Robert's Guidebook
Food scene
This place is the best place to try "cochinita" and "tortas de lechon".
Cochinita is a typical dish, it is roasted suckling pig in achiote and it is delicious! Try a taco or 2!
Lechon is the name of the suckling pig, try a "torta de lechon" this is a suckling pig roll/sandwich and they are great!
The place is cheap and the food is good and you'll always find it packed full of locals and turists!
Get there early because it is always busy.
193 personas locales recomiendan
Taqueria Honorio
This place is the best place to try "cochinita" and "tortas de lechon".
Cochinita is a typical dish, it is roasted suckling pig in achiote and it is delicious! Try a taco or 2!
Lechon is the name of the suckling pig, try a "torta de lechon" this is a suckling pig roll/sandwich and they are great!
The place is cheap and the food is good and you'll always find it packed full of locals and turists!
Get there early because it is always busy.
Not typical Mexican food but pretty tasty, they make their own hamburgers and there are lots of different options.
My favorite burger is the classic burger with mozzarella cheese and some cheesy fries, but the American burger with BBQ sauce is good and the Mexican burger is good, too.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Roraima
y Calle Sol Ote.Not typical Mexican food but pretty tasty, they make their own hamburgers and there are lots of different options.
My favorite burger is the classic burger with mozzarella cheese and some cheesy fries, but the American burger with BBQ sauce is good and the Mexican burger is good, too.
Tacos de canasta, here you can try lots of different types of tacos and not just the regular tacos you are used to like chicken or beef, they have "mole" and "requeson" which is a Mexican cheese and lots of typical dishes.
It's a quiet, little place, not too expensive and you can have a coffee or some juice with your tacos.
14 personas locales recomiendan
El Canaston
y OrienteTacos de canasta, here you can try lots of different types of tacos and not just the regular tacos you are used to like chicken or beef, they have "mole" and "requeson" which is a Mexican cheese and lots of typical dishes.
It's a quiet, little place, not too expensive and you can have a coffee or some juice with your tacos.
Sightseeing
In my opinion, this is the best beach in Tulum, go down the main road towards the hotel zone and turn left and go all the way to the end and you'll find Zazil Kin.
It's a small hotel / bunch of cabins on the beach but you can use their beach and even their sunbeds, chairs, etc... for a small price. They have a small bar and restaurant, so it's good for a beer or whatever you fancy.
The beach is pretty relaxed and not too crowded, try to get there early, though, for the parking.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Zazil Kin
Carretera Tulum - CancúnIn my opinion, this is the best beach in Tulum, go down the main road towards the hotel zone and turn left and go all the way to the end and you'll find Zazil Kin.
It's a small hotel / bunch of cabins on the beach but you can use their beach and even their sunbeds, chairs, etc... for a small price. They have a small bar and restaurant, so it's good for a beer or whatever you fancy.
The beach is pretty relaxed and not too crowded, try to get there early, though, for the parking.
Nightlife
Here you'll the best mojitos in Tulum, they have lots of different types so be prepared to try more than one!
They make their drinks with fresh cane which they press right there in front of you in an old fixed up VW beetle.
Sometimes they have live music but usually there is something going on and the atmosphere is great!
Try the Cactus fruit mojito! Yummy!
527 personas locales recomiendan
Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar
Calle Centauro SurHere you'll the best mojitos in Tulum, they have lots of different types so be prepared to try more than one!
They make their drinks with fresh cane which they press right there in front of you in an old fixed up VW beetle.
Sometimes they have live music but usually there is something going on and the atmosphere is great!
Try the Cactus fruit mojito! Yummy!
It’s “the” night club of Tulum, things start off slowly so don’t be surprised to find if you get there early and it’s empty, it will fill up!
They play all sorts of music and you’ll find all sorts of people from tourists to locals.
25 personas locales recomiendan
Santino Bar
Avenida TulumIt’s “the” night club of Tulum, things start off slowly so don’t be surprised to find if you get there early and it’s empty, it will fill up!
They play all sorts of music and you’ll find all sorts of people from tourists to locals.
Culture
This is a must see in Tulum! The ruins are on a cliff above the beach, the views are breathtaking!
You can get a guide who will explain everything, remember to take a hat, plenty of water and sunblock because there isn't a lot, or any shade and it gets hot!
Get there early because when it gets hot, it gets hot and there is no shade but it is really worth a trip.
973 personas locales recomiendan
Archeological Zone of Tulum - Mayan Port City Ruins
Km 230 Cancun - ChetumalThis is a must see in Tulum! The ruins are on a cliff above the beach, the views are breathtaking!
You can get a guide who will explain everything, remember to take a hat, plenty of water and sunblock because there isn't a lot, or any shade and it gets hot!
Get there early because when it gets hot, it gets hot and there is no shade but it is really worth a trip.
These are my favourite ruins, they are about 30 minutes away from Tulum and are in the middle of the jungle. You can rent bikes there and ride your bike to each of the pyramids and different buildings.
You can also still climb the main pyramid, which is a must, and the view is incredible, so remember to take comfortable shoes because the climb is pretty tricky.
You can also get a guide who will explain everything you need to know about Cobá and if you have time you can visit some of the cenotes that are near by.
232 personas locales recomiendan
Zona Arqueológica de Cobá
307 Carretera Federal TulumThese are my favourite ruins, they are about 30 minutes away from Tulum and are in the middle of the jungle. You can rent bikes there and ride your bike to each of the pyramids and different buildings.
You can also still climb the main pyramid, which is a must, and the view is incredible, so remember to take comfortable shoes because the climb is pretty tricky.
You can also get a guide who will explain everything you need to know about Cobá and if you have time you can visit some of the cenotes that are near by.
Consejos para la ciudad
Cómo moverse
"Colectivos" are really quick and easy to use.
A "colectivo" is a van that goes from Playa del Carmen to Tulum and back again. You can get off and on the van pretty much anywhere you want.
It's a lot cheaper than a taxi and you can get a "colectivo" to the ruins, Xcacel, Akumal, Xcaret, Playa Del Carmen, etc... and they'll charge you like $45 pesos more or less. Just tell the driver where you want to go first and keep your eyes peeled for your destination.
Cómo moverse
ADO bus to and from the airport
The cheapest way to get to and from the airport is by ADO, you can download the app and book your tickets in advance, check the times and everything.
Book the tickets in advance and you can even use the app to buy the tickets and you don't have to queue up or print out the tickets.
Cómo moverse
Getting round town
Tulum is pretty small so you walk or rent a bike and get around really easily. If you want you can get a taxi but before you get into the taxi ask how much it will be to your destination.
Taxis to places in and around town are pretty cheap but getting a taxi to the beach will be more expensive, so if you are feeling energetic you can bike down there.
There are vans / colectivos that go to the beach but the schedule isn't regular and the bus stop is a couple of blocks behind the main avenue.
Frases útiles
"provecho"
"provecho" means "bon appetite" and is a really common saying in Mexico. People say "provecho" whenever they see someone eating, so if you go into a restaurant and see people eating you can say "provecho" and when you leave the place you can say "provecho" and it's not considered rude to answer "gracias" or "igualmente" with your mouth full.
Frases útiles
"tiene chile?"
"tiene chile?" means "does it have chili?" In most places you will be served with different salsas some will be spicy and maybe one won't be spicy but if you say or ask "pica?" or "pica mucho" "is it spicy?" or "is it very spicy?" They will always tell "Nah, not really." So a better question is "tiene chile?" that way you won't be surprised if the salsa is hot or not.