Are you planning a Tulum vacation soon? Excellent idea! Start scrolling to copy my Tulum itinerary, full of historic sites, delicious food and drinks, idyllic beaches, and much more from my most recent solo trip.
And if you enjoy this article, you'll also love my list of unique things to do in Tulum!
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How many days do I need in Tulum?
In my opinion, spending four days in Tulum, Mexico, is just the right amount of time to take in the best of this beautiful Yucatan destination! This Mexican beach town is small and walkable but boasts a good variety of things to do indoors and outdoors beyond the beaches.
I was able to fit in exploring ancient ruins, relaxing cenote dives, lazy beach days, endless tacos, and nightlife into a long weekend trip without needing to rush or overdo it.
When's the Best Time to Go to Tulum
Tulum's high season is from December through April when the weather is generally warm and sunny. This peak tourist period means you'll experience larger crowds and longer wait times as well as higher prices for just about everything.
That's not really my vibe so I like to travel during the low season or shoulder season when I can. Tulum's low season occurs in June and September through October when it's more rainy. And the shoulder season is May and the summer months of July and August.
I visited in early March and it was uncharacteristically peaceful and uncrowded and the weather held up with very little rain. But prices were certainly higher!
Pro Travel Tip
Use Google Flights to scan airfare prices from multiple carriers over several months!
Check out Tulum vacation package deals on Expedia!
Getting There
Coming from the United States, your best options are to fly into the Cancun International Airport (CUN) or Felipe Carillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), which are about 1.5 hour and 45 minutes from Tulum Centro, respectively.
I flew into Cancun via a $170 roundtrip flight deal, picked up a rental car then drove to Tulum from Cancun. The Cancun airport is a notoriously busy hub so I highly recommend having everything in order upon arrival. U.S. passport holders won't need a visa to stay less than 180 days, whether traveling for business or pleasure.
American tourists will need to fill out the Multiple Digital Migration Form or FMMd. Complete your form on the INM portal in advance or upon arrival at the airport. Guess which one is faster.
Read my top tips for traveling on a budget, which includes how I've scored flight deals to Tulum and other amazing destinations!
How to Get Around
In Mexico, they drive on the same side of the road as we do in the United States and the roads in and around Tulum are generally easy to navigate, from my experience. I will note that some of the developing areas of town had quite rocky unpaved roads when I visited.
In the Hotel Zone, aka Zona Hotelera, there's a long main road that's one lane in each direction so it can get congested, especially around dinner time.
If you're visiting with no car, you can hail a taxi, book a ride via Uber, or be strategic with your resort shuttle.
Pro Travel Tip
If you have a set itinerary (and are good with keeping to a schedule), consider striking an agreement with one driver for your whole trip--and don't forget to tip them well! Use WhatsApp to communicate with taxi drivers, excursion contacts, etc. in Tulum.
Tulum is also very bike-friendly and walkable so don't rule out renting a bike or taking advantage of free bikes available with your accommodation. I opted to ride into town a couple of nights instead of driving and found the rides to be quick and cool compared to the certified heat of daytime in Tulum.
And here's the run-down on driving in Tulum!
Where to Stay in Tulum
I stayed at Amaka Calma Riviera Tulum, which is a boutique eco-hotel located in Tulum Pueblo in the happening La Veleta neighborhood. For me, it was a great area with proximity to restaurants, cenotes, and more.
The hotel has a boho chic vibe and my little apartment had everything I needed, including a private plunge pool! The staff was attentive and kind, even when I brought back one of their bikes damaged from a lil' nighttime collision.
Read my detailed review of Amaka Calma Riviera Tulum, including the pros and cons of this property.
4 Days in Tulum Vacation Itinerary
Arrival + Late Night
Antojitos la Chiapaneca - I arrived to Tulum late in the evening and just got settled into my room then went into town to grab some of my favorite tacos. They were just fifty cents each and paired perfectly with an Indio beer.
Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar is a Tulum icon that serves old-school mojitos with real sugarcane. I started with a fresh maracuya mojito and think it's the perfect chill spot to kick off Tulum nightlife.
Check out all my favorite bites from this vacation in my where to eat in Tulum guide!
Beach Day + Jungle Dinner at Night
Matcha Mama came highly recommended and it did not disappoint as I wound up visiting twice. Starting my first full day in Tulum here for breakfast was peaceful. It's fabulous for photo ops, too!
There are plenty of things to do in Tulum, should you wish, but it's also the kind of place where you can indulge in an abundance of rest and relaxation. There are many spas, healing experiences, and opportunities to commune with nature. The pace is a bit slower and laying in a hammock for hours on the beach was a personal highlight of the trip. And the beaches are pristine! I already can't wait to go back.
