Tulum isn’t just about beautiful beaches, yoga and matcha lattes. It’s also home to some of the hottest music events in the world and people travel from far and wide to enjoy Tulum’s nightlife.
Tulum is renowned worldwide for its nightlife and party scene. It’s slightly more upmarket than its neighboring towns of Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Art installations and trancey electronic beats echo the Burning Man Festival: a hipster’s dream.
As the sun sets, hips sway to the beat, chiselled jaws and toned midriffs at every glance, as the Tulumaniti come out to play. Leave your heels behind sister, grab your fedora and slide your best flats on, Tulum always delivers.
Read on to find out why Tulum’s nightlife is the place to party this year!
Who are the Tuluminati?
Well, at first glance the Tuluminati seem to be an elite group of aesthetically pleasing people who come from an exclusive gene pool, almost like a private members club! They live, travel, blog and pose for Instagram. They float around barefooted, and scantily clad, riding their bicycles sipping a spirulina juice. However, you have to admire them, as they have chosen one of the most beautiful places in the world to live.
Tulum’s nightlife and party scene
The nightlife in Tulum is lively! Whether you’re on the hunt for a relaxed jungle vibe, or are looking to dance the night away, the nightlife in Tulum can take you from a laid-back bar with a mariachi band to a dance party on the beach under a full moon and shooting stars.
Chill out Bars
Begin the evening at one of these chill rooftops where you can enjoy dinner along with a drink or two (some spots have great happy hour specials). Most bars have live music or DJ sets starting from 10 pm till late.
Naná Rooftop Bar in Tulum town is a great bar to start your evening. Choose one of many mezcals from different regions of Mexico, or select a cocktail prepared with fresh juice, fruits, and herbs. The atmosphere is sophisticated, yet casual. Expect underground electronic and house music.
Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar is located in the heart of Tulum town. Be sure to spot the converted VW beetle which is used to press sugarcane to add to mojitos. Expect unusual flavours like a dragon fruit martini or a lemon and rosemary gin.
Pasito Tun Tun. For a relaxed pace, join friends in the garden patio and listen to live bands.
Santino Bar Tulum. If you are a fan of reggae, head here and join the locals.
Boujee Bars
La Zebra Hotel is located in the hotel zone on the beach. It’s a classy restaurant with a sexy mezcal bar in the back, and hosts live DJ nights with a cool, bohemian vibe. Expect bespoke cocktails and authentic cuisine. There’s live music on Friday afternoons, and salsa dancing on Sundays.
Casa Jaguar is a fashionable Caribbean restaurant with an open-air jungle setting. One of the original restaurants to hit the Tulum nightlife scene with amazing food and an even better ambience on days with live music. Their signature Thursdays are still the hot spot to be! Local and international DJs set the tone with electro and house tracks.
Gitano is the place to be on Friday nights for all-night drinking and dancing under a jungle canopy.
IT restaurant – mentioned in our Best Restaurants in Tulum, ‘IT’ is also famous for its wild parties. Taking inspiration from their sister restaurants in Ibiza and London, enjoy dinner and dancing while some of the biggest DJs in the world take to the decks.
For queue jumps, Tulum nightlife reservations and VIP tables to the latest party hot spots, Two Travel can assist you with all your party needs! Get in touch to Build your journey.
Tulum is a small town in the Yucatan peninsula, surrounded by the jungle, nestled into the Caribbean coastline of Mexico. Famous for its idyllic white sandy beaches lapped by warm turquoise Caribbean waters, and its bohemian chic style.
Tulum is also a foodie’s paradise and is crammed full of restaurants offering flavors from all over the world. From budget to fine dining and everything in between, whatever you’re craving, Tulum has it all!
Tulum’s restaurants are split across 3 areas – downtown Tulum, the beach road and the hotel road. Expect to pay $1-$2 for street food in downtown Tulum, $6-$8 for a classic cocktail, and for dinner in the luxury area of the hotel zone, expect to pay around $100 per person.
And don’t forget to tip – it is part of the custom in Tulum, and 10% – 15% is the standard rate. Tipping is accepted in pesos or dollars.
As part of your Concierge Service with Two Travel, we can help you choose the best restaurants in Tulum, whatever the occasion. And you can count on us to get you the best table in the house and make any special arrangements you need.
Here are just three of Two Travel’s recommendations for fantastic eateries to get you started on your culinary journey in Tulum.
Must eat tacos – Taqueria Honorio
Street food tacos – eat like a local!
Tulum offers many international flavours, but the taste of real Mexico can still be found, and Mexican traditions are still very much alive in the backstreets of Tulum.
