3 Day Tulum Itinerary: Must-See Attractions & Favorites

Our 3 Day Tulum itinerary was definitely not planned because I didn’t book anything ahead of time.

While we didn’t have anything planned for the first day, we had a slow morning while we decided what we wanted to. We booked tickets online for Xel-Ha, grabbed a cab, then started our adventure. For the second day, we booked a private cenote tour through our hotel concierge.

One of our cab drivers described Tulum as a “hippie chic” destination. And that is accurate! Tulum is a captivating destination on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, blending natural beauty, rich history, and a laid-back vibe.

Tulum is divided into two main areas: the town (Tulum Pueblo) and the beach (Zona Hotelera). The town is vibrant with local markets, artisan shops, and authentic Mexican eateries, while the beach zone features boutique hotels, beach clubs, and upscale dining.

Tulum is a hub for wellness tourism, with numerous yoga retreats, wellness centers, and eco-friendly accommodations. The focus on sustainability is evident in the design and operation of many businesses.

3 Day Tulum Itinerary – Best Time to Visit Tulum

The best time to visit Tulum, Mexico, depends on what you’re looking for in your trip. Here are some considerations:

Weather

November to April: This is the dry season and the most popular time to visit. The weather is warm and pleasant, with lower humidity and minimal rain.

May to October: This is the rainy season, with the potential for heavy showers and hurricanes, especially from August to October. However, it’s also when you’ll find fewer tourists and lower prices.

Crowds and Costs:

Peak Season (December to March): Expect higher prices for accommodation and tours. This is also the busiest time, especially during the winter holidays and spring break.

Shoulder Seasons (April to May and November): These months offer a balance of good weather, fewer crowds, and more reasonable prices.

Low Season (June to October): Fewer tourists and lower prices, but higher chances of rain and hurricanes.

Activities

Diving and Snorkeling: Best from November to April when the water is clearest. *Water was okay on our cenote tour considering we were in the ocean, but we could not swim in the ocean because the waves were too big.

Sargassum Seaweed: This seaweed can be problematic from May to October, affecting the beaches and swimming conditions. *While our hotel’s website states they clean it daily, we did not see anyone clean it for the three days that we were there.

The best time to visit Tulum for most travelers is between November and April, when the weather is pleasant, and there’s less chance of rain. If you’re looking for a quieter, more budget-friendly experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of April to May or November.

Getting to Tulum

Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport – or Tulum International Airport – opened in December 2023. American Airlines opened a direct route from DFW to TQO in April 2024, so it was the perfect time for us to book a trip!

Airport Transfers

Tulum Transport Company – $150 one-way trip
DLUX Transfer – 180.00 one-way trip
Taxi at the Airport – There are several taxi stands at the airport where you can price check your trip. Once you purchase a ticket, you can then go out to the taxi area and get in your vehicle.

Currency Exchange and Credit Cards

The exchange rate is 1 USD = 17.7980 MXN (as of July 2024). We planned to pull pesos out of an ATM once we landed in Tulum, but the ATMs were not working at the airport. There were a lot of ATMs that were not working in the Tulum Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera), We probably visited about five before we found one that works.

The taxis accepted USD cash, we gave tips in USD cash, and we tried to buy something with a credit card but the wifi wasn’t working and the vendor accepted USD cash.

At this point, don’t go out of your way to get pesos before your trip. Just carry cash because ATMs and wifi for processing credit cards aren’t always available/working.

Where to stay in Tulum

In the Tulum Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera), we stayed at La Valise Tulum (part of the Namron Hospitality group). They preserved the magic of a Tulum private beachfront villa and bungalows, but added an ode to Mexican art and craft, wood in all its forms, offering comfort, surprise and daydream; this is Robinson Crusoe meets Crafted Museum-curated villa.

La Valise Tulum is located 90 miles south of the city of Cancun and 30 miles from Tulum International Airport.

With only 11 beach side suites, we stayed in a garden view suite which was right off the main building. We had a King size bed, an outside deck, A/C, and an outdoor shower.

Adorned with authentic local art, these rooms overlook lush jungle gardens, and powdery white sand paths that lead out to our infinity pool and cozy shared living area.

The tap water on site is non-drinkable. However, on the counter, there was a large jar of drinkable water sourced from an on-site well. This water undergoes purification through filtering methods and UV treatment for your safety.

Breakfast at La Valise Tulum

While La Valise Tulum is not an all-inclusive, breakfast was included every morning.

The avocado toast was sourdough bread, smashed avocado, toasted seeds, and a poached egg. The greek yogurt and homemade granola and bowl of fruit was also included in the breakfast. It also came with a choice of coffee and fresh squeezed juice.

The arugula, berries and avocado salad also contained cucumber, feta cheese, almonds, maple, lemon vinaigrette.

Disappointment – the restaurant NÜ was closed for the season July 1st to September 1st, which wasn’t mentioned when I booked the hotel. I was looking forward to eating there because it’s recognized as one of the top five restaurants in Riviera Maya by Travel + Leisure and featured in the Michelin Guide, but we found out after we arrived that it was closed. Under the website’s FAQ section it doesn’t list that the restaurant closes for a period of time.

Getting Around Tulum

Bikes are a popular choice in the Tulum Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) because it’s one long stretch of rode. Our hotel had some available for us to use, but there are rental options at various places along the strip. Prices are usually around $5-10 USD per day.

Walking Tulum is a compact town, so walking is a viable option, especially if you’re staying in the town center or near the beach. Walking long distances can be tiring, especially in the heat.

