Tulum in 5 days, beaches and suggested paths
Mexico is an amazing country full of color, history, culture, food and fun! Tulum is all that, plus it has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here is a comprehensive 5 day travel guide if you are planning on visiting Tulum:
DAY 1. BEACH CLUB: The first thing you want to do after you arrive from the airport is to sink your feet on the white powdery sand and dive into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea. Plan to spend your day at a beach club where sun beds, music and excellent food will make you enjoy your first day in Tulum. Ziggy’s Beach Club is one of the best in town known for it’s fresh and delicious menu, hip bar and friendly service.
DAY 2. TULUM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE: Now that you have rested from your trip, you MUST visit Tulum’s archaeological site. You can either rent a bike, take a taxi, hire a tour or rent a car. This impressive archaeological site has breathtaking views as it’s the only one built over a cliff facing the Caribbean sea. Hire a guide (by the ticket booth) so you can learn more about the amazing Maya culture.
Open form Monday through Sunday from 8 am until 5 pm.
Entrance fee $80 pesos per person.
DAY 3. SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE: A UNESCO Heritage site since 1987, the biosphere is the largest protected reserve in the Caribbean. There is a small fee to enter and the road is bumpy. Climb up the tall observatory tower in CESIAK (Sian Ka’an Ecological Center) where you can see where the lagoon meets the ocean, surrounded by the evergreen jungle. You can hire a tour to see dolphins in their endemic habitat or kayak through natural water channels and visit the archeological site of Muyil. Price depends on the tour provider and type of activities included.
Sian Ka’an means: “Where the sky begins”. How could you not go?
DAY 4. CENOTES: These are natural water sinkholes that are part of the largest underground river system in the world. Millions of years have formed stalactites and stalagmites creating unbelievable limestone scenarios. You can swim, snorkel or cavern dive if certified. Most of them have snorkeling gear and live vests for rent. Entrance fees are around 180 pesos per person, the price at each place varies as they are privately owned. Here are some Cenotes you must visit:
Gran Cenote: It’s the most popular cenote, it’s less than 10 minutes out of Tulum town driving towards Cobá, this cenote is great for swimming and snorkeling.
Dos Ojos: Located on the main highway about 20-30 minutes from Tulum, this pair of cenotes are known for it emerald green and deep blue waters. Excellent for snorkeling and cavern diving.
Sac Actun: Right next to Dos Ojos, has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.
DAY 5- GO TO A SPA: This is the best way to end your vacation. Relax and pamper yourself before you return home, enjoy one of the many natural body treatments and massages that will rehydrate your recently tanned skin and soothe your mind and soul. Try a temazcal, the maya sweat lodge, with its sacred maya ritual, chanting and if you can organize it, accompanied by a shaman.
And every evening choose a different place for cocktails and dinner, barefoot on the beach or magical on the jungle side.
So if you are planning on coming down to Tulum, these 5 activities will help you get to know the most remarkable and unforgettable landmarks of Tulum.