13 Things to Do in Tulum Solo

I visited Tulum, Mexico solo and enjoyed exploring the ruins, Tulum town and relaxing on the beach! Tulum has become a very popular spot in North America for vacationers!

Yes, it is touristy, but there are so many cool things to do in Tulum solo! Not that relaxing isn’t a good enough reason to go, but if you have more time, there is plenty around Tulum to explore!

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List of 13 Things to Do in Tulum Solo

Let’s get right into thirteen things to do in Tulum solo! Depending on how long you are visiting Tulum, will dictate how much you can actually do, but you can easily pick and choose what is best for you! Whether you are spending 2 days in Tulum solo or have a whole week or more to explore the Yucatan, here are some ideas to choose from for your trip!

1 Visit the Tulum Ruins

This is probably the one thing everyone does when they visit Tulum! The ruins are very close, sitting right next to Playa Paraiso! I recommend getting to Zona Arqueologica de Tulum early to beat the heat and the crowds!

Speaking of heat, there are rules about plastic water bottles, so bring a non-plastic reusable water bottle or buy water when you arrive.

I had rented a bike through my accommodation when I was in Tulum solo, and the ride to the Tulum ruins was easy! Of course, you can also taxi or utilize another means of transportation, but the walk is a bit long for most.

You can enjoy coffee and breakfast at La Fournee at 7AM before a 12 minute bike ride to the Ruins to be there at 8AM. If you’re staying in Playa Paraiso area, it’s a short walk or even shorter bike ride!

2 Relax at Playa Paraiso

When I was in Tulum, I visited the ruins and then made my way to a beach club on Playa Paraiso, where I relaxed the rest of the day! If you’re not staying on this beach, there are plenty of beach clubs to choose from!

There was an enormous amount of seaweed on the beach while I was there in March. It’s not Tulum’s fault but it was a bummer!

However, I still enjoyed relaxing, eating and reading on a lounge chair at a beach club! If this is on your list, here are a few beach clubs in Playa Paraiso to consider.

Zazil Kin is the one I chose, because I knew the next day I’d be visiting a more expensive option further down the coast. This one is affordable but still good.

For higher rated options in this area, consider Playa Paraiso Beach Club or El Paraiso Tulum Restaurant. Regardless of where you choose, time to relax in paradise should be on your list of things to do in Tulum.

3 Snorkel or Scuba Dive in a Cenote

I had never been scuba diving and then one day I was researching for my solo trip to Fiji and noticed a dive with Bull Sharks! So I got certified just before my trip and LOVED the experience!

While I haven’t been diving in Tulum, it looks like a great place for diving and if you are certified it likely tops your list of things to do in Tulum solo! Depending on the location you choose in Tulum, it can also be beginner friendly! If this is on your list, check the below highly rated tour option!

Of course, if scuba diving isn’t for you, there are snorkel tours as well! Tulum has cenotes, lagoons, and the Caribbean Sea so there is plenty of water to explore!

4 Explore the Sian Ka’an Biosphere

If I ever get back to Tulum, this will top my list! This reserve looks incredible and can take a whole day of exploring!

A tour is an easy option, especially if you are traveling solo! The below tour has excellent reviews and includes pickup, lunch and a boat tour!

Sian Kaan Boat Tour: Full Day Experience

Tulum Archaeological Site and Sian Ka an Muyil Tour from Tulum

5 Explore the Tulum by Bike

Explore Tulum Town and dip into art shops or relax over a coffee! With the high speed internet offered at some places, you can also check in with family and friends while traveling solo in Tulum!

Then ride to the Tulum beach-side road and explore along there. If you head north on the beach road, you’ll end up by Playa Paraiso and the Ruins. If you head south, you’ll pass a lot of popular hotels and beach clubs, but eventually the road edges the ocean and you’ll have unobstructed views!

6 Catch a Sunrise or Sunset

When I travel, there are some locations I really prioritize catching the sunset! Some of my fondest sunset memories are on Tinos, Greece. Of course, some locations are oriented better for one or the other and Tulum does face East so the sunrise would be best.

However, on the beach the sunset colors are worth seeing even if you can’t watch the sun set on the horizon. There is just something about slowing down and catching a sunrise or sunset, so try to catch one or both while you’re in Tulum!

7 Swim in a Cenote

This is one of the top things to do in Tulum solo! You can cenote hop up the 109, or pick and choose one or two to visit! Whatever you decide, there are plenty to choose from! If I was prioritizing just one, it would probably be Sac Actun.

Of course, if you don’t want to explore solo, booking a tour is great option! Some tours pack a lot into a day, which can leave more time for relaxing on other days!

