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Tripadvisor
- Tulum is a design and gastronomy mecca on a turquoise beach overseen by ancient Mayan ruins.
- Hotels in Tulum push the limits of beauty and design but some come with astonishingly high prices.
- We compiled a list of highly-rated Tulum hotels ranging from $128 to $669 per night to start.
Two hours south of Cancun, Tulum is one of the hottest destinations on Mexico’s stunning Riviera Maya. This jungle-embedded city offers gorgeous and gentle Caribbean waters, lush jungles, ancient ruins, standout design, and plentiful hotels that showcase it all.
Spiritual centers, apartments, hostels, luxury, and boutique hotels all have a home here and proudly boast the Tulum aesthetic of natural wood, leafy palms, and just a touch of concrete or brass for an industrial edge.
I spent three months living in Tulum and the best hotel comes down to personal style and whether you plan to soak up the sun, admire the ruins of Coba, or go cenote-hopping in the beautiful swimming holes scattered within the jungle. Tulum hotels are also among the best wellness resorts in the Caribbean.
Tulum hotels push the boundaries of design, and their prices can often reach astronomical levels, but we found beautiful and accessible Tulum hotels that don’t skimp on comfort, beauty, or amenities.
Browse all the best Tulum hotels below or jump to a specific area here:
These are the best hotels in Tulum, sorted by price from low to high.
Marriott
Book Aloft Tulum
The Aloft Tulum is one of the newest and largest hotels in Tulum that offers the signature style of the hip and colorful Aloft brand and also many comforts that are hard to come by in Tulum, like industrial-strength air-conditioning and pristine and contemporary hotel rooms (that won’t cost a fortune). The hotel is located halfway between the city center and the beach zone, which means it’s a slightly shorter ride to the beach than from other hotels in town, but you can get there by bicycle or cab.
The Aloft has a bar space designed for live music, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a restaurant, and two pools. There’s a family-friendly pool on the ground level, but the adults-only rooftop infinity pool is the highlight of any stay with stunning views over the jungle canopy. It’s a great place to spend the day sipping cocktails, especially if you need to send out a few e-mails.
All rooms are modern and spacious with bright colors, natural textures, and amenities like Smart TVs and Marshall speakers. The polished style may not suit all types of Tulum-bound travelers, but for anyone dreading bugs and humidity, it’s a very comfortable and affordable place to stay.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Copal Tulum
Tripadvisor
Book Copal Tulum
In a quiet section of Aldea Zama, tucked between the beach and city center, Copal has apartment-style accommodations that are great for families and large groups.
The hotel has a polished jungle-inspired design with plenty of bamboo and natural wood finishes. Rooms feel brand new and modern with stainless steel appliances and Smart TVs and the most basic room is similar to a standard hotel room with a kitchenette. Larger rooms like the Studio Jungle Terrace have living spaces and kitchens, and there are also multi-bedroom suites with their own private rooftop and ground-floor pools.
Behind the hotel and through the restaurant, you’ll find a pathway to a small public cenote. It’s not as large as others in the area, and can sometimes get crowded, but it’s nice to visit for a quick and easy dip.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Orchid House Tulum
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Book Orchid House Tulum
In Tulum’s super-polished Aldea Zama neighborhood, Orchid House is a quiet hotel with a serene nature-inspired design. As you enter the lobby, you’ll first notice the interior garden with tropical plants and a small footbridge perfect for a photo opportunity. Upstairs, the pool bar is the hotel’s main attraction, with a classy take on the in-pool seating so you can sip on a juice or cocktail without ever getting out of the pool.
Throughout the hotel, a light and airy color scheme reflects that natural environment, while intricate details and antique furniture add a necessary touch of luxury to this bohemian chic 10-room hotel.
Each room features a stunning wood-carved door, a plush King-sized bed, and a private terrace with a small plunge pool for two. For a little more space, Jungle Suites have terraces large enough for a hammock, and the Master Suites, which also have two additional twin-sized beds, have plunge pools that directly overlook the jungle.
