Is Tulum Expensive? Not If You Follow Our Advice
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Want to go to Tulum but heard that it’s too expensive? Let’s break it down.
Quick Rundown On Tulum
Tulum is a booming travel destination on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Several years ago, celebrities started posting pictures from the beaches of Tulum, then boom!
Now, it’s the hottest destination in Mexico for party vacations. Most of the hype about Tulum revolves around the beach clubs and bars we’ve all seen probably seen on Instagram.
Heading to Tulum? Check Sky Scanner for the best deals on flights to Cancun!
Now, there are tons of Instagram spots in Tulum. But, Tulum has much more to offer than its nightlife and photo ops.
There is also a lot of culture and history to see there in the form of Mayan ruin sites and lots of art galleries and displays.
Is Tulum Expensive? Every Part of the Trip
If you’ve heard about Tulum recently, you’ve likely heard that it’s very expensive. I implore you to not listen to this and certainly do not let it stop you from visiting.
The short answer to the question, “Is Tulum expensive?” is yes, it can be. But it doesn’t have to be!
We’re going to get into every aspect of a trip to Tulum, compare it to other destinations, and give some tips on keeping costs down.
Getting To Tulum
The most inconvenient part about a trip to Tulum is that it’s 1-2 hours away from the Cancun international airport. Lots of US airports now have nonstop flights to Cancun, making it one of the easiest and cheapest destinations to fly to in Mexico.
From the airport, you can book a taxi or rent a car, whichever is your preference. I prefer taxis since I don’t like to drive when I’m on vacation, especially in foreign countries, but I know a lot of people like to rent a car.
Getting Around Tulum
Getting around Tulum can be tough, especially if you’re staying in town and need to get to the beach (more on that as we go along). Taxis around town are fairly cheap, but taxis from town to the beach can get pricey.
If you want to save money getting to the beach from town, or avoid taxis altogether, rent a bike. You’ll see a lot of people riding bikes in Tulum. It’s one of the big “things to do” there.
There are a ton of places to rent bikes from, but you’ll likely get the best deal if you ask your hostel or hotel if you can rent from them.
Once you’re down by the beach, everything is walkable, so you shouldn’t need a taxi to get around down there but if you do, try to get one that’s going in the direction you want to go so you don’t get price gouged as badly.
Activities In Tulum
Activities and tours in Tulum are affordable when compared to other destinations in Mexico. There are some great ones to choose from, also.
Whether you’re looking for Mayan ruins, beautiful scenery, or a little adventure, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Tulum.
To book your activities, use our links below as we go over a few of our favorite of Tulum’s activities.
ATVs In the Jungle and Exploring Cenotes
It’s good to get out of the city, away from the beach, and off the beaten path to see the scenery around Tulum. The Riviera Maya region of Mexico is beautiful because when you look one way, great beaches, when you turn around and look the other way, jungle!
Getting into the jungle is one of my favorite things to do in this part of Mexico. A great way to do it is on an ATV!
ATVs, or four-wheelers, are a super fun way to get out into the jungle and explore the terrain. One of the things you’ll find is cenotes, the trademark attraction of the Yucatan Peninsula.
This is the ideal activity because it’s naturally a small group activity. When I went, there were only four participants, one guide, and one photographer.
Cenote exploring is a great experience because of how different each cenote is. Some are fully open, some are half open, some are caves, and some are even wholly underground, only accessible by diving!
On this tour, you’ll get a healthy dose of cenote beauty, drive the ATVs in the jungles around Tulum, and even do some ziplines and rappelling. It’ll be a fun-filled day that you won’t forget and can’t experience anywhere else!
Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
I can’t do a Mexico post without talking about a ruin site. While the majority of people will visit Tulum Ruins (and you should too, btw), or take a day trip to the world-famous Chichen Itza, I encourage you to choose the Coba ruin site. It’s on the route from Tulum to Chichen Itza.
Coba is a shorter drive, an hour or less away from Tulum. You’ll find far fewer tourists at Coba. That’s not due to a lack of beauty, but a lack of notoriety. When competing with one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, it’s bound to happen.
Let me tell you though, fewer tourists means a less disturbed site. The grounds at Coba contain more trees, which means shade, a welcome amenity. Shaded pathways make the walk around the Coba ruin sites very palatable.
If you want a faster and breezier way along the paths, contract the services of one of the bicycle taxis. They’re said to be $5 or 100 pesos, but if you play your cards right and talk to the driver, you can pay less.
I’d recommend this in place of renting your own bicycle so you can relax and take in the scenery more. If you ride your own bike, you’ll need to focus on the path and not run over people or collide with other bicycles and bike taxis.
Instead, hop on the bench seat in front of one of the bike taxis and practice your Spanish with the driver as he takes you to the different sites and locations amongst the ruins. Don’t be afraid to ask him to take your picture too. They do it all the time.
On the ride back from these sites, I almost always fall asleep. I encourage you to wait until after the views of Laguna Coba before you shut your eyes. It’s a beautiful sight and a fitting end to your time at the Coba ruins.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get to canoe at Punta Laguna, and visit a cenote for a swim. If you want to see some nature while in Tulum, this is the way to do it.
Tulum Ruins
As I mentioned above, I love visiting ruin sites. Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, these sites fascinate me and I want to see them all.
Lucky us, the ruins in Tulum fit our budget, and also provide some of the most unique views you can find at any Mayan ruin site, due to the picturesque beach backdrop.
You can enter the Tulum Ruins for 65 pesos (about $3.25). In the interest of staying budget-friendly, I recommend getting to the ruins on your own rather than on a tour or in a taxi.
I walked from my hostel. It was a long, hot walk, and a bit more than I bargained for, but I’m out of shape and pasty white. If you like to walk and don’t mind the sun, you’ll be alright. You can also rent bicycles from almost anywhere if it’s too far.
There will likely be a ton of people there. Tulum is a tourist destination now, so this is nearly unavoidable. Accept it, and enjoy it. Making your way through at your own pace will give you the best chance to get people free angles and pictures that will make all your followers swoon and pound that “like” button.
Food and Drink In Tulum
This is one of the areas you can end up spending a fortune if you’re not careful. The restaurants, bars, and clubs along the beach serve food and drinks at prices that are quite high.
Because it’s booming as a travel destination, Tulum is attracting top tier chefs and restauranteurs. Hanging out, eating, and drinking at these restaurants and beach clubs is part of the Tulum experience.
That being said, this is one of the aspecects of a vacation to Tulum that can make it overly expensive. To save some money and get a more authentic culinary experience, I recommend eating in town rather than at the beach.
I’ll give you a handful of options so you can have a memorable dining experience in Tulum on a budget. Here are my favorites:
- Tropi Tacos – A local recommended it and it did not disappoint! Great music and atmosphere.
- Taqueria Los Chachalacos – Right next door to Mayan Monkey for your convenience with tons of options to suit your taste.
- Calle Geminis Sur – Right off the main highway and Calle Geminis Sur, you’ll find a selection of food carts offering tacos and such. Try them all!
Thinking back, I think I had tacos for lunch and dinner every day in Tulum (not breakfast of course, because the hostel has breakfast!)
Lodging In Tulum
The hotels by the beach in Tulum are beautiful. With that beauty comes a big price tag. So, I recommend staying in town. And, like I often do, I recommend staying in a hostel.
Whenever I have the option, I like to stay in hostels. It’s a great way to save money while traveling. Tulum has some great ones too!
Be ready though, the hostel scene in Tulum is wild! The parties go late, the drinks are strong, and the music is loud. If you’re into meeting new people and having a blast, you’ll love the hostels in Tulum.
Mayan Monkey Hostel is my Tulum recommendation. It’s on the edge of town and close enough to the beach to rent a bike or minimize the cost of the taxi ride.
Mayan Monkey is a unique hostel. It’s quite large and offers a large selection of dorms on several floors. The atrium is spacious and has lots of room to chill. The beds have curtains to close off your area for some privacy, which is a great feature.
The bar on the roof is where breakfast is served in the mornings and where the party rages at night. When the sun goes down the music goes up! There is a small pool on the roof too. It didn’t get much use, but it looks cool!
If the hostel scene is new for you, Mayan Monkey is a smooth transition due to its size, amenities, and privacy curtains. If you are indeed new to hostels, you’ll want to check out our post on hostel etiquette before you go.
Tulum vs Cancun
As hot of a spot as Tulum is, many people are still choosing Cancun over it. Why? Well, in my opinion, it’s because they don’t know any better, so let’s take a look at some key factors that help people choose between Tulum and Cancun.
- Convenience – Cancun probably wins this one. Tulum is a 90-120 minute drive from the Cancun airport.
- Price – Most people go to Cancun for the all-inclusive, which can be a good deal, but still far more pricey than the Tulum budget options we’ve gone over here. Tulum for the win!
- Scenery – There are some pretty beaches in Cancun, but all the people and tourist traps ruin it for me. Tulum is newer, prettier, and still safely doable on a budget. Tulum FTW!
- People – Cancun is one of, if not the biggest tourist destinations in Mexico. While Tulum is climbing, and there are certainly tons of people, it’s different. Cancun is full of tourists. Tulum on the other hand is full of travelers, it’s different. I’ll take the travelers any day. Tulum FTW!
