Tulum Hidden Gems You Don’t Want to Miss (2023)
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Want to escape the tourist areas and discover hidden gems in Tulum?
Tulum is a beautiful city with a LOT to offer. If you want to see Tulum and have a different story to tell than everyone else, you’ll want to visit Tulum’s hidden gems.
These places and experiences in Tulum are easily missed, or have low volume and are underappreciated. These will be the parts of your Tulum vacation that everyone will say, “I didn’t even know about that!”
Tulum Hidden Gems: See Tulum in a Unique Way
These hidden gems in Tulum all made me stop and appreciate that I was getting a different experience than many other visitors. Unique places, experiences, and of course, taco shops made my trip to Tulum unforgettable.
I hope they do the same for you.
Without further ado, Tulum and its hidden gems!
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Get Off the Beaten Path With ATVs in the Jungle
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, 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!
See the Uniqueness That Is Sfer Ik
Located along the road between Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach lies Sfer Ik. I’m calling it a hidden gem because I walked past its entrance twice without knowing.
It’s billed as a museum, but I see it as more. The word museum dulls down the visual stunningness that lies inside Sfer Ik. The building is sphere-like and combines concrete, wood, and vines in ways I’ve never seen and couldn’t possibly have imagined.
When you enter, you’ll pay $10, take off your shoes, and leave behind any equipment you might be carrying. The quiet inside will be a welcome break from the busy street outside.
The exhibitions that lie within display the works of visual artists that are defining “art” in new and creative ways. The way the structure interacts with the natural light and landscape will impress you, and likely leave you wondering how to even describe what you saw.
Take the time to appreciate the quiet and the details of this unique Tulum hidden gem.
Observe Nature at the Ruins at Coba and Punta Laguna
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 way 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.
Follow That Dream and Find That Sign
If you don’t know exactly where to look for this sign, you’ll miss it. Even if you’re keeping your eye out for it, you might walk right by it. It definitely fits as one of the hidden gems of Tulum.
Its location is now marked on Google Maps, but when I was there, it wasn’t. I had to do my homework.
Even though it’s easier to find now, I’ll tell you it’s right on the beach road, close to the south end. It’s across the street (on the side of the street opposite the beach) from Alma Tulum and right next door to Lolita Lolita Tulum.
Don’t pass up the chance to take your photo with this sign, your Instagram followers will love it!
Eat Like a Local at These Taco Joints
Taaaaaaacos!
Ok, I got that out of my system. Sorry for that outburst (not really).
Tacos are my favorite food in the world, and thus far in my travels, the best tacos I’ve eaten have been in Tulum. I ate tacos every day I was there, at least once, usually twice.
I’m excited to tell you about these taco places that I found to be the tastiest.
Tropi Tacos – Where the Locals Eat
Tropi Tacos was recommended to me by a local. When locals give you genuine recommendations, not just tourist recommendations, listen up!
It took a bit of hunting, but I found it. Its lights and music and line of people waiting for to-go orders mark the spot. Oh, and no tourists in sight! The hostess and waitress didn’t even speak any English. This is my kind of place!
You’ll find a great selection of tacos, some that you might not have tried or even heard of. If you’re trying to see and eat in Tulum on a budget, this place will fit your itinerary perfectly.
Taqueria Los Chachalacos – On the Way to the Beach
If you’re staying at Mayan Monkey, and I recommend that you do, you’ll be happy to know that Taqueria Los Chachalacos is right next door. If you’re not staying at Mayan Monkey, take a walk down there anyway, grab some tacos, and hit the party at the hostel afterward.
The tacos bring you in, but the campechanos keep you coming back. Campechanos are tacos that combine two or more types of meat and it’s always piled high! Taqueria Los Chachalacos does the campechano justice as a hidden gem in Tulum!
Calle Geminis Sur – Street Tacos (and Churros)
If you’re walking the main street in Tulum Pueblo, stop at the corner of Calle Geminis Sur and you’ll see some food carts set up.
Here, you’ll find the best street tacos in Tulum. The one that has its back to the Oxxo store was my favorite. They were selling orders of three al pastor tacos for 30 pesos (about $1.50).
A few carts over, I found the best street churros I’ve had. If you have a sweet tooth, save room for those!
And now, to conclude my taco section, a taco poem (I am in no way a poet) for you:
Try something new
Something tried and true
The flavors and the atmosphere
Will have you wanting more
Don’t forget the cheese
Con queso, por favor!
Tulum Hidden Gems: Map
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, some of the prettiest in the world, 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
How Much Does Tulum Cost?
Staying in Tulum, especially if you want to spend time at the beach and enjoy the clubs and bars there, will cost more than most of the places I would typically go. This is due to its growing tourism popularity.
The biggest costs though are hotels, beach clubs and restaurants, and transportation.
Mayan Monkey ran me around $13 a night, a fraction of what you’d pay for a normal hotel, especially by the beach. Taxi rides between the pueblo and the beach are pricey, running between $10 and $20, or more if it’s a peak hour.
If you stay at Mayan Monkey or find another suitable hostel, minimize your spending at the beachfront tourist traps, and minimize your taxi usage by renting a bicycle or walking, you can get away with a much smaller expense sheet.
It will likely cost more than going 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!
There are more exclusive and luxurious options in Tulum in the form of private tours if that’s your jam.
How Much Cash Do I Need For Tulum?
The nice thing about traveling now is how much of it is taken care of online. Flights and lodging will both be taken care of online.
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 not bringing a huge amount of cash.
Exchanging dollars for pesos comes with some unnecessary costs. So does using the ATM to get cash, if you don’t have the right kind of account.
Here’s your pro tip: open a checking account that does not charge foreign transaction fees and reimburses all ATM fees, like the one Charles Schwab offers. There are no monthly fees and no account minimums.
This account is a great way to keep track of travel expenses. I treat mine as my travel account, putting some in whenever I can and using only that money when I travel.
Without the looming threat of ATM fees, it’s easier to take out 1,000 or 2,000 pesos ($50-$100) every once in a while. This is much more ideal than taking a chunk of dollars and exchanging them along the way. The exchange fees add up, and you shouldn’t have tons of cash on you (or back in your room).
Is There Uber in Tulum?
As of the time of this writing, there is no Uber in Tulum. Taxis still own the streets. They can get pricey too.
Here’s some advice on taxis in Tulum:
- Don’t get into a cab without agreeing on a price.
- Don’t accept the first price you hear. They do not expect you to pay that price, but they’ll take it if you agree. Haggle!
- 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.
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 paid way less than the other people in my group, but don’t tell them that!
Conclusion: Tulum Hidden Gems
When it comes to travel, especially to popular destinations like Tulum, there are a lot of what I call “me too” experiences.
“Oh, you went to Chichen Itza? Me too!” “You saw Ven a la Luz? Me too!”
These experiences are usually some of the biggest draws, and maybe even the reason you choose that destination in the first place. I do think it’s important though to sprinkle in as many unique experiences as possible.
In Tulum, those unique experiences will come in the form of the hidden gems we visited in this post. Now, you can see Tulum on your terms!
Have fun out there!
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