10 tips for your first trip to Tulum ruins

Everything you need to know before visiting the Tulum Ruins, including tickets, parking, best times to visit, and avoiding common mistakes.

Our latest trip to Mexico took us to several fascinating Maya ruins across the Yucatán Peninsula. One of them was in Tulum, where we also stayed during our trip.

What makes the Tulum Ruins so special is their breathtaking location right on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Because of that, they’ve become an incredibly popular attraction and are considered the second most famous Maya ruins after Chichén Itzá.

We put together our best tips for visiting Tulum Ruins -from the best time to go to how to buy tickets -so can make the most of your visit. And honestly, if you’re in Tulum, the ruins are absolutely worth seeing!

Officially, the ruins are located inside Jaguar National Park, about 81 miles (130 km) from Cancún and 37 miles (60 km) from Playa del Carmen.

The Archaeological Zone of Tulum Ruins

The Tulum ruins are the remains of an ancient Maya city located in present-day Tulum. Most of the structures date back to around 1200-1450, although the Maya are believed to have lived there until the late 1500s before eventually abandoning the city.

The earliest known mention of the settlement dates back to the year 564. It was was found on a carved stone monument, known as a stela, brought from nearby Tankah, a beautiful beach area we also visited during this trip. Today, the stela is displayed at the British Museum in London.

The Maya were one of the most significant Indigenous civilizations in the Americas, inhabiting not only Mexico but also Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.

The name “Tulum” means “wall” in the Maya language, and the ancient wall surrounding the city still stands today. Visitors enter and exit the site through its original gates. The wall itself stretches for 784 meters. Originally, however, the city was called Zama, meaning “dawn”.

Back in its heyday, Tulum was a thriving trading hub thanks to its seaside location. Trade routes connected the city both by land and sea, and valuable goods included obsidian, turquoise, jade, feathers, salt, honey, and various foods.

The most photographed structure is probably Temple of the Wind God. Perched dramatically above the turquoise Caribbean Sea, it sits at one of the highest point in the entire archaeological zone. According to local stories, the temple has a small hole in its wall where the wind whistles whenever a hurricane is approaching.

Another beautiful sight is the combination of Temple of the Descenting God and El Castillo. Above the doorway of the Temple of Descending God is a carving of a diving or descenting figure, which gave the temple its name.

The figure is also associated with the Maya bee god. During the spring equinox, a beam of sunlight shines directly through the temple and lands beneath the carving.

One of the best preserved buildings is Temple of the Frescoes, which once served as an observatory used to track the movements of the sun.

The Maya city was eventually abandoned sometime in the late 1500s. Before that, Spanish conquistadors had arrived in the region, bringing conflict and disease with them. Drought and the collapse of trade routes are also believed to have contributed to the Maya leaving Tulum for other areas.

Our Tips for Visiting Tulum Ruins

• Get to the ruins early in the morning to avoid the crowds from tour buses and the midday heat.
• Avoid weekends (especially Sundays, when locals get in for free) and holidays if possible, as those are the busiest times.
• If you have a car, use the official parking lot instead of the private ones, as it is cheaper.
• From downtown Tulum or from the Hotels Zone, you can reach the ruins by bicycle or take a colectivo.
• Make sure to book only certified guides for your tour. Many people in the parking lot claim to be “official guides”, but they are not. It’s best to pre-book a certified guide, or you can find one inside the entrance.
• Plan in advantage which ticket package you want to purchase.
• Bring water, sunscreen and a sun hat, as there is very little shade.
• Pack your water and snacks in reusable containers as single-used plastic bags or bottles are not allowed.
• There are restaurants and souvenir shops near the ruins, but many of the same items are sold cheaper in downtown Tulum.
• Bring a swimsuit if you want to visit the beach, but first make sure it’s open for swimming.

Visiting the Tulum Ruins

We arrived at the Tulum ruins in the morning, but the area was already buzzing with visitors. Since the ruins are Tulum’s most popular attraction, drawing day-trippers from all over the Riviera Maya, I highly recommend getting there early before the large tour buses arriver.

