Tulum Guidebook 2024
Food Scene
Some of our favorite food spots. Tulum has so much great food you may prefer to find your own gems, but if not this list should keep your belly happy and full.
Coffee, pastries, healthy food and a great modern vibe. Possibly the best breakfast in Tulum. They are located below La Palmita Hotel.
Try their bakery down the street too, PANADERIA DelCielo Tulum. It is great for buying pastries or bread for making food at home.
155 locals recommend
DelCielo
5 Satélite SurCoffee, pastries, healthy food and a great modern vibe. Possibly the best breakfast in Tulum. They are located below La Palmita Hotel.
Try their bakery down the street too, PANADERIA DelCielo Tulum. It is great for buying pastries or bread for making food at home.
The best tacos you will ever have.
Made in the traditional mayan style with fresh tortillas and a variety of salsas. The fresh fruit “aguas” are sweet and delicious too. As authentic an experience as you will get in Tulum. Open from 6am to when the food runs out in the early afternoon.
They’re featured on TV shows about the best street food in the world for good reason.
Taqueria Honorio
The best tacos you will ever have.
Made in the traditional mayan style with fresh tortillas and a variety of salsas. The fresh fruit “aguas” are sweet and delicious too. As authentic an experience as you will get in Tulum. Open from 6am to when the food runs out in the early afternoon.
They’re featured on TV shows about the best street food in the world for good reason.
The arrachera here is fantastic, but there is no wrong thing to order on the menu. Delicious salsas & tacos with friendly service at this small family-run restaurant, one of very few truly local places (the owners were kids here when Tulum was little more than a truck stop town). Dinner only.
278 locals recommend
El Asadero
Calle 2 OrienteThe arrachera here is fantastic, but there is no wrong thing to order on the menu. Delicious salsas & tacos with friendly service at this small family-run restaurant, one of very few truly local places (the owners were kids here when Tulum was little more than a truck stop town). Dinner only.
This inexpensive hole in the wall has the BEST PASTA. Most of the pasta is made in house. Worth the wait if its busy, and it usually is.
9 locals recommend
Acqua & Farina
Avenida SatéliteThis inexpensive hole in the wall has the BEST PASTA. Most of the pasta is made in house. Worth the wait if its busy, and it usually is.
Really delicious Argentinian style empanadas and more served in a cute secret garden. A great snack to take for a picnic the next day too. La Sudaca is an inexpensive gem downtown.
Sudaca
681 Calle Polar PonienteReally delicious Argentinian style empanadas and more served in a cute secret garden. A great snack to take for a picnic the next day too. La Sudaca is an inexpensive gem downtown.
Fresh fish (you can pick it out and have them fry it as take out or to eat on site). They have a variety of other seafood dishes for sit down service. Avoid the lunch rush if you’re hungry, it might be a while before you get a table.
376 locals recommend
El Camello Jr.
Fresh fish (you can pick it out and have them fry it as take out or to eat on site). They have a variety of other seafood dishes for sit down service. Avoid the lunch rush if you’re hungry, it might be a while before you get a table.
Authentic Thai food and some beachy classics. Good drinks, go for happy hour. Treat yourself to the papaya salad with arrachera. A bit expensive but you can’t put a price on the view on a cliff overseeing the ocean within Jaguar National Park.
198 locals recommend
Mezzanine Bar
Carretera Tulum-Boca PailaAuthentic Thai food and some beachy classics. Good drinks, go for happy hour. Treat yourself to the papaya salad with arrachera. A bit expensive but you can’t put a price on the view on a cliff overseeing the ocean within Jaguar National Park.
Panna e Cioccolato is the best way to end dinner. Try their tropical fruit gelato flavors like guanabana, mamey and limón con albacar. They also have chocolate bars and coffee. This ice cream shop was born in Tulum and has several locations.
108 locals recommend
Panna e Cioccolato
2 Av. TulumPanna e Cioccolato is the best way to end dinner. Try their tropical fruit gelato flavors like guanabana, mamey and limón con albacar. They also have chocolate bars and coffee. This ice cream shop was born in Tulum and has several locations.
Really authentic traditional Mexican food. Everything made from scratch, and they are famous for their mole. This will be the meal you may remember most. Hang out there a while, more than a meal it’s an experience. They also have a small shop of unique authentic handicrafts from around Mexico curated by the owner from her travels around the country.
120 locals recommend
Cetli
Really authentic traditional Mexican food. Everything made from scratch, and they are famous for their mole. This will be the meal you may remember most. Hang out there a while, more than a meal it’s an experience. They also have a small shop of unique authentic handicrafts from around Mexico curated by the owner from her travels around the country.
It lives up to all the hype. Don't miss the ribs and the octopus. Ideal for a group wanting to share plates. Get there before they open to get a same day reservation and expect to wait in line a while (this only works in low season; for high season reserve as far in advance in possible).
243 locals recommend
Hartwood
7 Carr. Tulum-Boca PailaIt lives up to all the hype. Don't miss the ribs and the octopus. Ideal for a group wanting to share plates. Get there before they open to get a same day reservation and expect to wait in line a while (this only works in low season; for high season reserve as far in advance in possible).
Fantastic pozole for every palate, and several delicious other mexican culinary delicacies. This inexpensive eatery is one you will dream about years later.
La Mexicanita
Calle Osiris NorteFantastic pozole for every palate, and several delicious other mexican culinary delicacies. This inexpensive eatery is one you will dream about years later.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is by far the coolest bar in Tulum, beloved by locals and tourists alike. It feels like going into the home of the coolest friend you wish you could have. Bohemian in the best possible way.
La Guarida
This is by far the coolest bar in Tulum, beloved by locals and tourists alike. It feels like going into the home of the coolest friend you wish you could have. Bohemian in the best possible way.
Best mojitos around, made with fresh sugar cane juice. Live music often. A great place to start, and often end, the night.
527 locals recommend
Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar
Calle Centauro SurBest mojitos around, made with fresh sugar cane juice. Live music often. A great place to start, and often end, the night.
Great late night food spot that also has craft brews and plenty of tequila and mezcal.
72 locals recommend
Encanto Cantina
21 Av. TulumGreat late night food spot that also has craft brews and plenty of tequila and mezcal.
Honorable mention goes to Charlie, the town's shaman, for his house margarita. It's made with scorpion infused tequila. Ask to see the bottle.
53 locals recommend
Charlie's
7 Av. TulumHonorable mention goes to Charlie, the town's shaman, for his house margarita. It's made with scorpion infused tequila. Ask to see the bottle.
A very fun bar & restaurant with frequent live music and delicious cocktails. Its a place to see and be seen so bring your best tuluminati outfit and make a night of it.
300 locals recommend
Gitano
A very fun bar & restaurant with frequent live music and delicious cocktails. Its a place to see and be seen so bring your best tuluminati outfit and make a night of it.
Nice ambiance and interesting cocktails. It can be a party, especially on Thursdays. Food is hit or miss. Hipster vibe with man buns and beards galore.
202 locals recommend
Casa Jaguar
Avenida Boca PailaNice ambiance and interesting cocktails. It can be a party, especially on Thursdays. Food is hit or miss. Hipster vibe with man buns and beards galore.
Sunday's are for salsa. Free classes at 6, followed by a live band and a full dance floor. Pricey but delicious mojitos. It's over by 10, so go early.
187 locals recommend
La Zebra Hotel Tulum
Km 8.2 Carr. Tulum-Boca PailaSunday's are for salsa. Free classes at 6, followed by a live band and a full dance floor. Pricey but delicious mojitos. It's over by 10, so go early.
The best, most extravagant party in Tulum. Pretty people, hipsters, jet setters, etc. stop by to dance the night away. DJ's spin EDM. Are you ready for the Full Moon Beach Party? On the Saturday nearest the full moon, every month. They have other parties on the beach too, mostly in winter.
297 locals recommend
Papaya Playa Project
Km 4.5 Carr. Tulum-Boca PailaThe best, most extravagant party in Tulum. Pretty people, hipsters, jet setters, etc. stop by to dance the night away. DJ's spin EDM. Are you ready for the Full Moon Beach Party? On the Saturday nearest the full moon, every month. They have other parties on the beach too, mostly in winter.
Mayan Ruins
You probably came here because you saw a picture of the Tulum Ruins, one of the most photographed archaeological sites on the planet. You can’t not visit them. Go early, the tour buses start arriving en masse around 10am. Bring a bathing suit and towel for a quick dip while you are there.
514 locals recommend
Ruinas de Tulum
You probably came here because you saw a picture of the Tulum Ruins, one of the most photographed archaeological sites on the planet. You can’t not visit them. Go early, the tour buses start arriving en masse around 10am. Bring a bathing suit and towel for a quick dip while you are there.
Really cool ruins very near Tulum. There is a nice nature walk just behind the ruins that lead to the lagoon and includes a viewing platform that has a truly remarkable view of the Sian Kaan biosphere's jungle and lagoons.
One of the best activities/tours you can do is the Muyil float. You hire a boat tour out to the channels of Muyil and they drop you off and let you float through the jungle. It is like a magical, all natural lazy river.
232 locals recommend
Muyil
Really cool ruins very near Tulum. There is a nice nature walk just behind the ruins that lead to the lagoon and includes a viewing platform that has a truly remarkable view of the Sian Kaan biosphere's jungle and lagoons.
One of the best activities/tours you can do is the Muyil float. You hire a boat tour out to the channels of Muyil and they drop you off and let you float through the jungle. It is like a magical, all natural lazy river.
Chichen Itza
The best known mayan ruins live up to the hype. Don't miss them!
Coba ruins are fabulous, and its great fun to go from one ruin to the next on one of the bikes you can rent just inside the site. Be sure to go to some of the spectacular cenotes in the area afterwards.
232 locals recommend
Cobá Archaeological Zone
307 Carretera Federal TulumCoba ruins are fabulous, and its great fun to go from one ruin to the next on one of the bikes you can rent just inside the site. Be sure to go to some of the spectacular cenotes in the area afterwards.
Parks & Nature
One of the most beautiful cenotes around. Lots of turtles, fish, bats and often swallows. Go early, it gets a little crowded.
410 locals recommend
Gran Cenote
One of the most beautiful cenotes around. Lots of turtles, fish, bats and often swallows. Go early, it gets a little crowded.
For a long, sunny swim, this is the best spot. It is also the ideal place to learn how to scuba dive (check out Easy Chango for cheap Discovery Dives or to get certified in Open Water). Walk across the street for a beer and a view of the ocean.
136 locals recommend
Casa Cenote
For a long, sunny swim, this is the best spot. It is also the ideal place to learn how to scuba dive (check out Easy Chango for cheap Discovery Dives or to get certified in Open Water). Walk across the street for a beer and a view of the ocean.
If you are going to Akumal, make this the main part of your time there. This inlet is like a miniature no-frills version of Xel Ha. Bring snorkel gear and make a day of it.
107 locals recommend
Cenote and Yal-ku
If you are going to Akumal, make this the main part of your time there. This inlet is like a miniature no-frills version of Xel Ha. Bring snorkel gear and make a day of it.
The largest freshwater preserve in the country is best viewed on the water. Check it out by taking a fishing or bird watching tour or picnic on the miles of white sand beaches en route to Boca Paila. The Muyil ruins and float tour are inside the biosphere too.
188 locals recommend
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
The largest freshwater preserve in the country is best viewed on the water. Check it out by taking a fishing or bird watching tour or picnic on the miles of white sand beaches en route to Boca Paila. The Muyil ruins and float tour are inside the biosphere too.
A very popular tourist destination, one that has a bit of a theme park feel at times. That said, it's utterly beautiful and lives up to its reputation as the largest natural aquarium in the world. You will see so many tropical fish.
686 locals recommend
Xel-Ha
Carretera Chetumal Puerto Juárez Km 240, locales 1 & 2, módulo BA very popular tourist destination, one that has a bit of a theme park feel at times. That said, it's utterly beautiful and lives up to its reputation as the largest natural aquarium in the world. You will see so many tropical fish.
Great little cenote, enter by the stairs, a jump or with a zipline! The cenote park has changing areas, places to sit, a restaurant, a waterslide into one of their pools (ideal for kids or anyone that gets too cold in a cenote).
66 locals recommend
Cenote Zacil-Ha
Carretera Federal 180 de CuotaGreat little cenote, enter by the stairs, a jump or with a zipline! The cenote park has changing areas, places to sit, a restaurant, a waterslide into one of their pools (ideal for kids or anyone that gets too cold in a cenote).
A wonderful spot to spend a day. Ideal place to take the kids as theres usually no waves and plenty of shallows to play in.
Cool places to take pictures, like rope swings above the water.
Bring a snack or a picnic as the food options on site are limited to little more than coconuts and chips.
194 locals recommend
Kaan Luum Lagoon
A wonderful spot to spend a day. Ideal place to take the kids as theres usually no waves and plenty of shallows to play in.
Cool places to take pictures, like rope swings above the water.
Bring a snack or a picnic as the food options on site are limited to little more than coconuts and chips.
