Tulum has evolved from a sleepy backpacker beach town to a major international destination with significant infrastructure gaps. Electricity, internet, and road conditions lag behind the prices. Knowing what to expect makes the difference between a frustrating trip and a great one.
Check the Tulum weather by month guide before booking and the best time to visit Tulum for seasonal pros and cons.
Tulum Travel Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
Tulum Airport and Transport
Tulum International Airport (TQO), also called Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, opened in December 2023. It’s located 20 km southwest of Tulum Pueblo. Airlines serving TQO include Viva Aerobus, Volaris
Aeromexico with domestic routes, plus American Airlines, Delta, United, and Spirit with US routes. A taxi from TQO to Tulum Pueblo costs approximately 600-800 MXN ($35-$45) and takes 20 minutes. The airport is still ramping up operations and not all infrastructure is complete.
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is 118 km north (1.5-2 hours by road). This is the main international gateway and handles far more flights than TQO. ADO buses from Cancun Airport to Tulum run every 60-90 minutes from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM for 350-450 MXN ($20-$25). The bus has air conditioning and takes 2 hours.
Private transfers booked in advance (Canada Transfers, Happy Shuttle) cost 1,800-2,500 MXN ($100-$140) for a van. Rental cars from Cancun Airport are widely available but beware of mandatory insurance add-ons that can triple the quoted rate. The drive is straightforward on Highway 307, a well-maintained four-lane road with occasional military checkpoints.
Getting Around Tulum
Taxis are the default transport. In town, rides cost 50-100 MXN. Town to beach zone: 200-400 MXN depending on distance. Prices are negotiable but set expectations before getting in. Taxi drivers rarely carry change, so bring small bills. The taxi union has a strong grip on the area and Uber/Didi do not operate in Tulum.
Bicycle rental is the best way to move between town and the beach. Rental shops charge 150 MXN ($8) per day for a basic beach cruiser. The beach road has no bike lane or sidewalk. Lock your bike, theft from beach access points is common. Scooter rental costs 500-700 MXN ($28-$40) per day plus a 5,000 MXN cash deposit or passport hold. Colectivos (shared vans) run along Highway 307 between Tulum and Playa del Carmen (50 MXN) and south toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Flag them on the highway.
Money and Payments in Tulum
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the currency. US dollars are widely accepted in the beach zone but at terrible exchange rates (often 16-17 MXN per dollar when the official rate is 18-19). Always pay in pesos. ATMs are concentrated on Avenida Tulum in town. HSBC and Santander ATMs have the lowest fees.
The beach zone has a single ATM near the entrance that frequently runs out of cash. Many beach zone restaurants and bars are cash-only. Town businesses more commonly accept cards. Carry 2,000-3,000 MXN in cash for daily expenses. The ADO bus station has an ATM but it’s often out of service.
Electricity and Internet in Tulum
Tulum’s infrastructure has not kept pace with development. Power outages are common, especially in the beach zone where most hotels run on generators. Voltage drops (brownouts) can damage electronics, use a surge protector. WiFi in the beach zone is unreliable.
Many hotels advertise WiFi but it barely works for loading email. The town has more reliable connections. Telcel has the best cellular coverage. Buy a Telcel SIM at OXXO (150 MXN with 3 GB data) for reliable hotspot backup. A Telcel SIM gets solid 4G coverage across Tulum including most of the beach zone.
Safety in Tulum
Tulum is generally safe for tourists practicing standard precautions. Violent crime involving tourists is rare but not zero. Cartel-related violence occasionally affects the area, mostly away from tourist zones. The main risks for visitors are theft, scams, and traffic. Lock your bike even for a 5-minute stop. Don’t leave valuables on the beach while swimming. ATM skimming has occurred, use ATMs inside banks where possible.
Police corruption is a known issue. If stopped by police while driving a rental car or scooter, expect requests for bribes (“mordidas”). Keep your driver’s license, passport copy (not original), and rental agreement accessible. If asked for a bribe, stay calm and patient, and the amount may drop from an initial 2,000 MXN ask to 500 MXN.
Having a local phone number and speaking some Spanish helps. Tap water is not drinkable. Most hotels and restaurants use purified water for ice and food preparation. Bottled water costs 15-30 MXN for a 1.5-liter bottle. Street food in town is generally safe if it’s cooked hot in front of you.
Sargassum Tips for Tulum
Sargassum seaweed can ruin a beach vacation. The worst months are May through August, though timing varies annually. Before booking, check the Sargassum Monitoring Network website and Facebook groups for real-time conditions. Hotels with west-facing beaches (rare in Tulum
some cenote-side properties exist) avoid sargassum entirely. North-facing beach sections near the ruins tend to accumulate less. If you’re booking for summer, choose a hotel with a good pool and plan cenote days rather than relying on the beach.
Suggested Hotels in Tulum
Be Tulum Beach & Spa Resort
A luxury beachfront resort at km 7 with 64 suites, two infinity pools, a jungle spa, and three restaurants on one of Tulum’s best beach stretches. Best for honeymooners and couples wanting full-service luxury. Check rates and availability
Una Vida Tulum
A stylish mid-range hotel on the edge of town with 15 rooms, a jungle pool, free bikes, and a cafe, rooms from 1,800 MXN. Best for couples and groups wanting a stylish, comfortable base with easy town access. Check rates and availability
Mimosa Tulum
A budget hostel on the main avenue with dorms from 300 MXN, private rooms, free breakfast, a rooftop pool, and organized tours. Best for backpackers wanting a social, affordable Tulum base. Check rates and availability
