Tulum is a great place to base yourself in the Riviera Maya because of all the spectacular day trips from Tulum.
To date, I’ve spent over a month in the Quintana Roo area of Mexico. The influencers aren’t lying: Tulum truly is the bohemian escape of your dreams. But I can also say from first-hand experience that there is a ton to do in this region beyond Tulum’s borders. We’re talking about high-adrenaline adventure, wildlife experiences, ancient ruins, quaint colorful towns, and so much more.
I know it’ll be hard to pry yourself away from your Tulum hotel (I mean, they’re some of the best in the world), but taking yourself on a couple of day trips from Tulum will really make your trip to the Yucatan Peninsula unforgettable.
15 Best Tulum Day Trips and Excursions
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Cozumel
🌿 Seaweed Rating: Minimal Seaweed (main West-facing side is shielded from current)
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 2.5 hours via car and ferry | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Cozumel Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling Tour
Why Visit Cozumel: Cozumel, a relatively undeveloped island just off the coast of the mainland, is one of the most popular day trips from Tulum. There are just so many fun things to do in Cozumel. Be sure to check out Cozumel’s marine activities, cute downtown area, and secluded beaches. In particular, the island is known for the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park — a 247-acre area that consists of protected reefs, beaches, forests, and lagoons.
The park is home to a variety of birds and animals, and there is even a tower from which to observe crocodiles. Just keep in mind that because the island is a stop on the cruise ship route, the island can get very busy with tourists. Check the cruise ship schedule, and try to visit during the off hours if possible.
How to get from Tulum to Cozumel:
🚗 Drive & Ferry – To get from Tulum to Cozumel, you’ll first have to get to Playa del Carmen, whether via bus, colectivo, or car. For car rentals, I recommend using the rental service Discover Cars. Then, hop on either the Winjet (budget, 40 minutes) or Ultramar (luxury, 20 minutes) ferries to take you to the island.
Laguna Kaan Luum
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 14 minutes driving | Laguna Kaan Luum | 📍 Google Maps
Why Visit the Laguna Kaan Luum: Just 9km down the road, Laguna Kaan Luum is a large 82-meter deep cenote (freshwater sinkhole) in the middle of a large lagoon, and is more or less off the beaten path as far as Mayan Riviera sites go. Together, the cenote and lagoon sparkle all shades of turquoise and blue, which makes for one of the most beautiful day trips from Tulum.
While here, I recommend going swimming (you can swim anywhere in the lagoon except for in the cenote, though diving is allowed), and walking along the boardwalk. Another popular activity at Laguna Kaan Luum is to take a mud bath — the mud comes from the cenote and is said to have healing benefits. It does smell quite bad though, so be warned.
How to get from Tulum to Laguna Kaan Luum:
🚗 Drive – Because Laguna Kaan Luum isn’t on the main tourist trail, driving will be your best bet. I recommend renting a car through Discover Cars, as they’ll help you get the best vehicle for your needs while avoiding scams. There is a large parking lot available at Laguna Kaan Luum.
🚎 Colectivo – To take the Colectivo from Tulum to Kaan Luum, hop on the one going to Felipe Carrillo. Though this will take you past the main entrance, you will have to walk a bit. Note that it’s slightly harder to get a Colectivo back to Tulum as the rote isn’t as frequent.
Playa Del Carmen
🌿 Seaweed Rating: Significant Seaweed Possibility 🙁
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Playa del Carmen Website | 👉 Food Tour in Downtown Playa del Carmen
Why Visit Playa del Carmen: One of Quintana Roo’s largest cities, Playa del Carmen is the high-octane city escape to Tulum’s laid-back jungle vibe. Home to over 300,000 people and a substantial ex-pat community, Playa has all the conveniences of a big city, including tons of excursions and tours, and yet through it all maintains its chic beach feel.
On a day trip from Tulum, you’ll find strolling La Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) to be the beating heart of the city with plenty of nightclubs, restaurants, shops, and tourist draws lining the street. From there, the beach is just a five-minute walk away and, while the beaches in Playa are not quite as spectacular as those in Tulum, you’ll find a ton of beachside restaurants, party spots, and relaxing loungers to check out. Our Playa del Carmen travel guide spills the tea on the best things to do, the best beaches, travel tips, and more!
How to get from Tulum to Playa del Carmen:
🚍 Bus – The popular Mexican bus line ADO has a hassle-free route from downtown Playa del Carmen to both the Tulum Ruins and downtown. You can book your tickets viaBusBud if you have a US Credit Card (which won’t work on ADO’s site).
🚗 Drive – Driving in Mexico can seem daunting at first (the rules of the road aren’t strictly followed), but driving to Playa is a fairly straightforward route. I recommend that you rent a car directly through Discover Cars; a trusted website with tons of options.
