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.
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.
Many travelers choose to stay in Tulum town to save some cash. You can always whip down to the beach in a taxi, bike, or by foot. Plus, Tulum town is a better base for getting out and checking out all the day trips from Tulum.
Tulum Beach — Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton, Kristen Cavallari, Demi Moore, and Drew Barrymore, have been spotted in Tulum at Habitas, Azulik, and the Amansala Resort & Spa.
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.
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.
As it's a small-sized pueblo, you can certainly cover a lot of ground with just 4, 5 or even 3 days in Tulum. As with any vacation destination — the longer the better for any trip to Tulum Mexico.
Playa del Carmen is ideal for all budgets, from backpackers to bougies. At the same time, Tulum remains one of the most expensive cities in all of Mexico. Still, if you're looking for a back-to-nature escape with verdant jungle views, Tulum is your best bet.
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.
All that's left to do is map out what you will do and see during your time in Tulum. In just 3-5 days, you could easily check off all of Tulum's highlights, splash in a handful of cenotes, and include a fun day trip to nearby Coba and other incredible Riviera Maya destinations.
If you're on a tighter budget, Bali is always going to be the better option for you. You can live like the insta-queen or king you've always dreamt of in Bali at just a fraction of the cost of living in Tulum. But if costs aren't an important factor, you'll find that there's no exact way to distinguish between the two.
A good tip is to wear your swimsuit from the moment you leave your room or hotel. This will help to speed up the change of clothes at the cenote. There's no need for fancy outfits. Natural Sunscreen/ Insect repellent: You are in the middle of the jungle.