A member of the new Tourist Security Battalion of the National Guard stands guard at a beach in Cancun, Mexico, December 2, 2021.
ELIZABETH RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images
Deadly attacks this fall have heightened concern about organized crime in Mexican tourist hotspots.
Recent shootouts are signs of what experts and officials say is a growing turf war in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
MEXICO – Three recent armed attacks on Mexico’s top tourist beaches reveal a new turf war involving Mexican gangs, Russians, and local politicians, according to security reports and sources consulted by Insider.
At the end of October, an attack inside a bar in the popular city of Tulum killed two foreign tourists, including US-based travel influencer Anjali Ryot.
During the first days of November, tourists visiting Puerto Morelos, south of Cancun, were locked down in their hotels after gunmen opened fire on a beach and pursued a target into a nearby resort. The shooting left two people dead.
On the morning of December 7, three men riding ski-jets opened fire on a group of people at Playa Langosta beach, in the tourist hotspot of Cancun, according to news reports. No one was injured or killed, but another attack in only a few weeks spiked anxiety among tourists.
Mexican national guard members patrol in the center of Playa Del Carmen, November 6, 2021.
Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Tulum alone saw 65 homicides between January and September, an 80.5% increase compared to the same period last year, when just 36 homicides took place, according to statistics from Mexico’s national system of public security.
Mexican officials said the recent spike in violence is a consequence of a “turf war” among a dozen local gangs looking to control the street drug-dealing business.
Oscar Montes de Oca, the state prosecutor in Quintana Roo — where Cancún and Tulum are located — said “about 10 groups of drug dealers” are fighting each other, but the reality could be more complex.
Quintana Roo very recently had local elections in its 11 municipalities, including for mayor and most police chiefs. This could be a key factor in the uptick of armed attacks, according to Eduardo Guerrero, director of Lantia, a Mexican consulting agency specializing in criminal organizations and security analysis.
“Most gang leaders had agreements in place with the leaving administration, and with a new chief of police, new mayors, and city officials, they are fighting to be the ones breaking a permissive deal that allows them to operate their illegal businesses freely,” Guerrero told Insider.
Cartels, gangs, and the mafia
Mexican National Guard troops patrol the Tulum Ruins, November 10, 2021.
Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Currently there are six gangs affiliated with major Mexican drug cartels operating in the region. The main criminal activities for these gangs are drug dealing, trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, and money laundering, according to a recent report by Lantia.
“These gangs are fighting mostly for the beach area, where they want to operate freely offering all sorts of drugs and businesses to tourists. Another hotspot for them is the main streets inside the cities, clubs, and casinos,” Guerrero said.
The gangs described in the report are “Los Pelones,” which broke away from the Gulf Cartel and is responsible for the most recent attacks in Tulum and Puerto Morelos.
The gangs “La Barredora” and “Los Compich” are fighting against Los Pelones for Cancun, Tulum, and Puerto Morelos specifically. La Barredora is especially invested in generating business ties with local authorities and officials; “La Gente de Aquiles,” a group belonging to “Los Árzate,” with strong ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and responsible for most of the street drug dealing.
“El Cártel de Cancún,” which operates as a branch of the Sinaloa Cartel, is mostly responsible for the area of Benito Juarez and Isla Mujeres.
Mexican National Guard members patrol Playa Pescadores in Tulum, November 8, 2021.
Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
On top of these gangs, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel also has a strong presence through alliances with smaller local gangs that once worked under the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, according to the report.
“This could only explain a part of what is going in Quintana Roo recently,” Guerrero said. “Another big part is the presence of Romanian and Russian mafia operating mostly on money laundering and sex trafficking.”
In May, the Mexican government captured Romanian businessman Florian Tudor in Quintana Roo. Tudor is accused of being the leader of a Romanian mafia operating in several tourist hotspots in Mexico.
“Florian T. was captured by Mexico’s General Attorney Office complying with an extradition request by Romanian government for allegedly being involved in organized crime, extortion and homicide” the Attorney General’s Attorney Office said in a press release.
