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Maya Ruins of Tulum

Mayan ruins, cenotes and Caribbean beaches

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Maya Ruins of Tulum Plan a trip around Mexico

Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec
Currency: MXN
Time zone: UTC-5
Country: Mexico

Photo: Gary Todd, CC0

Tulum is a Caribbean coast town in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, known for its cliff-top Mayan ruins, white-sand beaches and nearby cenotes. Visitors come for the archaeological site, the beach hotel zone and the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve.

Largest cities

Mexico City
Guadalajara
Monterrey
Puebla
Tijuana

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Mexico
Capital: Mexico City
Town population: 18,233
Population of Mexico: 132.3M
Country area: 1,972,550 km²
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN) · 1 USD ≈ 18.41 MXN
Time zone: UTC-5
Calling code: +52
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 3 m
Plugs: A / B · 127V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	27°	28°	29°	30°	31°	30°	31°	31°	31°	30°	29°	28°
Low	22°	22°	24°	24°	26°	26°	26°	26°	25°	24°	22°	22°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$41
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$115
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$375

Plan a trip to Maya Ruins of Tulum

Top things to do

≈ $5
Tulum Archaeological Site
Walk the walled Maya city on 12-metre cliffs and see El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God; arrive at opening to avoid the tour buses.
- Half day
- Tulum Pueblo (town centre)
- Good for kids
Free
Playa Paraiso
One of Tulum's whitest-sand beaches below the ruins, good for swimming and an easy sunset stroll; bring cash for beach-club minimums.
- Half day
- Tulum Playa (beach hotel zone)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $20
Gran Cenote
Swim and snorkel in a clear freshwater sinkhole with stalactites and turtles; go early as it fills up and lockers cost extra.
- Half day
- Tulum Pueblo (town centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $120
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Boat Tour
A full-day boat trip through mangroves and lagoons to see dolphins, birds and Mayan canals; book with a licensed operator and bring sun protection.
- Full day
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
- Good for kids
≈ $25
Cobá Ruins Day Trip
Rent a bike to explore this large jungle Maya site with the tallest pyramid in the region; combine it with a cenote stop on the way back.
- Full day
- Tulum Pueblo (town centre)
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Temple of the Frescoes
See the preserved diving-god stucco figure and the Mixteca-Puebla style mural inside the ruins; entry is included with the site ticket but you cannot go inside the temple.
- Half day
- Tulum Pueblo (town centre)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Tulum Pueblo Evening Walk
Browse taquerias, craft stalls and small shops along Highway 307 after dark; it is the cheapest place for dinner and supplies.
- Half day
- Tulum Pueblo (town centre)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Tulum Playa Hotel Zone
Walk the beachfront strip of boutique hotels, restaurants and bars that comes alive at night; most places stay quiet until late afternoon.
- Half day
- Tulum Playa (beach hotel zone)
- Good in the evening

Before you go

Entry and visas

British citizens and many other nationalities can visit Mexico as tourists without a visa, receiving a stamp on arrival that states the allowed length of stay. You may be asked to show a return ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds. Entry rules depend on nationality; check the official Mexican immigration site or your nearest Mexican embassy before travel.

Official website

From the airport

Tulum International Airport (TQO) opened in December 2023 and sits just outside town, with a taxi or shuttle ride of about 20–30 minutes to the centre. Cancún International Airport (CUN) is the other main gateway, roughly 1.5–2 hours away by taxi or ADO bus.

Getting around

Taxis and colectivo vans cover the town, beach zone and ruins, with the Tren Maya and ADO buses linking Tulum to Cancún, Playa del Carmen and other Yucatán towns.

Local tips

Bring cash in pesos for ruins tickets, cenote entries and colectivos; many beach businesses add card fees.
Visit the archaeological site right at opening (around 08:00) to beat the tour buses that arrive near 10:00.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable bottle; beach hotels are eco-focused and may limit water and electricity use.
June to October is hurricane season with heavy rain in June, August and September, so check forecasts if travelling then.

Areas worth knowing

La Veleta
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Aldea Zama
Tulum Playa (beach hotel zone)
Tulum Pueblo (town centre)

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 9, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK