Is Tulum Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Before diving into this ‘is Tulum worth visiting’ guide, I should probably confess: I have a soft spot for Mexico in general, so yes, I might be a little biased. That said, I promise I’ll keep this review honest and share both the good and the not-so-great sides of Tulum.

I really do love Mexico. Whether it’s the people, the culture, the food, or the beaches, you could drop me pretty much anywhere in the country and I’d be happy. Tulum, of course, is no exception.

But here’s the thing: Tulum seems to split opinions. Some travelers absolutely adore it, while others can’t stand it and I get why. There are definitely pros and cons. Between the stunning beaches (sometimes ruined by seaweed), the nightlife, the spiritual yoga vibes, and the rising prices, it’s a mixed bag.

I’ve been to Tulum a few times now, long enough to get a good feel for the place. So in this post, I’ll share why I personally think Tulum is worth visiting in 2025, what I love about it, what I don’t, and some of my favorite things to do here. Hopefully, it helps you decide whether Tulum is your kind of destination.

Is Tulum Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer & Personal Experience

So, is Tulum worth visiting? Honestly… it depends. But if I had to give you a quick answer, I’d say yes.

I’ve been to Tulum a few times over the years, first as a broke backpacker and more recently on a beachfront hotel getaway, so I’ve seen both sides of it. When I was backpacking, I stayed in Tulum Downtown. It was nowhere near the beach, which meant daily bike rides to the coast, but the trade-off was loads of fun bars, cheap street food, and affordable hostels. I had a great time, but it definitely felt like a different trip compared to staying by the beach.

On my last visit, I splurged on a hotel in the Tulum Hotel Zone (The Beach Hotel Tulum), right on the sand. Yes, it was pricey (at least for me), but waking up to the ocean, palm trees, and white sand made it one of the most luxurious stays I’ve had in Mexico. Totally worth it.

From my experience, I’d say Tulum really shines if you’re looking for a luxury beach resort escape. The boutique hotels, beach clubs, and overall vibe are amazing when you’re here for that. If you’re on a tighter budget, though, I actually think there are better options in Mexico, like Isla Holbox that offer more bang for your buck without the Tulum price tag.

So, my verdict: yes, Tulum is worth it, especially if you’re after a resort-style vacation by the beach. But if you’re on a smaller budget then check out my favorite island in Mexico, Isla Holbox.

What I Really Like About Tulum Mexico

Beach Resorts in Tulum

I don’t usually splurge on fancy resorts, but the ones I’ve stayed at in Tulum completely blew me away. 

My favorite stay was at The Beach Tulum Hotel, a hotel literally steps from the sand, surrounded by palm trees, with the ocean view right outside our door. It honestly felt unreal. Easily one of my best resort experiences, not just in Mexico but anywhere I’ve traveled.

Food in Tulum

One of my favorite parts of Tulum is the food scene, and I’ve made it my mission to try as much of it as possible. I’m a huge street food fan, and some of the tacos I had in Tulum rank up there with the best in Mexico. 

At the same time, I also tried some beautiful beachfront restaurants, vegan cafés, and great little coffee shops. I love that Tulum really has it all, from $1 tacos on a plastic chair to fine dining with your toes in the sand.

Cenotes in Tulum

Tulum is actually where I saw my first cenote, and I was obsessed right away. These crystal-clear sinkholes are everywhere around town, and they’re perfect for swimming, diving, or just cooling off on a hot afternoon.

My favorite memory was at the Grand Cenote floating in the water while looking up at the jungle above, it felt almost otherworldly.

Tulum Nightlife

I know this is a “love it or hate it” thing, but I personally really enjoy the nightlife in Tulum. Jungle raves, beachfront DJ sets, electronic music under the stars… it’s such a vibe.

Tulum Centro leans more toward reggaeton, and I highly recommend going out in Tulum centro at least once! It feels much more Mexico, with Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and tequila flowing! It’s my personal favorite! But the nights I spent out in the hotel zone were mostly electronic, and it was still such a fun time. This is such a highlight of Tulum!

Tulum Beaches

And of course, the beaches. White sand, turquoise water, and the kind of beauty you imagine when you picture the Caribbean. 

That said, timing matters, seaweed season can be a bit of a letdown. Also, while beaches are public in Mexico, in Tulum many resorts make it tricky to access them if you’re not a guest. Amazing if you’re staying in a beachfront hotel… not so much if you’re on a budget.

What I Don’t Like About Tulum

Distance Between Tulum Downtown and the Beach

I learned this one the hard way. Staying in Tulum Downtown definitely has its perks when it comes to saving money with cheap hostels, street food, and fun bars, but the trade-off is the beach is nowhere near. 