Make sure to have at least one meal in the signature nest, a dining booth on top of the hotel, where you can enjoy an interrupted view across the treetops all the way out into the horizon.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Nativus Glamping Tulum
Hotels.com
Book Nativus Glamping Tulum
There are a lot of glamping options in Tulum, but Nativus offers premium accommodations with access to a natural crystalline cenote. From the main area of the hotel, you’ll find the tents and a small restaurant, and a winding jungle path will take you all the way to the huge El Cenote Encantada, an open cenote where you can swim, kayak, and paddleboard. The cenote is not private, but it’s hard to reach and find if you’re not accessing it through a local business, so it doesn’t get very crowded. Every tent has a plush bed and its own outdoor bathroom, which is beautifully decorated with natural materials and has a very private outdoor rainfall shower.
This hotel is located at the end of the beach road, right before the entrance to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve National Reserve, so you can indulge in more adventurous jungle experiences without compromising on proximity to the beach.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Ikal Tulum Boutique Hotel
Tripadvisor
Book Ikal Tulum Boutique Hotel
Located on the north end of Tulum’s beach road, which is closest to the entrance of the ruins, Ikal is a lively and hip spot that offers community events like Brazilian capoeira lessons, yoga, spiritual lectures, and eclectic live music. It is also extremely kid-friendly hotel with weekly events designed especially for kids relating to yoga, music, and art.
Although restaurant visitors are welcome to use the day beds on the beach, the pool is for guests only. There are a large variety of accommodation types from spacious and air-conditioned glamping tents with shared bathrooms to beautiful jungle suites with private plunge pools, outdoor showers, thatched walls, and eye-catching furniture pieces that look like they were magically summoned from the depths of the jungle. All rooms are unique but Cabaña 8 stands out with its huge macrame entryway that really tells you everything you need to know about Ikal’s dedication to a bohemian aesthetic.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel
Tripadvisor
Book La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel
La Zebra has a top-rated reputation for a fun ambiance, great service, chic rooms, and great beach access. The hotel has six different categories of rooms from basic Garden Rooms to beachfront suites with balconies and plunge pools. Rooms offer a harmony of natural beach tones and textures with a traditional design style that skips the flashy or industrial touches of other Tulum hotels. However, all rooms are still very sophisticated and luxurious and families will appreciate the suites, which come with one King-sized bed and two single beds.
The beach area offers plenty of space for guests to spread out on shaded daybeds. There is also a small spa and a beautiful restaurant with unique tabletops that pay homage to famous works of Mexican art. For epicurean guests, the hotel restaurant also offers an eight-course Chef’s Table experience that pairs artisanal cocktails, beers, and wine with Mexican gastronomy, hosted in a special dining room decorated with Mexican antiques.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Hotel Bardo
Booking.com
Book Hotel Bardo
Hidden in the less busy part of the Tulum city center, this adults-only hotel has loft-style villas with living rooms and private plunge pools. The lofts are beautiful, filled with natural textures and a dark color scheme, all tucked away in your own private corner of the jungle.
The shared hotel space is also sophisticated and calming, with nature and Mexican culture woven into every element of the hotel’s design. Special features include an agave garden and an ofrenda, or altar, decorated with black and white photographs and skulls.
The location is very far from the beach, but parking is free if you decide to rent a car. The common areas are lively, thanks to the inviting restaurant and bar with billiards and an inviting stone fire pit. The main pool has a fantastic design, fringed with lounge areas that have been sectioned off so you can enjoy a bit of privacy with your toes just inches from the water.
