Can you visit Tulum from Playa del Carmen?

The ruins in Tulum are only around 45 minutes from the town of Playa del Carmen and 1.5 hours from the Cancun Hotel Zone. History mavens will never want to leave. You will get to enjoy a guided tour and also have some free time to roam this ancient city by yourself.



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Tulum is a short drive from Playa del Carmen, but unless you have a rental car or another ride source, you won't be able to go on your own. Book this Tulum and Casa Cenote Tour from Playa del Carmen and leave the ride planning up to someone else.

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Taxis to Tulum from Playa del Carmen usually cost around 600 pesos (around 30 USD), but if you're traveling with a few other people the split cost isn't too terrible.

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Rideshare Apps Won't Work in Tulum Save yourself the trouble, and don't try to find an Uber or Lyft while in Tulum. You'll need to rely on other forms of transportation, so you may need to plan ahead a bit further than you do in other vacation destinations.

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Tulum is a magical place, so it's no surprise that taking a day trip to the town from other vacation spots in Mexico is pretty common. Whether you're looking to explore fun outdoor activities or want to chill out and enjoy your trip at one of Tulum's best beaches, there's plenty to see and do.

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The beaches on Tulum are much more picturesque when compared to Playa del Carmen. However, Tulum isn't very walkable. If you're staying in Downtown Tulum, you'll have to rent a car, get a cab ride, or bike to the beaches. The same goes for if you're staying at a beach resort and want to visit downtown.

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Good weather, great prices – The shoulder months of May, July and August are some of the best times of the year to explore Tulum if saving a few dollars and having more space for your beach towel are dealbreakers. Local hotel rates and airfare to the Riviera Maya tend to be lowest during these less-crowded months.

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I think visiting Tulum ruins without a tour guide is also possible since each site has an English and Spanish sign to help you understand what you are seeing. In fact, compared to other Mexican sites, I would say Tulum ruins has among the best board signage systems, which is great for visitors traveling on a budget.

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Whether you're there for a single night or an entire month, any trip to Tulum is memorable. As a baseline, we think that 5-7 days is a perfect amount of time to enjoy everything the city offers. You'll have time for the beach, to visit Mayan ruins, and even have enough extra days for a trip to a nearby destination.

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The ideal number of days in Playa del Carmen depends on your preferences and interests. Generally, a 3 to 7-day trip should provide enough time to see the main attractions, enjoy the beach, and take day trips to nearby sights.

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Location: Akumal is located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the drive from Cancun to this spot takes around 1 hour (give or take a few depending on traffic). This beach town is primarily composed of five major bays that offer the best snorkeling on the coast right offshore.

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Keep in mind, there is no airport in Tulum, so you'll need to fly to a neighboring airport and travel from there. The closest airports to Tulum are the Cancún International Airport (CUN), which is about 75 miles north, and Cozumel International Airport (CZM), which is about 50 miles northeast.

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Playa del Carmen started out as a Fisherman's village, as many as 110 years ago. The white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back feel have made it a popular destination for tourists.

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They both offer beautiful beaches, breathtaking coastlines, and comforting weather. Their main differences rest in the type of experience you are looking for. Cancun tends to be more upbeat and caters more to the tourist crowd. Tulum is more relaxing and gives you a greater authentic local experience.

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Tulum has many beautiful traces of Mayan culture and history, much like the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo. Visiting Tulum is worth it simply for the experience of seeing the historical Tulum Ruins in person.

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Where do Celebrities Stay in Tulum? A few celebrities, such as Paris Hilton, Kristen Cavallari, and Drew Barrymore, have been spotted in Tulum at Habitas, Azulik, and Amansala Resort & Spa.

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Although one day in Tulum is kind of short, but if you plan it ahead, you can make the most out of it. And make sure to rent a car (it's very affordable)! Below is my recommended itinerary for an one-day trip to Tulum based on my own experience from my last 5-day trip.

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There are two different modes of transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum; taxi or bus. The Cancun Airport taxis will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Tulum and cost approximately $110 (MXN 2,200).

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No, there is no Uber in Tulum and I would recommend avoiding Taxis, as they charge outrageous rates and that is why I recommend renting a car.

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