For a no-frills street food with dine-in option, be sure to try the bustling Taqueria Honorio, the oldest street vendor in Tulum with to-die-for tacos. The preparation that goes into cooking the meat is quite amazing.
The conchinita pil pil and lechon honduros which translates as suckling pig is marinated in oranges and spices which are buried in a fire pit underground and slowly cooked for 12 hours. Each morning at 5am they collect the meat from the ground ready to serve to hungry locals and tourists alike.
The menu is packed full of authentic delights – fresh homemade tortillas filled with stewed meats, chopped red onion and cilantro, and if you’re brave enough, add lashings of super-hot habanero chilli sauce and a squeeze of lime. Pair it with a Mexican ice-cold coke and you’re good to go!
For $1 -$2 there really is no excuse not to rub shoulders with the locals and try the real culinary delights of Mexico. Taqueria Honorio can be found on Avenida Satelite Sur on the north side of the street between Calle Andromeda and Calle Sol.
Good Burger, Tulum
More than just a burger bar.
Bonkers about burgers? Well, this is the meat feast you should not miss! Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, this restaurant is all concrete polished floors, hand woven wooden décor, moon crescent shaped booths and lush green plants.
Menu
A classic juicy steak burger, oozing with cheddar cheese, crunchy lettuce, tomato and a few sliced pickles is always our first choice. However, this place, of course, offers all the fillings, including maple flavoured bacon, Oaxaca guacamole and German sauerkraut topped burgers, in homemade brioche buns. Be sure to choose a side of crunchy well-seasoned fries which do not disappoint, accompanied with an array of dunkable dips, such as, siracha lemon mayo, chipotle aioli, chilli jam and truffle mayo. Wash it all down with a punchy pineapple margarita or an ice-cold beer with a wedge of lime. Simply delicious!
Expect to pay $15-$20 for a burger with a side and around $5 for a beer and $8 for a cocktail.
Day to Night
More than just a restaurant, Good Burger has three floors to explore. On the second floor, you’ll find the lounge bar. Enjoy a fragrant mint shisha with friends or boogie to a selection of funky beats and experience some cocktail wizardry.
With live music until 1am on Fridays, don’t forget to reserve a private air balloon shaped booth on the rooftop to take in the night time views and sounds of downtown Tulum below, as you get tipsy on tequila.
The Good Burger can be found on the main road in Tulum near the corner of Avenida Satelite. Hours are 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Reservations are recommended for the rooftop as the booths tend to fill up quickly around sunset.
More than just a restaurant, Good Burger has three floors to explore. On the second floor, you’ll find the lounge bar. Enjoy a fragrant mint shisha with friends or boogie to a selection of funky beats and experience some cocktail wizardry.
With live music until 1am on Fridays, don’t forget to reserve a private air balloon shaped booth on the rooftop to take in the night time views and sounds of downtown Tulum below, as you get tipsy on tequila.
The Good Burger can be found on the main road in Tulum near the corner of Avenida Satelite. Hours are 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Reservations are recommended for the rooftop as the booths tend to fill up quickly around sunset.
IT Tulum
Michelin Star Mediterranean menu for that special occasion.
For fine dining in Tulum, the choice is endless, but we highly recommend IT Tulum for a super special night out. Head to the famous Hotel road, where you’ll be dazzled by candle lights, and the sweet smell of copal incense – Tulum’s signature scent.
IT Tulum is an Italian inspired restaurant, whose fine dining concept began on the Mediterranean shores of the Balearic island, Ibiza. Tucked away in the jungle, this enchanting restaurant can now be found in Tulum – perfect for a special occasion!
Featuring a creative Mediterranean menu, designed by the two MICHELIN-Starred chef, Nino Di Costanzo, discover incredible Italian classics combined with a Mexican twist – cured meats, mozzarella and pesto tacos, Spaghetti ai pomodori, lamb chops with eggplant and olives or Risotto alla carbonara.
IT Tulum is open from 7pm – 1am and as with all restaurants on the hotel road, it is advisable to always book a table in advance. Two Travel can help you get the best table for your special night or event.
For more recommendations or to build a full itinerary for your Tulum trip or vacation, get in touch with Two Travel today.
If you’re yearning for a slice of tropical paradise, the bohemian beach town of Tulum in Mexico may well be the answer to your vacation daydreams. This Caribbean coastal stunner is a delicate mix of picture-perfect beaches and thick luscious jungle topped off with a cool boho vibe. Located on the east coast of Mexico, this former fishing village is home to some of the world’s most Instagrammed beaches. So if you’re looking for crystal turquoise waters and sugar-white sand, there are ten miles of exquisite Tulum beaches for you to explore.