🚎 Colectivo – A shared minibus system used by locals, taking a colectivo is cheaper (and adventurous) than the other travel options.
Coba Ruins
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 45-minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Private Archaeological Coba Tour
Why Visit the Coba Ruins: One of the top archaeological day trips from Tulum, the ancient Mayan ruins at Coba are a must-visit for history buffs and jungle-lovers alike. Though along the same vein as the Tulum Ruins, the Coba Ruins are special when compared to Tulum or Chichen Itza in that they cover a much larger area, have very well-preserved structures, and are grander in architecture.
Unique to this destination, the Coba Ruins contain multiple ancient Mayan settlements connected by white roads that each lead to the main pyramid, Ixmoja of Nohoch Mul. Coba is located right in the middle of the jungle and is surrounded by lagoons and freshwater cenotes.
In fact, it’s estimated that the Coba Ruins contain 6,000 structures in total, although only a small portion of these have been excavated.
How to get from Tulum to the Coba Ruins:
🚌 Tour – Tours are the most popular way to go for a reason. Viator offers lots of options from Tulum, including some that combine cenotes, 4WD adventures, or other excursions.
🚍 Bus – There are plenty of ADO bus routes to the Coba Ruins every day. Get tickets on Bus Bud.
🚗 Drive – Driving to Coba is an easy trip when you book your car through Discover Cars. Just watch for speed bumps along the way!
👉 Always forget to pack something? My Mexico packing check list is the perfect comprehensive packing resource.
Akumal
🌿 Seaweed Rating: Seaweed Possible
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 35 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Tulum Ruins and Akumal Bay Tour
Why Visit Akumal: Want to go snorkeling with sea turtles and stingrays? Then get yourself over to Akumal, an easy beach day trip from Tulum. Literally translated as “Place of the Turtles”, Akumal is well-known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, warm water, expansive coral reefs, and marine life experiences.
This section of the Riviera Maya features one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, and the diving and marine experiences here are truly world-class. Personally, I took a tour to the reef and was absolutely in love with the coral, sea turtles, and stingrays.
How to get from Tulum to Akumal:
🚌 Tour – This Tulum Ruins and Akumal Bay tour will take you from the famous Mayan city to swimming with sea turtles in one adventure-packed day.
🚎 Colectivo – For budget travelers, there is an Akumal colectivo that regularly runs from Tulum. Just make sure to alert the driver when you want to get off.
🚗 Drive – Driving to Akumal makes for an easy, hassle-free road trip.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’ll be doing adventure activities like swimming with sea turtles, then I highly recommend getting some Mexico travel insurance protection. You never know when it could come in handy!
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
🌿 Seaweed Rating: Seaweed Possible
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 10 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Sian Ka’an Biosphere Website (if applicable) | 👉 Sian Ka’an Adventure Tour
Why Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere: 11 kilometers down the road from Laguna Kann Luum is the Sian Ka’an Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 1.3 million-acre natural reserve home to thousands of species of plants and animals. One of the best nature-based day trips from Tulum, the reserve features lagoons, marshes, Mayan-made canals, and great opportunities to see turtles, dolphins, and all kinds of fish. There are plenty of guided tours of the reserve, though you can easily visit independently and plan your own itinerary. Tubing through the canals, kayaking, and swimming are all great activities here.
How to get from Tulum to the Sian Ka’an Reserve:
🚌 Tour – Unless you have a hardy 4WD vehicle, you’re best bet is to visit as part of a guided tour from Tulum. You can browse the most popular Sian Ka’an tours on Viator or Get Your Guide. There’s a lot to choose from!
Muyil Ruins (Chunyaxché)
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 20 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Sian Ka’an and Muyil Archaeological Site Tour from Tulum
Connected to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, the Muyil (pronounced Moo-yil) Ruins feature structures from one of the first settlements in pre-hispanic Quintana Roo. Though even older than Chichen Itza and Tulum, the site is way less visited by tourists than the others, and you’ll have a peaceful time walking the trails to the ruins.
At the Muyil Ruins, you’ll find the main pyramid, Mayan Canals, a lagoon, a raised boardwalk, and several other structures.
Due to the proximity, I recommend tacking on a trip to the Muyil Ruins as part of your Sian Ka’an Biosphere day trip.
How to get from Tulum to the Muyil Ruins:
🚗 Drive – Just 20 minutes down highway 307, driving to the Muyil Ruins from Tulum Town is an easy journey. Grab your rental through Discover Cars for peace of mind before you go!
🚌 Tour – This Sian Ka’an and Muyil Archaeological Site Tour from Tulum is a great way to see both the Muyil Archaeological Site and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere in one action-packed day.
