Summary

• Tulum still offers breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, and exciting nightlife, making it a top-tier destination for travelers seeking the best of Mexico.
• Visitors can swim with sea turtles in Tulum's Akumal Bay, a magical experience that shouldn't be missed.
• Tulum's rich history, abundance of restaurants, and proximity to cenotes make it a versatile destination suitable for any budget and interest.

Tulum is an excellent vacation destination that quickly rose to popularity among holistic wellness enthusiasts and social media influencers in the past few years because of its natural beauty and affordable prices. However, amid increasing numbers of visitors, Tulum’s reputation is changing rapidly from a budget-friendly paradise to an overpriced beach town. So is it still worth visiting in 2024?

Tulum might not be Mexico's best-kept secret any longer, but it remains a top-tier destination for travelers seeking out some of the world’s best beaches and nightlife. These are the top reasons Tulum is still worth checking out when visiting Mexico.

UPDATE: 2023/11/29 23:35 EST BY REENA JAIN

Is Tulum Worth Visiting? More Reasons!

Ever wondered why Tulum is so popular? For those who want to experience more authentic Mexican experiences, Tulum, Mexico, offers many reasons, such as breathtaking scenery, gorgeous beaches, and much more. This list has been updated to include two more of Tulum's outstanding features that make it worthwhile to visit.

15 Swimming With Sea Turtles Is Possible

Tulum's Akumal Bay is home to sea turtles

A magical experience that visitors must not miss in Tulum is visiting Akumal Bay. The bay is stunningly beautiful and sandy shores and azure ocean panorama of the bay captivate everyone, but what adds to its allure is the possibility to swim with sea turtles here.

It's amazing to swim along sea turtles while they calmly glide beneath the surface.

• Tour: Swim with Akumal turtles
• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
• Cost: From $39.50 per person

14 Scuba Diving In A Cenote Is Exciting

When swimming in Tulum's cenotes isn't enough, go deeper below the surface

For adventurous souls whose thirst for exciting experiences in Tulum is not satisfied by the stunning scenery of the cenotes, they could go scuba diving to discover the undersea splendor of these natural wonders.

Cenote diving is undoubtedly a unique and amazing experience! There is typically an abundance of fascinating marine life in the waters beneath the surface.

• Tour: Discover Scuba Diving in Tulum
• Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
• Cost: From $140.00 per person

13 Tulum Beaches Are Beautiful

From Playa Paraiso to Playa Ruina and beyond, the beaches in Tulum are stunning

Tulum has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean region, with idyllic white sands and crystal blue waters.

Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach) is one of the best in Tulum, with swaying palm trees on the soft, powdery sand. Playa Ruinas is another iconic beach in Tulum with Mayan ruins on a cliff overlooking the water and sand below.

• Most popular beaches in Tulum: Playa Paraiso, Tulum Beach, Playa Ruinas, Playa Pescadores, Las Palmas Public Beach

12 There's Amazing Nightlife In Tulum

This beach town's bar and club scene is heart-pumping

Since so many young people have flocked to Tulum in recent years, whether for the travel experience or the Instagram photos, the beach town has responded to the demand for nightlife with enthusiasm. There are plenty of options for spending a fun night out with friends in Tulum at clubs like Caribe Swing or Tulum Social Pubcrawl.

Solo travelers will find it easy to make connections with other backpackers here when enjoying a night out of drinks or dancing.

• Most popular nightlife destinations in Tulum: Gitano Tulum, Coco Tulum Beach Club, Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar, Casa Jaguar Tulum, Caribe Swing

11 There's An Abundance Of Restaurants To Try

Tulum's restaurants are diverse and plentiful (with epic tacos!)

One of the highlights of Tulum and Tulum Town is the bountiful food choices. Despite its reputation as being expensive, there are still lots of budget options left for travelers to enjoy the incredible cuisine and restaurant variety in Tulum. This is especially true for those staying in Tulum Centro, away from the beach area, where prices are lower and experiences are more local.

Some of the best tacos in Tulum can be found at Taqueria La Chiapaneca, where prices start at just 13 p ($0.65) per taco.

• Most popular places to eat in Tulum: Hartwood Tulum, Gitano, Arca Tulum, Casa Banana, Taqueria La Eufemia

Related: This Is The Best Time To Visit Tulum, Mexico

10 There's A Lower Crime Level Than In Cancun

Crime rates in Tulum are moderate compared to popular Cancun

Tulum is located approximately 130 km south of Cancun in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Cancun has long been a popular destination for vacationers seeking Caribbean waters and upscale resorts at affordable prices. However, staying outside a resort in Cancun is less safe, with the city rated as having a high crime rate.

In contrast, Tulum has a moderate crime rate. Although it’s critical to exercise caution when traveling anywhere in the world, travelers generally find it more accessible to stay in budget-friendly accommodations like hostels or Airbnbs in Tulum, rather than in Cancun.

• Most popular hostels in Tulum: Mama's Home, Lum Hostel, Che Tulum Hostel & Bar, Mayan Monkey Hostel Tulum, The Weary Traveler Hostel

9 There's Rich History To Explore

Discover ancient Mayan ruins, history, and culture when visiting Tulum

Tulum has many beautiful traces of Mayan culture and history, much like the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo. Visiting Tulum is worth it simply for the experience of seeing and learning about the fascinating, ancient Tulum Ruins in person.

The Tulum Archeological Site is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and is a great place to spend anywhere from two hours to a whole afternoon. Entrance fees for travelers are around 80 pesos or $4 per person.

