Is Tulum Expensive?
Is Tulum expensive and how much do you need when traveling here?
A popular Mexican town for both backpackers and luxury travelers alike, Tulum is full of great experiences. Here we can head to many white sand Caribbean beaches, and also enjoy natural sites such as the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and numerous cenotes nearby.
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling to Tulum, such as for accommodation, food and getting around. As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Tulum Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Despite often being a feature for luxury travel articles and magazines, Tulum can also be quite cheap too.
Backpackers heading here will need roughly $20-25 a day, where you’ll be staying in a hostel dorm bed, eating local meals and sticking to inexpensive activities or colectivo rides.
The best place to base yourself would be in the town center, where things tend to be cheaper. The beaches are generally more expensive to be around, however you can easily reach these by town anyway by taking a colectivo or hiring a bike.
Things to know before traveling to Tulum
- Stay In The Town Centre – Whilst the town can feel quite touristy in places, it’s definitely the best place to base yourself. Here you will be close to many hostels and restaurants, and also in a good spot logistically to visit gems outside of town. Yes the beach is a bit far – however you can still get there with ease too.
- Hot Year-Round – Tulum is located within the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, and as such has a hot tropical climate year-round. This means you’ll want to bring light clothing with you, and double-up on sunscreen use and the amount of water you drink. If you head here during the wet season (May until November), then be sure to bring a good poncho with you!
- Explore the Outer Region – Nearby we can find many fantastic towns and sites which can easily be reached using local colectivos and buses. Akumal is a fantastic town where you can swim with Green Turtles, whilst you can also head to the Dos Ojos Cenote for a nice cool-off. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is an easy trip too from Tulum, where you can see wild animals and visit off the beaten path towns along the coast.
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How much does a trip to Tulum cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend roughly $20-25 a day in Tulum, whilst those who want an upgrade in experience (such as private rooms, eating in nicer establishments) can budget for around $35-40 a day.
It’s important to know that budgets can easily exceed $100 a day here too if you really want to, given the abundance of resorts and high-end restaurants in Tulum.
This budget only covers accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind.
Cost of Accommodation in Tulum
Here in Tulum we can find all kinds of accommodation which vary in cost. Given the majority of us reading are sticking to a more frugal budget, we won’t look at the resorts which are dotted along the coast (on beaches such as Playa Paraíso). Both areas of Tulum town and the beach are safe to stay in.
Those who are looking to keep costs low can find many decent hostels all over town. These usually cost between $8-12 a night for a dorm bed, and tend to have decent amenities (some with great parties most nights).
We recommend staying at the Che Tulum Hostel & Bar, which is located in the heart of Tulum town just a block from the main strip of restaurants. Here you can stay in a comfortable dorm bed, where you can also enjoy the private on-site swimming pool.
There are also plenty of great private rooms and budget hotels that you can stay at without breaking the bank. These again are mostly located in towns, although those who are willing to spend a little more can be right next to the Caribbean Sea.
You can expect to spend anywhere between $17-30+ a night when staying in a private room in Tulum. The Corazón de Tulum is a great option which is located in Tulum town.
As well as being close to many great restaurants and nightlife options, here you’ll be staying in a deluxe private room which is just a short walk from the colectivos (that head to many of the best destinations in the region).
Cost of Food in Tulum
Similar with the accommodation, costs of food can vary wildly in and around Tulum. We’ll assume that you’ll be sticking to a lower budget, and therefore will need roughly $3-5 for each meal.
There are many local restaurants and holes, and the cheaper ones will be located away from the touristy area (it’s worth saying that the food is great and is safe – so there’s no need to worry).
Naturally in more touristy and built-up areas (such as Playa Paraíso), dishes are going to cost more. In these areas we’ll find a large range of cuisines that cover the majority of tastes, as well as more luxury set menus.
You can expect to spend between $7-15 per person when eating at the finer restaurants. From here the sky really is the limit, since there are also plenty of resorts which can easily go $30 a dish per person.
Whilst many worry about getting ill when eating local food, it really is avoidable just by following a few Mexican food safety guidelines which we’ve covered here. Not only can you eat at local restaurants safely without getting ill, you’ll also be able to try a variety of Mexican dishes at an affordable price too!
Cost of Transportation in Tulum
The majority of Tulum town can be walked with ease, or you can also rent a bike to get around quicker. Certain attractions nearby are better with a bike (such as to Tulum Ruins), although using local colectivos is also really cheap – which is as little as $1 USD for a one-way ride.
Colectivos are also really useful for heading on independent day trips from Tulum. This includes visiting Akumal, Playa del Carmen or some of the eco parks along the Highway. These public buses frequently hop between these towns throughout the day, so it’s just a case of flagging one down and getting on!
Tulum also has an ADO bus station, which is a provider that connects the Riviera Maya region up well (as well as many other parts of Mexico).
Whilst more expensive, the rides to other cities or towns will be much more comfortable given you have air-conditioning and reclining seats. For example, the ADO bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen costs roughly $6 and takes around an hour to get there.
Finally, it’s also worth mentioning that you can also arrange private transport when heading to Tulum. This is best if you are arriving late into the airport, and need to travel after dark.
Given it’s the most convenient option, it will cost a lot more, however is by far the most comfortable and time-efficient way of getting here.
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Tulum
As you can imagine, tour prices can really vary in Tulum given it’s a popular holiday hotspot both for backpackers and luxury travelers. This means you’ll want to look around before purchasing the first tour you see (if you want to keep your costs down that is).
Many of the more local experiences (within an hour from Tulum) can easily be booked on the day or a day before. These include trips to cenotes, Mayan ruins and also to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. In general these tours are quite inexpensive, and in the town center you can find cheaper providers via hostels who advertise for them.
Booking online is recommended, since you’ll be guaranteed to head with a reputable company (who also offer perks such as early entry to the attractions).
If you want a great all-rounder, then we suggest heading on this day tour from Tulum. Here you’ll have a bilingual guide show you around Tulum Ruins before visiting the cenote of Casa Tortuga. You’ll also have tequila tastings and all transport to and from your accommodation included.
Planning a trip to Tulum FAQs
Here are some popular questions our readers ask when it comes to visiting Tulum:
Is Tulum Expensive for Tourists?
And that’s all for our guide on how expensive Tulum is.
Known for its beautiful beaches and more chilled-out scenes, Tulum is a great spot to visit when traveling through Southern Mexico. Not only can we see many ancient ruins and cool cenotes to explore, we’ve also found that you can enjoy Tulum whilst sticking to a relatively low budget.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Tulum. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
While you’re still here, be sure to read our 7 days in Tulum itinerary to learn how to best use your time when traveling around this awesome Mexican region.
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