3 days in Tulum

Day by day

1. Day 1: Tulum archaeological site and Playa Paraíso

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

   1. Morning

      Tulum archaeological site

      The walled Maya port city of Tulum flourished from around the 13th to the 15th century, and its main temple, El Castillo, stands on a 12-metre cliff above a small beach.

   2. Late morning

      Playa Paraíso

      Go early in the morning for calm water and a quiet beach before the clubs fill up.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cochinita pibil

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

   4. Afternoon

      Gran Cenote

      About 4 km from town on the road to Cobá, the Gran Cenote is a semi-open cavern system of clear blue water, stalactites and small turtles, with wooden walkways and platforms.

   5. Evening

      Beach road and Zona Hotelera

      Cycle rather than drive; traffic often stands still on the narrow road, and parking is scarce.

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

   Cenote Calavera, Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha) and Dos Ojos cenote, then Tulum Pueblo and Avenida Tulum in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cenote Calavera

      Use the ladder if you are unsure of the jump; the water is several metres deep.

   2. Late morning

      Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha)

      An open-air cenote on the road to Cobá, named because taxi drivers once washed their cars in it.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tacos al pastor

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

   4. Afternoon

      Dos Ojos cenote

      Bring or rent a dive light for snorkelling into the darker cavern areas.

   5. Evening

      Tulum Pueblo and Avenida Tulum

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

3. Day 3: Casa Cenote and Laguna Kaan Luum

   Casa Cenote, Laguna Kaan Luum and Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido, then Zona Hotelera in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Casa Cenote

      A long, mangrove-lined cenote in Tankah Bay connected underground to the sea a few metres away, so freshwater and saltwater mix.

   2. Late morning

      Laguna Kaan Luum

      Visit in the morning when the light shows the colour contrast best, and stay in the roped-off shallow area.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Panuchos and salbutes

      Loncherías and evening stands in Tulum Centro.

   4. Afternoon

      Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido

      Two open, jungle-ringed cenotes on either side of the highway about 4 km south of town, sold on a single ticket.

   5. 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

With 3 nights, Zona Hotelera Norte keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Tulum Centro ($$) suits budget, solo travellers, food lovers and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–24 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.3 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Tulum
• 2 days in Tulum
• 5 days in Tulum

Questions travellers ask