Looking to plan the perfect Tulum itinerary? Tulum has gotten quite a bit of attention in the last few years and rightly so. Tulum is a beautiful beach town with delicious culinary options, beach clubs galore, and an incredible nightlife scene. It also has one of the most unique and beautiful museums I’ve ever visited, SFER IK. A trip to Tulum also offers an opportunity to see some of the beautiful natural wonders and ancient history of Mexico and the world. Can you believe you can swim in a cenote?!

Tulum is located on the Yucatan Peninsula not far from the popular Cancun. Contrary to Cancun, Tulum is more of a unique beach town with lots of character. Don’t get me wrong there are quite a few all-inclusive resorts in Tulum like Cancun, but not as many. When planning a four-day Tulum itinerary there is so much to see and do in Tulum, and four days is the perfect amount of time to enjoy it all. Keep reading for everything you need to know before visiting Tulum and the perfect four-day Tulum itinerary!

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4 Day Tulum itinerary: The ONLY Comprehensive Guide you’ll need

Day 1: Day trip Tulum to Chichen Itza and the famous Cenotes

The New Wonder of the World: Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is a must-see when visiting Tulum, and I wouldn’t miss visiting during your four-day Tulum itinerary. It’s one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and remains an active archaeological site. Tourists used to be allowed to climb to the top of this main attraction, but unfortunately not anymore. Don’t miss the plenty of other ruins on this archeologic site when visiting Chichen Itza.

How to get to Chichen Itza

The best way to get to Chichen Itza from Tulum is by car, and it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tulum. Chichen Itza gets crowded with tourists, and I highly recommend getting there a half hour to an hour before it opens. Since you’ll be leaving your hotel at the crack of dawn, make sure to bring snacks and water for the car ride. Chichen Itza usually opens around 8 am, so if you want to be there before they open it will be quite an early morning.

Driving to Chichen Itza

Driving from Tulum to Chichen Itza you won’t find many gas stations. Make sure to fill up your tank of gas in Tulum Town before getting on the road.

Planning a trip to Chichen Itza

Don’t visit Tulum without bringing cash with you. Even though you can pay the small entrance fee by card, they will charge you a credit card fee. Chichen Itza is quite impressive, but you probably won’t need more than a few hours to see the whole site. Their cafe on site serves coffee and light food options, but nothing more (hence I recommend packing road trip snacks and water!)

Insider tip: There won’t be many restaurant options on the way to Chichen Itza. In some small towns you may find taco stands, but I would only recommend this if you have a group with you for safety reasons. Our group of four girls found a stand driving away from Chichen Itza where we didn’t pay more than a few dollars each for our meals.

A comprehensive guide to the Cenotes

When planning your Tulum itinerary, it can be hard to pick which centoes to visit. After visiting Chichen Itza our group was able to visit all the cenotes below before heading back to Tulum Beach. A few other cenotes within driving distance of Tulum not listed below are Calavera and Gran Cenote.

Suytun Cenotes Tulum

Suytun was my favorite cenote we visited. Plan to arrive at this cenote around noon, and you will not be disappointed. Our group drove straight from Chichen Itza to this site. The reason to arrive around noon is because there is a small hole in the top of the cave that causes a beam of sunlight to shine down. Around noon, the beam of sunlight will shine directly on the natural circle platform creating the most unique photo opportunity! (check out the photo below for clarification)

Ik Kil Cenotes Tulum

Ik Kil Cenotes Tulum will make you feel like you’re descending into a sacred cave, as you walk down about three flights of stairs to reach it. Many people enjoy swimming and just hanging around while enjoying the view.

Cenote Oxman

Oxman is the most adventurous cenote near Tulum. This spot is unique in that it has a swing that allows you to jump right out into the abyss! It’s not the easiest to master, but there is a staff member there to assist you!

Tulum Itinerary Day 2: Spend the day at a Beach Club

The best way to experience a property that’s out of your budget or if you didn’t have a chance to stay is to visit their beach club. Some of the most popular Tulum beach clubs include Taboo, La Popular, and Hotel Ahau Tulum. Here are are few others to check out!

Tulum Itinerary Day 3: Explore Parque Nacional Tulum and SFER IK

Visit Tulum’s Mayan city

Tulum’s Mayan city of stone sits on a cliff with the most beautiful view of white sand and turquoise water. This archaeological site is situated on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. You can spend as much or as little time as you want here. Parque Nacional’s beach is considered one of the best beaches in Tulum, check out their website for opening times. During your visit make sure to enjoy the surrounding jungle, you might even spot monkeys! For reference the park isn’t too large, you only need a few hours to see it all.

