r/tulum

We're travelling to Tulum/Riviera Maya in January and staying at a resort with our toddler. Naturally, I started looking into day trips and things to do outside the hotel. But the more I read, the more anxious I get.

It feels like every post warns you about something different: overpriced or double-charged entrance fees, taxi scams, avoiding certain transportation, hidden costs, aggressive vendors, even stories about corrupt police. It's honestly hard to tell what's real and what's exaggerated.

We don't want to spend our entire vacation inside the resort. We're not looking for nightlife or anything adventurous. We just want to do the basic tourist stuff: visit a beautiful cenote, see Chichén Itzá, maybe spend a day at an amazing beach, and enjoy the area with our little one.

Is it really as difficult as the internet makes it sound? Can you actually have a relaxed, scam-free experience if you stick to the usual attractions? Would you recommend booking tours through the resort, renting a car, or something else?

I'd really appreciate practical advice from people who have visited recently, especially families with young children. Thanks!

I lost the receipt they print out when you go through the e-gate at the Cancún airport. My husband’s says “you cannot leave the country without this”. Has anyone been asked for this when leaving the Cancun airport and flying back to the states?

I keep seeing stories and posts about how tourism in the area is dying, there’s too much inventory for new apts, and negative press in general. Has Tulum changed so much over the years and has it gone downhill in your opinion?

This was my first time in Tulum and mexico in general and i had some observations and learning

1. If you're at the Cancun airport, get out as soon as you get your bags and dont stop for anyone unless its the police. Everyone was either trying to sell us something or straight up giving wrong advice so they could sell you something
2. Getting a rental car was more useful.
3. The beach strip is pretty much a cash grab and most places were meant for instagram influencers
4. Ask for advice and suggestions to the local people, servers in the restaurant. We got some really good cenote suggestions
5. Cenotes were better than the beach because of the sea weed. Also drive to the more internal cenotes for a more quieter experience.
6. Based on reddit advice getting to the beach from delek or euforia was easier. You can tell then you are going to the restaurant and even ask if you can park in the guest parking.
7. If you're driving, dont stop for anyone who except for the police even they vaguely resemble rhe police. They are definitely trying to sell you something.
8. Take your hat, umbrella, mosquito repellent everywhere.
9. Chichen itza was kinda okayish. Ticket prices are different for locals and international tourists.
10. If you're a bird lover you'll see sooooo many cool birds.
11. If you get a cool magnet or souvenior for a dollar or so just buy it. Dont wait for a better price.
12. Bargaining works often at many places.

I would love to visit more places in mexico. Soeaking to the local people was great . My soanish is slow and intermediate and people were really nice and patient. The only irritating thing was people overly trying to sell you stuff but its ok i guess. Would love recommendations for more places. I'm planning to visit Mexico City next to just get a city culture. I feel like i missed going to places where the locals go in tulum because wverything was very tourist focussed.

Where’s some good house music, techno vibes tonight?

Basically as the title says. I work 100% remote for myself, and want a change of space/scenery. I always liked Mexico, and have been speaking with hosts on Airbnb in Tulum.

Anyone have any recommendation, things to do/avoid, areas to go to/avoid.

Anything would help!
Thanks so much.

This Reddit recommends Airport Shuttles with affiliate links. The first option presented is 205 USD one way from either Cancun Airport or Tulum Airport, for any amount of passengers.

Do better: these extortionate rates are main part of the downfall of Tulum so often discussed here. There are infinite more useful recommendations you could give the top spot that make you less money but are actually beneficial for anyone visiting Tulum.

Hey everyone,

I'm going to Mexico soon for 3 days and I'll be flying into Cancún. I'm trying to decide whether I should stay in Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

I'm not really into partying. My main goal is to switch off, relax, enjoy the beaches, eat good food, and explore a bit.

Since they're only about an hour apart, I'm thinking I could easily do a day trip to Tulum if I stay in Playa del Carmen, or vice versa if I stay in Tulum.

