Tulum sits on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, and it's one of those places that lives up to the photos. Turquoise water, sand so pale it almost glows, and a set of Mayan ruins perched right above the sea. If you have any interest in the ancient Maya, this is a good spot to indulge it. The town was once a serious trading hub for the Maya, and a lot of the ruins have survived in remarkable shape, which means you can actually walk through them. In this post I want to share a few things I picked up on my visits, the sights and experiences worth your time, plus a bit on where to sleep and where to eat.

A quick note on where Tulum actually is

Tulum is a town in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, sitting on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula within the Municipality of Tulum. What put it on the map, at least historically, are its Mayan ruins, which rank among the best-preserved and most visited in Mexico and honestly in all of Latin America.

It was one of the last cities the Maya built, and people kept living there until shortly after the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. Where the name comes from is a bit of an open question. Some trace it back to the old Mayan name Zama, meaning "City of Dawn"; others say early Spanish settlers coined Tulu'm, or "Wall City." Either way, it's now a magnet for travellers, especially the crowds coming down from North America and Europe.

Beaches, beach clubs, and those ruins

Tulum sits on Mexico's Caribbean coast, and it's known for two things above all: soft sandy beaches and well-preserved Mayan ruins. Some people come purely to lie on the sand. Others come for the history. Most, in my experience, end up doing both.

The beaches here are genuinely some of the finest in Mexico. The water is clear enough to see your feet, and there's no shortage of that soft white sand to stretch out on. Scattered along the shore you'll find chic beach clubs and resorts where you can order a cocktail and lunch and just watch the sea go by for a couple of hours.

And if history is more your thing, the ruins deliver. The ancient city was built on top of a cliff looking out over the Caribbean, and wandering among the temples, plazas, and old residences, some of which have stood for centuries, is a strange and quietly moving experience.

Plenty to keep you busy

There's a lot to do in Tulum, from poking around the ruins to doing absolutely nothing on the beach. It really does suit most kinds of traveller.

The ancient ruins give you a window into the past. The buildings and the artifacts still standing here offer something you won't get in many other places.

And if you'd rather switch off, the beaches are made for it. Clear water, white sand, and a lazy day that stretches on longer than you planned. Restaurants and bars sit close by too, so grabbing a bite or a cold drink doesn't mean packing up and leaving your spot.

The weather, and when to go

Tulum has a tropical climate, with the temperature hovering around an average of 28 degrees Celsius. The rainy season runs from June to October, and the dry season from November to May. If you can help it, aim for the dry season, when the rain mostly stays away.

Getting there and getting around

Once you're in Tulum, the best ways to get around are on foot, by bike, or by golf cart. There's a lot packed into a fairly small area, so give yourself time. Don't try to cram it all into an afternoon.

Getting to Tulum in the first place usually means flying into Cancun International Airport, then hopping on a bus or grabbing a taxi out to the Tulum Ruins. Those ruins are the thing everyone comes for, and they sit just a short distance from the main town. Once you've had your fill, you can drift into town and browse the shops and restaurants as you go.

Beaches, of course, are everywhere. You'll find public stretches of sand along the coast, or you can post up at one of the resorts lining the shore. Most of those resorts keep their own private beaches for guests.

Where to stay

Finding a place to stay in Tulum isn't hard; if anything the choice is a little overwhelming. Luxury villa, cosy beach bungalow, or something between the two, there's a bed here with your name on it.

If you feel like splurging, the high-end resorts and villas will happily take your money and treat you well for it. The Andaz Mayakoba is a proper luxury resort with oceanfront rooms and suites, a huge pool area, and private beach access. The Thompson Playa del Carmen is another strong pick if you're after something upscale, with stylish rooms and suites, a rooftop pool that looks out over everything, and a spa people actually rave about.

Want the resort experience without the resort price tag? Tulum has a good few mid-range hotels that punch above their cost. The Hotel Zone is dotted with all-inclusive spots like Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa and Grand Oasis Tulum, both of which come with comfortable rooms and enough on-site dining and activities to fill your days.

And for something quieter and more personal, there are smaller hotels and bed & breakfasts tucked all over Tulum. The Be Tulum Beach & Spa Resort is a lovely boutique place sitting right on the sand, with its own private cenote (a natural swimming hole),

A little background first

Tulum is a small town on the east coast of Mexico, roughly two hours from Cancun, and it draws people who want a taste of Mayan culture. So what's actually worth doing once you're there? If you're weighing up a trip, here are a few ideas. Ancient ruins, swimming in cenotes, and a fair bit in between.

How Tulum came to be

Tulum sits on the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and it's one of the country's oldest cities. The Maya lived here for centuries. The name itself comes from the Maya word "tulum," which means "wall." It was an important trading centre for the Maya, and even back then people knew it for its beautiful beaches and turquoise water. Those walls, the ones that give the town its name, were raised to keep invaders out; today they're one of the main things tourists come to see. The ruins scattered around the area draw plenty of visitors too.

Tulum now

These days Tulum ranks among Mexico's most popular destinations. People come for the beaches, the clear water, and the Mayan ruins. You can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, scuba dive, or spend the afternoon walking through the old ruins. There's no shortage of restaurants and shops around town either.

Making the most of your visit

There's enough here to fill several days, so don't plan a flying visit. A lot of the big attractions cluster near the beach, which makes them easy to knock out in a single day. That said, some of the best sites are inland, so you'll want a car or a tour to reach them.

The ones I'd flag as essential: the ruins of the ancient Mayan city, the cenotes nearby (those natural swimming holes), and the beaches. Beyond that, the area is packed with things to do, whether that's snorkeling, scuba diving, zip lining, or heading out on an ATV. Bring the kids and they'll stay busy too, which isn't always a given on a beach trip.

Final thoughts

Tulum is a wonderful place, and I'd send just about anyone here who needs to slow down for a while. The beaches are gorgeous and the food is genuinely good. The people are warm, too. If you're after somewhere to disappear for a bit and forget the rest of it, this is that somewhere. Thanks for reading, and I hope Tulum treats you as well as it treated me.