Visiting Tulum Ruins in Mexico

Visiting Tulum ruins is one of those must-do things when in the Riviera Maya and if you plan to solo travel Tulum. There is a reason it’s on literally everyone’s ‘Top things to do in the Riviera Maya‘ list. As someone who lived in the Riviera Maya for several years and visited the Tulum archaeological site more times than I can remember, I can honestly say I NEVER get tired of that view!

So if you are planning to visit Tulum Ruins Mexico then you are probably wondering a few things like the Tulum archaeological site entry fee, opening hours, and most importantly how to get to Tulum Mayan ruins! Well in this Tulum Ruins blog post, you’re going to learn exactly that.

Quick Tip: I highly recommend booking all of your Mexico transportation with GottoGo. You can search for buses, shuttles, ferries, and Flights on their website. What I love most about them is their customer service. I know these guys personally from living in Guatemala, and they look after their customers.

If anything happens and you get delayed and miss your bus, you can just call them, and they are always there to help. If you book through them, you will pay a little more than booking in person at the bus station. But it’s worth it for the ease and security. Click here to search for transportation in Mexico.

Tulum Mayan Ruins entrance fee

The Tulum ruins entrance fee as of December 2023 was $90 pesos for tourists. If you are a QR resident you will pay less as long as you can prove your local status. If you go to Mayan ruins Tulum on an organised tour then they will cover your entrance fee included in the tour cost.

Parking can be around $200 pesos if you want to park right outside the site.

The first time I visited the Mayan ruins of Tulum it was actually my 4th Mayan Ruin Site in 3 months and I was really surprised at how different it felt to all of the others. It felt like I was walking down Main Street in Disney World rather than through historic Tulum ruins! I was a little taken aback and unsure where to go. I ended up accidentally buying a train ticket instead of a park ticket… Yes, that’s right they even have a train that takes you 500m to the entrance. You can also buy your entrance ticket from the booth next to where you buy the train tickets. I would advise doing this as the queue when you get down to the actual entrance was pretty long.

Top Tip: Don’t pay for the Tulum ruins train, walk the 500 meters if you want to save money.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

How to get to Tulum Ruins

If you are staying anywhere along the Riviera Maya coastline it’s really easy to get to Mayan ruins Tulum as it is just set back off the main road connecting Tulum to Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

Getting to Tulum Ruins from Tulum Town:

The cheapest two options to get to the ruins from Tulum town are to take a Colectivo from the main street and then the driver “Ruines” (it is around 20 pesos), or rent a bike and cycle.

It’s only a 10-minute bike ride from Tulum Town to Tulum Mayan Ruins and most of it is on a bicycle path.

If neither of these options works for you, then you can take a taxi for 100-150 pesos or drive yourself to the Tulum ruins.

If you want to know how to get from Cancun airport to Tulum, then read this.

QUICK TIP: Book your tours, rental cars, and transfers through my local contacts

I’ve been working with Living Dreams Mexico for years and they are who I send all my family and friends to when they visit the Riviera Maya. I really can recommend them enough for private tours and experiences. They have solid 5* reviews on Trip Advisor and Google from almost 4000 reviewers! You can view all their tours here.

If you’re looking for private airport transfers and rental cars then Vanessa and Oliver from Turismo Channel are personal friends of mine and I can 100% recommend them to make an inquiry click here and complete the form. Someone will be in touch within 24 hours.

Getting to Tulum Ruins from the Tulum Beach

If you are staying on the north side of the beach (Playa Paraiso/ Playa Pescadores area) then it may not be too far for you to walk. Just remember it gets very hot and often there is little to no shade on the roads in Tulum. I personally always prefer to rent a bike for the day in Tulum. The cost of renting a bike in Tulum is around $15

If you are staying further down the beach road away from the Tulum ruins then you can take a colectivo into the town. Get out at the top of the road by the 7/11 before they turn to go into town. From the 7/11 you can take the colectivo heading towards Playa del Carmen and ask for the “Ruines”.

Alternatively, rent a bike or take a taxi. Taxis in Tulum can be pretty expensive. Expect to pay anything from $100 – $150…it really depends on how good your Spanish is!

If you are visiting the Yucatan Peninsular in Mexico it’s really worth and exploring the area. You can get a car for $157 a day and there are so many places to explore in the area like the Pink Lakes which you can read about on Our Escape Clause. Just looking at the photos made me regret not having more time to explore the area!

Getting to Tulum Ruins from Playa Del Carmen or Cancun

Again you have a few options: Drive yourself (there is a huge carpark), take a taxi (this won’t be cheap), or take any Colectivo to Tulum and ask them to drop you off at the ruins. There is no direct colectivo from Cancun to Tulum, instead, you will need to take a colectivo first to Playa del Carmen and then change and take a colectivo from Playa to Tulum). It’s actually very easy so don’t be put off by the change!

