Tulum has become one of the best places to live and vacation in the Riviera Maya. The reason? Its incredible natural beauty.
The beauty of the Mayan jungle combines perfectly with the archaeological site of Tulum, which some years ago was one of the few reasons to visit the area.
However, Tulum, Quintana Roo is no longer a small beach town: it has become an exclusive tourist destination, where nature and the comfort of services and real estate developments meet. Therefore, visiting Tulum is a unique experience.
Whether you are thinking of visiting Tulum or moving in after retirement, here is a list of activities to do in this place.
This will undoubtedly be one of the most satisfying experiences you will have in Tulum.
Visiting the beaches of Tulum is a unique experience. The white sand and crystal clear waters contrast with the jungle that surrounds this paradise.
This is one of the reasons that make Tulum one of the favorite destinations to relax and connect with nature.
Playa Paraiso is one of the most famous public beaches in the Riviera Maya and is only one kilometer away from the archaeological site of Tulum.
If you want a beach to enjoy with your family, Santa Fe is the ideal place for you. Here you will be able to relax, swim, as well as taste dishes in the restaurants while you spend the afternoon with your family.
Fun fact: there is no parking lot because only bicycles are allowed on this beach. Touring the place by bike, rent a cabin and spend the night there, are some of the most popular activities.
Beaches like Santa Fe are ideal to go on a retreat, get away from the noise of the big cities, and connect with nature.
Did you know that Tulum has one of the largest reefs in the world? This beach town is home to the second largest.
Sports like snorkeling will allow you to enjoy this ecosystem formed by microscopic organisms, which are 25% of marine life.
The National Park of Tulum, Quintana Roo, has an extension of almost 665 hectares.
Within the Tulum National Park is the archaeological site of Tulum, as well as Muyil, Xelhá, Xcaret, Playa del Carmen, and Cobá.
This is one of the largest protected areas in the Riviera Maya. It is home to species such as the sea turtle, anteater, spider monkey, howler monkey, tepezcuintle, armadillo, weasel, etc.
The ruins of Tulum are one of the most important tourist attractions of the beach town.
Tulum is a Mayan word that means wall and got its name from the ancient construction that is preserved, however, in the beginning, this site was called Zama, which means morning or dawn.
The opening hours of the Tulum archaeological site are every day from 8:00 to 17:00, and the ticket costs approximately 70 Mexican pesos. By paying your ticket you will have access to the Tulum ruins and the beach.
Tours, boat trips, and snorkel equipment rental are some of the services available in the area.
Although this site is not as popular as the ruins of Tulum, it has a unique charm that attracts tourists from all over the world.
Thanks to its privileged location, near 5 lakes, this used to be one of the most prosperous ancient cities.
It is believed that there are 5 thousand possible undiscovered remains hidden in the Mayan jungle. Besides, some experts point out that this place could be one of the most important Mayan cities.
Visiting it will be like an archaeological expedition. There is a large number of stelae in this place, which are believed to be monuments documenting the life of the monarchs.
Thanks to these stelae, we know that it was one of the cities with the most female rulers in Mesoamerica.
Exploring Coba is by bike, staying in town and even visiting the lagoon near the archaeological site are some of the activities to do in this place.
This is one of 23 archaeological sites within the Sian Ka'an Reserve.
A part of this area is closed to the public because there are still ruins to be discovered.
Muyil gets its name from the two lakes that surround it: Muyil and Chunyché. So far, the real name of what was one of the most important Mayan cities for trade is not known.
Thanks to the popularity of Sian Ka'an, Muyil is one of the main tourist attractions in Quintana Roo.
Don't miss the opportunity to visit El Castillo, which is 17 meters high and is one of the main Mayan constructions.
Its name in Mayan means "door of heaven" or "the place where the sky begins", and thanks to the biodiversity that inhabits there, we are sure that it is a paradise on earth.
Sian Ka'an Reserve is famous because it is home to dolphins and thousands of species of flora and fauna. However, the value of the reserve is incalculable: it is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is part of the Yucatan Peninsula's aqueduct system.
Part of what makes Sian Ka'an a world heritage site are its mangroves and "petenes". The petenes -which are unique in their type it only found in Florida and Cuba as well as the Yucatan peninsula- are very sensitive systems, so the presence of urbanization can greatly affect their existence.
Since it is such an important place, tourists should follow the guidelines of qualified personnel so as not to damage the ecosystem.
Applying biodegradable sunscreen, not wearing very colorful clothes or introducing objects or animals that could damage the ecosystem are the main recommendations for visitors.
As mentioned in 'The best cenotes to visit in Tulum', Cenote Dos Ojos, also known as Dos Aguas, gets its name from its physical appearance. At first glance, they seem to be two eyes looking at the sky, but in reality, they are two openings connected by a cave.