• Location: Carretera Federal, Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, 307, 77780 Tulum
• Hours: Daily, 8 to 5 pm

Related: Packing For Tulum? Here's What To Bring (And What To Leave At Home)

8 Tulum Has Mexico’s Best Cenotes

Cenote Dos Ojos is just 15 minutes from Tulum

Cenote Dos Ojos frequently tops travelers’ lists as one of the best cenotes in Mexico, and it happens to be just a 15-minute drive from Tulum. Cenote Dos Ojos is part of a flooded cave area, north of Tulum in Quintana Roo. In English, the name Dos Ojos means “two eyes” referring to the way the cenote is split into two sections.

One side of Dos Ojos is shallow and great for swimming while the other side is deeper and ideal for people looking to scuba dive. Entrance fees for the cenote are around $14 and it’s possible to rent scuba gear on-site at an additional cost.

• Location: Cenote Jaguar Rd, 77737 Tulum, Quintana Roo
• Hours: Daily, 8 to 5 pm

7 It’s A Yogi Haven

Tulum offers yoga centers, holistic retreats, and yoga teacher training programs

Passionate yogis will find themselves drawn to Tulum, regardless of how popular the idyllic town becomes. Whether travelers are looking for Vinyasa flow classes, Yoga Teacher Training programs, or soothing Hatha yoga classes, Tulum has it all.

There is an abundance of yoga studios to choose from, ensuring travelers can select a class or program that meets their spiritual needs and skill level. Some of the most popular studios in Tulum include Studio One, Holistika, and Tribal Tulum.

• Most popular Yoga Studios in Tulum: Studio One, Holistika, Tribal Tulum, Yoga Dicha Studio, Sanara Tulum, Yoga Shala Tulum

Related: Visiting The Stunning Maya Ritual Caves Of The Mayan Peninsula

6 Tulum Has The Infrastructure For Remote Work

This beach town is becoming popular as a digital nomad hotspot

Remote work is the new normal and many companies are now encouraging employees to work fully remote or take on a hybrid model where they spend some time in the office and the remainder of the year working from anywhere. For digital nomads or people who have the flexibility to work remotely for an extended period, Tulum is one of the best cities in Mexico for digital nomads because it offers the necessary resources and amenities to support a comfortable and productive work experience.

Not only are accommodation and food cheaper than in the United States, but most hostels, hotels, and Airbnbs in Tulum offer high-speed internet to enable video calls, uploads, and file downloads. Internet speeds vary depending on where you stay so be sure to check with the host or hotel in advance.

• Most Popular Digital Nomads Hotels in Tulum: Azulik Tulum, Coco Limited Tulum, Nomade Tulum, Sanara Tulum, Ahau Tulum

5 Its Central Location Enables Easy Exploration Of Riviera Maya

Tulum's point on the map offers access to Riviera Maya's top sites

Tulum offers the additional benefit of being a great central location to explore the amazing activities and attractions in Mexico’s Riviera Maya area. From Tulum Town, it takes just 40 minutes to drive to the Riviera Maya and around 2 hours to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.

In addition to the cenotes in proximity to Tulum and a plethora of beaches, Tulum is the ideal base for experiencing the best this region has to offer.

• Most popular nearby attractions: Chichen Itza, Coba, Xel-Ha Park, Akumal, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

4 There’s Something For Every Budget

From luxury resorts to backpacker hostels, Tulum offers it all

One of the top reasons Tulum is still worth visiting when traveling to Mexico is because of the experiences available to suit any budget. Travelers who are looking for a luxury getaway can choose from many hotels and resorts in Tulum like the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, for ultimate comfort and a location right on the beach.

Backpackers hoping to travel around Mexico on a budget can also enjoy Tulum by staying away from the beaches in the vibrant area of Tulum Centro. Mama’s Home Hostel and Hostel Penca Blue are just a couple of the budget-friendly options located close to local restaurants in Tulum.

• Most popular luxury hotels in Tulum: Coqui Coqui Tulum, Be Tulum Hotel, Casa Malca, Nomade Tulum, Azulik Tulum

3 It's Close To The Cenotes

Tulum's proximity to the Yucatán Peninsula cenotes make it a must-visit

One of the great attractions of the Yucatán Peninsula is the cenotes, but what are cenotes, exactly? These are more than just underwater caves; they're amazing sinkholes that have a long history of significance to the ancient Maya and today are one of the great attractions of the region.

Interestingly, they owe their existence to the same meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago. They are found around the massive crater of the impact. Some of these cenotes are within easy reach of Tulum.

• Most popular Cenotes near Tulum: Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos Cenote, Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom), Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Carwash (Aktun Ha)

2 There Are Cheap Flights To Tulum

Flights to Tulum from the US are cheap, and Tulum's new airport will make it even more accessible

As Tulum is such a popular tourist destination, it is very easy to reach from the United States by flight. Some other destinations may take longer to wait for flight connections and transfers. While the closest airport is actually Cancun International Airport around 1.5 hours' drive away, Tulum International Airport recently opened on December 1, 2023.

The new Tulum International Airport is located only 12 miles from Tulum.

• Tulum International Airport Location: 77130 Macario Gómez, Q.R., Mexico

1 Float Down Hand-Made Mayan Canals

Experience the ancient Mayan canals in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

One of the amazing guided tours from Tulum is floating down stunning ancient Mayan canals. Take a tour from Tulum of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (which is noted for its excellent biodiversity).

The tours typically last four to six hours and include seeing the wildlife, floating in the canals, and exploring lost Maya ruins in the coastal jungles.

• Tour: Tulum Sian Ka'an Muyil Ruins, Boat Eco Tour & Float Down Mayan Canals - Lunch
• Duration: 6 hours approx.
• Cost: From $194.95 per person