With kids · Tulum · Mexico
Tulum with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Popo le Chien, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Tulum suits families who plan around the heat: shallow beaches, gentle cenotes with platforms and life jackets, the clifftop ruins and Xel-Há. Base yourself near the beach or in Aldea Zamá with a pool, and do the sights early in the day. Top picks: Playa Paraíso, Tulum archaeological site and Xel-Há. Families usually base themselves in Zona Hotelera Norte.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- Zona Hotelera Norte
- Rainy-day options
- 0
- Busiest months
- December–March
Best things to do with kids
Beach · Zona Hotelera Norte
1.Playa Paraíso
Just south of the ruins, this long stretch of fine white sand and shallow turquoise water is the classic Tulum beach, with palm trees, a few beach clubs and views north to El Castillo. Snorkelling trips to the nearby reef leave from the beach.
Go early in the morning for calm water and a quiet beach before the clubs fill up.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Historic site · Zona Hotelera Norte
2.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. 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.
Arrive at opening time, before tour buses from Cancún, and bring water and a hat; there is very little shade.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Theme park · Xel-Há
3.Xel-Há
About 15 km north of Tulum, this all-inclusive eco-park is built around a natural inlet where a river meets the sea. Visitors snorkel among tropical fish, float down a river on tubes, ride zip-lines and jump from cliffs, with food and equipment included in the ticket.
Buy tickets online in advance, which is usually cheaper than at the gate, and arrive early to make the most of the day.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Book online ahead in peak season; tickets are sold for specific dates.
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
Nature · Cobá road
4.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. It is one of the most popular cenotes for snorkelling, and cave divers explore the tunnels below.
Go at opening time, shower before entering (required), and skip sunscreen to protect the water.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
- Photo spot
Nature · South of Tulum
5.Laguna Kaan Luum
A shallow turquoise lagoon about 10 km south of town with a dark blue sinkhole more than 80 metres deep in its centre. Wooden walkways, swings and platforms let visitors wade and swim in the warm shallows around the edge.
Visit in the morning when the light shows the colour contrast best, and stay in the roped-off shallow area.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Tankah Bay
6.Casa Cenote
A long, mangrove-lined cenote in Tankah Bay connected underground to the sea a few metres away, so freshwater and saltwater mix. Snorkellers drift past roots, small fish and the occasional crab, and kayaks and paddleboards can be rented.
Pair a swim here with lunch at the beach across the road.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Where families should stay
$$$ · 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
Family travel tips
- Visit the ruins at opening time; there is little shade and the midday heat is hard on children.
- Choose cenotes with steps, platforms and life jackets, such as Gran Cenote or Casa Cenote, for younger children.
- Use rash guards and hats rather than sunscreen in cenotes, and bring water shoes.
- Check sargassum reports before choosing a beach; some stretches are clearer than others.
- Mosquito repellent is essential in the evening, especially in the rainy season.
Day trips for families
- Cobá (About 45 minutes by car) — A large Maya city in the jungle, linked by ancient raised roads (sacbeob) that visitors explore on foot, by rented bike or by pedicab.
- Sian Ka'an and Muyil (About 30 minutes to Muyil) — The UNESCO-listed Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve protects lagoons, mangroves and reef south of Tulum.
- Akumal (About 25 minutes by car or colectivo) — A bay where green sea turtles feed on seagrass in shallow water.
- Chichén Itzá (About 2 hours by car) — The most famous Maya city, with the stepped pyramid of El Castillo (Kukulcán), the great ball court and the Sacred Cenote.
When to go with children
The best months overall are November–April. December–March are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Tulum good for kids?
Tulum suits families who plan around the heat: shallow beaches, gentle cenotes with platforms and life jackets, the clifftop ruins and Xel-Há. Base yourself near the beach or in Aldea Zamá with a pool, and do the sights early in the day.
+What can kids do in Tulum?
Playa Paraíso, Tulum archaeological site, Xel-Há, Gran Cenote and Laguna Kaan Luum.
+Where should families stay in Tulum?
Zona Hotelera Norte: Beaches and beach clubs between the ruins and the main T-junction.