Although what most people do is do a Mayan Ruins Tour. This way you visit Coba Ruins and Tulum Mayan Ruins in a day on the same tour. This is probably the easiest and cheapest way if you want to see both sites and don’t have your own transport.

Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress. 
Best Tulum Tours: Click here to check out the top Tulum tours
Best Tulum Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Tulum
Best Tulum Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Tulum

Should you do a Tulum ruins tour?

When you go on a guided tour of the Tulum Mexico ruins, you gain not just historical insights but also practical help. For instance, tour guides are often happy to help you take photos. This is particularly great if you’re traveling solo, as you’ll want to capture those memorable moments against the stunning backdrop of the Tulum archaeological zone.

Another significant advantage is the convenience of transportation. The Tulum ruins tour guide will pick you up and drop you off, which means you don’t have to worry about navigating local transport or finding your way to the ruins.

Need Somewhere to Stay in Tulum?

I wrote a guide to the Top Boutique Hotels in Tulum, Where to Stay in Tulum, and The Best Hostels in Tulum, Mexico.

Here are my picks:

Top Budget Pick: Chill Inn
Top Boutique Pick: Elements Tulum Boutique Hotel
Top Resort: Nah Uxibal Villa and Casitas
Top Luxury Pick: Nomade Tulum

Visit the ruins in Tulum and Coba in one day

Coba is the large jungle ruins near Tulum. When I say near, it’s a good 45-minute drive inland. But close enough that you can easily visit both Mayan Ruins in a day.

When it comes to visiting Coba, the value of a guided tour is even more essential. Coba can be challenging to reach without a car. I remember, during my first visit to Coba, I actually ended up hitchhiking back.

So, if you want to avoid the hassle of driving and renting a car in Mexico, a guided tour is a great option. It’s not just about convenience but also safety and ease.

If you are thinking of traveling to Tulum and Coba in one day to see both ruins then I highly recommend doing a tour with Living Dreams Mexico.

QUICK TIP: Book your tours, rental cars, and transfers through my local contacts

I’ve been working with Living Dreams Mexico for years and they are who I send all my family and friends to when they visit the Riviera Maya. I really can recommend them enough for private tours and experiences. They have solid 5* reviews on Trip Advisor and Google from almost 4000 reviewers! You can view all their tours here.

If you’re looking for private airport transfers and rental cars then Vanessa and Oliver from Turismo Channel are personal friends of mine and I can 100% recommend them to make an inquiry click here and complete the form. Someone will be in touch within 24 hours.

Entering the Mayan Archeological Site

When you enter the Tulum ruins site there are two entrances once you are past the barriers. Go in through the second one. The views are much better as this is the first thing you see. I was pretty stunned and spent the longest time just staring at this view than I did anywhere else.

I’m much more of a beach person anyway, so this for me was perfection.

The whole time all I kept on thinking was how incredible it was and what it must have been like to actually live there.

Unlike the other sites I’ve been to (Copan, Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Coba) you are kept well away from the ruins. Mostly behind barriers in fact. It’s the world away from Coba where I was able to climb up one of the Mayan pyramids.

Tulum Ruins Beach

Yes, that’s right, Tulum ruins beach, there is a beach just down the cliff from the ruins and it’s the perfect place to cool off and take a swim in the Caribbean sea halfway round. Where else can you do that! Although if you are in the area you need to go to some of these cenotes near Tulum, they really are out of this world!

Why visit Tulum Ruins Mexico

Just take a look at the pictures. With the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea, it’s hard to think of reasons not to visit the Tulum Archaeological Site. Not only do you get stunning views, but you can also swim in the sea to cool off halfway around. It’s really easy to get to (unlike close by Coba) and if you have children in a pushchair or have mobility issues it’s also wheelchair friendly. That’s a bit of a rarity and not something I have seen anywhere else.

There are so many more incredible ruins you should really try to visit if you have the time though. Take a read of this great post from Mexico Bites and Sights “12 ruins in Mexico you shouldn’t miss” for more information.

Also, if you are wondering what type of clothes to wear in Mexico depending on where you are going, take a look at my Mexico packing list.

Tulum Travel Guide Planning

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Tulum?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Tulum which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Tulum on Amazon here.

🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Tulum?

I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major Mexican tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Tulum?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. 

If you are traveling to Cancun you can use GoCity and save up to 55% of the initial cost of entrance tickets to various museums, tours, and attractions!

If you are traveling to Playa del Carmen then I recommend booking through my friend Vanessa at Turismo Channel. You can check out their tours by clicking here and using the following discount codes for the best prices clairecaroff (car rental), claire10off (for 10% off group tours), claireprivate (for a discount on private tours). You can also send her a WhatsApp message quoting the above codes to receive the discount.

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.

I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack. 

This post was proofread by Grammarly