What To Do and See When Visiting Tulum, Mexico
Tulum combines the rich history of Mayan civilization, Mexican culture, beautiful beaches, lush-green jungles, cenotes, modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art hotels/boutiques, eco-friendly resorts, yoga centers, shopping, and delectable cuisines. So, what to do and see in Tulum, Mexico. Today’s article will answer this question and provide detailed information to make the most of your trip to Tulum.
The Best Cenotes to Visit While in Tulum
Tulum’s cenotes are picturesque and naturally occurring water-filled sinkholes in limestone rocks. These cenotes are products of collapsed underground caves with fresh groundwater underneath. Tulum has many cenotes to explore, but if you want to achieve one-of-a-kind experiences, we recommend the following:
Cenote Carwash
Aktun Ha, also known as the cenote carwash, is one of the best places to visit in Tulum. The open-air cenote is easy to access and has fewer visitors, making it a secluded place for couples, families, and friends to spend quality time and enjoy the picturesque views.
In fact, the natural beauty of cenote carwash makes it a perfect place for taking Instagram photos and videos. Because cenote carwash has fewer crowds, it is a reliable place to snorkel, sunbathe, and swim.
The cenote becomes a heated pool during summer due to accumulated algae on top of the water, trapping the sun’s heat. We recommend taking a guided tour for a more luxurious trip to cenote carwash.
Cenote Calavera
Calavera means “skull sinkhole.” Cenote Calavera got its name from the three holes, resembling a mouth and two eyes. It is one of the famous cenotes in Tulum to visit with your family or friends. The best feature of cenote Calavera is its 13 feet drop, allowing you to jump into the groundwater.
El Gran Cenote
El Gran is an open cenote with caverns and caves in the surrounding. A diving excursion is the most enjoyable way to explore El Gran Cenote. The cenote features two diving sites, allowing scuba divers and snorkelers to relish adventurous activities and swim with sea turtles.
The Mexican government has made substantial efforts to preserve and protect the cenote’s ecosystems. Bear in mind that you will rinse under the showers before entering the cenote. The purpose is to preserve the cenote’s ecosystem. You can take photos or videos of bats hanging from the stalagmites.
Cenote Zacil-Ha
Cenote Zacil-Ha is one of the less-crowed sinkholes in Tulum. It is near the cenote carwash and less than a 12-minute drive from the city’s center. Authorities discovered this cenote 30 years ago.
So, it is a relatively new sinkhole in Tulum compared to other cenotes. Although authorities discovered cenote Zacil-Ha three decades ago, the caves are thousands of years old.
Besides La Lagrimas, the cave chamber has picturesque icicles that resemble teardrops. While we do not recommend beginners to snorkel in this cenote, you can take a zipline and jump in the pool for adventure and thrill.
Cenote Angelita
Cenote Angelita boasts gorgeously beautiful underwater views, making it a perfect place for adventure seekers to explore the natural beauty of Tulum. The cenote is 196 feet deep and suitable for diving, snorkeling, and swimming.
The exciting thing about cenote Angelita is halocline, a scientific phenomenon that creates different water densities. So, you will feel like an underwater river runs through the cenote.
Visiting the Mayan Ruins and Archeological Sites
Tulum showcases the rich history of ancient civilizations through Mayan ruins and archeological sites. These are old stone structures surrounded by delicate cactus flowers, leaning palm trees, and steep rocky cliffs. You can’t complete your trip to Tulum without exploring the Mayan ruins and archeological sites. We recommend visiting the following places.
Ek Balam
Ek Balam is an archaeological site and a must-visit attraction in Tulum. Tourists can explore more than 45 ancient structures and learn about the kingdom and civilization. These structures include the city walls, an entry arch, the palace, a chapel, and a carved stela dating back to 770 CE. El Balam ruins are the most well-preserved and protected archaeological sites in Tulum.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a Mayan ruin and a perfect place to explore the ancient structures in Tulum. It is a massive ziggurat pyramid with beautiful stone carvings. The best way to explore the beauty of Chichen Itza is by taking a guided tour at night.
Don’t forget to explore and learn about the famous Mayan ball court, the Wall of the Skulls, and the Temple of Warriors. These well-preserved structures showcase the daily lives of people in the Mayan civilization.
San Gervasio
San Gervasio is one of Tulum’s most famous archeological sites, allowing visitors to see various structures, including the Mayan deity of childbirth, medicine, weaving, and fertility.