Tulum has two main areas: Tulum beach (playa) and Tulum town (pueblo). It’s a 90-minute drive south of perennial spring break favorite — Cancun — and although Tulum’s not as bold and busy as its northern neighbor, your Tulum vacation can be as social or as chill as you please. This idyllic spot enjoys a reputation as a nature lover’s paradise — an eco-chic destination brimming with yoga retreats, organic smoothies, and a burgeoning foodie scene. It’s also known as a music event hot spot, with big-name DJs drawing large crowds to epic jungle raves and full moon parties.
Where to find Tulum’s Top Beaches
When it comes to experiencing the natural beauty of Tulum, you can’t go past its breathtaking Caribbean surrounds. Tulum’s beaches stretch for more than 10 miles south of the spectacular Mayan ruins in Tulum National Park to the World Heritage-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. So you’ve got plenty of choices regarding where to stay and where to play along the Tulum coast.
Less development in the north means fewer hotels and beach clubs and easier access to that silky-soft sand. The further south you go, you’ll find luxury accommodation and beach clubs and more of a party vibe.
And although Mexico’s beaches are public by law, many of Tulum’s resorts limit beach access to resort guests. Some beachfront hotels and beach clubs offer daybeds and cabañas for rent, as well as access to the beach if you dine or drink at their restaurant.
The Two Travel team are experts in all that Tulum has to offer, so to whet your appetite for your next visit to Mexico, we’ve put together a guide to Tulum’s 10 Best Beaches.
1. Playa Ruinas
The spectacular 13th-century Mayan ruins are one of Tulum’s biggest drawcards. These well-preserved structures sit high on a clifftop, overlooking a dazzling beach called Playa Ruinas. This secluded cove is all glistening blue water and powder-white sand and can be accessed via steep steps down from the viewing platform.
Arrive early at the ruins to beat the crowds and the midday sun, and make sure to bring a towel and your swimsuit so that you can cool off in the crystal-clear waters below. The striking contrast of the tropical jungle, dramatic ancient architecture, and baby blue water of the Caribbean makes this one of Mexico’s most photographed locations.
2. Playa Santa Fe
The beautiful white sands of Santa Fe Beach are just a 10-minute walk south of the ruins. Playa Santa Fe is a public access beach, and its long, vast stretch of sand is the perfect spot for a day lazing in the Caribbean sun. You can still see the Mayan ruins from this stunning beach, and there are a handful of beachfront restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat or rent a lounge chair on the sand.
3. Playa Pescadores
The next beach heading south along the Tulum coast is gorgeous Playa Pescadores. This long stretch of sand gets a little busier at times because the local boat tours depart from here; it’s also pet-friendly so expect to see some four-legged friends frolicking in the shallows. Playa Pescadores is the kind of beach where you can just throw a towel down on the sand and spend the day bathing in the calm azure water. If you’re up for some adventure, you can head out on a snorkeling or fishing tour with one of the boats moored offshore, and make sure you sample the freshly caught seafood at one of the local restaurants.
4. Playa Paraíso
Named one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach) is all crystal-clear water and pure white sand. It’s one of Tulum’s most popular beaches and has become an Instagram hotspot, with its famous leaning palm tree taking prime position on influencer feeds.
You’ll find this slice of paradise just over a mile south of the ruins, and although it’s long and wide, it’s best to get there early to secure a good spot on the sand.
Paradise Beach has become popular with daytrippers, and while it’s a public access beach, you can also rent a sunbed and fill up on food and drink at one of the local beach clubs.
5. Playa Las Palmas
The last of the beaches along Tulum beach road’s northern stretch is Playa Las Palmas — one of Tulum’s more secluded places to laze away a sunny day. This public access beach is the perfect spot to settle in for a day of sun, sand and baby blue water, and although it’s less busy than some of the other spots along the Tulum coast, you’ll still encounter local vendors selling their wares. Playa Las Palmas also has an outdoor beach gym resembling the one in Muscle Beach, California!
6. South Playa
South Beach is where you’ll find the majority of Tulum’s luxury hotels and eco-boutique resorts. Most of Tulum’s beach accommodation lines either side of the Tulum beach road, and South Beach is the go-to for open-air clubs and lively beach parties. The Tulum beach strip is brimming with fine dining options located within instagrammable interiors — think sand floors and rustic decor — as well as high-end boutiques stocking bohemian-style fashion, handcrafted accessories, and organic skincare.
If you’re coming to Tulum and want advice on where to stay and what to do, get in touch.
We manage some gorgeous houses and can offer great rates on unique experiences.
OK, let’s get back to those amazing beaches…
7. Sian Ka’an Biosphere
If you’re dreaming of lazy days on a secluded beach, get off the beaten track and venture into the wilds of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. This UNESCO World Heritage nature reserve is south of Tulum and spans more than one million acres! Home to thousands of species of fauna and flora, Sian Ka’an is tricky to get but worth it. Sian Ka’an boasts an abundance of stunning places to swim — we’re crystal-clear waters with not another soul in sight. There are miles of coastline to explore, and while some of the beaches are rough and rugged, others are protected and serene. The reserve beaches are not like Tulum’s developed areas, so bringing supplies is essential.
8. Soliman Bay
If you head back in the other direction — that’s north of Tulum towards Playa del Carmen — you’ll discover a hidden gem called Soliman Bay. This tranquil tropical hideaway has escaped the development found along other parts of the Riviera Maya, so you won’t find large beachfront hotels and loud bars along this stretch of sand.
But if you’re seeking sunshine and serenity against a tropical backdrop, this pristine piece of paradise is ideal. Soliman Bay is a semi-private gated community, so to gain access to the beach, you’ll need to refuel with an ice-cold drink or some tasty ceviche at one of the small beachfront restaurants.
There’s an outer coral reef that protects the bay’s calm turquoise waters and provides snorkelers with an amazing underwater world full of marine life. Make sure to pack beach shoes or flip-flops to avoid mishaps with broken coral and seashells.
9. Akumal
If you’re a wildlife lover, then a day trip to the town of Akumal is essential. Akumal is known locally as ‘Place of the Turtle,’ and it’s famous for giving visitors the chance to swim with wild sea turtles. It’s a small inlet, about 30 minutes north of central Tulum, that boasts brilliant underwater visibility and warm, calm waters thanks to the surrounding coral reef. As well as the juvenile sea turtles, snorkelers are spoilt with an incredible abundance of marine life, including manta rays, parrotfish, and pufferfish. This popular beach vacation destination was officially founded in 1958 as a scuba diving community and is quite commercialized compared to other beach towns along the Tulum coast.
10. Paamul Beach
For a stripped-back beach experience, travel a little further north towards Playa Del Carmen and make a stop at Paamul Beach. This crescent-shaped bay is less developed than other spots along the Riviera Maya. But what it lacks in beach clubs and facilities, it makes up for with calm blue-turquoise water and plenty of swaying palm trees to protect you from the midday sun. A favorite amongst locals and visitors, Paamul boasts superb snorkeling thanks to the offshore coral reef, and you can indulge in delicious local cuisine and an ice-cold beer at the resident beach restaurant.
For real freedom and the chance to explore at your own pace, there’s no better way to travel than by bike. Spend a day beach and bar hopping by bike to really feel the vibe and connect with the locals. We can organize bike hire by the day or for your whole trip.
We work with a number of Tulum yoga teachers, and can arrange yoga sessions to suit your needs and experience. We highly recommend an early morning session on the beach, and can also organize private yoga session at your villa, whenever is most convenient.
Take time out to relax and be pampered in a jungle spa. Choose a Mayan clay massage to relax, refresh or rejuvenate. Or take a dip in the healing pools and jacuzzis. We promise you’ll enjoy every magical moment.
For the more adventurous, we can offer exhilarating day trips. Take an ATV into the jungle for a zip lining experience – it’s the best way to see the jungle from above. Hold on tight and explore the rain forest in a whole new way, followed by a short trek to a fantastic cenote for an end of day swim, and an ATV race back to the beach!
The freshwater pools, or cenotes, around Tulum are some of the most beautiful in Mexico, and we can take you to the best spots for a photo or a refreshing dip. Don’t forget your swimsuit! We’ll bring water and a light snack.
Cenote hopping with a break for a Mayan lunch
With breath-taking jungle backdrops, many cenotes in Tulum are high on the Instagram hit list. Float between lily pads or dive deep into ancient hidden caves. With over 200 cenotes in Tulum, it can be difficult to know which are the best to visit.
The cenotes are spread out around the area and so, you’ll need some form of transportation. Our day trip to the best cenotes in Tulum takes you from pool to pool in a luxury air-conditioned minibus, which means you can sit back and relax. Enjoy a typical Mayan lunch and try traditional handmade corn tortillas accompanied by chicken pilbil and Poc-chuc pork with salsas and guacamole.
What could be better than a day sailing along the coast, exploring lagoons, reefs, islands and swimming spots? Catch some rays on the deck. Cool off in Tulum’s turqoise waters. Spend a day at sea with your friends or family.