If I do tours when traveling solo, I try to book them on the front end of the trip. This way, I might meet some friendly people on the tour, or I can get some local advice from the tour guide!

Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour with 3 Options

All-Inclusive! Tulum Ruins, Tequila Tasting and Swim in 3 Cenotes in Small Group!

8 Visit the Coba Ruins or Chichen Itza

If you are really into the history and ruins, adding a visit to Coba Ruins should be on your list! It’s about 45 minutes by car from Tulum. It’s recommended to use the bicycle option to get around once you are there, but walking is an option as well!

Chichen Itza ruins are about two hours from Tulum and considered a bit bigger and better than Coba. You can visit these with a tour most easily if they are high on your list!

Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour with 3 Options

9 Paddleboarding Session

I love paddleboarding and Tulum is not lacking locations for a good paddleboarding session! One of the best areas, would be Laguna Kaan Luum. Some cenotes would also be good or a calm day on the Caribbean Sea would be idyllic!

If the below tour is not your preference, there are plenty of places on Tulum beach that offer rentals like Sian Kite | Kitesurfing & Surf lessons Tulum.

10 Take a Cooking Class or Have a Michelin Meal

If you love to cook, then a cooking class might be right up your alley! There is a very highly recommended cooking class linked below!

If a cooking class isn’t for you, but you enjoy the finer dining, consider a Michelin restaurant. You can enjoy an amazing dining experience without having to cook and there are plenty to choose from in Tulum. Book a reservation at a Michelin restaurant like Arca Tulum, Casa Banana, or WILD Tulum to name just a few!

11 Parque Tankah

Tankah Park sits near the ruins but packs a punch in terms of natural beauty! If you had limited time, this would be a good spot offering cenotes, zip lines, canoes and a beautiful area to explore!

12 Tulum Beach Clubs Hopping

What’s a list of things to do in Tulum without mentioning beach clubs! If you choose to stay in Tulum town or just not directly on the beach, then beach clubs are the way to go!

Typically they require a minimum spending limit or charge a fee, but there will be lounge chairs and you can order food and drinks throughout your stay there.

I spent a couple days at two different beach clubs during my time in Tulum! Villa Las Estrellas was the nicer one which came with a higher minimum spend. However, I spent most of the day, so I made it worth it!

13 Day Trip to Valladolid

In addition to Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a day trip to Valladolid is top of my list for a return trip to Tulum! An hour and a half by car from Tulum, this colonial city is an easy day trip whether you choose a tour or the self drive option!

Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour with 3 Options

Is Mexico Safe For Solo Travel

The reality is it depends where in Mexico you go whether it is safe for travel. Generally speaking, if an area attracts a lot of tourists, it is in the country’s best interest to keep it safe. Overall, I felt safe visiting Tulum and the Yucatan Peninsula solo.

As with any destination, practice common sense safety as you would even in the States. I took a bus to Tulum from Cancun Airport and rode a bike around Tulum both with no issues.

Stay alert, but generally I’d say exercise normal safety precautions. If you’re feeling unsure, booking tours are a great way to explore a place that offer ease and security.

Tulum Travel Tips

Credit Cards and Cash

Credit cards are accepted throughout Tulum. If you wanted to purchase food from a stand or visit some local shops, you’ll probably need Mexican Pesos.

Easy to Get Around by Bike

Once in Tulum, I used a bike to get around. It’s very easy and accessible to ride from Tulum pueblo to the beach strip and to the Mayan ruins. There are even cenotes within a bike riding distance! I didn’t ride around at night since I was traveling solo, so I can’t speak directly to that time of day. Overall though, I felt safe and it was easy to get around.

Best Time to Visit Tulum

Dry season is considered the best time to visit, but within the dry season is the busiest time to visit. November to April is dry season and the height of tourism is December to March.

Consider Northerners seeking warmth and sunshine in the middle of winter, and that is the busy season. However, I was there the beginning of March and it did not feel overcrowded to me. Of course, this can change from year to year and overall, I recommend shoulder months which for Tulum is November and April.

Of course, if you don’t mind a rain shower or two, then just about any time of year is possible for a visit.

Is Tulum Touristy?

Yes! I had expectations of Tulum being a sleepy beach town, but I ended up being disappointed because of how touristy it is! Now that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting, but I am suggesting you have realistic expectations.

Tulum is very touristy, but there is a lot of natural beauty surrounding it that could offset some of the tourist trap feels of Tulum.

I Don’t Speak Spanish

I did get all A’s in Spanish in high school, but I definitely don’t speak it. While I ran into plenty of people who did not speak English, I was still able to get by. The people I encountered were kind and patient, so even if I did point at a menu, I got what I ordered.