Valladolid
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 1.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps
Why Visit Valladolid: A colorful inland city filled with incredible food, culture, and natural sites, taking a day trip from Tulum to Valladolid is perfect if you want to get a taste of local Yucatan life. While here, pay a visit to the Convent de San Bernardino, check out the Catedral de San Servacio, people-watch in Plaza Central, sample traditional Mayan food at one of the many fun restaurants in town, and go shopping at Mercado Municipal.
Another main feature of the town of Valladolid is the incredible cenotes nearby. Cenote Zaci is located right in the center of Valladolid and Cenote Dzitnup (Xkeken) has a great vibe, but Cenote Suytun (with its circular platform and ray of light) is probably the cenote that you’ve seen splashed all over the internet. In my opinion, any one of these three cenotes makes for a great stop.
How to get from Tulum to Valladolid:
🚌 Tour – There are many Valladolid tours that take in the town, Chichen Itza, and often a cenote.
🚍 Bus – Taking the ADO bus is made easy when you purchase your tickets in advance via BusBud. There are multiple routes every day, and the buses are clean and trustworthy.
🚗 Drive – Taking yourself on a road trip in the Yucatan makes for a fun and interesting drive. For the best car rental deals, book through Discover Cars.
🛏️ Staying Overnight? Check out our guide to the best boutique hotels in Valladolid!
Chichen Itza
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 2 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Chichen Itza Website | 👉 Chichen Itza & Cenote Private Tour
Why Visit Chichen Itza: A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the new wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is a great Tulum excursion for Mayan Ruins in Mexico. What was once a large city and religious center, makes for one of the most history-packed day trips from Tulum.
Established in the 5th century BC, the site is most famous for its main pyramid, El Castillo (The Temple of the Kukulcan), The Temple of the Warriors, and the Temple of the Skulls, although this is just the tip of the iceberg for stuff to explore.
A great day trip from Tulum on its own, visiting the site can also be done tacked onto a trip to Valladolid, as the two destinations are only a 45-minute drive apart. While here, paying a visit to Cenote Ik Kil is also a must — not only is it a beautiful natural oasis, but it also holds Maya significance.
How to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza:
🚌 Tour – I wrote up a whole separate post on the best Chichen Itza Tours from Tulum!
🚗 Drive – After booking your rental through Discover Cars, you’ll want to take the CROO 109 highway to Chichen Itza.
Bacalar
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 2.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | 👉 Bacalar sailing tour from Tulum
Why Visit Bacalar: A town in the very south of the state of Quintana Roo, Bacalar is often described as what Tulum was before development and influencers took over. An oasis with cute lodges, a laid-back atmosphere, and homey restaurants, a day trip from to Bacalar from Tulum is awesome if you want to truly relax and get away from it all.
Plus, the area is home to one of the most beautiful lakes in the Yucatan, Lake Bacalar. A narrow lake known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors, Lake Bacalar is famous for its turquoise and blue tones and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving.
How to get from Tulum to Bacalar:
🚌 Tour – There is a great full-day Bacalar sailing tour from Tulumthat includes lunch, entry fees, and hotel pickup and dropoff.
🚍 Bus – There is a direct ADO Bus that will take you from Tulum to Bacalar. Buy tickets through Bus Bud.
Cenotes
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 8 – 35 minutes | 📍 Google Maps
Why Visit Cenotes: I’ve mentioned cenotes a few times in this article, but did you know that the Yucatan Peninsula has over 6000 of them? It’s true, and for that, they make for some of the most diverse day trips from Tulum! Limestone sinkholes, cenotes in Mexico were formed by the breakdown of the freshwater-filled cave system that runs throughout the peninsula.
There are three types of cenotes — open (which are natural, open-roofed pools), cave (covered with a land entrance), and underground (completely covered that can be reached by scuba divers).
For us humans, they are natural oases that are perfect for swimming, scuba diving, spelunking, and snorkeling. Here are a few of the best cenote day trips from Tulum:
- Gran Cenote – At 140 square meters, Gran Cenote features a large cave, a cavern, and well-developed facilities. You can expect bathrooms, change rooms, equipment rentals, and lockers. Tulum to Gran Cenote is 5 km (3 miles); an 8-minute drive.
- Cenote Dos Ojos – One of the most famously beautiful cenotes in Mexico, Cenote Dos Ojos (Two Eyes Cenote) is great for diving and has snacks and bathrooms on site. Tulum to Cenote Dos Ojos is 22 km (13.5 miles); a 28-minute drive.
- Jardin del Eden – The least-visited cenote on this list, Jardin del Eden is great if you want a more relaxed, quiet cenote experience. An open cenote with clear, refreshing water, Jardin del Eden offers diving, snorkeling, swimming, and cliff jumping. Tulum to Jardin del Eden is 40km (25 miles); a 35-minute drive.
