A Simple 7-Day Tulum Itinerary For Families

Your dream 7 days Tulum itinerary is here: ruins, cenotes, beaches, markets and insider tips from California travelers who’ve done it all.

This year our spring break getaway took to Mexico, a quick and relatively affordable hop from California.

We have been to Mexico before too and at the beautiful Yucatán Peninsula, so we were so excited when we booked a trip to Tulum. Not only do they have amazing beaches but there is also so much to see there! And it is super easy to explore the areas nearby.

There is definitely enough to do in Tulum for a week and even more!

Tulum

Tulum is a small, bohemian beach town known for its rustic resorts and jungle-meets-sea aesthetic. It has long been a magnet for yogis and backpackers, but honestly, it works just about anyone.

For years, digital nomads loved it there as Mexico used to offer a generous 180-day visa and living there was cheap. While that is no longer guaranteed, the vibe is still definitely there. Eco-tourism is also a big theme there. Many hotels built from natural materials and advertise things like water conservation and solar use.

Unfortunately, the reality is that the resorts are not always as eco-friendly as they claim. But still, Tulum’s charm is undeniable. The town has grown fast and it is now home to around 47,000 locals. It is still one of the most unique spots on the coast.

Tulum sits on the eastern edge of Mexico, right on the turquoise shores of the Caribbean Sea. It is part of Yucatán Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, and its closest neighbor is the popular beach town Playa del Carmen. You might also hear this stretch of coastline called the Riviera Maya, that is the collective name for all the dreamy beach towns lining this coast.

Tulum has two main areas for travellers to choose from; the Hotel Zone which is by the beach and the downtown area called Tulum Centro.

What to do in Tulum in 7 days

Day 1; Arrive to Tulum

Even though Tulum got its own airport in 2023, most people still arrive to Cancun International Airport. I recommend booking the airport transportation beforehand so you don’t have to worry about getting to your hotel. It is also cheaper that way. The drive from Cancún takes anywhere from two to three hours to Tulum.

We have used Cancun Airport Transportation and it has worked well. Some people use ADO bus which is of course a cheaper option, but it is worth mentioning that the drive is longer because the bus keeps stopping along the way, and it wont take you directly to your hotel.

After you have arrived, it obviously takes some time to settle in to your accommodation and get familiar with it. Use this time to get to know the area you are staying at as well. Maybe spend some time at the beach or go for a walk and dinner.

Day 2; Explore Tulum Mayan Ruins

Explore Tulum’s most famous attraction is the impressive ruins of an ancient Maya city. The Maya people are one of Mexico’s Indigenous cultures, and between the years 250 and 950, they built several urban centers across the country. You can also find similar ruins un Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize.

The Tulum Mayan ruins are in stunning location; right by the seaside cliffs overlooking the ocean. They are now part of the Parque del Jaguar National Park, and you can visit Tulum Ruins on your own or by joining a guided tour. It’s a great little excursion that doesn’t take all day.

I recommend going there as early as possible before all the tour busses arrive as the ruins can get quite crowded. Morning hours are also not as hot as the afternoon. There is hardly any shade at the ruins but right by the ruins is a small beach called Playa Ruinas which is included in the entrance fee.

Unfortunately though, during our visit is was covered in seaweed since it doesn’t get cleaned like the beaches in front of resorts. The beach is also sometimes closed to visitors because sea turtles come ashore to nest, and then later the tiny baby turtles hatch and hurry towards the ocean.

We had lunch at Don Cafeto Tulum in front of the entrance and then checked out some of the souvenir stores before heading back to our hotel.

📍Location: Ruinas de Tulum, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Since walking around at the ruins was quite tiring we decided to spend rest of the day at the hotel pool and get a nice dinner. Or you can head our to Playa Ruinas (if it is open) or some other beach close to your hotel.

Day 3; Visit Tulum’s Sculpture Park and spend time at beach

Visit Tulum’s Sculpture Park which was built around its most famous piece; the wooden Ven a la Luz sculpture. Originally created for the ArtWithMe Festival in 2018 by South African artist Daniel Popper, the name Van a la Luz roughly translates to “Come into the Light.”

The statue was first located at the entrance of Hotel Ahau Tulum, and you could see it completely free of charge. But word has it that the crowds lining up for a photo started cause traffic issues, so the sculpture was moved to a gated are with an entrance fee. Or perhaps someone just saw a great business opportunity there and it was just an excuse?

Entry to the park costs 100 pesos (5 USD) per person, though younger kids get in for free. There was a bit of a line when we visited and we waited about 30 minutes to snap our own photo.

Calling this place a “park” might be a stretch in my opinion, as it’s actually very small area. But it’s still a fun and quick stop. Sine the whole place is basically set up for photo ops, you can decide yourself whether it’s worth a visit or not!

📍Location: QROO 15, Tulum Beach, Q.R., Mexico

Spend the rest of the day enjoying the beaches at the Hotel Zone and grab a nice lunch or dinner there as well. Ahau Restaurant & Beach Grill is great and located next to the Sculpture Park. We ate at Entremuelles Tulum that day and it was in a walking distance as well. Food there was great.

Day 4; Spend a day at Caleta Tankah Beach and Cenote Tankah

On your fourth day, head over to Caleta Tankah Beach and Cenote Tankah where you can enjoy both beach and swimming in a cenote in the same day.

We really liked this place because the beach was not only beautiful but it also had a little cove suitable especially for kids. It was called Caleta, and we were told that it was actually a fresh water cenote that emerged on the beach some time ago.

