Looking for the perfect 3, 4 or 5 day itinerary for Tulum, Mexico?
After visiting Tulum countless times since my first visit in 2015 (and seeing some major growth over the years!), I’ve gotten to explore so much of the area and experienced the amazing food, culture and history.
From the beautiful beaches to the rugged jungles and the turquoise cenotes, Tulum has unbelievable natural beauty. And along the hotel zone, you can find eco-chic hotels, a thriving art and music scene, delicious cuisine and buzzy nightlife.
So here’s the ultimate Tulum itinerary!
How Many Days Should You Spend in Tulum?
Unlike other popular beach destinations in Mexico, Tulum is really a destination where you could choose to spend however long you like. There’s a sizable expat community and it’s not unpopular to stay for weeks or months at a time.
The Yucatan peninsula is home to numerous charming and colorful towns, Mayan ruins, islands, lagoons and cenotes. You could literally spend years exploring all of the wonders it holds!
That being said, Tulum is also a great long weekend destination and just a taste of Tulum will keep you coming back to explore more.
Three days is a perfect introduction to Tulum for first time visitors and with four, five or six days, it would be easy to add a day trip or two.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Tulum?
Tulum’s high season is from November to April with temperatures ranging from the 70s to 80s. The holidays are especially popular which means that hotel rates will be surging and crowds and traffic can be a nuisance.
Hurricane season is June through October and temperatures reach the 90s so it’s best to avoid these months if you want to ensure the best weather. June and October are the shoulder season months so hotel rates will be lower and you’ll battle less crowds but the weather can be unpredictable!
Also note that sargassum, a type of seaweed found in the Caribbean Sea, blankets the beaches of Tulum and the surrounding areas from April to August but can unpredictably effect other months of the year as well.
My favorite months to visit Tulum are November or February – March as you can expect incredible weather and it will be less crowded than the holiday season.
How to Spend 3 – 5 Days in Tulum
Day 1: Relax at a Beach Club
For your first day in Tulum, take it easy and soak up some sun on the beautiful beaches! If your lodging doesn’t have its own beach club then head to one of the many beach clubs in the Tulum hotel zone.
One of my favorite beach clubs is at Hotel Panamera. This boutique hotel feels more like a gorgeous villa than a hotel. Plus, it’s got comfortable beach loungers on an idyllic stretch of beach in the center of Tulum. Grab lunch at their restaurant and cool down with a dip in their picturesque pool!
Some of my other favorite beach clubs are at Papaya Playa Project and Coco Tulum.
After wiling the day away at Hotel Panamera, check out one of the most popular restaurants in Tulum for a fun dinner.
Dinner at Casa Malca
Philosophy at Casa Malca has a lively ambience in a boho chic setting. Casa Malca was once owned by Colombian drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar, and has now been converted into a hotel. The interior design and artwork throughout the hotel is eccentric and totally worth checking out!
Day 2: Cenote Hopping
Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with freshwater and can be found all around Tulum. In fact, there are thousands of them on the Yucatan peninsula. Cenotes can be open air or enclosed in a cave and came in all shapes and sizes… which makes it fun to explore different cenotes!
Here are some of my favorite cenotes in the Tulum area:
Cenote Dos Ojos: This cenote is one of the most popular in the area for swimming, snorkeling and diving. It’s actually a network of cenotes with an underground cave system making it especially popular with divers!
Casa Cenote: Have you ever wanted to swim with a crocodile? Well, you can at Casa Cenote!
Read Next: Swimming with Pancho the crocodile at Casa Cenote
Cenote Xunaan-Ha & Cenote Chan Chemuyil: Cenote Xunaan-Ha is an open air cenote with beautiful, clear water and is less touristy than some of the other cenotes in the area. Nearby Cenote Chan Chemuyil is a partially enclosed cave cenote that is small but still worth stopping by for a look!
Cenote Azul + Cenote Jardin del Eden: These two cenotes are popular day trips from both Tulum and Playa del Carmen. They are picturesque open air cenotes with turquoise water!
Note that to visit the cenotes, it’s best to have a rental car or hire a driver to take you on a cenote tour for the day. Some of the more popular cenotes can get quite busy so heading out on the earlier side is recommended if you want to beat the crowds. And, don’t forget to pack a towel and some cash to pay for the entrance fees!
Lastly, it’s important to note that you should not wear sunscreen, lotions or any other creams or products while swimming in the cenotes as it can be harmful to the ecosystem. So just make sure to rinse off before your swim or apply products afterwards!
Dinner at Kin Toh
After your day of cenote hopping, treat yourself to an unforgettable dinner at Kin Toh. Located in Azulik, one of Tulum’s most well-known hotels, Kin Toh is a real life treehouse with epic jungle views! It’s considered fine dining with a modern Mayan-Mexican cuisine. Make a reservation in advance!
Read Next: Staying at Azulik in Tulum (Is it Worth the Hype?)
Day 3: Explore the Tulum Beach Road, Tulum Ruins & Pueblo
One of the main modes of transportation in Tulum is by bicycle. Many of the hotels in Tulum offer bicycles for their guests and there are plenty of bicycle rental shops around town as well. So, on your third day in Tulum, hop on bikes and spend the morning exploring the Tulum beach road!