Originally from Craiova, Romania, Tudor moved to Quintana Roo with several close family members in 2014.
Adrian Enachescu, Tudor’s step-brother, opened a Delaware-based business with offices in New York and San Francisco, which were allegedly used to transfer money from illegal operations in Romania to Mexico, according to an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.
Members of the new Tourist Security Battalion of the National Guard patrol a beach in Cancun, Mexico, December 2, 2021.
ELIZABETH RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images
The organization Tudor is accused of running, called the Riviera Maya gang, was unique among European criminal groups in that Mexico was its base of operations.
“Florian built a network of politicians, businessman, and criminals for more than 10 years that allowed him to operate massively in Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur,” Guerrero said.
According to Guerrero, Tudor was so high up he even met with current Mexico’s top police chief, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, by request of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Although he is in jail and faces several years behind bars, the operation he is accused of running is still alive for the most part in Quintana Roo.
“Its the same as with Mexican cartels. They captured the boss, but the organization is still operating under new leadership,” said Guerrero.
Last week, Mexico deployed 1,500 National Guard troops to Quintana Roo, basing them in Tulum, to patrol tourist beaches. As with previous deployments, the soldiers in full gear among the tourists enjoying the beaches has received international attention.
Police security tape around a restaurant after a fatal shooting in Tulum, Mexico, October 22, 2021.
Christian Rojas/AP Photo
A number of foreigners have been killed in the Mexican Caribbean resort town of Tulum.
The deaths highlight a rapid rise in violence in one of Latin America’s most sought-after destinations.
A number of foreigners have been killed in Mexico’s Caribbean resort town of Tulum, bringing a spotlight on a rapid rise in violence in one of the most sought-after destinations in all of Latin America.
Between January and September 2021, the town registered 65 murders, an 80.5% increase over the same period last year when just 36 murders took place, according to statistics from Mexico’s national system of public security.
And the violence has only continued. On October 20, two foreign tourists, a travel blogger from India and a German citizen, were shot dead at a restaurant in Tulum, due to a shootout between gangs. Three other tourists were injured.
This year has also seen attacks claim the lives of nationals from Spain, Uruguay and Belize.
While these killings only account for a fraction of the total death toll among Mexican citizens, local businesses are highly concerned that the violence is driving away tourism. In October, the German government issued a travel advisory warning about visiting Tulum, although this was later retracted.
In 2020, a record number of American tourists visited the Riviera Maya, a long strip of resort towns which includes Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, allegedly to escape COVID-19 travel restrictions, according to the Washington Post.
InSight Crime analysis
A police officer patrols a beach close to Mexico’s Caribbean beach resort of Tulum, October 30, 2021.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
Tulum may have become a victim of its own success, with criminal groups being attracted to the drug trafficking and extortion possibilities offered by this tourist hotspot.
The local hotel association says it knows who to blame. According to David Ortiz Mena, president of the Tulum Hotels Association, large raves and dance parties have led to an increase in demand for drugs, which attracted organized crime.
Speaking to the newspaper El Heraldo, Ortiz Mena explained that while the world shut down during the pandemic, Tulum became known for continuing to hold raves and music festivals. This was accompanied by a rise in demand for drugs, he said.
Extortion attempts on hotels, restaurants and visitors have also increased. “Hotel owners are alarmed because their clients, tourists, are being threatened by the bad guys. And when they demand attention from authorities, they don’t get a response,” Juan Noriega Granados, another member of the Tulum Hotels Association, told the press.
The situation has grown so dire that security forces have had to be sent in. 450 federal troops were sent to Tulum in late October, following the murder of the two tourists.
While a number of criminal groups, including national-level threats such as the Zetas Vieja Escuela and local gangs such as the Bonfil, have long operated in Tulum, the arrival of the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación – CJNG) has been blamed for an escalation in violence.
