Last Updated on November 29, 2020
When is the last time you had a vacation so perfect that you considered burning your passport and staying forever? It’s like this for me every time I go to Tulum. After many trips there over the last 10 years, I’m sharing my best tips for visiting Tulum on a budget so others can experience this too!
Tulum is located about two hours south of Cancun, at the southern edge of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula. Ten years ago it was a sleepy vacation spot for hippies and backpackers. Now, Tulum’s eco-chic boutique hotels, hip beach bars and trendy restaurants are frequented by stars.
You won’t find all-inclusive resorts in Tulum, but it’s still possible to spend a relaxing long weekend there in A-list luxury on a D-list budget. Be warned though, that part of Tulum’s charm is its chilled out eco-vibe. Some hotel options don’t have air conditioning due to the lack of power grid (with solar power or generators only). Other hotels have electricity limited to only evening hours. Also, you might find that showers in Tulum are a bit salty since they use untreated ground water or rainwater collection systems!
Also, for an affordable Tulum getaway, you should book as far in advance as possible (3 months for some dates). You’re likely to find the best deals in September – November. I’ve got some great budget hotel options for you, including some with kitchens to save on meal costs.
If you’re traveling now: Please be sure to follow local regulations, practice social distancing, and wear a mask to keep yourself and others safe. Many Tulum hotels are separate cabanas which could be a good option. Also, there are many outdoor restaurant options in Tulum. Stay safe, friends!
Want your own private space in Tulum? Don’t miss my guide to the best Airbnbs in Tulum, with options for every type of traveler and budget!
Airbnb Tulum Mexico: Stylish Stays + Bonus Tulum Tips!
Get expert tips on the best Airbnb Tulum stays, from budget glamping to beachfront cabanas, stylish apartments. and luxury villas for a group!
This post is packed with tons of tips and links with my best tips from many Tulum trips, so be sure to pin it for later!
FYI, this post contains affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you purchase from them, at no additional cost to you. As an Airbnb associate, I earn when you book through my links. Visit my Disclosure Policy for more info.
Skip ahead in this Budget Tulum Guide:
- Step 1: Book a cheap flight
- Step 2: Recommended activities
- Step 3: Stay in Tulum Town and use beach clubs
- … or find a cheap hotel on Tulum Beach!
- Step 4: Eat at smaller local spots
- Step 5: Get creative on getting around
- Step 6: Adjust to the laid-back vibe
Tulum Travel Basics
Tulum Haphazard Rating: 1 of 5. The only worry you have in Tulum is getting here and then not wanting to leave!
To Instagram: Mayan ruins overlooking the sea, cenotes, white sand beaches with blue waters
To Eat: Tacos on the beach, local fish and ceviche, specialty local cocktails and meals at upscale restaurants and bars
When to Go: For the best flight and hotel deals, try September – November; avoid holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, Day of the Dead, Semana Santa, spring break
Budget Tulum Step 1: Snag a Cheap Flight
The closest airport to Tulum is Cancun (CUN). Set alerts on the usual search sites: Kayak, Google, TripAdvisor. Also sign up for the free Scott’s Cheap Flights mailing list, which sends you daily emails with cheap deals from your preferred airports.
Check routes from your area and see which airlines generally have the lowest prices and direct flights. Consider other nearby cities that are hubs (like Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Baltimore, etc.) Sign up for direct alerts from airlines like JetBlue and Southwest which also fly to the Caribbean, but might not be part of the search site alerts.
I’ve seen Tulum flight prices from D.C. drop in the fall and again in the late spring. I flew roundtrip one April for $300 thanks to a TripAdvisor alert, and booked a flight two years ago in November for $210 thanks to Scott’s Cheap Flights!
Step 2: Plan On Just 1-2 Activities And A Lot Of Relaxing
I once spent five days in Tulum moving from beach lounger to onsite restaurant to hotel room, then starting the circuit again the next day. A nice man brought me drinks and tacos whenever I wanted, and it was the most blissed-out five days of my life.
But, if you rent a car or are willing to take taxis, I recommend at least one activity. Top tips: visiting the Mayan ruins on a cliff overlooking the sea (the only ruins by the sea in Mesoamerica) and swimming in a cenote.
Tulum Ruins
Tulum Ruins: I’ve toured with and without a guide. If you’ve never seen Mayan ruins before, consider springing for one. They can be hired at the entrance for around $30. Or tour at your own pace reading the signs at each ruin, which are in Spanish and English. Warning: there’s no shade. I recommend going early in the day and bringing a bathing suit. You can take stairs down to the beach for a swim. Expect to pay in pesos for your visit, around $4 per person plus $7 if you park. Pay a little more to take the train from the parking lot to the ruins rather than walk.
Love ruins and history in your travels? Check out my guide to the best Mexico ruins including Tulum!
Best Mexico Ruins: Ultimate Guide to 20+ Ruins in Mexico
Nestled in the jungles of Mesoamerica, the rediscovered ruins of Maya, Aztec and Zapotec cities stand as monuments to the power and knowledge of these ancient civilizations. How many of these Mexico ruins have you visited, and which are on your bucket list?
Cenotes Near Tulum
Cenotes are sinkholes found throughout the Yucatán. They were created by collapsing limestone, then filled by underground springs. Some are open to the sky, while others are more like swimming in a cave. I recommend Zacil Ha, or nearby Aktun Ha, also known as “Cenote Carwash” (although you will see more scuba divers there). You won’t need a wetsuit since both are open cenotes, plus at Zacil Ha there are loungers, a snack bar, etc. It’s refreshing on a hot day, and a totally unique Yucatán experience!
There’s also one cenote located on the beach road, toward the end of the hotel zone on the jungle side of the road at km 10. It’s Cenote Encantado, and you can easily take a colectivo van or ride a bike to get there if you’re staying on the beach road.
To get there on your own:
I’ll also share some budget tour options from Airbnb Experiences. These have become one of my favorite ways to find more local and authentic experiences when I travel:
Experience 4 cenotes by bike | Snorkel with turtles in Akumal Bay
Stairway to the beach at the ruins 
Cenote Dos Ojos, Tulum 
Spiny tailed iguana wants to be your BFF 
View of Tulum ruins overlooking the beach
Step 3: Stay Part or All of Your Trip in Tulum Pueblo (Town)
In Tulum, you have a few options of what area to stay in: Tulum pueblo, the beach road south, and the beach road north. You can even stay inside Sian Ka’an, the biosphere reserve past the hotel zone. Since it’s so remote, though, it’s not an affordable Tulum option.
Check out the map below to get an idea of where Tulum Town is in relation to Tulum Beach and ruins.
Tulum Town (Pueblo) Budget Hotel Suggestions
My first trip to Tulum, I stayed in town for 3 of my 6 nights. For the first few days, this let me have easy access to the ruins and cenotes for snorkeling. Plus I saved a little money to splurge on the beach part of the trip.
I TOTALLY recommend this method for a more affordable Tulum trip. We enjoyed a few days of cenotes and ruins and then retired to a beachfront cabana for 3 nights. Tulum town has many boutique hotel options if you still want to feel a little posh.
Based on my own Tulum trips and hobby of hotel stalking, I suggest scoping out these budget Tulum Town hotel options around $100/night or less.
Coco Hacienda Tulum | Budget Tulum Pueblo Hotel
AC, pool and spa center, free WiFi, restaurant on-site. Adults-only hotel. Exceptional reviews! Check out their Insta!
Coco Hacienda: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Hotel Posada 06 Tulum | Budget Tulum Pueblo Hotel
AC, pool, free Wifi, breakfast included. Check out their Insta!
Hotel Posada 6: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Xscape Tulum | Budget Tulum Pueblo Hotel
AC, pool, free Wifi, restaurant on-site. Check out their Instagram!
Xscape Tulum: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Sanah Villa | Stylish Airbnb in Tulum Town
This stylish yet affordable Moroccan-styled Tulum villa with a private pool is set in the jungle of Tulum town. AC, pool, free WiFi plus optional puxury amenities like massages. This is a spectacular Tulum budget option if you want a secluded location with your own pool!
Sanah Villas: Click to check availability and pricing on Airbnb⫸
Mango Tulum | Budget Hotel in Tulum Town
AC, pool, free Wifi, restaurant onsite. Super affordable at $50/night and great reviews! Check out their Insta!
Mango Tulum: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Mayan Monkey Hostel
This new hostel is located on the road from Tulum town to the beach, and has rates starting at just $12 or around $50 for a private room! Great reviews of the common spaces, pool and nightly DJ. Check out their Instagram!
Mayan Monkey Hostel: Check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
If you like mid-century design, check out my review of Hotel Tiki Tiki – a budget boutique hotel in Tulum Town!
Hotel Tiki Tiki: Review of A Mid-Century Gem in Tulum
Last Updated on September 15, 2020 When I saw a new Tulum hotel called “Hotel Tiki Tiki” featured in Dwell …
Step 3 Continued: …Or Find A Budget Hotel Deal On the Tulum Playa (Beach)
To find Tulum beach hotels, select “beach” as an amenity in your search, or use a map or this link to search only the beachfront hotels. If you book early or during the low season, it’s possible to find some great deals.
Keep in mind that if you don’t book a beachfront hotel, you might need to pay a daily fee for a lounger or order a minimum amount of food and drinks. This includes the few hotels located on the jungle side of the road without their own beach access. Read the fine print of the hotel description to know what your amenities are – especially if breakfast is included. Also be sure your selection has a private bath: some cabanas have shared bathrooms.