So I'd love to hear your opinions:

• If you only had 3 days, which one would you choose as your base?
• Which one is generally cheaper (hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc.)?
• If I stay in Playa del Carmen, is a day trip to Tulum enough? Or is it worth staying in Tulum instead?
• Which place feels more relaxing if your goal is to disconnect rather than party?
• Any areas or hotels you'd recommend staying in (or avoiding)?

I'd really appreciate any advice, especially from people who've been to both. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m a 28-year-old girl from Hungary and my plan is that I’ll be traveling solo to Tulum from december 30 to january 5.
I’m planning to attend Zamna on December 31 (New Year’s Eve) and I’m looking for people to go with. It will be my first time in Tulum, so I’d love to meet friendly people, share a taxi, explore together, or just enjoy the festival with a great group.
If you’re traveling around the same dates or going to Zamna NYE, feel free to message me.

For anyone who missed it: President Claudia Sheinbaum came to Tulum this week, where she rolled out "Plan Tulum Renace."

The headline items I noticed:

• Jaguar Park overhaul (free for nationals, archaeological fees cut to 80 pesos for Mexicans / 265 for foreigners, the wall at the entrance is coming down and getting replaced with an arch to reopen access to the beaches and ruins)
• A national sargassum strategy that prioritizes collecting it at sea
• Plus money toward transport and getting flight routes back into TQO.

Honestly? It's the first time in a while I've felt real relief about how Tulum is being managed. It seems people are still having a great time - at cenotes, at run clubs, but it's thin.

I want to gut-check others' optimism - does this turn feel structurally different, or have we seen this movie before?

Todos se quejan que los taxistas y los policias "roban" al turista, al exigir sobreprecio y mordidas, pero es que el gobierno hace lo mismo, pidiendole mas dinero al turista extranjero. Tanto en el parque del jaguar como en chichen itza o incluso el ferry de playa a cozumel.

El turista se siente que le roban y que es una cartera con patas, no le recomienda a sus amigos que vayan.

Entonces no entiendo porque se quejan de los taxistas cuando el gobierno hace lo mismo.

I am looking for a driver/car service to pick me up from Cancun Airport and take me to my hotel in Tulum the first week of September. I will also need their services returning to the Cancun airport from Tulum two weeks later. What companies or individuals have you used that are reliable and not outrageously expensive? I do not want to use a shuttle. I prefer traveling in a private car. Thanks!

Hi! I’m planning to visit the Tulum Archaeological Zone soon and will be taking the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen. Since it’s going to be hot 🥵 and the earliest ADO bus back to Playa is at 15:40 only, I’d like to bring some drinks and snacks with me.

For anyone who has visited recently, are you allowed to bring water or other drinks, such as Electrolytes or Coca-Cola? What about snacks like granola bars, nuts, or fruits?

I read somewhere that they don’t allow plastic inside, but I couldn’t find any official information confirming that.

I’d really appreciate any advice or firsthand experiences from people who have visited.

Thanks!

Thoughts by those who live or who have stayed here.

So once we see a change. From the latest, Jaguar Park and the north beach will be free access to all. Ruins will be $265 for Tourists and $85 ( pesos) for nationals. There is a mention of car parking at the south entrance.

I can’t understand how they think this is the issue or main issue with low tourism. Poor infrastructure, scams, police extortions, high prices and the infamous Taxi crooks, are never brought up or addressed. Very frustrating. So once again we shall see how far this goes and when

Do I risk finding sargassum on the beaches and in the sea during the December and January months in Tulum and surrounding areas?

Hello! Car rental advice

Please, provide a good rental company with FULL INSURANCE.

Some companies claim that they are 0% deductible but still is saying that it is customers responsability to pay for

• Scratches

• Slamming doors

• Broken windows

• Broken side mirrors

• Broken taillights

• Dents

• Damage to rims or tires

But this is not full insurance

Can you recommend something? Thank you🚗🚗🚗🚗

Yo! My husband and I will be traveling from Puerto Morelos to Tulum next week. If we pick up an InDrive in PM and take it to Tulum, what’s a good price to offer for the ride?

We’ve just arrived in Tulum and this is our first time, so apologies for the basic question.

Can anyone recommend a fun bar to watch the Semi Final today please?

We are in Downtown Tulum.

TIA