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Tripadvisor
Tulum is a design and gastronomy mecca on a turquoise beach overseen by ancient Mayan ruins.
Tulum hotels push the limits of beauty and design but some come with astonishingly high prices.
We compiled highly-rated Tulum hotels that are also affordable, ranging from $128 to $669 per night.
Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky
Two hours south of Cancun, Tulum is one of Mexico’s hottest destinations. Nestled in the stunning Riviera Maya, this jungle-embedded city offers gentle Caribbean waters, lush jungles, ancient ruins, standout design, and plentiful hotels to showcase it all.
I spent three months living in Tulum and the best hotels range from spiritual centers and hostels to luxury and boutique hideaways. All proudly boast the Tulum aesthetic of natural wood and leafy palms and make it easy to soak up the sun, admire the ruins of Coba, or go cenote-hopping in swimming holes scattered within the jungle.
While most Tulum hotel prices can reach astronomical levels, we found beautiful and accessible Tulum hotels that don’t skimp on comfort, beauty, or amenities.
Browse all the best Tulum hotels below or jump to a specific area here:
The Aloft Tulum is one of the largest hotels in Tulum that offers the signature style of a Marriott hotel from their hip, colorful Aloft brand. It also offers many comforts that are hard to come by in Tulum, like industrial-strength air-conditioning and contemporary hotel rooms (that won’t cost a fortune). The hotel is located halfway between the city center and the beach zone, which means it’s a slightly shorter ride to the beach than from other hotels in town, but you can get there by bicycle or cab.
The Aloft has a bar space designed for live music, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a restaurant, and two pools. There’s a family-friendly pool on the ground level, but the adults-only rooftop infinity pool is the highlight with stunning views over the jungle canopy.
Rooms are modern and spacious with bright colors, natural textures, and amenities like smart TVs and Marshall speakers. The polished style may not suit all types of Tulum-bound travelers, but for anyone dreading bugs and humidity, it’s a comfortable, affordable place to stay.
In a quiet section of Aldea Zama, tucked between the beach and city center, Copal has apartment-style accommodations that are great for families and large groups.
The hotel has a polished jungle-inspired design with bamboo and natural wood finishes. Rooms feel new and modern with stainless steel appliances and smart TVs, and the most basic offering is similar to a standard hotel room but with a kitchenette. Larger rooms like the Studio Jungle Terrace have living spaces and kitchens, and there are also multi-bedroom suites with a private rooftop and ground-floor pool.
Behind the hotel and through the restaurant, you’ll find a pathway to a small public cenote. It’s not as large as others in the area, and can sometimes get crowded, but it’s nice to visit for a quick and easy dip.
In Tulum’s super-polished Aldea Zama neighborhood, Orchid House is a quiet hotel with a serene nature-inspired design. As you enter the lobby, you’ll first notice the interior garden with tropical plants and a small footbridge for a photo opportunity. Upstairs, the pool bar is the hotel’s main attraction, with a classy take on in-pool seating so you can sip on a juice or cocktail without ever getting out of the pool.
Throughout the hotel, a light and airy color scheme reflect the natural environment, while intricate details and antique furniture add a touch of luxury to this bohemian chic 10-room hotel.
Each room features a wood-carved door, a plush King-sized bed, and a private terrace with a small plunge pool. For more space, Jungle Suites have terraces large enough for a hammock, and the Master Suites, which also have two additional twin-sized beds, have plunge pools that overlook the jungle.
Make sure to have at least one meal in the signature nest, a dining booth on top of the hotel with an interrupted view across the treetops all the way out into the horizon.
There are a lot of glamping options in Tulum, but Nativus offers premium accommodations with access to a natural crystalline cenote.
From the main area of the hotel, you’ll find tents, a small restaurant, and a winding jungle path that will take you to the huge El Cenote Encantada, an open cenote where you can swim, kayak, and paddleboard. The cenote is not private, but it’s hard to reach and find if you’re not accessing it through a local business, so it doesn’t get very crowded.
