Top 5 Tulum Adventures | Things To Do | Budget Excursions | Cheap Eats | What to do in Tulum

Over the past decade Tulum has grown from a hidden gem on Mexico’s east coast to a bustling destination for upscale tourists. In fact, U.S. News and World Report has declared Tulum as the best place to visit in Mexico. Budget-minded adventure seekers, however, can still take advantage of what this magical destination has to offer. Setting aside the fantastic mixology, fine dining, and booming nightlife, Tulum still shines brightest in the daylight hours. Ancient ruins, bio-reserves, underground caverns, pristine beaches, and a locally inspired downtown will sweep away the touristy feelings and bring a Tulum-inspired sense of adventure that has made this place world-famous. This is Cris & Cale’s list of top five adventures in Tulum, Mexico - without breaking the bank.
CONTENTS
00:00 Teaser Intro
01:30 Mayan Ruins
03:48 Gran Cenote
06:17 Sian Ka'an
08:45 Tulum Beach
11:17 El Centro
14:02 Say "Tulum"
Mayan Ruins
Tulum is home to some of the most well preserved pre-Columbian Mayan Ruins in Mexico. Just East of downtown are the Tulum Ruins and a 20 minute drive South are the Muyil Ruins. The Tulum Ruins represent the second most popular Mayan site in Mexico, trailing only the world renowned Chichén Itzá. The entrance fee is 85 pesos or $4 USD. Sitting on a patch of rocky coastline, this showcase of temples and castles has an aqua-blue ocean backdrop envious of any societal structure. The entrance fee is 65 pesos or $3 USD - and the site also serves as a gateway to a boardwalk that accesses the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve.
Gran Cenote
Cenotes are massive ocean-fed sinkholes that have created underground water-filled caverns. The region surrounding Tulum in the Yucatán is filled with these natural pits that were commonly used by the Mayans for water supply and sometimes for sacrificial offerings. One of the most famous, impressive and expensive cenotes is Gran Cenote, located just 10 minutes North of Tulum. They charge 500 pesos ($25 usd), but this includes snorkeling equipment that may be extra at other sites. For a less expensive and less popular alternative, you may try Dos Ojos Cenote, Cenote Cristal, or Aktun-Ha Cenote (car wash).
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Among the eco-parks in the Yucatán, none compare to the natural wonder of Sian Ka’an. We took an easy 20 minute drive from Tulum down a highway to the Muyil Ruins. From here we took a jungle path and a boardwalk to wetlands and freshwater lagoons. The boardwalk entrance is just 50 pesos ($2.50 USD). For 1000 pesos ($50 USD) a boat guide can take you across the lagoons through mangrove forests, and down the Mayan-carved canals that can serve as a lazy river. A more oceanic side of Sian Ka’an can be reached through a longer, more difficult 4WD road to Punta Allen where snorkeling, coral reefs, and marine wildlife await.
Tulum Beach / Hotel Zone (La Playa y Zona Hotelera)
Since it hosts some of the best beaches in Mexico, we would be amiss to omit the biggest draw of a Tulum vacation. Playa Paraíso is a spectacular and popular public beach just South of the Tulum Ruins. If you are able to stay at a beach front hotel, however, these spots often provide beach access without the crowds. We stayed at Maya Tulum, a boutique hotel where we paid $150 USD/night in mid-October for an ocean-front room that goes for as much as $500 USD/night during peak season. Our preferred method of transportation is by scooter, which we rented for 600 pesos ($30 USD) per day. The potholes, speed mounds, pedestrians and other vehicles make travel challenging, but the scooter seemed to provide the best combination of agility, speed, and small size. Tulum Beach is also known for its insta-worthy spots such as Ven a La Luz, a famous 33-foot tall wooden sculpture that now requires a 60 peso or $3 USD fee.
Tulum Pueblo / El Centro
Our trip to Tulum left us with good vibes from the local community - most specifically at El Centro. This is also the best place to find a budget hotel that can hover around 1000 pesos or $50 USD per night. There are shops, grocery stores, parks, and great restaurants serving up local foods. Taqueria Honorio is a legend for their cochinita pibil tacos, a Yucatán-Style Barbecued Pork that is one Tulum’s best value at 26 pesos or $1.30 USD per taco. Batey is a relative newcomer preparing 200 peso/$10 USD Mojitos sweetened by freshly squeezed sugar cane. La Chiapaneca serves up marinated Al Pastor meat freshly sliced off a vertical rotisserie called a trompo. Salbutes, and Panuchos are Yucatán-style tostados that cost around 20 pesos or $1 USD. Estrada, however, is perhaps the most impactful pueblo restaurant as it serves more upscale local foods highlighted by seafood dishes ranging from 240 to 280 pesos ($12 to $14 USD).

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