Tulum is a coastal town in Mexico’s Riviera Maya on the Caribbean Sea, with beautiful white-sand beaches, unique history and exotic culture that draws visitors from all over the world.
There are three main areas to stay within the city of Tulum – Tulum Pueblo, Aldea Zama and Zona Hotelera Beach Zone. Zona Hotelera Beach Zone is a large area with three smaller subareas from which to choose. As each area offers pros and cons, deciding where to stay in Tulum depends on the type of experience you’re looking for.
Where To Stay In Tulum
Tulum Pueblo
Tulum Pueblo is the historic centre of town and is within easy walking distance to many restaurants and bars.
You’ll find more affordable places to stay here than in the Beach Zone.
However, traffic in the Tulum Pueblo area can be more congested, and at night, there is more noise and activity and less privacy and security.
Accessing the beach via taxi or uber from town may require waiting a while at peak times during the day.
Luxury Hotels In Tulum Pueblo
Layla Tulum Boutique Hotel
One of the best luxury hotels within the city centre zone is Layla Tulum Boutique Hotel.
This hotel offers luxurious rooms, an outdoor pool, an onsite restaurant, and a rooftop bar.
A complimentary continental breakfast is offered, and if you want a more traditional Mexican breakfast, many local restaurants are located nearby.
The hotel’s location within the city’s centre is close to many restaurants and bars and to museums and shopping areas.
This hotel is 5 km from Paradise Beach and hotel guests can easily rent a bike to make the trip.
Una Vida Tulum
Another highly-rated luxury accommodation in downtown Tulum is Una Vida Tulum.
Its location just outside the city’s centre means it is quieter and more peaceful at this hotel.
An outdoor pool, massage services, and yoga classes make this an excellent retreat.
Guests that want to explore the city centre to shop or eat can easily walk the few blocks to get there.
Visitors who want to lounge at the beach can borrow Una Vida’s bikes and cycle the easy 7-kilometre distance to Paradise Beach.
A restaurant serving breakfast and dinner is located onsite. This hotel is both child-friendly and pet-friendly.
Mid-range Hotels In Tulum Pueblo
Mimosa Tulum
Mimosa Tulum is a mid-range accommodation in an excellent location within the city of Tulum.
With two pools and a beautiful patio area, visitors can lounge outside all day or easily rent a bike to visit the beach or the Tulum archaeological ruins.
The location in the city centre is close to many restaurants and bars, museums and shopping areas.
Elements Tulum Boutique Hotel
Elements Tulum Boutique Hotel is another mid-range hotel in Tulum Pueblo offering good value, with complimentary breakfast and an outdoor pool.
The hotel is downtown and right across the street from Parque Nacional de Tulum.
The archaeological ruins of Tulum are only 3 km away.
Guests that want to visit the beach can easily access Paradise Beach, which is only 6 km away.
Budget Accommodation in Tulum Pueblo
Mama’s Home Hostel
Mama’s Home Hostel is a budget option that offers complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. This child-friendly hostel is in the centre of town, close to many restaurants, shops, museums and the bus terminal.
Lum
Another popular hostel with free Wi-Fi and an excellent location in downtown Tulum is Lum. It has a family atmosphere and is close to restaurants and bars. Guests can use their bicycles to get around town.
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Aldea Zama District
The Aldea Zama District, between Tulum Pueblo and the Zona Hotelera Beach Zone, is an excellent area offering the best of both worlds.
It allows visitors to access the downtown area and the beach area without paying the high prices of beach resorts or putting up with the city’s noise.
Because this zone is relatively new, it is still under construction but there are already several hotels, AirB&Bs and condos where visitors can stay.
This is an excellent area for families and is known to be one of the safest parts of Tulum.
Luxury Hotels In Aldea Zama District
Kasa Hotel Parota Tulum
The KASA Hotel Parota Tulum is a luxurious, upscale hotel in Aldea Zama with beautifully furnished rooms, an international restaurant and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar.
Guests at this child-friendly and pet-friendly hotel can choose from one-bedroom to three-bedroom suites that include a kitchen.
This hotel is only 6 km from the beautiful Playa Maya and 7km from Gran Cenote.
Guests can take the beach club shuttle to the beach and hang out for the day.
Visitors with a more adventurous spirit can borrow a bike and travel to the beach or explore the area around Tulum.
Jashita Tulum Luxury Villas
Another luxury accommodation in Aldea Zama is the Jashita Tulum Luxury Villas.
This property is hidden just inside the jungle, making this feel like a paradise retreat.
Each of the three villas accommodates groups of various sizes in luxurious bedrooms with a large kitchen and living space that includes a rooftop pool and garden area.
Guests of the Villas can also access the private beach of the Jashita Hotel and enjoy a special discount at the hotel restaurant, bar, and spa services.
Mid-range Hotels In Aldea Zama District
Náay Tulum Curamoria Collection
Náay Tulum Curamoria Collection is an excellent mid-range accommodation in Aldea Zama.
This child-friendly hotel offers rooftop pools with a poolside bar with a jungle view.
Other amenities at this hotel include a restaurant, bar, cafe, and spa.
Located only one kilometre from Parque Nacional de Tulum, guests can easily walk to the Mayan archaeological site within the park and enjoy the white sand beach beside the ruins.
Pescadores Beach is 6 km away, a leisurely bike ride for visitors from the hotel.