Smoothie Bowls at Matcha Mama
For a delicious breakfast, head to Matcha Mama for a smoothie bowl and a matcha latte. This little breakfast shack is just too cute!
Snap a Photo at Ven a la Luz
Next up, stop by the famous Ven a la Luz sculpture in front of the Ahau Tulum hotel. I’ve seen pretty long lines here to take a photo but I happened to be walking by one morning and it was empty so it may be better to visit on the early side!
Take a Dip in Cenote Encantado
If you want to cool down, check out the Cenote Encantado on the south side of the beach road. It’s the perfect place to take a refreshing dip.
Visit the Tulum Ruins
For the afternoon, head to the Tulum Ruins to step back in time. While these Mayan ruins are smaller than others, they are set on limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea which makes for a spectacular setting!
Explore Tulum Pueblo + Grab Tacos
After your big day of exploring, it’s time for tacos. The best tacos in Tulum can be found at Taqueria Honorio in Tulum pueblo, the city’s downtown area. This no frills taco joint is known for its cochinita pibil, or slow roasted pork.
While you’re in Tulum pueblo, check out the shops selling local artisan goods and stop by Batey’s for a mojito.
Day 4: Explore Sian Ka’an
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is just minutes from Tulum and is home to some incredible nature and wildlife. Explore on your own or organize a tour to swim in the freshwater lagoons and see manatees, dolphins, turtles and crocodiles!
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Dinner at NÜ Tulum
For an incredible dinner, head to NÜ Tulum for delectable Mayan inspired dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients. NÜ Tulum is the restaurant of the beautiful La Valise hotel, which is one of the top hotels in Tulum!
Day 5: Coba Ruins + Cenotes
After exploring both the beach and pueblo areas, it’s time to take another day trip to see what’s beyond Tulum. I recommend heading to the Coba Ruins which are approximately a 45-minute drive from Tulum.
The Coba Ruins are set in a lush jungle and are unique because they are some of the few ruins which visitors can actually climb! Climbing to the top of Ixmoja, the largest pyramid, is an adventure in itself. And once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with panoramic jungle views.
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to visiting the Coba Ruins
Along the road from Tulum to Coba, there are a number of other sights that are worth a stop, if you have the time:
Cenotes: there are plenty of cenotes in the Coba area as well as on the road from Tulum to Coba. Cenote Multum Ha, Cenote Choo-Ha and Cenote Tankach-Ha are all popular stops near the Coba Ruins. On the way back to Tulum, you could stop at Cenote Car Wash for a swim without the crowds!
Coqui Coqui Residence & Spa: a gorgeous hotel and spa that also offers day passes so you can spend the day at their stunning cenote pool. Note that reservations are required!
Azulik Uh May: From the creators of Azulik Tulum, Azulik Uh May is an art museum and restaurant. Entrance to the museum is $20 and their fine dining restaurant concept, Jungle Cuisine, is a unique jungle dining experience.
That’s it for my 3, 4 or 5 day itinerary for Tulum, Mexico! Once you’ve finished reading the Tulum itinerary, if you want more recommendations on the best restaurants to dine at, my favorite hotels to stay at both on the beach and in town, plus even more day trips, check out my full guide to visiting Tulum here.
Do you usually rent a car when you visit or hire a driver? If you hire a driver how do you find a reputable one?
Thanks! I’m trying to decide between an all-inclusive or a more adventurous.
I’ve done it both ways!
If I’m visiting Tulum for 2-3 nights, I usually just plan to stay somewhere central so I can walk to restaurants, beach clubs, etc. and then take taxis when I need to (even though they can be quite pricey, ugh!).
If I’m planning a longer visit with some day trips, I’ll rent a car (just make sure your accommodations have parking!) or I’ll ask the hotel if they can help set up a tour guide for a day trip.
Hi, your itinerary sounds amazing! I’m heading to Tulum for 5 nights/4 days and trying to decide if I should do a day trip to Chicken Itza or if its not worth it?
Hey Lauran! That sounds fabulous, I love Tulum 😍
It’s tough to say if Chichen Itza is “worth it” since it really depends on your personal preference! For me, I loved visiting — we got up super early (around sunrise) and drove the 2 hours to Chichen Itza from Tulum so we could get there at opening and avoid the crowds. (Note there is a 1 hour time change from Tulum!). We hired a guide at the entrance (usually costs between $30 – 70) for 2 hours and it was really interesting to hear about all of the history and meaning behind the ruins. So I’d say if you’re really interested in the history and culture aspect, it’s definitely worth a visit! Plus, it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World so it’s a bucket list check if you’re trying to visit all seven sites like me!
Also, the nearby, colorful town of Valladolid is charming and worth a stop as well, plus there are lots of great cenotes nearby (Cenote Ik Kil is probably the most famous). We really made a day of it and, after visiting Chichen Itza, explored Valladolid and visited Cenote Samula.
Another option is visiting the Coba Ruins, which are about 45 minutes from Tulum, and also very impressive. You can even climb up Ixmoja, the largest pyramid! There are also lots of cenotes on the road to Coba — we stopped at Cenote Car Wash and a few others.
Lastly, if you really aren’t into long drives, you could always check out the Tulum ruins which are small but still interesting and the sea views are lovely!
What an amazing post !! And what beautiful photography !!
Thank you so much! 🙂
As maxing trip details! I have to go now.
You’ll love it! 🙂