Beaches · Tulum · Mexico
The best beaches in and near Tulum
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Popo le Chien, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Playa Paraíso (About 4 km from town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 4 km from town · First-timers and families
1.Playa Paraíso
The classic Tulum beach of white sand and palms just south of the ruins, with beach clubs and snorkelling trips.
About 4 km from town · Boat trips and a local feel
2.Playa Pescadores
A fishermen's beach with boats pulled up on the sand, where snorkelling and turtle-spotting trips depart.
About 5–10 km from town · Couples and beach clubs
3.Beaches of the southern hotel zone
Long stretches of sand in front of the boutique hotels and beach clubs, quieter the further south you go towards Sian Ka'an.
About 10 km north of town · Snorkelling and quiet
4.Tankah Bay
A small, calm bay with a reef close to shore and Casa Cenote across the road.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, families and first-timers
Zona Hotelera Norte
The northern beach road runs from the archaeological site past Playa Paraíso and Playa Pescadores to the junction with the road from town. Hotels and cabañas sit directly on the sand, and it is the closest stretch of coast to the town and the ruins.
- Good
- Wide beaches near the ruins; Shorter trip to town; Mix of price levels
- Watch out
- Busy beaches at midday; Beach clubs can be loud
- Nearby
- Tulum archaeological site, Playa Paraíso, Playa Pescadores
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Colectivo vans run frequently along the highway to Akumal, Playa del Carmen and Cancún, and ADO coaches leave from the town's bus station.
- Car — A rental car makes cenote-hopping and day trips to Cobá, Sian Ka'an and Valladolid easy; parking on the beach road is limited and paid.
- Train — The Tren Maya stops at stations serving Tulum and its airport, with services towards Playa del Carmen and Cancún airport and inland towards Valladolid and Chichén Itzá.
- Scooter — Scooters can be rented in town, but the highway is fast and police checks are frequent; wear a helmet.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in July and November–May. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Petty theft from beach bags and rentals is the most common issue; use hotel safes and agree taxi fares in advance. Heat, strong sun and sea currents on windy days call for care, and swimmers should follow beach flags. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Tulum have beaches?
Yes: Playa Paraíso, Playa Pescadores, Beaches of the southern hotel zone and Tankah Bay.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Tulum?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Tulum?
Playa Paraíso: The classic Tulum beach of white sand and palms just south of the ruins, with beach clubs and snorkelling trips.