📚 Related Reading: 33 Things to Do in Mexico (+What Not to Do)
Rio Secreto Cave Tour
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Rio Secreto Website | 👉 Tulum Ruins and Rio Secreto
Why Take a Rio Secreto Cave Tour: Can’t get enough of the Mexican cave systems? Then take a Rio Secreto cave tour!
One of the best Tulum excursions to get underground and see the cave systems, taking a Rio Secreto tour (which translates to Secret River) will have you squeezing along rock walls, exploring secret passageways, wading through water, and learning all about how the indigenous people of the area used the caves. Note that Rio Secreto requires you to buy a ticket for access.
How to get from Tulum to Rio Secreto:
🚌 Tour – This private tour includes stops at both the Tulum Ruins and Rio Secreto, lasts roughly 5 hours, and includes lunch, equipment, and transportation.
🚍 Bus – The Mexican bus company Autobuses Mayab has a bus that goes between Tulum and Rio Secreto / Xcaret Park (see below) multiple times a day.
🚗 Drive – Driving is easy between Tulum and Rio Secreto. There is ample parking available.
Xcaret Park
🌿 Seaweed Rating: No Seaweed Involved
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Xcaret Website | 👉 View Prices for Xcaret Theme Park Tickets Here.
Why Visit Xcaret Park: Part theme park and part resort, Xcaret Park is located right next door to Rio Secreto and is a developed area along the coast and makes for one of the easiest day trips from Tulum.
A day trip great for both families and adventurers, Xcaret features a Butterfly Pavillion, performances, a Coral Reef Aquarium, international restaurants, ruins, and a river that is great for floating along on hot days.
How to get from Tulum to Xcaret Park:
🚗 Drive – There is plenty of free parking at Xcaret Park (rent through Discover Cars).
Isla Mujeres
🌿 Seaweed Rating: Seaweed unlikely
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 2 hours 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | 👉Isla Mujeres All-Inclusive Snorkel Trip
Though not the closest destination to Tulum, Isla Mujeres is an idyllic island off the coast of Cancun that makes for a great excursion from Tulum. Also, for a few reasons, Isla Mujeres is one of the best places to avoid sargassum seaweed.
With a name that translates to “Island of Women”, some of the best things to do on Isla Mujeres include swimming with whale sharks (between May and September), hanging out on Playa Norte, renting a golf cart, exploring downtown, and snorkeling or diving the underwater museum.
How to get to Isla Mujeres from Tulum:
🚗 Drive & Ferry – Because Isla Mujeres is almost three hours from Tulum, I don’t recommend taking the bus. Instead, rent a car through Discover Cars, drive to Cancun, and catch the ferry to Isla Mujeres from there. The ferry runs every half hour and is an easy journey.
🚌 Tour – If you don’t feel like driving to Cancun, then there are Isla Mujeres tours you can take. This All-Inclusive Isla Mujeres Snorkel Trip leaves from Playa del Carmen and is highly-rated.
📚 Related Reading:22 Mexico Travel Tips to Know BEFORE Travel
Mahahual
🌿 Seaweed Rating: Seaweed probable
🗺️ Distance from Tulum: 2 hours 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps
What was once a quiet fishing village (although I’m pretty sure you can say that for everywhere in Quintana Roo), Mahahual has boomed in recent years as an idyllic hotspot where lazy beach days, snorkeling, and scuba diving reign supreme. The town has some amazing restaurants, gorgeous beaches (they have a pretty steady sargassum clean-up crew), and a lovely pedestrian boardwalk.
Mahahual can be pretty busy on days when cruise ships dock here, so I recommend checking out the schedule and planning your visit around that.
How to get to Mahahual from Tulum:
🚗 Drive: Renting a car through Discover Cars and driving to Mahahual is the easiest, quickest, way to make the journey.
👉 Read Next: How Safe is Tulum Mexico?
Excursions from Tulum FAQ
Can you do a day trip from Tulum to Cozumel?
You can easily see Cozumel on a day trip from Tulum. In total, the journey will take you two and a half hours each way.
How long is the ride from Cancun to Tulum?
Driving from Cancun to Tulum will take you a little less than two hours along highway 307.
How many days do you need in Tulum?
To see the best of both Tulum and the area, I recommend spending at least a week in Tulum — longer if you can.
👉 Read Next: Best Day Trips from Mexico City
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I hope you enjoyed my list of the best day trips from Tulum, Mexico!For more Quintana Roo travel inspiration, check out these 15 Best Day Trips from Playa del Carmen.Have fun on your Tulum day trips!