Every tent has a plush bed and its own outdoor bathroom, which is beautifully decorated with natural materials and has a private outdoor rainfall shower.
This hotel is located at the end of the beach road, right before the entrance to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve National Reserve, so you can indulge in more adventurous jungle experiences without compromising on proximity to the beach.
Located on the north end of Tulum’s beach road, which is closest to the entrance of the ruins, Ikal is a lively, hip spot that offers community events like Brazilian capoeira lessons, yoga, spiritual lectures, and eclectic live music. It is also an extremely kid-friendly hotel with weekly events designed especially for children relating to yoga, music, and art.
Although restaurant visitors are welcome to use the day beds on the beach, the pool is for guests only. There are a large variety of accommodation types from spacious and air-conditioned glamping tents with shared bathrooms to beautiful jungle suites with private plunge pools, outdoor showers, thatched walls, and eye-catching furniture that look like they were magically summoned from the depths of the jungle.
All rooms are unique but Cabaña 8 stands out with its huge macrame entryway that really tells you everything you need to know about Ikal’s dedication to a bohemian aesthetic.
La Zebra has a top-rated reputation for a fun ambiance, great service, chic rooms, and great beach access.
The hotel has six different categories of rooms from basic Garden Rooms to beachfront suites with balconies and plunge pools. Rooms offer a harmony of natural beach tones and traditional textures that skips the flashy or industrial touches of other Tulum hotels. However, all rooms are still sophisticated and families will appreciate the suites, which come with one King-sized bed and two single beds.
The beach area offers plenty of space to spread out on shaded daybeds. There is also a small spa and a restaurant with unique tabletops that pay homage to famous works of Mexican art.
For epicurean guests, the restaurant also serves an eight-course Chef’s Table experience that pairs artisanal cocktails, beers, and wine with Mexican gastronomy in a special dining room decorated with Mexican antiques.
Hidden in the less busy part of the Tulum city center, this adults-only hotel has loft-style villas with living rooms and private plunge pools. The lofts are beautiful, filled with natural textures and a dark color scheme, all in what feels like your own private corner of the jungle.
The shared hotel space is also sophisticated and calming with Mexican culture woven into every element of the hotel’s design. Special features include an agave garden and an ofrenda, or altar, decorated with black and white photographs and skulls.
The location is far from the beach, but parking is free if you rent a car. The common areas are lively, thanks to the inviting restaurant and bar with billiards and a stone fire pit. The main pool has a fantastic design, fringed with lounge areas that have been sectioned off so you can enjoy a bit of privacy with your toes just inches from the water.
Hotel Bardo also offers many immersive experiences, like sunset intention-setting rituals, temezcal ceremonies, sound healing, and yoga. It may be a long journey to the ocean, but you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating and aesthetically pleasing stay that encompasses all the reasons why people come to Tulum.
Located on the south end of the beach, Nômade is a dreamy resort where meandering pathways lead you through a jungle with thatched roof villas, treehouses, a yoga shala, a gathering nest, and a meditation tent. Each week the hotel offers a variety of programming from spiritual seminars, live music, tea and cacao ceremonies, and yoga. On the beach, there is a restaurant with seating areas, daybeds, and scattered hammocks shaded by swaying palm trees.
Accommodations range from boho-chic suites to deluxe glamping tents and whimsical treehouses. Perched up in the jungle canopy, those treehouses are artistic and intimate with bathrooms and air conditioning. As you walk up the winding staircase, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into your own private oasis, far away from any disturbances.
Though from the city center, there are plenty of posh places to eat and shop nearby while avoiding the more boisterous bars and party hotspots, and the beachfront location can’t be beaten.
At Be Tulum, a lush entry includes tall leafy palms and meandering paths that lead to a stunning oceanfront, for what feels like a remote island oasis.
Rooms are modern but embrace natural elements and colors with a variety of jungle suites and oceanfront villas with multiple bedrooms, rooftop terraces, and private pools. Rooms at Be Tulum feature so many stand-out design pieces, you’ll want to take them home with you, like the cubical tree log nightstand or embroidered pillows.
