Are you thinking about visiting Tulum, Mexico? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Tulum worth visiting?
This town is a good place to visit for three to five days. Tulum is a popular resort town on the Caribbean side of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. While it was once a backpacker hangout, today is has many upscale resorts and is well established as a vacation destination. The beaches are beautiful with white sand and blue water. There are also world-famous Mayan ruins, unique cenotes, and impressive resorts. Tulum is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023.
The beach of Tulum, Mexico
Reasons to Visit Tulum
Museums
It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.
Nightlife
It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.
Resorts
If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.
Beaches
World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.
Food
Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).
Hiking
There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.
Shopping
Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Tulum might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Tulum here or see if Tulum is expensive here.
Is Tulum worth visiting in the Summer?
This is the low season for travel in Tulum. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit. This is hurricane season so you're taking a risk if you visit during this time.
The weather in Tulum is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (83°F). But it can get as warm as 34°C (93°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the hiking, and the famous sights and museums. Also, you can relax at a resort and enjoy the evening activities.
Summer Weather in Tulum
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| August | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
Is Tulum worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather in Tulum is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 27°C (81°F). But it can get as warm as 32°C (90°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
The low season for travel in Tulum is during the autumn. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, browse the museums, and discover the nearby hiking trails.
Autumn Weather in Tulum
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| November | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| December | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Tulum worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in Tulum, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The warm weather in winter is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (74°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (85°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and enjoy an evening out.
Winter Weather in Tulum
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| February | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| March | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Is Tulum worth visiting in the Spring?
The high season for travel in Tulum is the spring, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 27°C (81°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 34°C (93°F).
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the shops and boutiques, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Tulum
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| June | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Tulum
Lots of Tourists
Tulum sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Related
What is Tulum most famous for?
Tulum is most famous for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. The town is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. It is also known for its great food, hiking, and shopping. It is often described as archeological, tropical, active, lively, and ancient.
What is the most famous sight in Tulum?
The most popular sight in Tulum is the Tulum archeological ruins. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Tulum on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the Tulum archeological ruins and other attractions here.
How touristy is Tulum? Is it a popular town to visit?
Tulum is a very touristy town that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Private Cenote & Snorkeling Tour with Turtles in Akumal: $180
- Tulum Private Tour VIP: $200
- Tulum Ruins & Cenote guided private tour from Tulum and Riviera Maya.: $295
- Sian Ka'an & Birdwatching Tours By Eddy: $95
- Cenotes Private Tour VIP: $200
- Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve Day Tour from Tulum: $220
- Lagoon Paddleboarding Tour in Tulum: $125
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
How long should I spend in Tulum?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Tulum is at least three or as many as five days. Since Tulum has a variety of activities such as museums, nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Tulum?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tulum?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tulum?.
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.