Tulum Attractions
10 Best Things to Do in 2026

The only Maya ruins set on a cliff above the Caribbean — the El Castillo temple looks down over white sand and turquoise water, one of Mexico's iconic images. Tulum was a late-period Maya trading port (1200-1500) ringed by a wall ("Tulum" means "wall"). Below, Playa Ruinas lets you swim. Everyone comes to photograph it, and iguanas roam the whole site.

Tulum's most popular cenote — water so clear you can see the bottom, with stalactite caves and underwater tunnels to snorkel. Freshwater turtles swim in the pool and bats cling to the cave ceiling. Its shallow water and boardwalk make it a great beginner cenote, while pro cave divers come here too. It's on the Tulum-Coba road, 4 km from town.

One of the largest and most beautiful underwater cave systems on Earth — "Dos Ojos" (two eyes) for its two pools linked by an underwater tunnel. It's a world-class cave-diving site, but beginners can snorkel the shallow sections in crystal water past underwater stalactites. Light beams stream into the cave beautifully. It sits between Tulum and Playa del Carmen — great for cave lovers.

A 5,280 km² UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve south of Tulum — mangroves, brackish lagoons, reefs and ancient Maya canals. Tours boat you out to spot crocodiles, dolphins, sea turtles and birds, then let you float down a natural canal current (a float tour) — wonderfully refreshing. "Sian Ka'an" is Maya for "where the sky is born." You can only enter with a licensed tour.

A beach repeatedly ranked among Mexico's most beautiful — soft white sand and turquoise water, right by the Tulum Ruins. It's a public beach (many Tulum beaches require going through a beach club) with umbrellas and loungers to rent. The name means "paradise beach." It's at its best when the seaweed is gone — ideal for a swim after the morning ruins.

An ancient Maya city deep in dense jungle ~45 minutes from Tulum — once one of the largest Maya cities, with the 42 m Nohoch Mul, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán. The ruins spread across a wide forest linked by ancient Maya stone roads (sacbé). Unlike open, exposed sites, Coba is shady jungle with monkeys and birds. ⚠️ You can no longer climb the pyramid, but cycling the site is great fun.

A small but distinctive cenote — "Calavera" means skull, because the cave mouth has three openings (one big, two small) that look like a skull face from above. The highlight is jumping in from the ~3 m opening (a jump-in cenote), or descending by ladder. There's also a rope swing into the water, and light beams stream down through clear water. Smaller and less crowded than Gran Cenote, on the Tulum-Coba road near town.

Tulum's famous signature — a strip of beachfront eco-chic/bohemian beach clubs and boutique hotels styled in wood, thatch and sculpture. Famous clubs: Mia, Ziggy's, Taboo, Vagalume. Sip a cocktail by the sea with DJ music and good food (at Tulum prices). Some require a minimum spend or advance lounger booking. It's the source of those pretty Tulum Instagram shots — great at sunset.

A jungle nature park with a dry stalactite cave to explore (not a typical cenote) plus an underground cenote to snorkel. "Aktun Chen" is Maya for "cave with a cenote inside." There's a jungle zipline, a walk-in aviary and spider monkeys. It's great for families because it bundles varied activities in one shady spot. It sits between Tulum and Akumal.

The best way to see Coba — because its ruins spread across 70 km² of jungle, walking is hot and tiring, so most people rent a bike (~MXN 60) or take a pedi-cab (bici-taxi) and ride the forest paths between ruin clusters. Cool breeze under the tree canopy, past a lagoon, with chances to spot monkeys and birds. It's an experience unlike any other Maya site — do it alongside the Coba Ruins (#6).