The hotel’s spa, the Yaän Healing Sanctuary, is one of the main reasons to stay here. It offers a variety of indigenous-inspired treatments from healing rituals to more traditional body treatments like massages, facials, and herbal baths. You can also arrange to join a temezcal ceremony and there is daily yoga in the treetop studio.
Not every room has a private pool, but all guests can enjoy the beach club with two great restaurants, one which is dedicated to seafood and the other that serves elevated Mexican cuisine using ingredients from a sustainable garden.
On what’s normally considered a busy strip, this small luxury boutique hotel offers a calm peaceful atmosphere with just eight rooms and one restaurant dedicated to its guests.
Although it does not offer the wide range of amenities or “scene” you’ll find on other beachside hotels, it has plenty of space on the beach with inviting chairs and umbrellas, and great service from the front desk and restaurant staff. Ordering a drink or plate of guacamole to your beach chair is as easy as sending a text.
Each room has air conditioning, luscious beds, and a spacious bathroom with an open shower. When you’re not lounging on the beach, relax on the front porch with a hammock and two chairs, and rinse off sandy feet in the seashell water basin. Not all rooms have ocean views, but they’re just steps from the beach no matter which room you get.
Encantada’s design scheme is nowhere near as flashy as other Tulum hotels but is still rich in beautiful details like the large macrame wall-hanging in the entrance or the blue stained glass windows in the hallway between the bedroom and bathroom.
Tulum is about 80 miles from the Cancun airport and it takes about two hours to drive there along the main highway. If you don’t rent your own car, you can either take a cab or car service to Tulum, or you can take the ADO bus for a more affordable option.
What is the best way to get around Tulum?
There are many taxis in Tulum, but prices can be quite high especially on a busy night. Alternatively, bicycles are very popular and there is a safe bike path that connects the city center to the hotel zone.
How far is the city center from the beach?
Because much of Tulum is still protected land, there is a lot of jungle between the hotel zone on the beach and the city center. The road from the center to the beach is 2.5 miles long. Without traffic, it takes about eight minutes to drive and 15 to 20 minutes to bike. If you’re considering walking, that will take you at least 45 minutes.
Which is the best side of the beach to visit?
When you reach the beach, you’ll notice that you can go left or right. It is easy to visit both sides in one trip, but you’ll find that it will be difficult to access the beach on the south side without paying an entry fee to one of the pricey beach clubs or having a meal at one of the hotel restaurants. Meanwhile, the north side of the beach has public access and is also closer to the Mayan ruins.
Where should I stay when visiting Tulum?
If you want to make the most of your time in the water, you should select a hotel on the main beach road but be aware that this will also come with a hefty price tag unless you choose glamping accommodations. There are many places to stay in the main town, but you will need to take a cab or rent a bike to get to the beach.
What are the best hotels in Tulum?
Our list is a 50/50 split between the best Tulum hotels near the beach and non-beach options since the beach hotels can be very expensive and there are other attractions that lure visitors beyond just the sand.
We picked the best hotels that represent a variety of lodging styles, budgets, and experiences. Additionally, we looked for strict COVID policies to protect the health and safety of guests, and not every well-regarded hotel in Tulum takes these measures seriously. We also considered amenities such as yoga shalas, beach clubs, spas, and special access to well-hidden cenotes, which are natural swimming holes that are a defining characteristic of the Yucatan region of Mexico.
Tulum also has many hotels that are famous around the world that we did not include, such as Casa Malca, which was also the former home of Pablo Escobar, and Azulik, which is known for its beautiful rooms that are more like works of art, and is the most expensive hotel in Tulum. However, we opted to not include these hotels in our list of the best hotels in Tulum because they are prohibitively expensive for most people.
To see the famous “Come to the Light” sculpture that depicts a towering female figure ripping open her chest, which is filled with lush green plants, you can visit Ahau Tulum. The Papaya Playa Project is another popular hotel that is well-known for its restaurant and community events, and one we considered.