If you want a bit more specific information regarding what you can visit at the park, this guide is a great reference!

Get to Tulum’s National Park early

Make sure to get to Tulum’s National Park early, as it’s popular with large group tours. We arrived at the park when it opened and there were already plenty of tour groups lined up waiting to get in. The park is open from around 8 am-5 pm every day. Make sure to bring cash for the entrance fee, credit cards are not accepted.

Where to park at Tulum’s National Park

It was very easy to drive from Tulum Beach or Tulum Town to the park, but there are no official parking spots except those reserved for tour buses. If you arrive early there should be space to park along the side of the road leading up to the park. I do remember when researching before visiting there are only so many spots along the road. This is because wherever the national park ends is where many Tulum resorts and hotel properties begin, and you will see ‘no parking signs’ at these properties. If you don’t arrive early to find a spot you’ll have to wait for others to leave as we didn’t see anywhere else to park.

Visiting SFER IK: One of the best things to see and do in Tulum

This spot is truly such a gem. It’s difficult to describe, and the photos don’t even do it justice. It has the most unassuming entrance, and visitors must leave their shoes at the door. Don’t forget to visit the museum store on-site. It features Mexican artists and sells everything from jewelry to the cutest women’s clothing items.

Tulum Itinerary Day 4: Wander into Tulum Town

Order burritos from Burrito Amor

Burrito Amor offered some of the best burritos I had while in Tulum! You can’t go wrong with any of their burritos or even their guacamole. Their fresh watermelon drink was also incredibly delicious, so make sure to try one of their fresh drinks. Even though they have expanded their site since I visited, I do remember eating at a small table outside under flowering trees, quite the Tulum scene!

Go Shopping in Tulum town

After you’ve tried the local cuisine, visit some of the local shops. There are plenty along the main road, and they sell everything from small souvenirs to beautiful bags and even alcohol.

Best Areas to Stay in Tulum: Tulum Beach vs Tulum Town

The best areas to stay in Tulum are Tulum Beach and Tulum Town. These two areas are very different, and your decision should be based on what type of vacation you’re looking to have and your budget. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your trip to Tulum, so keep reading for more information and how to decide for your Tulum itinerary what is the best area to stay in for you.

What’s the difference between Tulum Beach and Tulum Town?

The main difference between Tulum Beach and Tulum Town is that one is close to the beach and the other is within the local town. Tulum Beach is within walking distance of the wonderful beaches and beach clubs, restaurants, and nightlife. Tulum Town is what it says it is, a local town with lots of restaurants but not close to the beach. I would only recommend staying in Tulum Town if you’re on a tight budget. This blog outlines the pros and cons nicely of different areas of Tulum Beach since it’s geographically a large area.

Tulum beach: Ocean versus Jungle side

The best area to stay in Tulum Beach is on the ocean side. I recommend you pin on Google Maps all the different places you want to visit in Tulum and choose accommodations within that area. There is a main street that runs down Tulum Beach which separates the ‘ocean side’ from the ‘jungle side’. If you’re looking to stay directly on the beach you need to stay on the ocean side, hence why Tulum Beach on the ocean side is the best area to stay in Tulum. If you don’t have a preference, you may find accommodations are less expensive on the ‘jungle’ side.

Best Places to Stay in Tulum Beach

La Posada del Sol $: This boutique hotel is reasonably priced, has a large oceanfront area, and is in such a great location. When I took a girls’ trip to Tulum a few years ago, this is where we stayed!

Ahau Tulum Hotel $$: This is one of the most popular places to stay in Tulum and for good reason. This property features a stunning, private beach, yoga facility, and an excellent location in the Tulum beach area.

Hotel Shibari $$$: This luxurious hotel offers its own cenote, an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Tulum.

Cabanas Tulum $$$: This hotel boasts one of the best beaches in Tulum, and you can even stay in your own cabana.

Radhoo Tulum $$$: This next property has been awarded four-star luxury status. It’s located on the jungle side of Tulum beach, so it’s stunning but won’t break the bank.

Hotel Muare & Spa $$$: Here’s the perfect option if you’re looking for a quiet and secluded spot away from the beach and the town; it’s an incredible destination property all in itself.

Best Places to Stay in Tulum Town

Era Hotel & Spa $: Here’s a four-star hotel with incredible reviews and only costs around $100/night. It also offers free parking!

