Mexico / Tulum travel advice

Hello all,

I'm planning to travel to Mexico next month where I am looking to base in Tulum for a month or 2. I am open to traveling to other areas of Mexico too and will also be visiting Colombia in December. This wasn't our original plan for traveling however as most places are closed due to Covid-19 we have had to change the plan very last minute so I'm looking for some advice.

Does anyone have any tips/recommendations/general things that are useful to know? Mainly for Tulum but also the rest of Mexico too. Like I said, we're very open to mixing it up/ going off script. As we're making this a long term trip, were looking to stick to a budget so I'm looking for more culture and budget friendly suggestions as well as advice

Thanks in advance,
Lauren , 25

Regarding Tulum it is absolutely impossible that you will miss anything in that general area if you base yourself for a month or two. I assume you are planning to rent a car and road trip around the entire Yucatan at least, otherwise you will be bored out of your mind. Tulum is just a tiny town with some beautiful ruins and a beach.

The Yucatan itself is of course one of the most rewarding parts of Mexico to explore. I can't really list everything there is to do but I'm happy to share my blog from 2017-18: first chapter (including Tulum).

Get yourself a Lonely Planet for Yucatan and read it cover to cover before you go. The area is heavily traveled and does not hold many secrets to the best of my knowledge. The one recommendation I would make is do not underestimate the value of the urban centers - Merida, Valladolid, Campeche, and Cancun (the real part). Amazing mercados, vibrant zocalos, and the authentic buzz of Mexican culture are more fascinating to me than thousand year old Mayan ruins. Research the most beautiful and challenging cenotes that match your interests. Don't be afraid to take some chances - the Yucatan is quite a safe place for travelers.

[ Edit: Edited on 31 Aug 2021, 15:27 GMT by zzlangerhans ]

If you are looking to stay in a hotel or cabana on the beach road hotel zone, plan to spend at least 200-250 on up, not including 19% hotel tax - those prices are in USD, not pesos.
You can stay in the Pueblo (couple miles from the beach) for a lot less money but to get to the beach your choices are taxis or a rental car or possibly rent or buy bicycles. The bus and collectivos do not travel the beach road.
The traffic has also gotten terrible the last few years and can take 30 minutes or more to drive a few miles.
Tulum hasn't been a backpacker budget destination for at least 8 years or more.
Look at Puerto Morelos maybe instead.

Have been in Tulum last march. In town you can find reasonable places (hostelbeds from $8 doublbed room from $20, look at booking.com) and food. the disadvantage is public transportation from the beach stops around 6pm, if you miss it you have a long walk or a expensive taxi.
If you want to stay in Yucatan a good place for a stop is Merida, interesting town, several Mayan ruins as daytrip, Progreso beach (for locals, not a party beach, all doable with public transportation) and .
Planes can be very cheap but luggage up to $60 extra.
Longdistance buses are good and frequent.
Will be going to Mexico again end of october (some sightseeing in central mexico and the pacific coast).

[ Edit: Edited on 18 Sep 2021, 08:37 GMT by UliS ]

Have been in Tulum last march. In town you can find reasonable places (hostelbeds from $8 doublbed room from $20, look at booking.com) and food. the disadvantage is public transportation from the beach stops around 6pm, if you miss it you have a long walk or a expensive taxi.
If you want to stay in Yucatan a good place for a stop is Merida, interesting town, several Mayan ruins as daytrip, Progreso beach (for locals, not a party beach, all doable with public transportation) and .
Planes can be very cheap but luggage up to $60 extra.
Longdistance buses are good and frequent.
Will be going to Mexico again end of october (some sightseeing in central mexico and the pacific coast).

Agreed, Yucatan should be your number one place to visit

Thank you for the information @Ulis

May your plane be full and may the traveling be very beautiful

I came from Yucatan only few weeks ago. My general advice about Tulum - don't stay in Tulum I found it very busy and overpriced. In Yucatan peninsula there many other places which are worth the attention. Bacalar is around 2 hours drive from Tulum and it is much nicer on my taste. Puerto Morelos is a little cute town not far from Cancun with a lovely long beach and cozy restaurants on the water front.