Tulum is one of the most expensive destinations in Mexico and travelers will pay premium prices for hotels right on the beach since that is the best location to be in Tulum. In the city center, there are more budget-friendly options, as well as Airbnb vacation rentals, and hostels, but you will be far from the beach.
During the low season, between late spring and fall, you can expect to pay at least $130 per night on a hotel in the city center or at least $200 for a hotel on the beach (unless you’re glamping). During the high season, which starts in November and lasts until March, hotels in town will likely raise their rates above $200 per night, and hotels on the beach can charge as much as $1,000 per night. The most expensive time of year is around Christmas and New Year’s.
What is a temezcal ceremony?
Many hotels may offer a temezcal ceremony on-site. This traditional Mexican ceremony is a cleansing ritual purported to have many health benefits. It requires sitting in a small domelike structure in which rocks are heated to raise the temperature and cause you to sweat. It is usually combined with some kind of meditation and is followed by a cold shower. Because it takes some time to prepare, the ceremony is usually only offered a few times per week.
Is Tulum beach swimmable?
The water in Tulum beach is very clear and the waves are extremely gentle. It’s very swimmable, however, the beach occasionally suffers from sargasso seaweed invasions. Most hotels employ teams to clean up the seaweed in the morning, but you still might encounter it as you swim. It can be very unpleasant, but the problem is an issue all along the Riviera Maya and throughout the Caribbean.
What are the different neighborhoods in Tulum?
Aside from the beach zone, which is split into the north and south side, there are many neighborhoods in Tulum.
The city center is where most locals live and where you’ll find lively restaurants and a shopping scene. Aldea Zama is a highly-polished gated community, which is more like a small suburb within Tulum. La Veleta is another community slightly further from the beach than Aldea Zama, where there are luxury apartments but there is still a lot of construction. Villas is a very small local neighborhood that is quiet and although there are no hotels here, you might be able to find a vacation rental.
Is it better to stay in Tulum Town or the beach?
It depends on your budget and what you plan to do. The beach is beautiful, but on top of the high nightly hotel rates, you will spend a lot of money at pricey bars and restaurants. However, if you want to spend every day at the beach, you’re better off staying in the beach zone since high taxi prices from the center of town will end up being just as expensive.
If you’re more set on visiting ruins, exploring cenotes, and taking day trips, you’ll save money on lodging and dining by staying in town, away from the beach.
How we selected the best Tulum hotels
I’m personally familiar with many of the hotels on this list and researched all extensively.
All hotels are highly rated by past guests on trusted travel sites such as Trip Advisor and Booking.com
To keep things reasonable but also call out some stand-out properties, I looked for a variety of price points under $700 per night to start. During the high season, between December and February, nightly rates are likely to rise way above this number.
I looked for hotels with standout amenities and impressive design, from quiet beaches and cenotes to wellness offerings and community events.
Hotels were chosen in a variety of neighborhoods including and beyond the main beach road.
All hotels have new COVID-19 policies in place to prioritize the health and safety of guests.
More of the best hotels in Mexico
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Tripadvisor
Tulum is a design and gastronomy mecca on a turquoise beach overseen by ancient Mayan ruins.
Hotels in Tulum push the limits of beauty and design but some come with astonishingly high prices.
We compiled a list of highly-rated Tulum hotels ranging from $128 to $669 per night to start.
Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky
Two hours south of Cancun, Tulum is one of the hottest destinations on Mexico’s stunning Riviera Maya. This jungle-embedded city offers gorgeous and gentle Caribbean waters, lush jungles, ancient ruins, standout design, and plentiful hotels that showcase it all.
Spiritual centers, apartments, hostels, luxury, and boutique hotels all have a home here and proudly boast the Tulum aesthetic of natural wood, leafy palms, and just a touch of concrete or brass for an industrial edge.
