Tulum Travel Guide: Things to Do + Where to Eat + Transportation
Are you looking for a place that’s warm, quiet and by the beach? I recommend the beautiful Mayan Cultural city of Tulum, Mexico. Located on the eastern coast and the warm Gulf of Mexico, Tulum is the perfect getaway destination. I recently visited Mexico in October 2019 and I’m happy to share with you my Tulum travel guide. You can download my complete list of BEACH PACKING LIST
But first, I want to introduce you a man named Dean, who was my taxi driver in Tulum, Mexico. Dare I say my private guide! I nicked named him “the man of the people” because wherever we went, people would surround him as he shared his funny story. “That’s my friend,” he often whispered to me as people waved at him from a distance. I should mention that I had met Dean two years prior on my 1st Tulum trip and since then, I’ve stayed in touch. You might consider looking him up.
Mr. Dean 
Now, let’s proceed with the Tulum travel guide. I planned this trip to be around the Day of the Dead celebration (Día de Muertos) because I wanted to experience this great Mexican holiday in Mexico.
Caught a red eye flight on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from Sea-Tac International Airport to Cancun International Airport in Mexico. Met up with Dean at 12 p.m. in Tulum then drove to our hotel: Coco Limited Hotel.
To save you time, I have summarized where I stayed while in Tulum, things I did and where I dined. Talk of a short and sweet Tulum travel guide, it’s all yours from your friendly travel guide, Travel with Irine.
Things to Do + Where to Eat + Transportation on a Tulum Trip
Three places we stayed on our visit in Tulum, Mexico
KENiZA Beach Hotel
Where we ate on our trip in Tulum, Mexico
Breakfast:
La Zebra
Ahau Tulum
El Pez (breakfast included)
Coco Limited (breakfast included)
Los Chilaquiles
Lunch:
Raw Love at Ahau hotel
Mi Amor Tulum Boutique Hotel
Chamicos (awesome local vibes)
Clan Deslino (swim in the cenote located in the middle after/before lunch)
La Tia De Cuncunul Restaurant (local spot) on your way to Chichen Itza
Dinner:
Taboo Tulum
Mezzanine Hotel Tulum
ARCA
II Bacaro
Taquerias El Fogon (local spot in Playa Del Carmen)
Activities we enjoyed in and near Tulum, Mexico
Visit Chichen Itza
Cenote Ik Kil –Near Chichen Itza
Walked around Valladolid
Visit Cenote Suytun
Walking around Tulum downtown
Walk around Tulum beach
Parque De Cenotes Yas-Muul
Walking around & Indulging : Chamicos
Of course, busking on the beach bed * swimming in the Ocean
Chasing the Sunrise
Drinks at Mulberry Project
Transportation: Taxi around Tulum, Mexico
As I mentioned, earlier, I met Dean on my very first visit in Tulum back in 2017. I had such a great experience with him that I stayed in touch. Fast forward two years, we planned on meeting at our favorite lunch spot where he had previously been introduced to me. This is by far the best local restaurant in town to get a torta sandwich and trust me, it’s delicious.
I like and prefer Dean as my taxi driver because he is honest, professional, with a great sense of humor and is an enthusiastic, happy person. For the entire trip, it felt as if I had my own personal car set on speed dial which made moving around convenient. Whenever I needed a ride, I’d text him via WhatsApp and he’d respond almost instantaneously: “Perfecto, I will be there in 15 minutes.” On our last day in Tulum, Dean did something special, he took me to meet his wife and six dogs. This to me is what makes travel special. Our friendship wasn’t transactional, but rather a genuine humane care and connection. I will always cherish Dean for making this trip extra special and for taking me to all the local spots.
How long should you plan to stay in Tulum, Mexico?
If you can, I would recommend 7-10 days.
It’s my hope this Tulum travel guide helps you plan your trip to this beautiful destination in Mexico. Feel free to ask me questions or add other travel trips of Tulum. Check out your ultimate travel guide to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
We loved this post, Irine! Tulum seems to have it all – the lovely beaches to just relax and enjoy the sea, superb natural areas such as the cenotes, all that world-class archaeological heritage and… the food! Dean sounds like the kind of person who makes such a difference with their warm and generous gestures. Thanks for the great recommendations – your pictures say it all! Beautiful, beautiful photos!
Thank you Manuel and Roberto, glad you enjoyed the post. I would return to Tulum in a heart beat, Dean made our return there exceptional. His insights to the land and kindness shines through his work. I hope you get a chance to visit one day if you haven’t already.
You found a good Buddy there. Love your photos IRine. Ive Long planned to see Tulum and mexico and my determination is stronger now with this crIsis.
Hey John, thanks for the compliment. I hear you, I badly want a vacation myself, the pandemic has been rough for mos,t but hope we can get to travel international sometime ‘soon’
This looks so beautiful Irine. And Dean sounds like a treasure! I love meeting people like this when we travel.
Oh yes Jane, Dean is an an incredible man and individual. It’s truly nice when you get met people who you connect with and share a special bond with. For me, this is what travel is all about!
What an informative and beautiful guide to Tulum. i’d definitely love to visit after reading your post about it.
Aww…thats so very nice to hear Wendy. Glad you found the information helpful and hopefully, your dream to visit Tulum comes true.
Wow! I remember chatting with you on this trip and now i can see it unfold! ABsolutely love this and cannot wait to get to tulum!
Lannie, how times flies! this seems like such a long time ago. I miss travelling, hope all is well on your end.
wow this looks right up my street and epitomises the vibe of my brands! another one for the bucket list. beautiful photos 🙂
Carole, I hope you get to visit Tulum. And yes, you might end up extending your trip just #goodvibes 🙂
Mexico is my happy place…I’ve visited this lovely country 27x and absolutely love Tulum…the ruins overlooking the ocean, the Mayan culture and people and food.
Karen, did you say 27 times? Wow, wow that’s a record! I could see why; the people, the food and the pace of life there is relaxing
Great information. I really want to go to TUlum so I am pinning this for later!
Awesome pictures too!
Heather, I hope after this pandemic you get to visit most destinations on your travel list. I am definitely returning to Tulum, Mexico again. Thanks for reading the post and for leaving a comment.