Where to stay

Many sun worshippers stay near Playa Paraiso or Playa Pescadores to enjoy its watersports and relaxed atmosphere. Here, visitors can enjoy the publicly accessible beach or sip cocktails while taking in the views from a beach club. Tulum Beach and Zona Hotelera Tulum also offer plenty of hotels and resorts right near the blue-green water. Staying close to the Tulum Mayan Ruins, just east of the city center, provides views of the town's pristine beaches and convenient access to the 13th-century Mayan archaeological site.

History buffs should consider booking a room near the Tulum Mayan Ruins, the ruins of a Mayan port town that thrived in the area over 500 years ago. Located just outside the city center in Tulum National Park, the spectacular ruins sit atop a tall cliff. The three most visited structures in the area include the Temple of the Frescoes, the Temple of the Descending God, and El Castillo. Alternatively, visitors can take a day trip to Coba Ruins, a network of causeways that once belonged to an ancient Mayan city.

Find a room in Tulum Town Center to be near the town's numerous locally owned Mexican diners and hole-in-the-wall bars, some with live music. Staying in the neighborhood of Col Huracanes ensures close proximity to some of Tulum's liveliest cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. For a change of pace, Aldea Zama offers a peaceful place to stay with a few family-friendly cafés and restaurants.