It’s about 2.5 miles away, which meant I had to rent a bike and cycle back and forth every day in the blazing sun. Taxis will happily take you, but most of the time they’ll overcharge for what should be a quick ride. 

After that experience, I realized I much prefer staying at the beach. When I stayed at The Beach Hotel Tulum, right on the sand, it felt like a completely different (and way better) vacation.

Tulum Can Be Expensive

I’m not going to sugarcoat it but Tulum prices can be ridiculous. Beachfront hotels can easily be in the luxury bracket, and even just hanging out at a beach club often comes with a minimum spend. If there’s a big DJ event going on, expect those numbers to skyrocket.

Some of the prices honestly felt like I was back in the U.S., which is a little wild when you remember this is still Mexico.

Seaweed Season & Beaches

Another thing that can ruin the beach vibe is seaweed season. It usually runs from April to October, and unfortunately I learned about it by experience. 

On one of my trips in May, the beach was absolutely covered in seaweed, like the public beach was unusable and while the hotels in the hotel zone did their best to clean it, it just wasn’t the same white-sand-meets-turquoise-water dream. 

Since then, I always recommend visiting between November and January if you want that picture-perfect Tulum beach experience.

Top Things to Do in Tulum Mexico

• Swim in the cenotes: Cenotes are honestly one of my favorite things about Tulum. They’re these natural sinkholes filled with clear blue water, and they feel a bit like swimming in another world. My personal favorites are Gran Cenote and Dos Ojos. I spent hours swimming and snorkeling there, and they’re absolutely worth a visit.
  
  
• Relax at the beach clubs: I’ll admit it: I love a good beach club. Give me a sunbed, some tacos, and a cold drink, and I’m perfectly happy to spend an entire afternoon doing absolutely nothing. My go-to spots in Tulum are Tantra and Taboo, both have a super fun, upscale vibe without being too over the top.
  
  
• Experience Tulum’s nightlife: The nightlife here is on another level. Think jungle raves, beachfront DJ sets, and international festivals. Papaya Playa Project is iconic for its beach parties, and if you happen to be in Tulum in January, the Zamna Festival is a massive event that draws DJs and partiers from all over the world.
  
  
• Visit the Tulum Ruins: These Mayan ruins are, in my opinion, a bit underrated. No, they’re not as grand as Chichén Itzá, but the location is unbeatable, located right on a cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean. It’s honestly one of the most stunning archaeological sites I’ve visited purely because of the ocean backdrop.
  
  
• Take a day trip to Chichén Itzá: Speaking of ruins, if you’re in Tulum for a few days, I highly recommend making the trip to see Chichén Itzá. It’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the pyramid (El Castillo) is absolutely breathtaking in person. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Tulum, and I promise it’s worth every bit of the journey.

FAQs About Visiting Tulum Mexico

Is Tulum expensive?

It definitely can be. When I first came as a backpacker, I kept it cheap by staying in Tulum Downtown (hostels, street food, biking to the beach every day). On my more recent trips, I splurged on a beachfront hotel in the Hotel Zone, which was easily one of the most luxurious stays I’ve ever had in Mexico. So really, Tulum can go either way depending on how you travel.

Is there seaweed in Tulum?

Unfortunately, yes. And honestly, it can really ruin the beach vibe if you don’t time it right. Seaweed season usually runs from April through October, and the one time I went in May the beach was just covered. Lesson learned, now I only plan Tulum trips for December through March when the water is clearer and the beaches look beautiful.

What are the best places to stay in Tulum?

For me, the Tulum Hotel Zone is unbeatable. Staying right on the sand is what makes Tulum feel special. I stayed at The Beach Tulum Hotel recently, and it was hands down one of my favorite luxury hotel experiences ever with a private bungalows right on the ocean, palm trees outside the window, the whole thing felt just amazing.

Is Tulum safe?

Mostly yes, but like anywhere, you still need to be smart. I personally felt safe in the Hotel Zone, biking around downtown during the day, and taking Ubers or taxis when needed. That said, I wouldn’t recommend wandering around alone late at night or doing anything that might draw the wrong kind of attention.

Final Thoughts: Is Tulum Mexico Worth It?

For me, the answer is yes, Tulum is worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a unique beachfront hotel experience. When I was researching my last trip, I also looked into other Riviera Maya resorts, but most of them felt like huge all-inclusive complexes, and that wasn’t the vibe I wanted. Tulum gave me something smaller, more boutique, and still very luxurious.

That being said, Tulum really shines when you go all in. If you’re trying to save money by staying downtown while still hoping for a perfect beach vacation, you might end up frustrated. But if you embrace the beach clubs, the resorts, the food, the nightlife then it’s incredible. That’s what keeps me coming back.