Hotel Mamazul Tulum
The Hotel Mamazul Tulum is an adult-only, mid-range accommodation home to a Mezcaleria and an Italian-Mexican restaurant, where breakfast is included for guests.
The stunning rooftop pool offers views of the surrounding jungle.
Guests can rent a bike and ride to the beach or visit the downtown area for the day.
The hotel’s concierge can arrange a tour of many points of interest such as the Coba archaeological ruins, swimming in cenotes, or visiting Bacalar Lagoon.
Budget Accommodation In Aldea Zama District
Only a few budget accommodations can be found in the Aldea Zama area.
Niik Tulum
One of these is the Niik Tulum, a small hotel located in a quiet, residential area.
This hotel is only 5 km from Paradise Beach and 6 km from the Tulum archaeological site.
An outdoor pool and a casual restaurant with a nice terrace provide places for guests to relax.
Guests can rent bikes to explore the downtown area or visit the beach.
Mediterraneo Tulum Hotel
Another budget accommodation is the Mediterraneo Tulum Hotel, which includes breakfast in the price of the stay.
Because of the location, it is recommended that visitors should have a vehicle to get to the beach or the downtown Tulum area.
It has an outdoor pool with a jacuzzi and a small terrace providing a nice place to relax at the end of a long day of exploration.
Zona Hotelera Beach Zone
The Zona Hotelera or Beach Zone is, on average, a much more expensive place to stay, depending on the area you choose.
It’s divided into three zones – north, middle and south.
Zona Hotelera Beach Zone – North
- This is the closest part of the beach to the Tulum archaeological site, within walking distance.
- It is the quietest part of the beach and more appealing for visitors looking for romance, but it does not offer budget accommodation.
Mi Amor a Colibri Boutique Hotel
Mi Amor is an adult-only boutique hotel with an infinity pool and a beautiful terrace next to the restaurant and boutique shop.
All rooms have a king-sized bed and a private terrace, while some rooms also offer a private plunge pool.
The hotel lies on a rocky bluff overlooking the ocean, where beds are available for guests who wish to lounge and enjoy the view.
Accessing the white sands of Paradise Beach requires walking only five minutes.
A small spa is available to guests for massages, and additional restaurants can be found within walking distance.
Mezzanine a Colibri Boutique Hotel
A sister hotel to Mi Amor, Mezzanine also offers a luxurious stay to its guests but the oceanfront boutique hotel also has some economical rooms.
Amenities at this hotel include a Thai restaurant, bar, a pool, and several lounge areas to choose from, such as hammocks and beds overlooking the ocean.
Paradise Beach, a popular public beach, is only a few steps away from the hotel and the archaeological ruins at Tulum are a quick bike ride away.
Casa Nawal Tulum
Casa Nawal Tulum is a mid-range accommodation in the North Zone located on Paradise Beach.
This glamping experience is perfect for families and many amenities are offered onsite, including a pool and two restaurants and bars.
Spa services, Ecotours and bike rentals are all available through the front desk.
Zona Hotelera Beach Zone – Middle
- The middle area contains most of the restaurants and many beach clubs.
- This is the part of the beach where people go to enjoy the nightlife Tulum has to offer.
Cabanas La Luna
The most luxurious hotel in the Middle Zone is Cabanas La Luna.
Cabanas La Luna offers several luxurious, private cabins for visitors who want to pretend they have washed ashore in a tropical paradise with few people encroaching on their space.
Some cabins look out directly over the ocean, while others are sheltered within the jungle.
These accommodations are family-friendly and group-friendly, and you can choose the cabin that best fits the number of travellers in your group.
Some have a private pool, some have a kitchen, others have a private terrace in the jungle, and one of the cabins offers all those amenities.
A restaurant is available onsite that serves food all day, from 8 am until 10 pm.
This resort is popular for weddings and other special events.
Serena Glamping Tulum
The best mid-range hotel in the Middle Zone is Serena Glamping Tulum.
These accommodations are not luxurious and few amenities are included, but direct beach access and an outdoor pool are available.
Visitors to this area should remember that mid-range accommodations in the Beach Zone are on par with budget accommodation in Tulum Pueblo and offer fewer amenities.
Zona Hotelera Beach Zone – South
- The South is the part of the beach that is the most family-friendly and budget-friendly.
- The wide sandy beach appeals to people who practice yoga.
- This part of the beach is closest to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
NEST Tulum
The most luxurious hotel in the South Zone is the NEST Tulum, an adult-only hotel offering both ocean and jungle views and in-room amenities like soaking tubs or sleeping lofts.
This hotel loans bikes to guests and provides a hot breakfast as part of the stay.
A beachfront restaurant, bar, and lounge are located onsite.
This hotel is a popular wedding venue and the staff pay close attention to every detail.
A large four-bedroom villa is available to accommodate larger family or friend groups.
Las Palmas Maya
Las Palmas Maya is the best mid-range/budget accommodation in the South Zone.
This hotel is highly rated and is both child-friendly and pet-friendly.
Beach access is available and a highly-rated breakfast cafe is available on site.
A guest kitchen is available for visitors who wish to prepare food for themselves.
Chiibal Hu Geo Domes
The best budget accommodation in the South Zone is the Chiibal Hu Geo Domes.
This small, glamping experience provides unique accommodations for guests in the form of geodesic domes.
The family-friendly, pet-friendly place has an outdoor pool and many outdoor activities organised by the property manager when requested in advance, including snorkelling, SCUBA diving, fishing, and parasailing.
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