meals
- $11 (M$177) on local transportation
- $43 (M$718) on hotels
A one week trip to Tulum for two people costs, on average, $635 (M$10,567). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Tulum has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Tulum expensive to visit?
Prices in Tulum are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Tulum is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Tulum Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Tulum?
The average Tulum trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Tulum travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
M$718
($43)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
M$177
($11)
|
|
Food 2
|
M$219
($13)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
M$198
($12)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
M$5 -
15
($0 - 1)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
M$78 -
235
($5 - 14)
|
Accommodation Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Tulum is $22 (M$359). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Tulum is $43 (M$718). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Tulum? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Tulum is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $11 (M$177) per person, per day, on local transportation in Tulum.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$11
M$177
How much does it cost to go to Tulum? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Tulum will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Tulum are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Tulum, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Tulum can vary, the average cost of food in Tulum is $13 (M$219) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Tulum should cost around $5.27 (M$88) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Tulum is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$13
M$219
Typical prices for Food in Tulum are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Tulum, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Tulum typically cost an average of $12 (M$198) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$12
M$198
Tips and Handouts Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $9.41 (M$157) on alcoholic beverages in Tulum per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$9.41
M$157
Water Budget in Tulum
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.69 (M$12) on bottled water in Tulum per day. The public water in Tulum is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.69
M$12
Tulum On a Budget
The beach of Tulum, Mexico
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
Sights
Once you've visited the
ruins of Tulum, there are other things to see and do in this area. For example, the Coba Ruins are not far. These ruins may not be as cleaned up as Tulum, but it is home to "El Castillo," the tallest Mayan ruin. Climb to the top of this ruin just above the treetops of the jungle for a magnificent view. So as you can see, Tulum is only one of several archaeological sites in the region, and you can see
a comparison of Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan here.
Another good place to visit, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere offers acres of wetlands and swamps which can be visited on a tour. You'll see some of the native flora and fauna. Ask about a guided tour of the area, which is especially good later in the afternoon.
Neighborhoods
Before visiting travelers should know that there are actually three different sections of Tulum. The Tulum Pueblo, also known as "El Pueblo" to the locals, is where most of the workers and stores are located. Here is where you'll find the bus stations, hotels and hostels. Don't expect to find much local culture, as this section of town feels like it only exists to serve the tourists.
The Tulum Playa is for those seeking a more chic getaway. It's nestled right along the coastline of white Caribbean beaches, and includes the fancier boutiques in town. This is also a great area to find places to stay, such as a
great Airbnb in Tulum.
The Tulum Ruinas is the archaeological site where the actual ruins are. There are a handful of hotels, restaurants, a small bus station and one huge parking lot.
Activities
It's not difficult to find your typical Caribbean activities in Tulum - snorkeling, kite surfing, sunbathing, jet skiing, etc. - but a popular activity in this area involves cenotes. As rainwater collects in underground caves and tunnels, it reaches the surface and forms what is known as a cenote. Take a dip or a dive in one of these freshwater pools for a close up look at fish, turtles and even bats. With some more open surfaces and others under the rock covering, there's a cenote for every level of adventure. Some of the more
popular cenotes in Tulum include El Gran Cenote, Casa Cenote, Cenote Calavera, Cenotes Cristal and Escondido, Dos Ojos Cenote and Zacil-Ha. Plus, if you'd rather not dive under the rock formations, there are diving, snorkeling and eco tours available around the coast of Tulum.
Food and Dining
Given that this area caters very much to the tourists visiting the ruins, there is every type of food you could crave. While a pizza may look appetizing, try to sample the tastes of Mexico while you're there. Try a tamale from a street stand or some chicken and rice for dinner. It's also advised that if you want to keep your meal under your budget, avoid the beachside resorts. If you do find yourself beachside,
find a restaurant in Tulum, or visit one of the two big supermarkets to pack your own cooler for a day in the sand.
Transportation
If you plan on staying within the Pueblo, walking the most convenient and efficient way to get around. However, when traveling between the beach, the pueblo and the ruins, a taxi is the best option. Bikes are also a convenient way to get around. Be sure to use extra caution if riding on the highway, and bring a headlamps if you're going to ride at night.
Related
Looking for a
party hostel in Mexico? Heading to
San Diego or
LA?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.