Hostel Oryx $: This hotel is one of the best hotels in Tulum town and has incredible reviews.

Botanica Tulum $; This property in Tulum Town has excellent reviews and also offers complimentary bikes for guests to use!

What you Need to Know before visiting Tulum

When’s the best time to visit Tulum?

The best time to visit Tulum is from December to April because the weather is not hot but warm with cool nights. January is one of the most popular months to visit Tulum, and February draws crowds for the popular Carnaval festival. March and April are popular for ‘spring breakers’, and May is when the crowds start thinning out. Summer is very hot and humid in Mexico so you can visit Tulum at a fraction of the price compared to peak season. There are hurricane conditions and plenty of rain in September and October.

What’s the best airport to fly in and out of Tulum?

The best airport to fly in and out of when visiting Tulum is Cancun. Cancun airport is only around a ninety-minute drive from Tulum. If you’re not renting a car ask about airport transfers when booking your accommodations.

Do I need to Rent a Car while in Tulum?

Deciding if you want to rent a car will be determined by where you want to stay and what you want to do. If you’re staying in Tulum Beach, you can easily walk everywhere and won’t need a car. If you’re staying in Tulum Town, you will need a vehicle to get around as it’s too far and not accessible to walk to Tulum Beach. Many of the hotels in Tulum provide bikes for you to use, but not all. Mopeds are an option to rent but you’ll need to be careful when driving as you’ll be sharing the single lane road with cars and pedestrians.

The best way to get around Tulum

The best way to get around Tulum is by walking or car. Renting a car in Tulum will cover airport transfers but also allow you to visit incredible places outside of Tulum including Chichen Itza and the famous cenotes. Many hotels offer parking; I remember visiting many years ago there aren’t if any public parking lots near the main areas of Tulum Beach. If you’re visiting Tulum Town, there is street parking available but parking signs can be confusing. When we visited Tulum town, we did park on the street for a few hours and our car was fine, since we didn’t notice any public parking lots near the main areas of Tulum town.

Where to pick up your rental car at Cancun Airport

Similar to many airports, the rental car pick-up is off-site and accessible by shuttle. After taking a shuttle to the rental car pick-up location, be prepared to wait. Even though we reserved our car in advance, the process still took a few hours. On a lighter note, it will be much easier to drop off your rental car on your way back, we didn’t even have anyone check it!

Insider tip: When we arrived at our rental car desk in the airport, the staff member simply said someone would ‘show us where to pick up the shuttle.’ This ‘someone’ was a girl who looked very young and spoke no English. After this young girl directed us to a somewhat ‘sketchy’ part of the airport, I was thankful when another staff member arrived who did speak English. The staff member instructed us that this was indeed the correct spot to pick up our shuttle.

DO NOT speed while driving in Mexico

Whatever you do, do not speed on your way from Cancun airport to Tulum. It’s a known scam that officers look for tourists speeding and will pull them over, requesting a large amount of cash for a ticket. I don’t mention this to cause fear or anxiety but just be very careful. Be alert during your time in Mexico and pay close attention to the speed limit signs!

Should I learn Spanish visiting Mexico?

If you’re wondering if you should learn Spanish when traveling to Tulum know that English is commonly spoken in the area. It’s never a bad idea to always learn at least a few phrases to remember since it can be beneficial, especially in areas of Tulum. Modern technology also makes it so easy for us now with Google translate but learning a few greetings or phrases of gratitude go a long way.

Most Instagrammable Tulum locations

Tulum was once considered one of the most instagrammable travel destinations. Some of the most famous spots to include in your Tulum itinerary are Ahau Tulum, Matcha Mama, the ‘Follow Your Dreams’ sign, and the swings at ‘Coco Tulum Beach Club’.

Tulum’s Best Restaurants

There are tons of cafes and restaurants in Tulum, and with the popularity of this beach town, there are always new ones coming onto the scene. Here are a few of the most popular ones that will absolutely need a pre-reserved booking.

Kitchen Table • Hartwood •Nu • Ziggy’s • ARCA •Batey Mojito • Guarapo Bar • BOTANICA Garden Cafe •Safari

When researching the best places to eat in Tulum, try to book restaurants that are within walking distance to you. Many of these restaurants don’t offer parking. You can always grab a cab, but late at night, it can become a bit sketchy. Many cab companies will only accept cash, and attempt to haggle with you. Here’s a comprehensive guide to restaurants in Tulum complete with a map.