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Tulum…where the turquoise waters meet white sandy beaches. So you’ve decided on Tulum, Mexico for your upcoming kid-free trip for some reconnection with your spouse, and now you’re searching for things to do. While this is a trip for you both to relax, you also might get bored sitting on the beach all day every day. Keep reading for A Couple’s Guide to Tulum: Romance + Adventure where you’ll find suggestions based on our own kid-free trip.

Tulum has gained quite the attention over the years with its boho beach vibe, Instagram-worthy spots, and wellness culture. Tulum Town is located about a 10 minute drive to Tulum Beach. While staying in town is more affordable, I would recommend staying on the beach. The traffic can be bad in the beach area as it’s a very narrow two lane road and minimal parking, so walking or biking will be your best bet to restaurants/shops in the beach area. Some hotels offer bike rentals.

Here are booking links for some activities in Tulum to help with your planning!

Romantic Strolls + Iconic Spots

There is a lot to see and do in the beach area. Take a morning stroll, when there’s less traffic and people out.

“Follow That Dream” Sign: The famous Instagram-worthy sign

Ven a la Luz Sculpture: This towering 30+ feet wooden sculpture is both beautiful and symbolic. Years ago you were able to stroll by this sculpture and take a photo at your leisure. They have now placed the sculpture behind a wall making the sculpture hidden from the road and charge a small fee (around $4 USD per person) to enter. You’ll want to go early in the morning to avoid long lines.

Tulum Jungle Gym: A real life Fred Flintstone gym on the beach. It’s around $31 to use the gym facilities. No camera equipment, including tripods are allowed. Only cell phones can be used as cameras, and no unpaid access to the gym to take photos.

Cenote Kapen Ha: This hidden gem is located off the main road through a path in the jungle. We happened to stumble upon this after walking through the shops out front. Once we arrived, we loved how peaceful it was. We could have stayed here all day with a good book and food from the adjoining restaurant!

Aquatic Adventures

Tulum is an aquatic-lovers paradise. Besides the ocean, you can find cenotes (a sinkhole with water) all around Tulum. You will need transportation through a tour group, rental car, or taxi to get to the cenotes listed below. Pro tip: plan to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds. My husband and I nearly had the cenotes to ourselves!

Gran Cenote: Dive into crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush greenery and caves. It’s like swimming in a fairy tale. If you go without a tour group, the cost is around $25pp.

Cenote Dos Ojos: this cenote means “two eyes” and is two interconnected cenotes. If you SCUBA dive, you can get to the left eye from the right eye through the cenote. If you’re only swimming, you will have to walk from one eye to the other eye. The entrance fee is around $20pp.

Casa Cenote: A unique cenote that feels like a hidden lagoon. Great for kayaking, snorkeling, or practicing your synchronized swimming routine. This is a long cenote – 820 feet! I’ll have to admit, this one gave me the heebee jeebees. It might have been because my husband decided to sit this one out, or the fact that I didn’t know what was lurking beneath the waters. I put on my big girl panties/bathing suit and snorkeled through 3/4 of the cenote by myself! It might have taken lots of pep talks to myself, but I’m glad I went. Entrance is around $8pp.

Scuba Diving: Explore the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and discover Tulum’s marine life. My husband and I got certified as SCUBA divers during our first year of marriage. We thought it would be a fun activity to do together on our beach trips. After our first open water dive (Cozumel, Mexico in 2008), I quickly learned this in fact would not be a “fun” activity to do together. I couldn’t get past the feeling of claustrophobia – weird, I know, but it’s a thing. I tried several more times over the years to dive with him – including the Great Barrier Reef when we lived in Australia, but never learned to love it. Now my husband will go diving, while I hang back at the resort. I encourage him to go and don’t mind the few hours alone. In Tulum, my husband went out on a half day dive with Manati Divers and had a great time. He saw a shark and turtle, which made his day.

Kan Luum Lagoon: A large and tranquil lagoon with a deep cenote in the middle. Pack a picnic and go for a swim. Sit on the dock and watch the fish swim around your feet. Climb up on the viewing platform to get a different perspective of the deep cenote. Entrance fee is around $15pp.

Sunsets and Serenity

Leaning Palm Tree at Playa Paraiso: A perfect spot for watching the sunset. An idyllic beach with a famous leaning palm.

Nest Beach Club: This was one of my favorite activities (besides eating at all of the delicious restaurants) we did on our Tulum trip! Contact the hotel to see if they are currently offering a day pass. With our day pass we received parking, welcome cocktails, lunch, a 30 minute couples massage, and a beach daybed. The whole experience was heavenly. Other resorts in Tulum offer day passes, and it depends on what kind of atmosphere you’re after. Nest was very chill, no kids, and intimate. Others have more of a party vibe with a DJ and pool.

Cultural Exploration

Tulum Ruins: Explore ancient Mayan ruins perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. It’s educational and historical. Wear comfortable shoes. There are iguanas everywhere! Pro tip: avoid the line and purchase your entry tickets from the self-serve kiosks on the left. Tickets are around $6pp.

