Tulum Take-Aways: Visiting Tulum Cenotes, Ruins, and More in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
With the newly opened Tulum International Airport, it’s easier than ever to explore this Mexican haven for immersive nature, historic sites, terrific taco treats and hermosa hotel stays. We tapped our friend Charmaine Noronha on the shoulder to share all of her top tips when it comes to visiting Tulum and its nearby attractions.
Tulum boasts a whole lot more than its stunning seaside location, but it’s certainly easy on the eyes. Photo Credit: La Zebra
Mexico is a treasure trove of experiences, exemplified by some of its premier places to visit, like San Jose del Cabo, Guanajuato City, and Isla Holbox. Each of these places is very different in its own right, and the same is true for Tulum.
Tulum is an exciting destination located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, just south of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. It’s surrounded by cenotes with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming, local tours that can take you to Mayan ruins, its underwater cave system, and awe-inspiring hotels and dining opportunities.
This is a place that has been catching the eye of travellers for years now, so when Charmaine reached out to put this article together for us, we jumped at the opportunity. Whether you’re planning an entire trip to Tulum, or only visiting for a couple days, definitely keep her tips in mind for your next Tulum adventure:
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means we may receive a small commission for some of the recommendations at zero additional cost to you.
Cenote Notes: Entering Another World
“Are you ready for an adventure?!” asks Ismael Mex Yama with the warmest smile to greet me this side of Tulum.
As a travel writer, I was born ready for any and all adventures, but I refrain from excitedly telling him this because his excitement almost supersedes mine, which makes me even more pumped for our day of exploring.
“I’m Mayan, so I love showing people sites that tell our story,” he says.
There’s little I love more than learning about other cultures, history, and well, adventure, so we hit the road ready to explore. After an hour or so drive, we arrive at an unsuspecting spot in a forest.
“We’re here!” he says gleefully and I look around to wonder where “here” is, exactly. After shimmying into a scuba diving wetsuit and descending steps through a narrow portal, we arrive in a magical underground world and discover where “here” is: the world of cenotes.
Learning More about Cenotes
In the deep-blue depths of Hilario’s Well. Photo Credit: Charmaine Noronha
Cenotes are natural holes in the surface of the earth that formed after extensive corrosion of the limestone rock by subterranean water. These bodies of water vary in size, and lead to a series of underground cave systems spanning several miles in length. Mexico has the greatest concentration and the largest underwater cave in the world, with over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.
We happen to be exploring a little known cenote called Hilario’s Well, which has very little that’s funny about it. And unlike the more public and popular cenotes that cover Mexico, this private cenote is devoid of massive crowds. We virtually have this entire cave system to ourselves.
The word cenote is derived from the Yucatec Maya word “ts’onot,” which means a place with underground water. Cenotes were significantly important for Mayans, who inhabited the Yucatan before the arrival of Europeans, says Yama. Cenotes were the only source of freshwater in the area, which is devoid of rivers and streams.
With flashlights in tow, we swim through the tepid waters passing caverns, under a canopy of stalactites and through stunning stalagmites. Yama points out the small creatures who call this underwater world home, such as spiders, as bats swoosh overhead. It almost feels unreal, like we’re in a CGI fantasy.
As we navigate these waters, we stop in a cavern and Yama instructs me to turn off my flashlight, which leaves us in utter darkness and silence. It’s both calming and bewildering to be in such a void.
Cenotes and Mayan Culture
“Cenotes for the Maya culture have been a symbol of duality since they represented life and death,” says Yama. They were more than just a water source for the Maya cities, they represented the gateway to the world of the dead: the Xibalbá.”
At this point Yama tells me to close my eyes as he takes us through a meditation. In this void of darkness, Yama attempts to transport us back in time to get a feel of what it may have been like for Mayans who used these cenotes for rituals and ceremonies and to connect them to the afterlife.
As we breathe, I feel a sense of reverence for the lives and worlds that came before us. The stewards of these lands and waterways and the respect that was paid to these natural places. I also feel a deep sense of gratitude for getting to explore this world with someone who has such a strong connection and admiration for these sites as well.
We swim our way through, peel off our wetsuits in the warmth of the above ground world and head to another cenote. This time it’s above ground in the open air, in the backyard of Yama’s friend. It’s also blissfully devoid of other humans, and it’s breathtaking. The reflection of the verdant flora and fauna offers up emerald clear blue water that beckons you in.
In this moment, I contemplate why it has taken me nearly 20 years to return to Mexico.
Discovering the Many Cenotes Tulum Has to Offer
Visiting open air cenotes literally sheds a whole new light on Tulum cenote tours. Photo Credit: Charmaine Noronha
If you’re looking for ways to experience a Tulum cenote tour for yourself, there are many ways you can take one. My tour with Ismael was through Mayikal Experiences, but there are other tour operators in and around Tulum who can help you out.
If you’re looking to visit other cenotes near Tulum, there are several in the area. All require you to pay an entrance fee in pesos, so if you aren’t planning on taking an official guided tour and are touring cenotes yourself, this is important to know.
It’s important to note that lesser-known cenotes like Hilario’s Well are special to visit. But here’s a list of some of the more popular cenotes in the region:
Cenotes Casa Tortuga
Cenote Dos Ojos
Casa Cenote
Cenote Zacil-Ha
Cenote Calavera
Cenote Azul
Cenotes Sac Actún
Cenote Cristal & Cenote Escondido
Cenote Suytun
Cenote Carwash
Touring the Famous Tulum Ruins
The Tulum Ruins are one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico, and well worth a stop during your time in Tulum. Photo Credit: Charmaine Noronha
Tulum was the last great city constructed and inhabited by the Mayan people between the 13th and 15th centuries. So it’s no wonder that the city, now known as the Tulum Ruins, is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico.