I always recommend learning a phrase or two in the language of whatever country you are visiting. Thankfully, I still remembered the basics from Spanish class. Gracias (grass ee us) means “thank you” and that is definitely one to use while in Mexico!

How Much Time is Needed for Tulum

This is personal preference and entirely depends on what you want to do. For just the immediate area of Tulum, I’d say three to five days. If you want to take day trips to some surrounding areas, I’d suggest adding more time to your trip.

Of course, if you are just going to relax, any number of days will work.

Driving in Mexico

I did research this option, but decided against it in the long run. I’ve driven in many countries including Trinidad, Barbados, Greece and more with no issues. However, for Mexico I read about possibility of scams and decided against it.

In terms of the road conditions or directions, I don’t think there’s any issue! However, scams sound more prevalent than I’d feel comfortable dealing with when traveling solo. If you decide to drive, just do your research on how to spot and handle any scams and you should be good!

Which is a Better Vacation Location, Tulum or Cancun Mexico?

Tulum has become increasingly touristy as its popularity exploded and Cancun has always been touristy. However, Tulum has more of a hippy, Mexican vibe with beachside hotels surrounded by jungle. Cancun has more options and overall has more the all-inclusive resort vibes.

Flying into Cancun is very easy and relatively cheap from most places, which is a huge advantage. Tulum is about two hours south of Cancun.

Both places will have day trip options available, so check to see what is on offer and what you want to see and do. Since both places are very touristy at this point, it’s a matter of what you want to do, how much time you have, and if you want slightly more jungle vibes or more resort vibes.

How to Get to Tulum as a Solo Traveler

I simply took the bus and had no issues! It was inexpensive and easy. Overall, I felt safe as well! Since I was just going for a long weekend, I only had a backpack which I kept with me on the bus.

The bus was decently comfortable and overall I think it’s a great option for getting from Cancun airport to Tulum. The ADO Bus will drop you off in Tulum town and from there you can walk or taxi/uber to your accommodation!

If you book a Private Shuttle, you will pay a little more, but you might find it worth it. As a negative, you may not leave right away. I read reviews that stated they had to wait a while for the driver to find more customers. Just something to keep in mind.

Do You Need to Book Tours if Traveling Solo in Tulum

No! You can explore Tulum on your own. For the town, beachside, the ruins and some cenotes you can just rent a bike! I loved my long weekend in Tulum and simply used a bike to get around. When you rent they will provide a lock and overall I felt safe riding around.

If you wanted to visit options further out, you will want to uber, taxi, or consider public transport. Whichever you choose, you can definitely get around on your own. Tours can make it easier and take the guesswork out, but it’s absolutely not required!

Places to Eat in Tulum

The dining scene in Tulum is extensive! You have all types of food options in varying price ranges. You can enjoy an acai bowl on the beach or enjoy an amazing dining experience at a Michelin Starred restaurant. Here are just a some of the many options in Tulum to consider.

Raw Love has two locations, one in town and one on the beach. Both are cute and offer vegan dishes. Grab an acai bowl and relax on a hammock.

Matcha Mama is a chain with multiple locations in Tulum. When you’re at the beach and want to cool off, there’s something about healthy, cold smoothies that really help to keep you hydrated and cool! Two beachside and two in the town, so it’s safe to say you’ll come across this smoothie and acai joint.

Taqueria Honorio is a highly rated taco spot in town. You will not have a shortage of taquerias, but when in Mexico don’t skip having a taco!

El Paraiso Hotel Tulum offers a beach club and they are located in a slice of paradise. If you want to relax for a while and enjoy some food and drinks with an amazing view, this is a good spot to consider!

Hartwood is one of Tulum’s most iconic and popular restaurants. The menu changes regularly and you can expect high quality! Reservations are recommended.

Arca is a Michelin-starred restaurant. The setting makes an amazing dining experience. Try seafood and the expertly crafted cocktails and reservations are recommended here as well!

Things to Do in Tulum Solo

I enjoyed my first time in Tulum and it was my first true international solo trip. While I had expectations of Tulum being a sleepy Mexican beach town, it was far more touristy than I expected. That left me disappointed, but I loved that I could get around on bike and enjoyed relaxing on the beach.

There are plenty of things to do in Tulum solo! Whether you want to relax, explore cenotes or enjoy all the fine dining you possibly can, Tulum has something to offer. Yes, it’s touristy, but the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea atmosphere of Tulum can still shine!

I hope this quick Tulum travel guide was helpful. Whatever you decide to do in Tulum, have the best time!