Arts & Culture
This gallery space in the middle of the jungle is one of the coolest spaces in the world. Located about 15-20 minutes from La Palmita in the outskirts of the mayan village of Francisco Uh May (where you can also get local handicrafts like dreamcatchers and furniture).
51 locals recommend
AZULIK Uh May
23 GrullaThis gallery space in the middle of the jungle is one of the coolest spaces in the world. Located about 15-20 minutes from La Palmita in the outskirts of the mayan village of Francisco Uh May (where you can also get local handicrafts like dreamcatchers and furniture).
Holistika
Calle 10 SurYoga, healthy food, art. A great place to spend a day.
Tulum has many amazing murals, mostly downtown. Calle Sol and Avenida Satelite are among the first locations where local businesses and artists joined forces to beautify Tulum, but they are everywhere if you look. To see more, look into the Tulum Art Tours led by some of the same artists that have made many of Tulum's fabulous murals.
Tulum Centro
Tulum has many amazing murals, mostly downtown. Calle Sol and Avenida Satelite are among the first locations where local businesses and artists joined forces to beautify Tulum, but they are everywhere if you look. To see more, look into the Tulum Art Tours led by some of the same artists that have made many of Tulum's fabulous murals.
Shopping
Our favorite shopping destination on the beach road. Akiin has a really good selection of boutiques (art, clothing, bikinis, jewelry, menswear, etc). Paid parking is available here (a rare thing on the beach road). From here you can walk along the beach road and find many additional boutiques too.
54 locals recommend
Akiin Beach Tulum
km 7.5 Carr. Tulum-Boca PailaOur favorite shopping destination on the beach road. Akiin has a really good selection of boutiques (art, clothing, bikinis, jewelry, menswear, etc). Paid parking is available here (a rare thing on the beach road). From here you can walk along the beach road and find many additional boutiques too.
Great place to buy handicrafts and get a fresh coconut. Some of the roadside restaurants have traditional cochinita pibil and more.
24 locals recommend
Francisco Uh May
Great place to buy handicrafts and get a fresh coconut. Some of the roadside restaurants have traditional cochinita pibil and more.
A great little eatery with really cool decor, its like you are underwater. Very cool shell collection on display and many shells available for sale as well.
Cafe Maya-Xel & Marine Museum
Mz12, Lt65 Aldea ZamaA great little eatery with really cool decor, its like you are underwater. Very cool shell collection on display and many shells available for sale as well.
Essentials
The best hospital in town, this is the place for emergencies and to stabilize you. They aren’t cheap, so you may want to check if they take your insurance beforehand. For anything complicated you may want to go to Galenia Hospital in Cancun.
44 locals recommend
Costamed Tulum
s/n C. 3 SurThe best hospital in town, this is the place for emergencies and to stabilize you. They aren’t cheap, so you may want to check if they take your insurance beforehand. For anything complicated you may want to go to Galenia Hospital in Cancun.
Minor health issues are best looked at by Dr. Simi, a national chain of doctors’ offices that provide inexpensive medical care to underserved populations. This is where you go for minor stomach ailments, cuts, a few stitches, bug bites, etc. The consultation fee is about $3usd and most medicine prescribed can be purchased at the generic pharmacy that is attached to the doctor’s office.
30 locals recommend
Dr. Simi
MZ 2 Av. TulumMinor health issues are best looked at by Dr. Simi, a national chain of doctors’ offices that provide inexpensive medical care to underserved populations. This is where you go for minor stomach ailments, cuts, a few stitches, bug bites, etc. The consultation fee is about $3usd and most medicine prescribed can be purchased at the generic pharmacy that is attached to the doctor’s office.
The biggest and best grocery store in town stocking almost everything you could possibly need for your stay in Tulum.
609 locals recommend
Chedraui
The biggest and best grocery store in town stocking almost everything you could possibly need for your stay in Tulum.
Pronounced “Pol” this is the go to place for the fruit and vegetables you couldn’t find at the grocery store. If it’s not on the shelves here, ask an attendant if they have it. They keep most of the produce in a cold room out of sight where only employees can enter as they mostly cater to restaurants that call orders in.
45 locals recommend
Frutas y Verduras Pool S.A de C.V
Satélite SurPronounced “Pol” this is the go to place for the fruit and vegetables you couldn’t find at the grocery store. If it’s not on the shelves here, ask an attendant if they have it. They keep most of the produce in a cold room out of sight where only employees can enter as they mostly cater to restaurants that call orders in.