Tulum's stunning beaches are calm and perfect for swimming, beach walks, and just chilling out. Travelers heading to Tulum can stay in affordable luxury Tulum town, or the chic and pricier Tulum beach zone.
Yes, that's right, Tulum ruins beach, there is a beach just down the cliff from the ruins and it's the perfect place to cool off and take a swim in the Caribbean sea halfway round.
Be cautious at night if you're traveling alone – Tulum isn't the most dangerous place at night, but in some places, it's not as well lit as it should be. Don't walk around alone late at night if you can avoid it — especially between the center of town and the beachfront hotel zone.
Playa Pescadores is a gorgeous beach with calm, clear waters and ridiculously good ceviche. Located just north of Playa Paraíso, this beach offers an enchanting view of Tulum's ruins from the shoreline.
These natural limestone sinkholes are filled with cool waters that make them ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving. If you're visiting the popular Yucatan city of Tulum, exploring nearby cenotes is a must.
The swimming season in this location lasts all year round. Average annual water temperature on the coast in Tulum is 82°F, by the seasons: in winter 80°F, in spring 81°F, in summer 84°F, in autumn 84°F. Minimum water temperature (79°F) in Tulum it happens in January, maximum (86°F) in September.
Is Tulum safer than Cancun? Not really. They're both generally safe. The key difference is that Cancun's mainstream holidaymakers tend to stick more to their hotels, especially the all-inclusives.
Stay away from drugs and drug-related activities.But when violent crime does happen here, it's usually related to drugs. If you're traveling solo, avoid going to secluded places at night. Bicycling is pretty tempting when you're in Tulum, but avoid bicycling around at night. Take a taxi if you're alone.
Thick rafts of a seaweed-like algae species known as sargassum have caused resorts to close in the Caribbean before, and now they're piling up on Mexico's Riviera Maya in foul-smelling heaps.
I'd recommend Tulum Beach if it's your first time visiting Tulum and you want to lay out on the beach all day, hit a trendy restaurant for dinner, and dance the night away. I'd recommend Tulum Town if you're on a budget and want to explore cenotes, ruins and have a more active vacation!
Although there will be some bacteria in the water from the tap it is fine to brush your teeth with, even if you are at a place where you can't drink the tap water.
Non swimmers can wade to the other side of the cave where they can walk around a natural open hole to the jungle above. Snorkelers can swim around the edges of the cenote, viewing depths up to 10 meters. Be careful to always keep an eye on the solid rock ceiling above so as to not bump your head.
Tulum beaches are as pristine as Cancun but quieter and more relaxing. If your idea of a vacation is relaxing quietly on the beach, then Tulum will be your better option! The water is typically calmer, too, making it friendly for swimmers.
While it's possible to walk the 1.8 miles (3km) from Tulum Pueblo to Tulum Playa, it's a long and often sweltering experience. There's a paved path along Avenida Cobá leading to the beach road, but it's also used heavily by cyclists and has little shade… not optimal for walkers.
While exposed eastern shores are most likely to get hit by surges of sargassum, some beaches in Mexico have no sargassum. This includes Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo and Cozumel's western shore. They're generally seaweed-free. However, much depends on winds and ocean currents.