Historical evidence shows that women in the Mayan civilization would visit the site for worship and pray for fertility or pregnancy. Unlike other Mayan ruins, San Gervasio is not a well-preserved zone because most structures lack roofs and walls.
Chacchoben
Chacchoben is an archeological zone in Tulum, showcasing ancient structures, including a massive-step pyramid that people in the Mayan civilization used as a temple for religious practices.
Exploring the temple is a one-of-a-kind experience for tourists because it allows them to see the ancient Mayan calendars, markings of solstices and equinoxes, and artifacts, like plates, basins, jugs, and other utensils used thousands of years ago.
Best Tours and Excursions
Unlike many other Mexican towns, you will never get bored in Mexico because there are plenty of activities, tours, and excursions. So, you don’t need to worry about how you will spend your time in Tulum. Here are some of the best tours and excursions to consider in Tulum and create memorable experiences.
Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal, and Cenote Tour
Do you want an all-inclusive tour to explore Tulum’s most famous places? If yes, this full-day tour combines visiting Mayan ruins, archeological sites, swimming and snorkeling excursion.
The guided tour will take you to Turtle bay to explore the underwater coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles. You can swim and snorkel in a freshwater cenote and fulfill your adventure dreams. The best thing about this tour is that the service provider will pick you up from the hotel and provide you with a delectable lunch.
Sian Ka’an Adventure
Sian Ka’an Adventure is one of the best-guided tours in Tulum. The service provider will take you to the Sian Ka’an biosphere and let you explore Mexico’s largest protected/preserved areas.
Although the Sian Ka’an biosphere has fewer hiking trails, the guide will help you hike beautiful trails to ensure you have the most thrilling experience. One thing that makes this tour unique is taking a boat to discover the reserve.
You will visit Ascension Bay and Boca Paila Lagoon with the guide. There are plenty of spaces to snorkel and explore aquatic species. The guide will serve you a delicious lunch with Caribbean dishes at Punta Allen.
VIP Tulum Private Tour
The VIP Private Tour is an exclusive trip to Tulum’s archeological sites, Taak Bi Ha and Xunaan-Ha cenotes, and other attractions. A qualified, professional, and experienced guide will lead the excursion and provide you with the best services, including pickup and drop-off from your location. The service provider uses air-conditioned vehicles and takes care of other amenities/tasks, such as entry fees, snorkeling/swimming gear, etc.
ATV Tours
Qualified and experienced guides expedite ATV tours in Tulum through diverse terrains and trails. Although Tulum has many companies offering ATV tours, we advise choosing the ones that use premium-quality all-terrain vehicles and safety equipment. We recommend the following ATV tours for beginners.
ATV Tour, Ziplines and Cenote Swim
Do you want to experience adventure and thrill in Tulum’s jungle? If yes, this is the best ATV tour with zip lines and cenote swimming. It is a full-day jungle adventure led by experienced guides providing you with premium-quality vehicles to ride your ATV.
However, if you don’t have experience, the service provider will assign an experienced driver for assistance. Whether you choose a solo drive or driver-assisted ATV tour, you will love going through roads full of mud, water, and stones.
The tour also includes stopping by a cenote where you can swim to cool off and relax. You will love the zipline soaring above the treetops in the middle of the jungle. The guide will serve you traditional tacos for brunch or lunch. You can also request your favorite food before the excursion.
ATV Xtreme and Zipline Adventure
ATV Xtreme is another best tour to consider, especially if you want a full-day adventure. It is about touring Xtreme Park with state-of-the-art facilities/amenities, including ATV riding and ziplining in Tulum’s lush-green and dense jungle.
The guide will also assist you in jumping into a freshwater cenote. You will love spending time in the cenote to cool off, swim, snorkel, and dive. The guide will serve you traditional or modern Mexican food based on your preferences to satisfy your taste buds after a day-long adventure.
Places to go Ziplining
Ziplining in Tulum is one of the best ways to enjoy outdoor recreation, adventure, and thrill. After all, what’s more adventurous than taking a ride on a freely moving pulley? Here are the best places for ziplining in Tulum.
Selva Maya Eco Adventure Park
Selva Maya Adventure Park is the most famous place in Tulum, driving hundreds of adventure lovers and thrill seekers. You will love flying among the trees on nine ziplines, crossing through five hanging bridges.
You will explore the rainforest’s natural beauty while breathing fresh air to soothe your mind. Remember, visiting Selva Maya Eco Adventure Park is the best thing to do in Tulum, and without it, you can’t complete your adventure tours.
