Getting Around Tulum
The best way to get around Tulum is in a taxi. You can walk or bike to the beaches, to the ruins and to Tulum Pueblo, but there's a chance of overexerting yourself. If you'd like a car you'll have to rent one in Cancún or Playa del Carmen, but we don't recommend driving because of reported auto crimes. Buses aren't a viable option either -- the only ones available are the shuttles that take vacationers to and from the other Riviera Maya areas, and to and from CUN airport in Cancún.
Privately owned buses travel the difference between Tulum and the rest of Riviera Maya, as do colectivos, or chauffeured white vans. To visit the island of Cozumel, you can take the bus to Playa del Carmen followed by a ferry ride.
| Car | Driving from Cancún or Playa del Carmen to Tulum is not worth the hassle -- residents motor the rocky roads swiftly, and you could easily be overwhelmed. Some travel sites have also reported problems with auto robberies (particularly at night) and even police scams, where the officers pull drivers over and then demand a bribe. |
| Taxi | Taxis pretty much have a monopoly on getting you from your hotel to the beach (your other options are to walk, bike, drive yourself or hitchhike -- and the last two aren't recommended), but you can also use them to get to the ruins or the reserves. They dawdle around the hotel areas, but you can also find them near the bus terminal. Luckily, the fixed fares are reasonable. You'll pay between 35 and 50 pesos (or $3 and $4 USD) to ride from the popular hotels to the beach. |
| Bike | You'll get a little exercise and have a little independence by biking your way around town. The only rental company, Iguana Bike, will deliver your wheels to your hotel, and according to user reviews, the fares are reasonable (even though a traveler tells TripAdvisor that the company's customer service isn't so accommodating). The company also offers tours of the area cenotes and beaches. |
| On Foot | Walking is always affordable, and in Tulum, it's also feasible. You could choose to hoof it from the hotel areas to the beaches, the ruins and even Tulum Pueblo, depending on where you're located. You'll find taxis are a more comfortable option, given the heat. And you should always exercise common sense and not walk long distances alone at night. |
Entry & Exit Requirements
Bring an up-to-date passport with you to Mexico, and expect to be issued a Mexican Tourist Permit when you arrive. Its cost is absorbed into your plane ticket, but you'll need to hold onto that card and present it upon departure. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website.
