Straw Hat Tulum

Tulum is a town on the east side of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It’s best known for its cenotes and the ruins of an ancient Mayan city. Tulum also sits along the turquoise beauty of the Caribbean Sea and has long, white sand beaches. Talk about paradise!

There are plenty of hostels in Tulum to choose from, spread throughout the town and down the coastline, which means you’ll definitely find something to suit the trip you want. Tulum hostels are extremely affordable and often luxurious, perfect for budget backpackers and deluxe travellers alike. Free breakfast is also common. There are hostels with epic pools, beach-front huts and even one with a late night rooftop lounge! Don't forget to check out our guide to the best hostels in Tulum.

Staying in Tulum centre is perfect for those looking to have numerous food options while still being a short drive (or even walk!) from the beaches, Gran Cenote and Mayan Ruins. Further out of town are hostels nestled amongst the mangroves that will take your getaway to the next level. There’s even a camping village hostel that is dedicated to fostering communication, creation, and being surrounded by nature.

A must-see in Tulum are the Tulum Ruins, which were built in the late thirteenth century by the Mayans. You also need to check out the various caverns, caves and cenotes that have formed within Tulum’s limestone and filled with breath-taking turquoise water. Popular ones include Gran Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos. You can scuba and snorkel in the cenotes, but it’s worth getting out into the ocean as well! Of course, no trip to Tulum would be complete without some time lounging on the beach. You won’t find a ton of mega-clubs in Tulum, but the beach bars and restaurants are more than enough for a late night of partying.

The best way to get around Tulum is by taxi. You’ll pay an affordable fixed rate and won't have to worry about getting through the traffic when you drive yourself. Alternatively, biking and walking are also great ways to get around as Tulum is fairly compact, so you won’t have to travel far. Plus you’ll burn off all those tacos, bonus! The closest airport to Tulum is in Cancun – from there, take the ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen, then transfer to the Tulum bus when you arrive. Tulum is well connected to all nearby tourist destinations by a reliable bus service.