Their another cenote, Cenote Tankah was just a small walk away in the jungle. It was also great for kids because if you got tired of swimming, you could rest on some of the rocks that were on the bottom.

We had lunch at the little restaurant they had; Caleta Tankah Hideaway Restaurant, and also ordered some drinks to our lounge chairs. Chairs are first come, first serve, so make sure to get there early or bring some beach towels.

Tankah is not far, it only takes about 20 minutes to drive there from Hotel Zone and 10 minutes from Centro if there is no traffic. The entrance fee was 300 pesos for adults.

Visiting cenotes is a great activity especially in Tulum but also all over in Yucatán. There are over 6000 of them! One of our favorites so far has been Cenote Oxman.

Day 5; Day Trip to Cobá Ruins

Visit Cobá’s ancient ruins which sit just about and hour’s drive from Tulum depending on traffic. That is what makes it such a great day trip; you don’t have to give up a full day on the beach to squeeze in some history. You can get there by booking a guided tour, by rental car, taxi or the local Colectivo (a budget-friendly minibus locals use to get around).

One of the reasons we loved Cobá is that it is way less crowded than the more famous ruins in Tulum or Chichén Itzá. Yet, it is much larger site than for example Playacar ruins in Playa del Carmen, and you get to see the second tallest in the Yucatán.

If you are up for more exploring, you can easily pair your visit with a swim in one of the many cenotes nearby. For example Gran Cenote and Cenote Santa Cruz Tulum are along the way to Cobá. There is also the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve close by, where you might be able to spot spider monkeys or hear howler monkeys echoing through the jungle.

 📍Location: 77793 Quintana Roo, Mexico

Day 6; Snorkel at Akumal Bay and Shop at Tulum Night Market

After the breakfast, head over to Akumal Bay for a beach day. You can get there by car or taxi in about 20 minutes. We took a colectivo and they stopped right in front of the resort area in the main road.

Akumal Beach is the only area in Yucatán among Cozumel that is recommended for snorkeling. They have many colourful fish and sea turtles but for the best viewing, you will have to purchase a snorkeling tour.

Honestly, it is definitely not as great as Hawaii for example, or Cozumel, and it is disappointing that you have to pay for snorkeling, but we enjoyed the beach in overall. Here is how to access Akumal Beach without a snorkeling tour.

📍Location: Carretera Tulum, Yodzonot, 77776 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

On weekend evenings, head over to Tulum Centro and swing by the square in front of the town hall; Parque Museo de la Cultura Maya. That is when local night markets usually pop up, and honestly, it is such a fun little stroll even if you don’t plan to buy anything. There is no entry fee, just good vibes.

There you will find everything from handmade crafts and toys to jewelry and, of course, lots of street food. We couldn’t resist grabbing some fresh churros, deep-fried and dusted with cinnamon sugar.

A local, Yucatán-style dessert is called marquesita, and you can find also them at the night market. It looks like a rolled-up crêpe and they let you choose the filling, usually cheese, jam or nutella, and toppings like banana slices and chocolate drizzle.

📍Location: Tulum Centro, 77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Day 7; Leaving Tulum

Depending on where you are headed, leave this day open for maybe some last minute shopping or packing, and of course for traveling.

If you are flying off from Cancun, then it is best to aim to be at the airport about 3 hours before your flight. If you have booked an airport transportation then they will let you know what time they will pick you up in order to be there on time. Otherwise make sure to consider possible traffic hours especially during the weekdays.

Best time to travel to Tulum

We have visted Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in both winter and spring, and honestly, the weather was great either way. But if you are after the best months, aim for November through February. Spring brings one not-so-fun guest; sargassum seaweed, which can pile up along the beaches.

And summer? They are hot, humid and smack in the middle of hurricane season. The summer months are stickier and wetter than the mild, dry winter ones. Hurricane season usually runs June through October, though Tulum often escapes the worst of the storms. Still, it is something to keep in mind.

November and December are the busiest months, and hotel prices tend to dip a bit after that. But if you ask me, winter is the sweet spot. During our spring visit, we had to actively hunt for a beach where you could swim without wading through seaweed. So yes, go in winter if you can!

Where to stay in Tulum

Tulum has two main spots for staying the night: the Hotel Zone by the beach and Tulum Centro, or Tulum Pueblo as the locals call it.

Where you stay really depends on your travel style. If you are all about the beach life, head straight to the Hotel Zone. But if you are planning in doing lots of day trips and don’t want to rent a car, staying in the town center is way more convenient.

Even if you book by the beach, it is worth checking out the town. It is only 2 miles (3 km) away, and many people bike back and forth. Lots of hotels include bikes and rental shops are all over.

You can also easily hop between beach and town with a Colectivo or taxi.

The Hotel Zone is of course pricier, but you get gorgeous resorts with direct access to white beaches. we love spots like Ahau Hotel and Villa Las Estrellas.

In town, you will get a more local vibe and better prices on hotels, food and souvenirs. I’d recommend LiveTulum Hotel which had cute kitchenetter, pool access from the rooms and top-notch location for exploring. XscapeTulum is another great choice.

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Our trip to Mexico was once again unforgettable and a total success. What we especially loved about Tulum was how much there was to do nearby. You never had to go far to find something amazing.

While we felt like we saw pretty much all of Playa del Carmen in just a week, Tulum left us feeling like we barely scratched the surface.

We will definitely have to come someday to explore more cenotes, visit a few more nearby Mayan ruins and of course, soak up more time on those gorgeous beaches!