Bonus – The food is better in Tulum! The food and the whole experience in general are more authentic and less Americanized in Tulum.
Tulum FAQs
Is Tulum Safe?
Mexico has a bad reputation for being unsafe, but I’m here to tell you that Tulum is a generally safe destination. Tulum is on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula where some of the safest places in Mexico are located.
Even so, remember not to venture away from the tourist areas and stay close to the main roads, like you would in any city you travel to.
I wouldn’t recommend going to Tulum if I thought it would be unsafe for any of my readers.
How Much Does Tulum Cost?
If you want to experience the bars and beach clubs in Tulum, that can get expensive, way more expensive than places I’d normally travel or recommend. It’s rapidly growing as a travel and party destination and the prices reflect that.
Your biggest expenses in Tulum are taxi rides, hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs. There are ways to trim those down though.
Staying at Mayan Monkey costs around $13 per night at the time of this writing, exponentially less than a normal hotel would cost. Hotels by the beach would be even more!
Taxi rides to and from the beach can get expensive too, at $10-$20 each way. Renting a bike or using public transport can save you money there.
Tulum will almost certainly cost more than traveling to Bacalar or Merida, because some of that spending is hard to avoid. But, it’s absolutely worth the experience. It’s beautiful and fun, and the food is great!
How Much Cash Do I Need For Tulum?
With today’s technology, a good portion of our travel expenses can be taken care of online. Lodging, flights, and many tours and activities can be booked ahead of time.
When you get there though, you’ll want some cash. Tours, taxis, and everything that happens on the fly will be better purchased with cash. Even more accurately, better purchased with pesos.
In our packing list for Tulum, we recommend that you do not bring a large amount of cash with you.
When you’re in Tulum though, you’ll want some cash. Cash gives you leverage to haggle. By the way, when I say cash, I mean pesos. I don’t recommend using dollars. Often you’ll end up paying a bit more.
Using exchange windows has hidden costs. They don’t give you the full exchange value. That’s how they make money. It’s a business, after all. ATMs do give the full exchange value, but they charge fees for withdrawals, if you don’t have the right kind of account.
Pro Tip: Open a Charles Schwab checking account. They don’t require account minimums, do not charge monthly fees, and most importantly, do not charge foreign transaction fees. They also reimburse all ATM fees. This is the way to carry pesos without incurring any unnecessary costs.
When you don’t have to worry about ATM fees, you can withdraw 1,000 or 2,000 pesos (about $50-$100) when you need to rather than carrying large amounts of dollars from the U.S. and exchanging them along the way.
Having this account is also an easy way to track your travel expenses and plan the budget for your trips.
Is There Uber in Tulum?
As I mentioned earlier, as of the time of this writing, there is no Uber in Tulum. Taxis still own the streets. They can get pricey too.
As of the writing of this post, there is still no Uber in Tulum. Taxis are still kings. I’m not a fan of taxis in general, but sometimes they’re tough to avoid.
Here’s some advice on taxis in Tulum for those times when you need to use one:
- Agree to a price with the driver before you get into the cab.
- Reject the first price they give you and offer them less. The driver expects this, it’s how it works. Don’t be the victim of “tourist pricing”.
- Talk to the driver. If they’re nice, you can exchange numbers and they may give you a better price on future rides. They also have hookups for tours and other activities.
- Make small talk with the driver. Sometimes you’ll make a good connection. Drivers often have connections for other activities, and they might be able to help you with prices on those activities and future rides.
One of my drivers ended up squeezing me on a tour with some other people the next day and I got some extra activities that I didn’t pay for due to how it all worked out. I just wanted to go to Coba but I ended up riding ATVs in the jungle and seeing some cenotes too.
I had a driver in Tulum that offered me a better price on the trip back to the Cancun airport. He also helped squeeze me on a tour with his friend’s company where I got WAY more than I paid for.
I only wanted to visit the Coba ruins near Tulum, but I ended up exploring some cenotes and driving an ATV through the jungle too. What a deal! All because I talked to that taxi driver.
Summing Up the Question Is Tulum Expensive?
Is Tulum expensive? It certainly can be, especially if you want to have the luxurious type of vacation you see celebrities having when they visit.
But, does it have to be expensive? No, it doesn’t. If you keep in mind there are ways to save money and follow our advice, Tulum can be affordable.
It may still be more expensive than some other destinations because of that unavoidable 1-2 hour ride from Cancun, but that’s a necessary step to get to Tulum and all of its hidden gems.
Don’t let the perceived cost stop you from experiencing Tulum. If you’re looking for a good time, you’ll find it in Tulum.
Have fun out there!
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