10 Unique Sights to Visit in Tulum, Mexico

Ready for your next adventure as a solo traveler or couple? Check out Tulum, Mexico!

Located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum is frequented by beach and nature enthusiasts. One of Mexico’s top travel destinations, this town is loved for its exquisite beaches and magical cenotes. It has a thriving travel scene and delicious cuisine. It is one of the most fun and unique destinations you can visit.

Check out these ten fun things to do in Tulum, Mexico.

1. Explore the Ancient Mayan Ruins

The Tulum ruins are a sight to behold! Even though they are not one of the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico, they have a great location. The Tulum ruins are located on the top end of Playa Paraiso, a beach in the north of Tulum. Their position on top of a cliff overlooking the coastline makes the experience even more special.

According to Mayan legends, the Tulum ruins were one of the last strongholds in defense against the Spanish conquistadors. The area became a port and an early resort for travelers and attracted many visitors. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with history and culture.

Many tourists frequent these 13th-century ruins, which can get pretty crowded. Do try to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring a hat as well as plenty of water. The Tulum ruins are located in a hot, sunny area.

2. Spend a Day at the Beach

Playa Paraiso Beach is one of the primary attractions of the town of Tulum. It is a beautiful, white sand beach that stretches for kilometers. This beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars in the area should you need a break from the sun.

The beach has a lot of vegetation on one end. It is also surrounded by rocky cliffs, making for an even more unique experience. You can hike through the jungle to get here or take a boat across the cenotes. There are usually plenty of activities to do at Playa Paraiso Beach. These include jet-skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

If you are ready to spend a little money, you can visit nearby beach clubs such as Paraiso Beach Club, Coco Tulum, Ziggy Beach Club, and Ahau Tulum to enjoy food and drinks and take a dip in the pool. There is also lively nightlife in this area of town due to all the bars and clubs within walking distance from the beach.

3. Travel Tulum by Bike

If you are a fan of the great outdoors, consider traveling Tulum by bike. The town is quite small and easy to navigate by bike. It will allow you to see all the main attractions without wasting any time.

You can rent a bicycle from hotels or locally as well as do organized biking tours with companies such as Ola Bike Tulum or iBike Tulum. There are also guided bicycle tours for those who want to learn more about the history and culture of Tulum as they bike around town.

Bicycles are actually one of the most popular (and less expensive) ways to get around town if you want to avoid the shuttle or taxis.

Solo traveler Sophie from Los Angeles describes her experience as follows:

I rented a bicycle from the hotel and started exploring Tulum on my own. The first place I visited was the Mayan ruins. I loved how old it looked as well as its beautiful ocean views. It was truly a sight to see! After that, I headed over to Playa Paraiso Beach where I spent some time relaxing in the sun. I then hopped back on my bike and rode over to the downtown area of Tulum. There were plenty of restaurants and bars to check out, but I ultimately decided on heading to the beach for sunset. The ride back was beautiful as the sunset behind me. Biking through Tulum was a great way to see everything the town has to offer. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting!

4. Devour Local Cuisine

If you love authentic traditional food, you are in heaven! Tulum has a variety of restaurants where you can eat local food to your heart’s content. With the abundance of fresh seafood and tropical fruits, it is no wonder that a lot of delicious dishes are made using these ingredients.

Some popular meals you should try out include ceviche, which is raw fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice with vegetables. This dish originated from the coastal countries in Latin America and has been around for over 500 years. You can also try out tacos and enchiladas if you want to eat like a local.

Antojitos la Chiapaneca is a popular choice if you love tacos and quesadillas. There guacamole and salsa are also divine. This bar is a popular option for both locals and travelers.

Check out the Taqueria La Eufemia if you enjoy tacos on the beach. You can enjoy cold brews and delicious tacos at affordable rates here. As it’s snuggled right on the beach, bring a towel and choose a spot you like on the sand. Relax while the waiter serves you your tacos and drink.

5. Swim in a Cenote

If you have never been to a cenote before, Tulum is the perfect place to visit as there are many of them here. Swimming in a Cenote can be a uniquely exhilarating experience.

These natural underground pools were created as sinkholes from collapsed limestone bedrock and they go as deep as 80 feet in some areas! Their turquoise waters make for a great photo opportunity.

A common swimming hole in Tulum is the Cenote Azul. The water here usually goes into a deep blue color and it’s full of freshwater fish! There are also lounge chairs that you can use while drying off from your swim at this cenote.