Taxis are also available at various spots along the strip. Convenient and readily available. Taxis can take you to places that are too far to bike or walk, such as the Tulum Ruins, the beach, or cenotes. They are more expensive than other options. Always agree on a fare before starting your trip, as meters are not commonly used.

Rental Cars – Offers the most flexibility and convenience for exploring Tulum and nearby attractions like Coba or Akumal. They are more expensive and driving in Tulum can be challenging due to narrow streets and local driving habits.

Where to eat in Tulum

Lula Hotel – We ordered Guacamole with Avocado, red onion, lemon, charred onion, ground seeds, red tomato, roasted garlic & Pico de gallo with garlic oil, serrano chili, lemon, cilantro, dill. We also split Chicken Tostada with refried beans, chiffonade of lettuces, avocado, caper relish, roasted chicken, sour cream, pickled chilies, sopero cheese.

La Valise Tulum – We ordered the ‘YUCATAN’ Ceviche with lime, olive oil, tomato, onion, cilantro, avocado, fish and shrimp. I also had a pina colada.

Loco Tulum – We ordered Lamb Masbaha which is a traditional dish from Middle East. Long-cooked lamb shoulder, with wine and spices from the Middle East, on hummus, caramelized onions, fresh parsley and onion sumac.

Ilios – An oasis of Mediterranean cuisine, influenced by the food and cultures of Greece, a place where Mediterranean gastronomy converges with good taste, representing the best that it’s culture has to offer.

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House Recipe Greek Salad and Green Salad with french lettuce mix, baby arugula, thin slices of fresh and crunchy fennel with avocado supremes, dressed with creamy dill dressing.

Lamb rack with herb blend and muhammara, mashed potatoes with Greek olive oil and capers, and the Adonis drink with Tanqueray London dry Gin 30 ml, Mastisha, cucumber juice, lemon juice, natural syrup, and basil.

Things to do In Tulum

Tulum offers a variety of activities that cater to different interests, from historical and cultural experiences to adventure and relaxation. Here are some top things to do in Tulum, but be sure to read on for more of the best things to do in Tulum.

• Visit Tulum Ruins – Explore the ancient Mayan ruins perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It’s one of the most iconic and scenic archaeological sites in Mexico.
• Swim in Cenotes – These natural sinkholes offer crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Cenotes are one of the main reasons to visit Tulum, with hundreds of cenotes within day-trip distance of the city. We hired a private tour guide from Primitive Xpeditions.
• Relax on the Beaches – Tulum’s beaches are known for their white sand and turquoise waters. Relax, sunbathe, or enjoy water activities.
• Explore Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve – A UNESCO World Heritage site that offers opportunities for bird watching, kayaking, and exploring diverse ecosystems. Take a guided tour to learn about the local flora and fauna.
• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling – The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef offers excellent diving and snorkeling spots. Explore the vibrant marine life and coral reefs.

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  Day Trips to Nearby Attractions –
  • Coba Ruins: Climb the Nohoch Mul pyramid and explore the extensive Mayan site.
  • Akumal: Swim with turtles in Akumal Bay.
  • Xel-Ha Park: A natural aquatic theme park perfect for snorkeling, tubing, and other water activities.

Other Things to know about Tulum

• Sunscreen – You cannot wear any sunscreen when visiting the cenotes in Tulum. Some places will even make you shower before you go in. For the ocean you have to find an organic, reef safe sunscreen to wear. We purchased biodegradable sunscreen when we visited Xel Ha and used that for the rest of the trip.
• Insect Repellent – You cannot wear insect repellent when visiting the cenotes in Tulum even though they were lots of mosquitoes. We ended up buying an essential oil mosquito repellent at a water park, which worked okay for the rest of the trip.
• Toilet paper – in Mexico you cannot flush the toilet paper because their septic tanks cannot handle it. Instead, you have to placed your used toilet paper in the provided receptacles.
• Sargasso seaweeds – are a natural occurrence that can affect our Mexican Caribbean beaches, including Tulum. The blooming, migration, and presence of sargasso are unpredictable, making it challenging to anticipate its levels on any given day.

Tulum Packing List

You can see a list of what I packed for Tulum in this post. I also had planned out all my outfits ahead of time while I was packing.

Expectations Vs. Reality – Tulum in July

Hurricane Beryl hit Rivera Maya the day before we were getting on a flight to Tulum. It hit just 14 miles north of the town, but didn’t have any damage.

The rainy season in Tulum lasts between June and October, but rainfall is usually short and intense – tropical cloudbursts lasting an hour or two, followed by sunshine and stunning sunsets.

3 Day Tulum Itinerary Final Thoughts

Tulum is a place where ancient history meets modern luxury, where you can relax on beautiful beaches, explore fascinating ruins, indulge in gourmet cuisine, and immerse yourself in a wellness retreat. It’s a destination that caters to both adventure seekers and those looking to unwind in a tropical paradise.

Have you been to Tulum before? Drop a comment of your favorite hotel, restaurant or activity in the comments below!

XOXO,
Katie

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More Mexico Resources

• Visit Xel-Ha: A Natural Waterpark in Tulum
• All The Cenotes We Visited on a Private Tour in Tulum
• What I Packed for our Trip to Tulum
• Our La Valise Tulum Hotel Review
• Where to Stay in Tulum, Mexico
• How to Avoid Getting Sick in Mexico
• A List of Things to Know Before Visiting Tulum
• My AWAY Luggage Review
• The Best Cenotes in the Yucatán