Las Palmas Public Beach gave me the most perfect beach day! Don't be fooled by the public beach label. Las Palmas was just as beautiful and clean as every other playa I visited. Several hotels are situated along Las Palmas but you don't have to go through any of them to enter. As you bike or drive along the main road to get to the beach, look for a huge sign for the public entry point.
Coco Beach Club I went for drinks and to pass through to Tulum Beach, which was beautiful but honestly, no better than any other beach I visited.
Pro Travel Tip
Tulum Beach is technically public but access points are limited and you generally have to go through one of the beachfront properties to get to the sand. Additionally, chair and cabana rental options are often restricted to hotel guests.
Mexican Dining Experience - I highly recommend this experience, especially if you are traveling alone. There were singles, couples, and a big group at the dinner I took part in. Our host, Diego, was knowledgeable and entertaining as took us through how to make and enjoy traditional Mayan and Mexican food and drink, while dropping historical and cultural gems along the way.
Las Ruinas y Casa Malca
Visiting Tulum's Mayan Ruins is a two-in-one fun experience because there's a hidden beach, Playa Ruinas, waiting for you at the end of the excursion. I thoroughly enjoyed taking in all the history and wildlife (watch out for the iguanas) and then taking a cool dip in the Caribbean Sea.
Here's everything you need to know about Playa Ruinas and Tulum Ruins!
What to do in Tulum for a day? If you have just one day in Tulum, try a half-day tour that includes the Ruins and other must-do activities:
Sunset at Playa Paraiso is a Tulum must-do, in my opinion. I spent the whole afternoon here vibing, eating, and swimming and would do it again in a heartbeat. Expect to see lots of fishing boats out on the water as well as vintage boats planted in the sand, which make for great photo ops. Go to Villa Pescadores, order the fish tacos, and thank me later!
Read my tips on taking quality solo pictures on vacation!
Casa Malca is one of the iconic former homes of Pablo Escobar turned luxury hotel and is more known for its upscale aesthetic and unique art installations than its food. But it's a bougie traveler's dream so reservations stay booked!
I had dinner and drinks at Philosophy at Casa Malca (which were pretty good) then walked through the property to take in art pieces indoors and out.
Swimming + Souvenir Shopping
Caleta Tankha is another two-in-one because it's a beach with private cenotes onsite. I spent most of my last full day laying out and swimming between the two. Although there was almost nobody around, there were a few iguanas also getting their suntan on.
Make sure to bring cash because the entrance is through the Caleeta Tankha Hotel. When I visited, admission was 300 pesos and totally worth it, in my opinion. This includes parking, beach access with indoor restrooms, outdoor showers, umbrellas, and lounge chairs, as well as access to two cenotes.
One cenote (pictured) is in the jungle and the other is on the beach and opens up to the ocean. This playa has a rip tide so don't venture beyond the shallow cenote as a safety precaution.
Check out my guide to visiting Tulum Cenotes before you head out!
Souvenir Shopping - Shop local art, sauces, spirits, and authentic Mexican handicrafts like amacas in both Tulum Pueblo and Zona Hotelera for the best variety. Amacas are known as hammocks in English and one of the most popular things to bring back from Tulum so leave room in your suitcase.
Here's everything you need to know about packing for Tulum, including outfit ideas for women!
What Else to Know Before Going to Tulum
English is widely spoken since Tulum is a popular international tourism destination. But I still recommend learning some basic Spanish phrases.
Tulum beaches are pristine and extremely relaxing so you can't really go wrong no matter which you choose. Put the public beach entrances into your GPS if you're navigating there yourself or request that drop-off from your driver.
Be prepared for the heat! All of what I had read while planning my Tulum vacation mentioned the heat and high humidity. So I was surprised to find the weather cool and breezy for nearly my first 24 hours in town. It was sunny but not too hot. Just perfect. The heat did kick in, though.
While the evenings and early mornings were quite pleasant every day I was in Tulum, all the time in between was HOT. Because Tulum is on the coast, there is a nice, consistent breeze, which is absolutely needed. As for the humidity, I'm from Houston, so perhaps I'm just used to it.
Check out my advice for women solo travelers next!
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your preferences. There are plenty of options for lodging, dining, and activities at every price point from affordable hostels to luxury five-star restaurants. The United States Dollar generally has a favorable exchange rate so your money can go further in Tulum than in stateside beach destinations.
From my experience, absolutely. As a woman, I didn't have any moments where I felt unsafe or uneasy during this solo trip. Every person is different, though, so I always recommend taking the same caution you would in any city back home where you're from.
More Favorite Mexican Destinations
Tulum may be overrated to some but I hope my Tulum adventure itinerary helps you have the most memorable time. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this Tulum solo female travel guide for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