Island Hopping

Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour: Sail to the beautiful Isla Mujeres on a catamaran. Enjoy snorkeling, open bars, and lunch. The crystal-clear water is beautiful. We took the “VIP Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour” with Destino Riviera. We had a great experience and would use them again. The communication before the tour was quick and better than most other tour companies we’ve used.

Shopping in Town

Spend an afternoon exploring Tulum town and the different shops/boutiques. Some shops I liked: Mixik, MexicArte, and World by Hand.

World by Hand: Visit this artisan shop for unique souvenirs. This was my favorite shop in Tulum. It felt like I was walking through pages of a magazine. There is a small sign (you might miss it) when you walk in the door asking you to remove your shoes.

Accommodation Recommendations

After a day of adventure, you’ll need a cozy place to retreat to. If relaxation is top on your list, make sure to read the hotel’s reviews to stay away from party beach clubs that play loud music well into the early morning hours and throughout the day. Tulum has a wide range of accommodation options from budget to luxury and several different “zones” where these are located. For this post, I’m sharing mid-range to luxury accommodations in Tulum’s beach zone (from highest price per night to most affordable), because what’s better than waking up listening to sounds of the ocean?!

Be Tulum – full service spa, luxury

Encantada – only 8 rooms on the property, a great pick if you’re wanting more of a private experience

Xela Tulum – adults-only, rooftop pool, smaller hotel with 12 suites

The Beach Tulum – adults-only 5 star hotel, private plunge pools

Papaya Playa Project – Instagram-worthy rooftop pools, DJ with a true taste of the Tulum nightlife experience

Chiringuito Tulum – each room has it’s own terrace, some rooms offer a private pool, peaceful property

Azulik – adults-only, eco-friendly, no electricity in most of the hotel (it gets hot/humid in Tulum so if air conditioning is your friend, this might not be the place for you) but there is air conditioning in the rooms, bathtubs with no showers in most of the rooms, no electric lights in rooms

Our Habitas Tulum – easiest to get into town due to it’s location, luxury glamping (with air conditioning and your own bathroom!)

Amansala – wellness resort, pet-friendly

Nomade – one of the larger properties with several different room types, wellness retreat, Moroccan inspired

Nest Tulum – adults-only hotel, intimate property, private villas; we had the luxury of spending the day at Nest and it was perfect! We had a massage on the second floor overlooking the ocean that was serene. The food was delicious, cocktails were refreshing, and the oceanfront day beds were comfortable for an afternoon siesta.

Olas Tulum – a quieter hotel farther away from the nightlife

Mezzanine – adults-only, small 9 room property, quieter/more secluded beach area

Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel – wellness hotel, yoga studio that faces the sea, spa services

Casa Ganesh – simplicity, on the louder side due to location near nightclubs, budget hotel

If private short term rentals are more your style, there are many options available. We stayed in a condo for our trip to Tulum. While it was a nice property, we had the worst experience with the local Property Management company (Samson Waters). If you decide to book a short term rental, check into reviews on the Property Management company beforehand!

Helpful Tips When Traveling to Tulum

Plan Ahead: While spontaneity is romantic, booking tours and accommodations in advance can save you from the dreaded “fully booked” disappointment. Book accommodation 6-9 months in advance. Also, make sure to arrange your private airport transfer ahead of time. It is approximately a 1.5-2hrs drive from Cancun to the beach zone in Tulum.

Pack Accordingly: Bring biodegradable sunscreen (to protect those cenotes), mosquito repellent, that outfit you’ve been dying to wear but had no occasion for, and a good beach read. Here is my Mexico Beach Packing List. If you’re bringing your drone, make sure to check local laws beforehand. Your drone could be taxed upon arrival into the country, so it might be best to leave the drone at home!

Stay Hydrated: The sun is lovely, but dehydration isn’t. Keep the water intake high, especially if you plan on enjoying those beachside cocktails.

Embrace the Local Cuisine: Whenever anyone asks me in all of our travels, where is our favorite spot for food? My answer, without skipping a beat, is Tulum. We had the most mouth-watering dishes here than any of the other 200+ destinations we’ve visited. We loved the food so much here, it deserved it’s own post: Where to Eat and Drink in Tulum: A Foodie’s Guide.

Disconnect to Reconnect: Consider limiting screen time to fully enjoy each other’s company. Except when taking photos; you’ll want to remember these moments.

Tulum offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and romance for couples. So pack your bags, grab your spouse, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime—or at least until your next trip!

Related posts:

Where to Eat and Drink in Tulum: A Foodie’s Guide

Resort Highlight: UNICO 20°N 87°W Riviera Maya

Cabo Private Boat Tour

Mandi

About the Author

Hey there & welcome! I’m Mandi – wifey to my college sweetheart, mom to three crazy cute kiddos, and we are an American/Australian dual citizen family currently living in Pinellas County, Florida.  You’re in the right place of the blogging world if you love your kids, but also want to be encouraged to travel kid-free once in a while. I share about our kid-free luxury travels, as well as our epic family road trips.  We are on a quest to take the kids to all 50 states!

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