If you would like to try something a little different, consider going to a cenote that includes a zip line. Cenote Jardin el Eden is a great option for this as it has both a zip line and Tarzan swing.

You can also go snorkeling at this location which is definitely a unique experience.

There are more than a thousand cenotes a short distance from Tulum, so you will have to pick out which ones to visit. One of the most popular cenotes is Gran Cenote located just outside of Tulum.

When you visit a cenote, make sure to spend a considerable amount of time relaxing and enjoying the lovely crystal-like water.

6. Check out the Coba Ruins

Coba is a set of Mayan ruins that you can visit and explore. It doesn’t get as crowded as Tulum, which means that you can avoid the rush and enjoy the temples at your own pace! This is also one of the best archaeological sites if you want to learn more about Mayan culture and see how they lived centuries ago.

Coba was a powerful Mayan city that had control over farmlands, water sources, and trade routes. The city was abandoned in the 16th century when Spanish colonizers took over the region.

Exploring the Coba ruins gives you a chance to see what this ancient city was like and marvel over aspects of Mayan creation. Because the Coba ruins do not get the same number of tourists as the Tulum ruins due to their remote location, so you can visit these ruins anytime you like without having to worry about tourists. Expect to see temples, plazas, and dwellings at the Coba ruins. You can even climb he largest pyramid that is as tall as 42 meters and view the jungle from above if you’re feeling adventurous!

7. Watch the Sunrise at the Beach

When in Tulum, don’t forget to watch the sunrise at Sunrise Beach. Sunrise Beach is located at the southernmost point of Tulum’s coastline. This rocky beach is full of pristine white sand and is a great location to watch the sunrise.

Although the beaches in Tulum can be quite busy, Sunrise Beach is usually less crowded. Make sure to get there early as it gets very crowded by mid-morning.

Watching the sunrise at Sunrise Beach is definitely a magical experience that you will never forget. Bring a towel and some coffee or breakfast to enjoy while you watch the sun come up.

8. Shop at Local Boutiques

In Tulum, you will find many boutiques that are inspired by the bohemian lifestyle. The boutiques located in Tulum are unique, as the items sold here cannot be found anywhere else. You will find everything from clothing to accessories and even home decor at these boutiques.

The best part about shopping at local boutiques is that you are supporting the local economy. The people who own these boutiques are usually from the area, so boutiques in Tulum usually reflect the bohemian lifestyle, so you can find unique and one-of-a-kind items here. Be sure to take your time shopping and explore all of the different boutiques that are available. You’re sure to find something that you love!

Browse through plenty of options of beach-inspired clothing including homemade and conscious fashion at La Troupe and shop till you drop. You can also check out unique bohemian style accessories in boutiques such as Arte Sana.

9. Enjoy a Mud Bath

The Laguna de Kaan Luum is at a distance of 9km from the town of Tulum. ick jungle surrounds the lagoon and a natural path leads to a Mayan ceremonial site. The place is known for its natural mud baths which are supposed to cure skin problems and also help in solving other health-related issues.The mud is completely natural and is produced by the cenote. water of this lagoon has therapeutic properties due to which it is used for skin care.

You will have to visit the nearby cenote first for purification before entering the sacred pool area where there are healing stones and Mayan artifacts. The place is also significant for its Mayan Indian culture and secrets. You can try different massages including Reiki and Shakti which are based on the theme of the universal life force energy.

The water has a natural, earthy smell which is refreshing and the surroundings are very peaceful and calming. It is definitely a unique experience that you will never forget.

10. Have Drinks at Batey

Tulum has a great nightlife scene. Batey is your go-to bar when starting your night out. The tropical drinks, friendly staff and lively crowd spilling out till the street will get you going. Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar has an excellent vibe and is full of people looking to have a good time just like you.

Address: Calle Centauro Sur 7 77710 Tulum, Quintana Roo Mexico

Takeaway

These are some of the fun activities you can do in Tulum, Mexico. Whether you are traveling with friends, family, or as a female solo traveler, you can never run out of fun things to do in Tulum, Mexico.

This great city is full of history and culture, which you are sure to enjoy. The unique sights that are available here are enough to make your trip unforgettable. From the Coba ruins to local boutiques, there is always something fun happening in Tulum. Make sure you visit the Laguna de Kaan Luum for a mud bath, which is an experience you will never forget. And be sure to end your nights out at Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar!