How to Spend 1 Day in Tulum Mexico
Tulum is a unique beach destination in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and is known for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear Caribbean waters, Mayan ruins, and Bohemian style resorts and upscale beach clubs.
Because of this, Tulum continues to grow in popularity each year which makes it one of the more expensive destinations to visit in Mexico. You could spend a week in Tulum and still not see everything there is to do, but if you only have 1 day in Tulum, you can still get a good idea of everything that Tulum has to offer.
In this 1 day Tulum Itinerary I’ll give you a step-by-step guide of how to spend the perfect day in Tulum. Whether you’re making a day trip to Tulum from another destination in Riviera Maya or just making a one-day stop on your Yucatan Peninsula road trip, this itinerary will help you make the most of one day in Tulum.
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Table of Contents:
Getting Around Tulum
This 1 day Tulum itinerary will require a lot of moving around, so I recommend having your own transportation because getting around Tulum can be tricky. There are a few ways to get around Tulum and I would avoid using taxis at all costs! A taxi between Tulum Town and Tulum Beach typically starts around $30 each way and will not be cost-efficient for this itinerary.
I also would not recommend renting a car because parking in Tulum beach is extremely limited and they do give out parking tickets. If you need to get to Tulum from another destination in Riviera Maya such as Playa Del Carmen or Cancun, I recommend booking the ADO bus which is more affordable than a taxi. The ADO bus will drop you off at the bus station in Tulum Town which is the perfect starting point for this itinerary.
Click Here to use Busbud to explore & book different bus options for your trip.
The best way to get around Tulum is by bike, scooter, or ATV. Many of the resorts and hotels will already have bike rentals onsite that you can book for your stay which is a good option if you are going to be in Tulum for several days and have more time to explore. Click here to browse hotels and resorts in Tulum.
The best way to get around Tulum to make the most of this one-day itinerary is to rent a scooter or an ATV. If you are not familiar with driving a scooter, I would recommend the ATV since Tulum roads are not the best and you’ll experience a lot of rocky, dirt roads with potholes and mud.
Explore Tulum ATV and scooter rentals here.
Stop One: Breakfast
One thing I love about Tulum is the food scene, so in this one day itinerary you’re going to want to make sure you stop at some top favorites. Not only can you find some amazing traditional Mexican food in Tulum, but it’s also known for having a variety of healthy and vegan options.
On your one day in Tulum I recommend checking out one of these two spots: Raw Love or Matcha Mama
These are two popular spots to grab a coffee or matcha and a healthy smoothie or açaí bowl to give you the perfect amount of fuel for this jam-packed day in Tulum! Both of these options have a location in Tulum Town and Tulum Beach so should be an easy walk from wherever you are staying!
Matcha Mama
Matcha Mama is a popular Instagram spot in Tulum so if you choose to go here, I highly recommend getting there as early as possible when they open at 8 am. Don’t forget to grab the perfect Instagram photo on one of their white swings!
Matcha Mama is all plant-based and gluten free and is most popular for its cold brews, matcha lattes, açaí bowls, and smoothies. You can even grab a coconut to drink some coconut water and hydrate to prepare for a long day in the Caribbean sun and Tulum heat!
Raw Love Tulum
Raw Love is one of my absolute favorite places in Tulum! There is a location in Tulum Town and Tulum Beach but the beach location is the perfect spot hidden within the palm trees.
Raw Love is also a Vegan restaurant with amazing avocado toast, tropical smoothies & smoothie bowls, and delicious coconut milk lattes all made from natural & clean ingredients! The chocolate dream & berry love are personal smoothie favorites!
Raw Love doesn’t open until 9 am so be sure to plan accordingly if you choose this for your first stop!
Stop Two: Tulum Mayan Ruins
After breakfast, head over to your first sightseeing spot on your day in Tulum: the Tulum Mayan Ruins. The Mayan Ruins are a must-see in Tulum. The ruins sit at the top of limestone cliffs overlooking a beautiful beach at the bottom of the cliffs and the Caribbean Sea!
Visiting the Mayan Ruins as early as possible in the morning is important to beat the crowds and the heat. The ruins get extremely hot in the afternoon and involve a lot of walking a little to no shade.