Budget Tulum Beach Hotels: Beach Road South
Driving from Tulum town toward the beach, you’ll have an option to go left or right along the beach road. If you turn right, the Tulum Beach Road South is where most of the hotels, restaurants, and bars are located. It’s easier to walk and bike to get to things here, and parking is limited.
Check out my affordable Tulum beach hotel options under $200/night for a Tulum getaway on the beach road south. Try different dates since they can vary widely based on bookings and season. Some have AC overnight and all have the option of private baths.
Zamas | Beachfront Tulum Hotel
Bungalows and rooms, some with ocean views, with AC and a pool! Gorgeous beachfront with free Wifi in public areas. Check out their Insta!
Zamas: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Rosa Del Viento | Beachfront Tulum Hotel
One of the last hotels on the beach road, but this hotel has a nice private beach and included breakfast. AC, and free Wifi in public areas.
Rosa Del Viento: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Playa Xcanan Tulum | Budget Beachfront Hotel
Playa Xcanan is one of the most affordable Tulum beachfront options. it includes a free breakfast, WiFi, and terraces with a hammock. They also offer family rooms with up to 3 beds.
Playa Xcanan: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Posada del Sol Tulum | Tulum Beach Hotel
This beach hotel spans both sides of the beach road. The budget rooms are on the jungle side and are one of the most affordable stays along the beach road! AC, free Wifi in public areas and included continental breakfast. Check out their Instagram!
Posada del Sol: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Casa Ganesh Tulum | Beachfront Tulum Hotel
Casa Ganesh is a budget, pet-friendly hotel in a great location at km 7.6, right across the street from the best restaurants in Tulum. AC overnight, WiFi, and private bathrooms. There’s no restaurant onsite, but plenty of options nearby.
Casa Ganesh Tulum: Check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Coco Tulum | Beachfront Tulum Hotel
Coco Tulum is a classic Tulum hotel: whitewashed decor, a beach bar with swings and a gorgeous private beach. There are rooms on both the beach and jungle side of the road, some with shared baths. Amenities include yoga classes, spa facilities and an onsite restaurant. Coco Tulum is a fun place to stay with friends – there are lots of rooms available, so you can book a few if needed. AC, WiFi and breakfast included in the room rate.
Coco Tulum: Click to check pricing and availability on Booking.com ⫸
A few more budget options on the Beach Road South in case those are booked:
- Selina Tulum, if rooms with shared baths are available
- Las Palmas Maya jungle cabanas with a shared kitchen
Budget Tulum Beach Hotels: Beach Road North
The beach road north is quieter, and people who really want to “get away” will like this area because the beach hotels here feel so much more secluded. I imagine it’s what Tulum used to be like before its popularity exploded in recent years. To stay here, you should have a car or be ready to take taxis, since there are fewer restaurants close by.
I’ve got several budget options plus some affordable luxury hotel options on the Beach Road North for you under $200.
Playa Esperanza | Budget Beachfront Tulum Hotel
Playa Esperanza is one of the cheapest beachfront hotels in Tulum. Each room has its own balcony for views of Tulum’s stunning beaches. Keep in mind: some rooms have shared baths, and electricity hours are limited in the room. But there is a restaurant and bar on site and you’ll step right from your cabana onto the beaches of Las Palmas beach.
How to book Playa Esperanza:
Check rates and availability on Airbnb ⫸
Check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Cinco Tulum Glamping
The Cinco Tulum glamping yurts are on the North Beach Road, just south of the Tulum ruins beach. Bathrooms are shared, but each tent has its own patio. The camp has a restaurant and bar, and a continental breakfast is included. This is a low-key, relaxing Tulum escape where you can just chill out and wake up to the sound of waves every day.
Click to check Cinco Tulum availability on Booking.com ⫸
Villa Pescadores
If you want to simply chill for several days while pretending you’re a movie star, I recommend staying at the beachfront Villa Pescadores. This is the place that made me consider burning my passport! You can kick off your shoes and never put them on again until you leave. It has 18 cabanas all with a private bath and AC overnight, and electricity all hours. Wifi is available in the rooms and at the beach. They have a great restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — plus servers who will bring you food and drinks on the beach so you never have to leave your lounger! Check out their Instagram!
Villa Pescadores: Check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Poc Na Tulum
Great reviews and affordable Tulum room options, but most without AC. Beachfront, Wifi in lobby, breakfast included.
Poc Na: Click to check rates and availability on Booking.com ⫸
El Paraiso Tulum
El Paraiso is a small resort located just south of the Tulum ruins beach. Its 10 rooms each feature AC, TVs and private baths. Amenities include a restaurant, bar and beach club, and breakfast is included in the room rate.
El Paraiso: Click to check room rates on Booking.com ⫸
Ikal Tulum
Ikal Tulum is less than a mile from the beach at the Tulum ruins, on a quiet stretch of beach between the Playa Maya public beach and Playa Paraiso. Ikal has a striking rustic design and offers spa services, yoga classes and an onsite restaurant. Free parking; breakfast available but not included.
Ikal Tulum: Click to check pricing and availability on Booking.com ⫸
Want more tips on beachfront stays in Tulum? Check out my full guide to Tulum beach accommodation, including boutique hotels, luxury stays and villas for a group!
Where to Stay in Tulum: Best Tulum Beach Hotels, Villas & Airbnbs
Tulum has a seductive hold over many vacation-goers thanks to clear blue waters, a chic but laid-back vibe, and beach hotels that let you step from your room right into sugary-soft white sand. There is nowhere else in the world like Tulum. Find out the best places to stay for a dream vacation, honeymoon or girls’ trip here!
Budget Tulum Step 4: Eat at Smaller Local Spots
Tulum Pueblo is full of great local spots, like Tropi-Q, Pizzeria Manglar, Suculenta Tamaleria, Fonda Huauzontle, Taqueria Honoria (breakfast and lunch only), and Antojitos La Chiapaneca, (which is about a block from the bus station if you arrive hungry!).
Along the beach road, things get pricier! I recommend a few low-key and affordable Tulum beach options:
- Taqueria Eufemia – located around km 10, a spot popular with locals because of their cheap but tasty tacos and fun vibe. Also cheap beach access if you want to eat and drink all day! Park on the street and look for a sign between Hotel Amoirera and Camping Chavez. Check out their Instagram – it’s fun!
- Safari Tulum at km. 8 by the Tulum Jungle Gym, they’re known for their octopus tacos, chill vibes, and kitchen in a vintage Airstream trailer! Reviews here and Instagram here.
- Restaurant Tunich – at km 5.5, a cute and friendly cafe for breakfast and brunch with great reviews.
- Ziggy Beach Bar – at km 7, cocktails, live music and legendary tuna nachos. Check out their Instagram
Laid-back beach fare at La Eufemia 
Tacos with a view at La Eufemia 
Tulum Grocery Stores
You’ll also find two grocery stores where you can pick up supplies in Tulum Town. The Super Aki Tulum is smaller with a limited selection, while the Super Chedraui is more like a Super Wal-Mart. Super Aki is on the corner when you turn onto the road to the beach from town (map here), and Super Chedraui is a little further toward the beach road (map here).
Bring plastic zip bags or containers if you’ll keep fruit or sweets out in a cabana, to protect them from ants.
Don’t miss my Tulum packing list for more tips on what to take along!
Tulum Packing List: What To Wear In Tulum + Outfits Inspo
Pack light and chic for your Tulum, Mexico getaway! My Tulum packing list will help you be ready for a perfect vacation in any season, including weather info and extras based on activities.
Affordable Tulum Step 5: Get Creative on Getting Around
The most affordable Tulum ground transportation option from the Cancún airport is taking a bus to the Tulum Pueblo. Even if you’ve never been there before, many tourists do this each day. For this option, be sure to get cash at the airport for the buses and for a taxi from the bus station to your hotel. Check out this guide to different transportation options which includes a video of how to take the bus.
You can also pre-book a private transfer like Paradise Transfers, so that a car is waiting for you upon exiting the airport, but this is usually over $100 each way.
When I visit Tulum, I typically rent a car. I find it to be about the same price as airport transfers and taxis, and as long as you’re comfortable driving, it gives you much more flexibility.
If you’re considering renting a car, check out my article on Driving in Mexico for all the info you need on car rentals in Cancun.
Driving in Mexico: Useful Car Rental, Insurance & Road Tips
From renting a car and insurance to road signs, speed bumps, and gas station scams: detailed tips for driving in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula and beyond!
Tulum on a Budget Step 6: Adjust Your Expectations
Tulum is a truly unique destination, with spectacular beaches, ruins with a stunning view of the coast, and a laid-back vibe. It’s not going to be an all-inclusive experience, but it will be one of the coolest places you’ve visited. Relax and embrace the beach bliss! And start plotting how you might lose your passport and have to stay…
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More Tulum Tips and Resources
- Grab my Tulum Packing List to know exactly what to take for your dream getaway!
- Get my full Guide to Tulum Beachfront Hotels
- Check out Tulum weather from Holiday-Weather.com
- Tulum restaurant tips from Eater.com
- Renting a car? Get my best tips for Driving in Mexico
- Check out my review of Hotel Tiki Tiki, a Tulum mid-century style gem
Tulum Packing List: What To Wear In Tulum + Outfits Inspo
Pack light and chic for your Tulum, Mexico getaway! My Tulum packing list will help you be ready for a perfect vacation in any season, including weather info and extras based on activities.
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