2 days in Tulum

Day by day

1. Day 1: Tulum archaeological site and Playa Paraíso

   Tulum archaeological site, Playa Paraíso, Gran Cenote and Beach road and Zona Hotelera, then Tulum Pueblo and Avenida Tulum in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tulum archaeological site

      Visitors follow a path past the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God; the buildings themselves are viewed from outside. The site lies within the Parque del Jaguar national park, which charges its own entry fee.

   2. Late morning

      Playa Paraíso

      Snorkelling trips to the nearby reef leave from the beach.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cochinita pibil

      Morning stands and small restaurants in Tulum Centro; many sell out before noon.

   4. Afternoon

      Gran Cenote

      It is one of the most popular cenotes for snorkelling, and cave divers explore the tunnels below.

   5. Late afternoon

      Beach road and Zona Hotelera

      Cycling it end to end towards the Sian Ka'an gate is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon.

   6. Evening

      Tulum Pueblo and Avenida Tulum

      Eat cochinita pibil tacos for breakfast in town; many stands sell out by mid-morning.

2. Day 2: Cenote Calavera and Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha)

   Cenote Calavera, Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha), Dos Ojos cenote and Casa Cenote, then Zona Hotelera in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cenote Calavera

      It has fewer facilities than larger cenotes and is a favourite for a quick swim near town.

   2. Late morning

      Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha)

      Lily pads, fish and an underwater garden of algae make it good for snorkelling, and it is usually less crowded than the Gran Cenote.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tacos al pastor

      Taquerías along Avenida Tulum in town, busiest in the evening.

   4. Afternoon

      Dos Ojos cenote

      Snorkellers float in the clear caverns with flashlights, while certified divers take guided cavern dives.

   5. Late afternoon

      Casa Cenote

      Snorkellers drift past roots, small fish and the occasional crab, and kayaks and paddleboards can be rented.

   6. Evening

      Zona Hotelera

      Beach clubs and jungle venues hosting DJ nights and full-moon parties in high season.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–21 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.3 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Cycling. A cycle path links the town with the beach and the ruins, and bike rentals are cheap and widely available; this is the most practical way to reach the coast.

More or fewer days

• One day in Tulum
• 3 days in Tulum
• 5 days in Tulum

Questions travellers ask