My Gateway in Tulum, Mexico

Houda Chami
Jun 2, 2022
10 min read

Tulum is such a popular getaway. Once a laid-back beach destination, Tulum has become a hot spot for yoga retreats, dining experiences, boutique shopping, and nightlife. Another major draw is the town's incredibly preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan city. My travel guide is filled with travel tips to help you plan your trip to Mexico!

Tulum is truly a magical experience. PS: I love you Tulum!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN TULUM

Tulum is situated on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, in the Riviera Maya district. In recent years, the town has become more high-end, due to wealthier travelers flocking in, so prices in Tulum are more expensive than similar resort areas along the Yucatán. Language: Spanish is the main language spoken by the locals, although most working in the tourism industry will also speak English relatively well. Currency: The Mexican Peso is the local currency in Tulum. Credit Cards and Banks: Upmarket restaurants and hotels will take Visa and Mastercard payments, but your best bet is to always carry cash. While US Dollars are accepted at some restaurants and shops, you’ll typically end up paying more than if you pay with Pesos, so take advantage of the local ATMs around. Safety: Tulum is extremely safe, but like any destination, don’t leave your belongings unattended. You are fine to walk around at night, just use your street smarts and be aware of your surroundings. Climate: The average high temperatures in Tulum remain about 80 °F (30°C) throughout the year. The rainiest time of the year is between June and October, while the busiest season for tourism is in the dry period between December and April.

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Where to Stay in Tulum

Consider what you’re most interested in doing during your time in Tulum before deciding which part of Tulum to stay in. If you’re interested in relaxation and a beachfront vacation, you’ll want to find accommodation along Tulum Beach! Here, you’ll most likely pay resort prices. Tulum town had more budget-friendly options, like hostels and budget hotels and you can walk to restaurants, cafes, and shops. There are a few higher-end hotels in town as well, just keep in mind that you’ll want to plan for a bike or transportation to get to the beach or ruins.

I’ve uploaded below pictures of the Hotel I stayed at during my stay.

THE KANAN HOTEL is a unique eco-friendly spa hotel in Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Located on the beach amid the Mayan jungle it is placed in the middle of the bustling music and art scene, offering a wide range of events in and around the hotel. This adults-only hotel is an experience in its own right, marrying rustic elements with the finest woods and rich textiles.The labyrinth of treetop corridors, wooden staircases, nature portals and branch-woven walkways and nests, all create a sensation of a hidden jungle temple.

I highly recommend this hotel and will definitely go back. The Hotel is very clean and offers beautiful views as you can see below. The rooms are very spacious and luxurious. I personally fell in love with their shower and bath tub placed in the middle of the room ( very romantic) The stuff are very friendly, professional and available 24h. They make it so easy to reach them by Whatsapp and can help you get anything anytime.The hotel food is delicious as well. On the other hand, the hotel spa is definitely something to experience. One word; MAGICAL!

KANAN HOTEL, TULUM

Where to Eat in Tulum

Tulum has a wide range of eateries—from luxurious resort restaurants to authentic, taco shops on the side of the road. If you want authenticity, look off-the-beaten tourist path!

If you are traveling on a budget, it is worth noting that the cheapest food is usually to be found in the Tulum town area, and there are plenty of cafes offering meals at a great price when compared to hotel and hostel restaurants. Here are pictures of my favorite restaurants where I‘ve been eating in Tulum!

CHAMBAO, TULUM

ROSA NEGRA, TULUM

TANTRA, TULUM

LA PERLA PIXAN CUISINE, PLAYA DEL CARMEN

KIN TOH,TULUM

I SCREAM BAR, TULUM

What to Do in Tulum

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its beautiful beaches, adventure activities (like scuba diving and zip-lining), Mayan ruins, cenotes, as well as fabulous resorts. Tulum definitely attracts a more Western crowd, but there are so many local experiences you can have in the region! In addition, Tulum has also been a destination for those seeking wellness and yoga retreats for years. I’ve uploaded pictures of the top things I did in Tulum below.

XPLOR PARK

XPLOR PARK CENOTES

XCARET, TULUM

XCARET PARK, MEXICO

CENOTE CALAVERA

AZULIK HOTEL SPA

TANTRA BEACH CLUB, TULUM

TANTRA BEACH CLUB, TULUM

TULUM BEACH

XELHA PARK, MEXICO

TANTRA BEACH CLUB, MEXICO

ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO

ISLA MUJERES BEACH, MEXICO

Where’s the Biggest Party?

The fun in Tulum doesn’t end when the sun sets. The nightlife in Tulum is abuzz with parties and bottomless drinks. In fact, there are so many Tulum nightclubs and bars that you might not have a chance to visit all of them. Tulum’s bars pride themselves on providing the best party atmosphere with a myriad of music genres ranging from reggae to EDM.

The bars and clubs in Tulum take turns every night hosting the biggest parties. Mondays are usually quiet and used as rest days before the party continues again from Tuesday to Sunday.

In the first half of the week, the biggest parties are in the town center at Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar. On Thursdays and Fridays, the party moves over to the beach areas to Casa Jaguar and Gitano.

On Saturdays, you’ll find most party-goers at Papaya Playa Project for their Full Moon fiestas. Sundays are very relaxed, and most people go to La Zebra Hotel for some salsa dance

More Tips & Advice

Here are a few additional tips and advice to keep in mind when partying through the night at Tulum’s hottest bars and clubs:

Most clubs and bars are on the beach or in the jungle. So it’s best to avoid wearing high heels on these terrains.
Don’t forget to bring bug spray and mosquito repellent when you go out at night. Your night might get soured if there are bugs constantly buzzing around you.
Dress casual, but nice. Because most Tulum bars and clubs are close to the beach, they often have a relaxed Bohemian vibe. No need to dress up formally to salsa the night away.
It’s not a requirement for guests to tip servers, but it is appreciated nonetheless. While some establishments accept US dollars, it’s better to use the local currency of Pesos. The exchange rate changes daily, so it’s best to check it regularly.

Tulum Bars

Some of the best bars in Tulum are in the pueblo and along the playa. Each bar listed is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar

Batey is the bar on everyone’s lips in Tulum. This Cuban-themed bar is in the town center and is most lively on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The bar serves up its specialty Mojitos with Guarapo (sugar cane juice) freshly pressed on-site. You can see staff freshly pressing it on the bar’s mascot, a custom-painted Volkswagen buggy.

Guests don’t just come here to enjoy the bar’s mascot and Mojitos. The bar also has live music and theater performances. Dance your heart out to rock, blues, reggae bands, and DJs throughout the night.

Santino Bar

Tulum’s main street is where all the locals hang out and enjoy themselves. That is why Santino Bar is right at the center of it.

Under the straw-lined roof of Satino Bar lies a lively night ahead. This restaurant and bar has a friendly atmosphere that will be alluring, especially to Reggaeton music fans.

Each night there’s live music, and the dancefloor usually gets packed with Reggaeton dancers. And to light up the night, there are often fire dancers, too.

Tip: Ladies can drink for free from 21:00 to 22:00.

Gitano

This impressive establishment has three locations in Tulum, New York, and Miami. In Tulum alone, they have three additional venues.

They are Gitano Tulum (restaurant), Gitano Tulum Beach Club, and the Tulum Jungle Bar. This Tulum bar only opened a few years ago but is already a party hotspot.

Bright neon lights and a huge hovering disco ball contrast with the jungle atmosphere it is set in. It is the place to be on Friday nights where live DJs spin the decks to keep the parties going right through until dawn.

Xibalbar

Xibalbar is a rooftop bar and a play on the word Xibalba.

While the bar plays into this theme a little bit, this name is more of an ironic joke. Xibalbar is quite the opposite. Here you’ll find cheerful crowds of people drinking and dancing to live DJs.

You can follow the pink neon sign to go to its hookah lounge. Here you can rent a hookah pipe while sipping on cocktails or eating a few snacks.

Taboo Tulum

Taboo Tulum is in the hotel zone where the Tulum parties are at their peak. This beach club and restaurant by day serves up Mediterranean cuisine along the Caribbean Sea beachfront.

As the day progresses, the restaurant becomes more lively. By nightfall, it is in full party mode. Enjoy a few drinks inside the wooden structure or out on the seashore.

There is live entertainment from performers, DJs, or musicians. Some are local, and some are international, but all are delightful.

Nomade

Nomade is an excellent place to stop by at sunset for some tacos and cocktails. Their beachfront setting allows you to enjoy proper sundowners with the Caribbean Sea ahead of you.

The place has a great ambiance reminiscent of a sort of Moroccan night. Mismatched carpets and tents line the shore, and twinkling candle lights along the trees create a fantastic, chilled atmosphere.

Nomade isn’t as lively as the other bars on the list and is very laid-back. The hippy vibe carries through to their cocktails, often infused with herbs, to give traditional drinks a contemporary twist.

Nana Rooftop Bar

This rooftop bar is in the town center, where evening life is buzzing and at total volume. It has a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere that will quickly put you at ease and in the party mood.

This bar is definitely not the place for a quiet evening. If you enjoy dancing to electronic and house music until the early hours of the morning, then this is the place to be.

Enjoy freshly-squeezed juice in your authentic Mexican cocktails with the bar’s secret ingredient, local Mezcal. Made from agave, this Mexican distilled spirit is similar to tequila but a bit stronger in taste.

I Scream Bar

This quirky bar knows that it needs something great to stand out against the rest of Tulum’s nightclubs and bars. It seems I Scream has found a new angle that helps it do just that.

This ice cream shop and bar is a vegan alternative. Not only that, but it is big on sustainability and recycling. So much so that it influenced the bar’s whole aesthetic and decor.

You can find this bar’s roof covered in old car doors, windshields, and tires. They use eco-friendly materials and solar panels to power the whole bar and ice cream shop.

Be sure to try out their special I Scream Shots with Mezcal and Tequila. I Scream Shop and Bar is definitely an interesting place to spend your hot Tulum nights and find other eco-conscious mates.

Pasito Tun Tun

Locals and tourists alike adore this popular bar in the pueblo. It serves an excellent atmosphere for hot nights with its outdoor back garden seating area.

Pasito Tun Tun is very laid-back, and while the bar is constantly crawling with people, the garden is usually more relaxed. It also has a front garden patio that welcomes you with open arms. This bar is a charming place with some fun and quirky pieces like their patio swing seats.

Work your way through their impressive Mezcal and cocktail drink list as you wait for the live performances from local bands and DJs. Artist’s sets usually only start after 22:00, so you’ll have plenty of time to get some drinks and snacks in before the party begins.

Clubs In Tulum

Tulum’s clubs are often where you’ll see most people end their nights after stopping at the bars. The clubs in Tulum often have live DJs or musical performances that keep the tunes coming until dawn.

Zamna Tulum

If you’re looking for a memorable night of partying, make sure Zamna Tulum is on your checklist. Their venue is huge and covers 11 hectares of forest land to accommodate big crowds.

Zamna hosts world-class events and concerts regularly. The Zamna Festival is a big event that immerses party-goers in a world of music and dance in the jungle.

Here, you can dance to EDM rhythms and techno beats by artists from all over the world. Better yet, you don’t have to wait for the annual Zamna Festival to come back around. There are plenty of concerts and live performances throughout the year.

Confessions

Confessions is where many people go for a real Tulum beach party. Its atmosphere is dynamic and an ideal place for Electronic and House music fans.

Dance in the jungle at this exotic bar and lounge, which has three venues. Find them in all of Mexico’s most prominent party spots- Tulum, Cabo, and Cancun. The jungle and beach offer the perfect backdrop to this party with local and international DJs every night.

Papaya Playa Project

This sustainable boutique hotel loosens up and comes alive at night. That is when the hotel transforms into a real Tulum nightclub.

Papaya Playa Project, or PPP as the locals call it, is incredibly energetic on Saturdays. The Saturday closest to a full moon is when the hotel hosts its renowned Full Moon parties.

These parties are a big bash with local and international DJs keeping the party going until about 03:00-04:00 in the morning.

The good thing is, if you’ve partied all night long, you can sleep it off in the Papaya Playa Project hotel or any of the Tulum beach hotels nearby.

La Zebra Hotel

Are you looking to spruce up your dance moves? La Zebra Hotel hosts a salsa night every Sunday with free lessons.

This hotel not only offers a beach escape but also gives guests a cultural experience of traditional Mexican dancing. You don’t have to be a guest at the La Zebra Hotel to enjoy salsa dancing. Everyone is welcome.

The best part is that the one-hour lesson before the dance celebration is absolutely free. A live band orchestrates the party in the main bar and restaurant. If you need a little time to catch your breath, their beach bar serves delicious handcrafted cocktails.

Casa Jaguar

This Caribbean nightclub is a restaurant by day and houses incredible jungle parties at night. Their parties start pretty late in the evening and run through until the early hours of the morning.

They set Thursday evenings aside to host Tulum’s biggest party of the week. The MC only starts the party late in the evening at around 23:00. This gives you enough time to enjoy a few drinks before dancing to your heart’s content.

Here are some fun pictures of me enjoying Tulum Nightlife.

CHAMBAO, TULUM