Oh Tulum! I fell in love with this place so easily. With the boho and jungle glam vibes, chic boutique hotels, and the fact that it’s a foodies paradise what’s not to love! Only an hour and 45 min drive from Cancun you will find one of the worlds most Instagramable vacation destinations with plenty of bike rides and acai bowls to be had! For those who seek adventure you will have the Mayan Ruins to explore along with hundreds of Cenotes to choose from, for those who are just wanting to relax, you will find your escape near the beautiful turquoise waters of Tulum Beach. Jake and I have now visited Tulum twice and both times we were looking for a balance of relaxation and adventure so my guide is going to reflect that!
Getting To and Getting Around Tulum
Jake and I grabbed Taxis from the airport both times we visited. You can pre-pay for your ride back to the airport at a discounted rate so I recommend doing this! Once you arrive in Tulum you can get around very easily by bike during the day or by cab at night. For safety reasons I don’t recommend biking at night. The main road is narrow and dark with no sidewalks and the road can get pretty congested. We stayed at Nomade both times we visited and like many of the luxury boutique properties, they provide bikes for their guests to use at no additional cost.
Where To Stay In Tulum
For a romantic couples trip to Tulum I would recommend staying at a property on Tulum beach. Nomade is such an amazing option for a romantic Tulum Getaway! On our most recent trip to Tulum we splurged on Nomade’s new Aire Suite that featured modern boho interiors and a plunge pool that overlooked Tulum’s jungle views. What I also love about this boutique property is that they offer free bikes and Yoga classes to their guests!
If you are looking for more hotel options on Tulum Beach you can check out my guide to best hotels on Tulum Beach HERE!
Most Romantic Restaurants in Tulum
There is no shortage of amazing restaurants options in Tulum! You can find my full list of recommendations here on my foodies guide to Tulum but since this is a couples guide to Tulum I wanted to share the spots that I felt were the most romantic!
The photos above were actually taken at Matcha Mama which is our favorite coffee and smoothie bar near Tulum beach! Highly recommend this spot too.
Hartwood
This is our favorite restaurant in Tulum! The menu changes daily because it is driven by the local catch of the day. Everything is always so fresh and creative. The ambiance is no frills compared to most Tulum restaurants. You will dine al fresco by candle light here overlooking their massive clay woodfire oven. Be sure to make a reservation here since it is a fan favorite and I recommend an earlier seating. Once they are out of a dish for the day they will cross out that menu item on their chalkboard menus!
Arca
Arca has a very romantic outdoor terrace that is adorned simply and beautifully with pillar candles all around. The dishes are creative and delicious. I highly recommend sharing one of their white chocolate and coconut cheesecakes!
Kin Toh
Kin Toh located at Azulik, is a dining experience that is worth the splurge. With a menu created to represent elevated Aztec cuisine, and a beautiful tree house ambiance with nets all around it will be a night to remember! This property is lit only by candle light so it is ultra romantic. Try the chef’s tasting menus to get a well rounded dining experience. If you are interested in dining in a nest you will have to reach out to Kin Toh directly, but fair warning, the experience will cost you around $1,000.
Things To Do In Tulum
Explore Tulum Art
There is so much art tall over Tulum so make sure to spend some time checking it out! Some of my favorites are below.
“Ven a La Luz”
The famous large wood and rope sculpture that makes up a female figure with an open chest with lush greenery that you can walk through. This sculpture is located at Ahau Tulum.
Follow That Dream Sign
The iconic and Instagramable street sign that everyone must get a photo with is located right at the Lolita Boutique on the main Tulum beach road.
Casa Malca
Visiting Casa Malca is a must while you are in Tulum! This hotel is known as the former Pablo Escobar Mansion. It is now owned by a man who has a passion for collecting very bizarre and eclectic art. You will find cool sculptures, paintings, and installations all over this property. Add this to your Tulum itinerary by stopping in for lunch or drinks and then walk around the grounds after. The famous Instagramable swing chairs can be found right at the entrance of this hotel.
Jaguar Mural
On Tulum Road you will find a beautiful colorful and vibrant mural of a Jaguar. This is one of my favorite murals on Tulum Road!
Visit Cenotes Near Tulum
You MUST visit at least one Cenote during your time in Tulum. There are so many to chose from and they’re just so cool! What is a cenote you ask? A Cenote is a natural sinkhole and there are hundreds of them in the Yucatan peninsula. Below are the two I visited on my first trip to Tulum. Both are very close to Tulum Beach and also close to each other so you can easily visit one after the other.
Gran Cenote
The Gran Cenote is probably the most popular and well kept Cenote near Tulum Beach. There is plenty of parking right outside and there is an attendant that will charge you 180 pesos to enter and explain the protocol for an ethical visit.
The Gran Cenote was my favorite because the water was just so clear and you can snorkel with the turtles and fish that inhabit this cenote!
Cenote Calvera
Cenote Calvera is only a 5 min drive from the Gran Cenote. This one is not as well kept or attended and is much smaller but it is still worth the visit! You will have to pay 100 pesos to enter (you may have to wait for someone to show up to let you in as it is not as commercial as the Gran Cenote.
What I loved about this cenote was that you could jump in or pencil dive since it is more like a cave. There are also a really long ladder and a wooden swing within this cenote which made for a really pretty photo!
Hotel Hopping In Tulum
Hotel hopping in Tulum is a thing. The boutique hotels in Tulum are just so beautiful and each have their own unique vibe so visiting a different hotel for the day can be a fun experience. Most will offer day passes with a food/beverage minimum. If you are staying at an Airbnb but want to be by the beaches I recommend either Nomade or BeTulum for a day pass. They are centrally located and you can pop over to Casa Malca for a drink to check that hotel out as well.
Take a Class Together
There are so many hotels and wellness spas in Tulum that offer yoga classes to be enjoyed together. Most of the luxury hotels on Tulum Beach will include free yoga classes for their guests but some offer other types of classes to enjoy as well. During our two stays at Nomade, Tulum they hosted classes within their large tent which included essential oils class for couples, immersive meditation, energetic love making, and gratitude sessions. There are also many classes that you can explore on the culinary/mixology side! I know that La Valise hosts a mezcal class that I’ve heard great things about!
Visit a Tulum Spa
Yaan Wellness Spa
Yaan Wellness Spa is my top pick! The design of the Yaan healing sanctuary is just so beautiful and as a design lover I just couldn’t resist! The ideal spa day there would include getting there early to enjoy their beautiful indoor pool with natural waters from the local cenotes, followed by a couples massage that ends with hot flower baths in their signature copper tubs. Yaan Wellness Center also offers a traditional temazcal (Mexican sweat lodge), along with services that air on the spiritual side such as crystal healing and chakra cleansing.
Azulik Spa
This open air spa is located at the famous Azulik hotel and your service would take place right near the ocean. The design elements are all eco friendly as well as stunning. They have many traditional services on their spa menu along with spiritual healing options such as a soothing sound bath.
Visit Tulum Ruins
The Tulum Ruins are perched cliffside and are certainly worth visiting if you want to experience a bit of culture and history on your visit to Tulum. Make sure to bring SPF and a hat because there is no shade near the ruins.
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I hope you found this guide helpful! If you are looking for more Tulum resources be sure to check out my other Tulum Guide For Foodies & My Tulum Hotel Guide!