Hotel Bardo also offers many experiences for guests, like sunset intention-setting rituals, temezcal ceremonies, sound healing, and yoga. It may be a long journey to the ocean, but you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating and aesthetically pleasing experience in this hotel that encompasses all the reasons why people come to Tulum.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Nômade Tulum
Tripadvisor
Book Nômade Tulum
Located on the south end of the beach, Nômade is a beautiful resort where meandering pathways lead you through a jungle filled with thatched roof villas, treehouses, a yoga shala, a gathering nest, and a meditation tent. Each week the hotel offers a variety of programming from spiritual seminars, live music, tea and cacao ceremonies, and yoga. On the beach, there is a restaurant with seating areas, daybeds, and scattered hammocks shaded by swaying palm trees.
Accommodation choices range from boho-chic suites to deluxe glamping tents and whimsical treehouses. Perched up in the jungle canopy, these treehouses are artistic and intimate with working bathrooms and air-conditioning. As you walk up the winding staircase, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into your own private oasis, far away from any disturbances.
Though from the city center, there are plenty of posh places to eat and shop nearby while avoiding the more boisterous bars and party hotspots, and the beachfront location can’t be beaten.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Be Tulum Hotel
Tripadvisor
Book Be Tulum
At Be Tulum, a lush entry includes tall leafy palms and meandering paths that lead to a stunning oceanfront, for a feel as if you’re ensconced within a remote island oasis.
Rooms are modern but still embrace natural textures and colors and include a variety of jungle suites and oceanfront villas with multiple bedrooms, rooftop terraces, and private pools. Rooms at Be Tulum are full of stand-out design pieces you’ll want to take home with you, such as a cubical tree log nightstand and embroidered pillows.
The hotel’s spa, the Yaän Healing Sanctuary, is one of the main reasons to stay here. It offers a variety of indigenous-inspired treatments from healing rituals to more traditional body treatments like massages, facials, and herbal baths. You can also arrange to join a temezcal ceremony and there is daily yoga in the treetop studio. Not every room has a private pool, but all guests can enjoy the beach club which has two great restaurants, one is dedicated to seafood and the other serves elevated Mexican cuisine using ingredients from a sustainable garden.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Encantada Tulum
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Book Encantada Tulum
On what’s normally considered a busy strip, this small luxury boutique hotel offers a calm peaceful atmosphere with just eight rooms and one restaurant dedicated to its guests. Although it does not offer the wide range of amenities or “scene” you’ll find on other beachside hotels, it has plenty of space on the beach with inviting chairs and umbrellas, and great service from the front desk and restaurant staff. Ordering a drink or plate of guacamole to your beach chair is as easy as sending a text.
Each room has air-conditioning, luscious beds, and a spacious bathroom with an open shower. When you’re not lounging on the beach, relax on the front porch with a hammock and two chairs, and rinse off sandy feet in the seashell water basin. Not all rooms have ocean views, but they’re located steps from the beach no matter which room you get.
Encantada’s design scheme is nowhere near as flashy as other Tulum hotels, but it is still rich in beautiful details like the large macrame wall-hanging in the entrance or the blue stained glass windows in the hallway between the bedroom and bathroom.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
FAQ: Tulum hotels
How do you get to Tulum from Cancun?
Tulum is about 80 miles from the Cancun airport and it takes about two hours to drive there along the main highway. If you don’t rent your own car, you can either take a cab or car service to Tulum, or you can take the ADO bus for a more affordable option.
What is the best way to get around Tulum?
There are many taxis in Tulum, but prices can be quite high especially on a busy night. Alternatively, bicycles are very popular and there is a safe bike path that connects the city center to the hotel zone.
How far is the city center from the beach?
Because much of Tulum is still protected land, there is a lot of jungle between the hotel zone on the beach and the city center. The road from the center to the beach is 2.5 miles long. Without traffic, it takes about eight minutes to drive and 15 to 20 minutes to bike. If you’re considering walking, that will take you at least 45 minutes.
Which is the best side of the beach to visit?
When you reach the beach, you’ll notice that you can go left or right. It is easy to visit both sides in one trip, but you’ll find that it will be difficult to access the beach on the south side without paying an entry fee to one of the pricey beach clubs or having a meal at one of the hotel restaurants. Meanwhile, the north side of the beach has public access and is also closer to the Mayan ruins.
