In a nutshell
- The beaches in Tulum are absolutely stunning! The water glows in a vibrant turquoise color and feels perfectly Caribbean.
- Most Tulum beaches are private. To enjoy them, you’ll usually need to book a stay at a beach hotel or order something at a beach bar.
- The good news: there are also some fantastic public beaches in Tulum where you pay less.
- In this guide, we’ll show you the best beaches in Tulum, including the top beach clubs, the most beautiful public beaches, and the Tulum beaches on a map with all our personal tips.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Beaches in Tulum
There are only two stretches of beach in Tulum that are publicly accessible.
Most other beaches in Tulum are private because the coastline is lined with hotels. To reach these areas, you’ll need to stay in one of the beach hotels or order something at a beach bar.
If you’re interested in staying right by the sea, check out our article with the best tips for booking a beach hotel in Tulum.
Beaches in Tulum on a map
On this map, we’ve marked both the public beaches and the private sections. That way, you can easily see where the best beaches in Tulum are located.
Public Beaches in Tulum
Here we’ll show you the public beaches in Tulum and share our personal tips.
Note: We’ve often read that the beach below the Mayan ruins of Tulum is open to the public. However, when we visited in November 2023, the access was closed. As far as we know, it will remain closed for now.
Playa Paraíso
- Location: 6 kilometers from the center and 1.5 kilometers from the Mayan ruins of Tulum.
- Cost: 58 MXN (this is the fee to enter the entire reserve including the ruins).
- Infrastructure: no public toilets, no parking.
- Catering: A restaurant directly on the beach plus several bars nearby.
Note: Recently, an entrance fee of about 415 MXN for Jaguar Park was introduced to access the beach. The system is confusing and fees seem to change frequently, so don’t be surprised if the situation is different when you arrive.
Playa Paraíso is without a doubt the most beautiful public beach in Tulum and one of the best beaches in Mexico for us. It lies between the Tulum ruins and the Zona Hotelera. The sand is powdery and white, and plenty of palm trees provide natural shade.
Like most Tulum beaches, the sea is usually a bit rough. It’s perfect for swimming and cooling off, but not ideal for snorkeling or long swims.
On the same stretch of coast, you’ll also find two other public beaches in Tulum: Playa Santa Fe and Playa Pescadores. They all blend into each other, but Playa Paraíso is the most beautiful spot.
Tulum Beach
- Location: 5 kilometers from the center and 3 kilometers from the ruins.
- Cost: free of charge.
- Infrastructure: no public restrooms, a few parking spaces.
- Catering: Several restaurants and bars close by.
This second stretch of public beach in Tulum is smaller and not as idyllic, but still worth a visit. We haven’t found a clear name for it—sometimes it’s called Tulum Beach, other times Playa Mirador.
One special feature is a large rock in the water that calms the waves in this section. It also serves as a viewpoint.
Tulum Beach is perfect for a short stop, for example if you’re exploring the coast by bike. For a full beach day, we’d prefer Playa Paraíso. The sand here is fine, but unfortunately there’s often a lot of seaweed in the water.
Sian Ka'an Jungle Reserve
- Location: 10–30 kilometers south of Tulum center.
- Cost: free.
- Infrastructure: none.
- Catering: Bring your own food and drinks.
Just south of Tulum lies the vast Sian Ka’an jungle reserve. You’ll also find some public beaches here. A rough road leads into the reserve, full of potholes, so keep this in mind if you’re traveling by car, bike or motorcycle.
The public beaches in Tulum within the reserve aren’t signposted. Instead, you’ll notice small dirt tracks off the roadside leading to the sea. These beach sections aren’t the most beautiful, often narrow and covered in seaweed, but the big advantage is that you’ll often have them all to yourself.
We recommend visiting on a guided tour. That way, you can explore the lagoons and beaches without the stress of getting there on your own.
Book a guided tour through Sian Ka’an with boat trip and lunch
Akumal
- Location: 28 kilometers north of Tulum.
- Cost: 120 MXN.
- Infrastructure: Showers, toilets and lockers available.
- Catering: You can bring your own food, but there are also plenty of restaurants.
Akumal Beach is our insider tip and one of the best beaches near Tulum. It’s located on the way to Playa del Carmen.
The water is calm and crystal clear, which makes it perfect if you’re on vacation with kids. The beach is lined with palm trees and the further you walk from the entrance, the quieter it gets.
One of the highlights here is that you can swim with turtles. For that, you’ll need to book a guided tour, which costs around 500–600 MXN. Tours can be arranged right at the entrance or on the beach.
From Tulum, colectivos run to Akumal in about 30 minutes. The ride costs 40 MXN and they leave from opposite the ADO terminal in downtown Tulum.
Book a guided tour to Akumal with turtle swimming and a visit to the Tulum ruins
The Best Beach Clubs in Tulum
Not a fan of lying on a towel in the sand? Then spend the day at one of the stylish beach clubs in Tulum. It’s one of the best things to do in Tulum. Most clubs are located in the Zona Hotelera.
To stay at a beach club, you usually have to pay a minimum consumption. In return, you get access to the beach, use of the facilities and often even a pool.
Here are our three favorite beach clubs in Tulum.
La Zebra
La Zebra is our top pick among Tulum beach clubs. The sun loungers on the sand are super comfortable, the food is excellent and the service is friendly. For Tulum, the value for money is hard to beat.
The beach club works equally well for couples and families, as it’s also very child-friendly.
Ziggy's
Ziggy’s is known for its relaxed vibe, which makes it especially popular with families. Kids are very welcome here.
The restaurant serves great food and drinks, and the beach beds are really comfortable. You can easily spend a full day at the beach here. The price is fair considering the quality.
Taboo
Taboo is a stylish, upscale beach club with excellent food, live music and a vibrant atmosphere. The prices are high, even for Tulum, but if you’re in the mood to splurge, it’s a great experience.
This beach club is best for couples and young adults. There’s a small pool, beach mattresses and top-notch service. A DJ and saxophonist keep the energy up, and enjoying a cocktail or two here is a must.