The Mayan Ruins in Tulum are open 8 am to 5 pm and entry tickets cost around $11 USD. Click Here to book your tickets.
Stop Three: Swimming in Cenotes
If there’s one thing you have to do on a trip to Tulum, it’s swim in one of the cenotes. Cenotes are sinkholes exposing underground water. Cenotes can be found all over the Yucatan.
Cenotes are said to have been sacred to the Mayan people and were used as fresh water sources and rituals & sacrifices. The Mayan’s believed that cenotes were portals to the underworld.
You could spend days exploring the cenotes near Tulum, but since you only have 1 day in Tulum, visit Cenote Calavera and Gran Cenote.
Cenote Calavera and Gran Cenote are only about 5 minutes drive from Tulum Town. These are two of the most popular cenotes and depending how long you spend at the ruins, may have to wait in line to enter. You can choose to visit only one or both of the cenotes. They are close together and will cost two separate entry fees to enter. Entry should cost $17-$25 USD and you will need cash (pesos or USD) to pay the entry fee.
Because the cenotes are sacred, you will be required to rinse off in the showers before swimming to help preserve the water in the cenotes. Make sure if you are wearing sunscreen to wear a non-toxic, natural, & reef safe sunscreen. Sun Bum is one of my favorite reef-safe sunscreens to wear on my travels!
Stop Four: Lunch at Burrito Amor
Once you’re done at the cenotes, you’ll make your way back to Tulum Beach. On the drive back stop in Tulum Town for lunch at Burrito Amor.
Burrito Amor is one of my favorite restaurants in Tulum because of their healthy burritos with clean ingredients and are wrapped in banana leaves. My personal favorites are the chicken and steak burritos but they have a great vegan/vegetarian selection as well!
Burrito Amor has laid back atmosphere, good drinks, and for Tulum is decently priced!
Stop Five: Beach Club
One thing Tulum is known for is its upscale bohemian style beach clubs. While there are many beach clubs to choose from, if you only have 1 day in Tulum, you will likely only have time to visit one.
All of the beach clubs in Tulum will have a minimum spend which is typically around $60 USD per person. I personally like Mia Beach Club because the minimum spend only applies if you want one of the beach beds. Otherwise you can just sit at the bar an have a drink or order food!
Some of the most popular beach clubs in Tulum are Mia, Taboo, Tantra, and Vagalume. If you want something a little less crowded and more of a chill vibe, try Coco Tulum. Tulum also has the very first cenote club (like a beach club but at a cenote) called VESICA. Be sure to check their website/social media beforehand because they will sometimes be closed for private events.
If you prefer not to go to a beach club but still want to go to the beach, bring your own towels or chairs and find a spot in the sand! All of Tulum Beach is public beach and free to use besides the beds and chairs at the beach clubs or resorts.
Stop Six: Tulum Sculpture Park
The Tulum Sculpture Park is located outside the Ahau Tulum Hotel. This is where you will find the famous Ven A La Luz sculpture.
The park is open 9 am to 10 pm and cost $4 USD to enter. The park has a few other art installations to see but the Ven A La Luz is the most popular.
The hotel zone in Tulum becomes less crowded between the beach clubs closing and dinner so this is a perfect time to go to the park for less crowds. Another best time to go would be right at 9 am of after dark to see it all lit up!
Stop Seven: Dinner and a Show
Having a late dinner in Tulum is the norm after a long day at the beach. Around 9 pm the restaurants will start their dinner shows which are a must-see when in Tulum!
Bagatelle, ILIOS, and Mamazzita are all popular restaurants to catch a dinner show in Tulum! These places fill up quick, especially during high season, so it’s always best to have a reservation.
If you want to have a more relaxing dinner with more affordable prices, Casa Sofia in Tulum town was one of my favorites!
After dinner, if you’re staying overnight in Tulum, you can head back to the beach clubs to experience the night life in Tulum! There also many options of bar and clubs in Tulum Town if you’re not staying in the hotel zone.
Planning a trip to Tulum and not sure what to pack? Get my complete Tulum packing list HERE!