Where should I stay when visiting Tulum?
If you want to make the most of your time in the water, you should select a hotel on the main beach road but be aware that this will also come with a hefty price tag unless you choose glamping accommodations. There are many places to stay in the main town, but you will need to take a cab or rent a bike to get to the beach.
What are the best hotels in Tulum?
Our list is a 50/50 split between the best Tulum hotels near the beach and non-beach options since the beach hotels can be very expensive and there are other attractions that lure visitors beyond just the sand.
We picked the best hotels that represent a variety of lodging styles, budgets, and experiences. Additionally, we looked for strict COVID policies to protect the health and safety of guests, and not every well-regarded hotel in Tulum takes these measures seriously. We also considered amenities such as yoga shalas, beach clubs, spas, and special access to well-hidden cenotes, which are natural swimming holes that are a defining characteristic of the Yucatan region of Mexico.
Tulum also has many hotels that are famous around the world that we did not include, such as Casa Malca, which was also the former home of Pablo Escobar, and Azulik, which is known for its beautiful rooms that are more like works of art, and is the most expensive hotel in Tulum. However, we opted to not include these hotels in our list of the best hotels in Tulum because they are prohibitively expensive for most people.
To see the famous “Come to the Light” sculpture that depicts a towering female figure ripping open her chest, which is filled with lush green plants, you can visit Ahau Tulum. The Papaya Playa Project is another popular hotel that is well-known for its restaurant and community events, and one we considered.
Are hotels in Tulum expensive?
Tulum is one of the most expensive destinations in Mexico and travelers will pay premium prices for hotels right on the beach since that is the best location to be in Tulum. In the city center, there are more budget-friendly options, as well as Airbnb vacation rentals, and hostels, but you will be far from the beach.
During the low season, between late spring and fall, you can expect to pay at least $130 per night on a hotel in the city center or at least $200 for a hotel on the beach (unless you’re glamping). During the high season, which starts in November and lasts until March, hotels in town will likely raise their rates above $200 per night, and hotels on the beach can charge as much as $1,000 per night. The most expensive time of year is around Christmas and New Year’s.
What is a temezcal ceremony?
Many hotels may offer a temezcal ceremony on-site. This traditional Mexican ceremony is a cleansing ritual purported to have many health benefits. It requires sitting in a small domelike structure in which rocks are heated to raise the temperature and cause you to sweat. It is usually combined with some kind of meditation and is followed by a cold shower. Because it takes some time to prepare, the ceremony is usually only offered a few times per week.
Is Tulum beach swimmable?
The water in Tulum beach is very clear and the waves are extremely gentle. It’s very swimmable, however, the beach occasionally suffers from sargasso seaweed invasions. Most hotels employ teams to clean up the seaweed in the morning, but you still might encounter it as you swim. It can be very unpleasant, but the problem is an issue all along the Riviera Maya and throughout the Caribbean.
What are the different neighborhoods in Tulum?
Aside from the beach zone, which is split into the north and south side, there are many neighborhoods in Tulum.
The city center is where most locals live and where you’ll find lively restaurants and a shopping scene. Aldea Zama is a highly-polished gated community, which is more like a small suburb within Tulum. La Veleta is another community slightly further from the beach than Aldea Zama, where there are luxury apartments but there is still a lot of construction. Villas is a very small local neighborhood that is quiet and although there are no hotels here, you might be able to find a vacation rental.
Is it better to stay in Tulum Town or the beach?
It depends on your budget and what you plan to do. The beach is beautiful, but on top of the high nightly hotel rates, you will spend a lot of money at pricey bars and restaurants. However, if you want to spend every day at the beach, you’re better off staying in the beach zone since high taxi prices from the center of town will end up being just as expensive.
If you’re more set on visiting ruins, exploring cenotes, and taking day trips, you’ll save money on lodging and dining by staying in town, away from the beach.
More of the best hotels for a tropical vacation
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