The city of Tulum was important for sea trade, and since the ruins sit on seaside cliffs, high above turquoise waters, historians believe that the great wall around the city was erected to protect it from traders and pirates who wanted to steal the prime location for themselves.
Explore the numerous structures, spread out over groomed lawns and oceanside cliffs. I recommend grabbing a boat ticket before you enter the site from one of the many solicitors patrolling the area en route to the ruins. You’ll get to experience the remarkable structures from the land and sea!
Where to Stay in Tulum: La Zebra
Beachfront suite with plunge pool. Photo Credit: La Zebra
This beach-chic property perfectly melds Tulum’s jungle and blissful beach vibes into a delightful package deal. Wander through vibrant flora and fauna laden pathways past spacious villas and suites, some with their own plunge pool and expansive balconies. The property’s boho chic decor is very Tulum, in muted tones of cream, beige and brown.
The aesthetic invites you to lie back and relax, while the adjacent beach beckons you into the salty waters for the ultimate in serenity stays. The hotel’s small size, and friendly staff make it a lovely home away from home with service that goes above and beyond.
You’d be remiss not to participate in the hotel’s bevy of offerings including a fantastic tortilla and salsa making class. La Zebra has also partnered with sister property Mezzanine Hotel to develop an organic corn program to ensure its tortillas are delicious, healthy and sustainable. The property has created a micro economy with a neighbouring village to Tulum that is growing organic corn for restaurants that use tortillas and tamales. The hotel conducts all nixtamalization (corn preparation) in house.
During your class, you’re greeted by the exceptionally warm and affable head chef Eleazar Bonilla, and an ingredient table filled with peppers, mushrooms, and tacos galore. Bonilla patiently takes you through the process of making various salsas and the nixtamalization process for corn. You’ll work for your lunch, but it’ll be so worth it.
Where to Eat in Tulum: Tacos, Live Music, and More!
Dinner menu offerings at La Zebra. Photo Credit: La Zebra
Don Honorios
Don Honorios is one of the most famous taco joints in Tulum, often with long lines for lunch with good reason. Slow-cooked meats, perfectly grilled veggies and freshly made tortillas, si por favor! And one of the best parts: their prices haven't rocketed since an appearance on Netflix's Taco Chronicles.
Mezzanine
This beautiful boutique hotel on the shores of the Caribbean sea is dreamy. You’ll get fresh coffee and treats delivered to your room daily. Grab your beautiful breakfast basket and watch the sunrise over the sea after likely one of the most restful nights you might have had while traveling.
If you might not be fortunate enough to stay here, you must dine at its Thai restaurant. Its menu is designed and supervised by executive chef, Liliana López, who infuses rich flavours from her Mexican roots, and celebrity Thai chef Dim Geefay. Meals here are a feast for the senses with the delightful fragrance of coconut-infused curries leaving you wanting to try everything on the menu.
If you have the chance to meet Thai chef, Jakkree Putaruk, take it because his humble and kind demeanor is the perfect dessert to your meal.
La Zebra
Not just a hotel, La Zebra is also known for their delightfully vibrant restaurant, which pays homage to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo throughout. A wide palapa roof sits above colorful hand-painted tables, with artistic touches throughout the eatery, including an above-bar ceiling adorned with floating ceramic angels.
The hotel has partnered with local farms and purveyors who supply free range eggs, meat, sustainably caught fresh fish, vegetables and dairy products for a farm-to-table experience. Its contemporary Mexican restaurant serves up dishes with homemade tortillas, salsas, sauces, marmalades & granola.
And, you can test your salsa and tortillas-making knowledge by indulging in a taco feast. Taco Thursdays at the hotel features the resort’s most popular tacos, garnachas and salsas from three gastronomic regions of Mexico.
If that’s not music to your ears, the hotel also offers live Latin music, and a show-stopping surprise at the end of the band’s set. Top off the experience with a must-have mezcal cocktail from The Mulberry Project, the hotel’s cocktail bar, which features a mixology program where experimentation is the name of the game.
Palma Central
Food truck afficianados, take note! Palma Central food truck park features a bevy of offerings with more than 15 food trucks serving up eats from across the world. Each vendor sells a different type of food, and you can get anything from tacos to crepes. The trucks are dotted around a courtyard.
I highly recommend coming on a Tuesday evening for Tuesdays in Tulum, where the venue hosts a live band and salsa for a raucous fun time! Even if you happen to be traveling solo, you won’t be alone on the dance floor, as friendly locals will likely invite you to dance.
A Few Final Tidbits About Tulum
After all of your wandering, there’s no better way to relax than at the beach. Photo Credit: La Zebra
If you’d like some help planning your Tulum trip, Jenna Boyce from Mind, Body, Party, Travel offers customized travel services to help organize your travels and time in Tulum. She can locate and book everything from your accommodations, beach clubs, yacht trips, mezcal tastings, and private chef experiences, as well as activities such as yoga classes, sound baths or parties.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article, and are excited to dive into these Tulum take-aways when it comes to taking your next adventure to this beautiful part of the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you’re planning on extending your trip to other parts of Mexico, or if you’re planning on heading further south to South America, Argentina and beyond, then make sure you’ve checked out the other articles about these destinations on our site before you go!