The mornings are also cooler, which makes a big difference because there is very little shade around the site.

Getting to the ruins can feel a little confusing at first. Visitors have to walk through a parking area lined with vendors, many of whom claim to be the “official national park guides” while warning travelers about about everyone else. The actual ticket booth is located much farther ahead near the entrance gates after the restaurant area, so it’s best not to get caught up in the colorful sales pitches along the way.

After purchasing tickets, visitors enter through the main gate where bags are checked. The inspection was fairly quick, but it’s important to know that single-used plastic bottles and bags are not allowed inside the park. It’s a good idea to bring reusable water bottles and pack snacks in reusable containers.

You can also add a shuttle ride from the entrance to the ruins when purchasing tickets. The walk itself is not very long, but in the tropical heat it can feel exhausting. We accidentally bought the shuttle tickets without realizing it, but honestly ended up being quite happy about it.

One thing you’ll notice immediately at the ruins is the large number of iguanas living around the site. They love lounging in the sun and seem very used to people. Still, it’s best not to get too close or startle them, as they can become aggressive and may even bite if frightened.

After exploring the ruins, visitors can either take the shuttle back to the main entrance or continue down toward the beach.

Swimming is often restricted there because sea turtles nest in the area during part of the year, and in spring the shoreline can also fill with sargassum seaweed. Even so, the views are absolutely stunning.

Outside the archaeological area, there are plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants. We stopped for lunch there, and just like everywhere else during our trip, the food was excellent. Prices there are higher than in downtown Tulum but Don Cafeto de Tulum Ruinas restaurant was great.

Many of the same souvenirs and clothing items were available elsewhere around Tulum as well, so this time we skipped the shopping.

Exploring the ruins typically takes a couple of hours depending on how closely you want to examine everything. If you also plan to visit the beach, browse the shops, or have lunch nearby, it’s best to set aside about half a day for the excursion. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and of course, a camera.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Tulum Ruins?

In 2025, the Tulum ruins officially became part of the newly established Parque del Jaguar National Park, and the entrance system changed along with it. As a result, visitors now pay several separate fees, which has caused confusion not only among tourists but also locals.

The original archaeological site fee of of 60 MXN still exists, but visitors must also pay a national park entrance fee, which is currently 295 MXN for foreigners. In addition, there is another 100 MXN fee collected for Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Altogether, the total come to 455 MXN (around $23 USD) for a one-day wristband.

Pricing also varies depending wether you are Mexican, a local resident, or simply visiting the beach rather than the ruins themselves. Shuttle transportation from the entrance can also be added, making the system feel a little more complicated than necessary. We were told, however, that there are plans to eventually combine everything into a single ticket system.

How to get to Tulum Ruins

Getting to the Tulum ruins is easy from anywhere in town. We hopped on a local colectivo van (the budget-friendly transportation locals use) and rode there and back from downtown Tulum. Many visitors also arrive by bicycle, rental car or taxi from downtown or the Hotel Zone.

Colectivos are an easy and affordable way to get around the Yucatán Peninsula, and because the Tulum ruins sit right along the main highway, you can reach them Playa del Carmen this way. The colectivos stop directly in front of the archaeological site’s parking area.

If you have a rental car, you should aim for the official ruins parking lot located in front of the entrance. Parking there costc 100 MXN. Just be aware that many people will try to wave you into private lots, where fees can be as high as 200 MXN.

There are also plenty of guided tours available from that will pick you up from your hotel in Tulum, or even from Playa del Carmen and Cancún:

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We really enjoyed Tulum as a destination and actually liked it even more than Playa del Carmen. There was already plenty to see and do in Tulum itself, but it also made a great base for exploring nearby attractions like the Cobá Ruins and countless cenotes. One of the most memorable for us was Cenote Tankah.

Other famous Maya sites withing driving distance include the incredible Chichén Itzá and the smaller Playacar Ruins. If you’re visiting Yucatán Peninsula, I definitely recommend adding at least one ancient Maya city to your itinerary.

Have you visited Tulum Ruins or Tulum?