Riviera Maya Jungle
The Riviera Maya Jungle offers a half-day tour for adventure lovers and thrill seekers. You will relish the most adventurous ziplines through the lush-green jungle and take ATV rides through rough roads with mud, water, and foliage.
Xplor Adventure Park
Xplore Adventure Park is the best place to enjoy ziplining in Tulum. It offers multiple ziplines, allowing tourists to fly over the lush green and dense jungle. One of the ziplines descends directly into an underground cave, and the other ends up in a freshwater cenote. These refreshing vibes and experiences will complete your adventurous excursions in Tulum.
Best Places for Snorkeling in Tulum
Snorkeling in Tulum allows you to glimpse the picturesque, unique, and beautiful underwater world and interact with different ecosystems. You will love the variety and abundance of creatures and colors around Tulum’s cenotes, creating full-of-life environments. So, if you want to witness the natural habitat and explore aquatic species, go snorkeling in these places.
Dos Ojos Cenote
Dos Ojos Cenote, Tulum, is the most popular sinkhole in the entire Yucatan Peninsula and an integral part of the most extensive underground cave system, making it perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and diving. You can’t miss this place to explore the unique aquatic creatures in Tulum.
Cenote Azul
Cenote Azul is another best places with beautiful sceneries and fresh groundwater for snorkeling. We recommend taking a guided tour if you are a beginner and do not have snorkeling gear/equipment.
The place is suitable for people of all ages, including children, looking to explore different fish species. Adults can dive into the sinkhole and snorkel on the cenote’s shallow surface with fish.
Cenote Cristal
Cenote Cristal is a one-of-a-kind sinkhole in Tulum, boasting crystal-clear water, biological species, tropical plants, and a favorable environment for diving, swimming, and snorkeling. Cenote Cristal is suitable for adults and children, allowing them to unleash their creative skills and enjoy the thrill. However, this cenote is unsuitable for scuba diving.
Best Fishing Activities
Fishing activities and excursions in Tulum will give you a sense of pleasure and self-fulfillment. Going fishing in Tulum is directly proportional to appreciating Tulum’s outdoor environment and having fun catching your favorite fish. Here are some of the best fishing tours in Tulum, Mexico.
Tulum Deep Sea Fishing Tour
The Deep Sea Fishing Tour is a guided expedition on a 25-foot boat that takes you to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system for fishing. Popular fish species in this area are Barracuda, Mahi-Mahi, Marlin, Wahoo, and King Mackerel. The guide will provide you with the essential equipment and assist you in catching fish efficiently and quickly.
Four Hours Private Fishing in Tulum
Another best fishing tour to consider is “Four Hours Private Fishing.” The guided tour is equally thrilling for beginners and experts. The guide will take you to the best fishing spots and provide you with high-quality equipment to catch fish.
Popular species include Mahi-Mahi, Barracudas, Marlin, Sierras, Sailfish, and Wahoo. The guide will take you to the beach and instruct you on how to prepare and grill/cook delectable fish.
Best Spas in Tulum
Tulum’s spas are the best places to rest, relax, and undergo different treatments. The purpose of visiting a spa is to improve your overall wellbeing, connect your mind, body, and soul, and restore energy levels after day-long tours or excursions in Tulum. Here are some of the best spas in Tulum.
Carlos Cardona Spa
Carlos Cardona Spa is a licensed and reputable spa in Tulum. Carlos, a professional masseur, runs the facility, offering state-of-the-art and evidence-based massages, treatments, and deep tissue stimulation to restore your energy levels, improve your skin’s wellbeing, and alleviate muscle tension.
Energy Healing Spa
Energy Healing Spa has a laid-back, warm, and soothing atmosphere, offering a state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge equipment to streamline your overall wellbeing.
It has a team of qualified masseurs and therapists who use traditional and modern therapeutic techniques, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Mexican stream batch, Temazcal, yoga, and meditation to restore your energy levels, strengthen muscles, improve skin, increase range of motions, and boost blood circulation.
Leaf Spa, Tulum
Leaf Spa is an eco-friendly facility offering a wide range of therapeutic massages and other treatments, including waterfall spills, stimulating jets, and water-based therapies with reflexology showers, cool plunge pools, and steam baths.
A team of professional therapists and masseurs follow a holistic health approach, combining massages, facials, detoxification, muscle stimulation, and other techniques to improve overall health.
Final Words
Tulum, Mexico, is the ultimate tourist destination in North and Central America, offering something for everyone. It has dozens of places to see and hundreds of things to do, allowing tourists to create unforgettable experiences. Until Next Time!