Dos Ojos is one of the must-visit cenotes thanks to its extensive underground river system.
In Gran Cenote, you can explore the caves as well as swim in the open-air area.
This is a semi-open cenote, meaning that one part maintains its dome shape and also has a large entrance opened to the light and surrounded by the Mayan jungle.
It is located about 4 kilometers from Tulum, on the way to the archaeological site of Coba.
Are you in Coba and a little far from the Gran Cenote? Don't worry, you can visit another of the closest cenotes: Cenote Choo-Ha.
To enter this underground cenote in Coba you will have to go down stairs. Choo-Ha is full of stalactites and stalagmites, so visiting it is an opportunity to admire these rock formations.
Xcacel Beach is one of Tulum's hidden treasures. On this beach, human intervention is kept to a minimum.
Cenote Xcacelito is just a few steps from the beach. In this cenote, you will be able to swim with small fish, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with nature.
By now, you surely know what makes Tulum a place with a bohemian atmosphere.
Surrounding yourself with nature, appreciating the fauna, and visiting the great Mayan constructions, are some activities that relax the tourists and take them away from the stress of the big cities.
After touring the ruins and the tourist attractions of Tulum, you will surely want to rest and do something quieter at night.
As mentioned in 'Everything you need to know about Tulum, Quintana Roo', in this beach town you can find dishes with recipes inspired by the Mayan culture.
Most of these dishes are seafood specialties such as ceviche, shrimp empanadas, fried fish, etc.
If you want to try something different, try dishes made with turkey, wild boar, and venison.
And if you like Mexican food, you can enjoy cochinita pibil, salbutes, enchiladas, mole and traditional tacos.
In Tulum, there are several festivities and traditions related to culture and nature, such as the Sea Turtle Festival.
This event is held in October to raise awareness about the preservation of the turtles that nest on Tulum's beaches.
Another thing you can experience in Tulum is the Carnival. Carnival floats, dances, concerts, contests and the coronation of the carnival kings are the beginning of this celebration that starts in March.
The nightlife in Tulum is much more relaxed than in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Among the main activities are going out for dinner or drinking at a bar with live music. You can order your favorite drink while enjoying the good atmosphere that only Tulum can offer.
Tulum is one of the best places to do yoga.
There is no more relaxed and spiritual place in the Riviera Maya. Can you imagine closing your eyes, breathing deeply and relaxing after watching a beautiful sunset on the beach?
Xel-ha is an aquatic theme park that is surrounded by the Mayan jungle and it is one of the main tourist attractions in the Riviera Maya.
In Xel-ha you can snorkel, have fun on the waterslides, ride a tire on the river and go ziplining. This place is kid-friendly and of course has restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch.
Between Playa del Carmen and Tulum there is a must-visit destination: Akumal.
It is one of the main ecotourism destinations in the Riviera Maya and some of the activities you can do here are snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles.
Akumal is considered the land of the turtles, and in fact got its name from the Mayan term meaning "place of the turtles".
Playa del Carmen is close to Tulum. So why not visit this city?
There are many things to do in Playa del Carmen, but we suggest you visit the 5th Avenue.
This place is the main tourist attraction in Playa del Carmen and there you will find the best shops, restaurants, bars, art exhibitions, souvenir and craft shops.
One of the reasons why the Riviera Maya is one of the best tourist destinations in Mexico is because there is always something to do.
The most famous places are Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun, but we suggest you the whole Riviera Maya is a paradise worth visiting.
People about to retire are buying condos and townhomes in the Riviera Maya, to make their retirement like having a permanent vacation.
Tulum's charm lies in its bohemian atmosphere.
The tourist influx is high because it is within the famous Riviera Maya. However, it is quite different from cities like Cancun and Playa del Carmen, famous for their nightlife.
Since it is a beach town surrounded by nature, this place invites you to connect with yourself and explore and get into the adventure.
That is why investing in Tulum has become one of the best options, for those who want to live in paradise.
Cellphone: +52 1 (999) 968 3620
Direct line: +52 (999) 1 61 83 12 Ext. 102
Business hours 10 am to 6 pm
Calle 1-G Num. 257, Colonia Campestre
C.P. 97120 Mérida, Yucatán. México
Canada: 1 (844) 422 4892
USA: 1 (844) 217 0747
Mexico: 01 800 0012896
Office: +52 (984) 803 0987
Cellphone: +52 1 (984) 593 8798
Business hours 10 am to 6 pm
C. 5 Sur, Av. Aviación, Plaza Tuukul, Mza 29 Lte. 004 020, Loc. 101. Playa del Carmen, Q.Roo. 77717
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