I spent three months living in Tulum and the best hotel comes down to personal style and whether you plan to soak up the sun, admire the ruins of Coba, or go cenote-hopping in the beautiful swimming holes scattered within the jungle. Tulum hotels are also among the best wellness resorts in the Caribbean.
Tulum hotels push the boundaries of design, and their prices can often reach astronomical levels, but we found beautiful and accessible Tulum hotels that don’t skimp on comfort, beauty, or amenities.
Browse all the best Tulum hotels below or jump to a specific area here:
The Aloft Tulum is one of the newest and largest hotels in Tulum that offers the signature style of the hip and colorful Aloft brand and also many comforts that are hard to come by in Tulum, like industrial-strength air-conditioning and pristine and contemporary hotel rooms (that won’t cost a fortune). The hotel is located halfway between the city center and the beach zone, which means it’s a slightly shorter ride to the beach than from other hotels in town, but you can get there by bicycle or cab.
The Aloft has a bar space designed for live music, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a restaurant, and two pools. There’s a family-friendly pool on the ground level, but the adults-only rooftop infinity pool is the highlight of any stay with stunning views over the jungle canopy. It’s a great place to spend the day sipping cocktails, especially if you need to send out a few e-mails.
All rooms are modern and spacious with bright colors, natural textures, and amenities like Smart TVs and Marshall speakers. The polished style may not suit all types of Tulum-bound travelers, but for anyone dreading bugs and humidity, it’s a very comfortable and affordable place to stay.
In a quiet section of Aldea Zama, tucked between the beach and city center, Copal has apartment-style accommodations that are great for families and large groups.
The hotel has a polished jungle-inspired design with plenty of bamboo and natural wood finishes. Rooms feel brand new and modern with stainless steel appliances and Smart TVs and the most basic room is similar to a standard hotel room with a kitchenette. Larger rooms like the Studio Jungle Terrace have living spaces and kitchens, and there are also multi-bedroom suites with their own private rooftop and ground-floor pools.
Behind the hotel and through the restaurant, you’ll find a pathway to a small public cenote. It’s not as large as others in the area, and can sometimes get crowded, but it’s nice to visit for a quick and easy dip.
In Tulum’s super-polished Aldea Zama neighborhood, Orchid House is a quiet hotel with a serene nature-inspired design. As you enter the lobby, you’ll first notice the interior garden with tropical plants and a small footbridge perfect for a photo opportunity. Upstairs, the pool bar is the hotel’s main attraction, with a classy take on the in-pool seating so you can sip on a juice or cocktail without ever getting out of the pool.
Throughout the hotel, a light and airy color scheme reflects that natural environment, while intricate details and antique furniture add a necessary touch of luxury to this bohemian chic 10-room hotel.
Each room features a stunning wood-carved door, a plush King-sized bed, and a private terrace with a small plunge pool for two. For a little more space, Jungle Suites have terraces large enough for a hammock, and the Master Suites, which also have two additional twin-sized beds, have plunge pools that directly overlook the jungle.
Make sure to have at least one meal in the signature nest, a dining booth on top of the hotel, where you can enjoy an interrupted view across the treetops all the way out into the horizon.
There are a lot of glamping options in Tulum, but Nativus offers premium accommodations with access to a natural crystalline cenote. From the main area of the hotel, you’ll find the tents and a small restaurant, and a winding jungle path will take you all the way to the huge El Cenote Encantada, an open cenote where you can swim, kayak, and paddleboard. The cenote is not private, but it’s hard to reach and find if you’re not accessing it through a local business, so it doesn’t get very crowded. Every tent has a plush bed and its own outdoor bathroom, which is beautifully decorated with natural materials and has a very private outdoor rainfall shower.
This hotel is located at the end of the beach road, right before the entrance to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve National Reserve, so you can indulge in more adventurous jungle experiences without compromising on proximity to the beach.
Located on the north end of Tulum’s beach road, which is closest to the entrance of the ruins, Ikal is a lively and hip spot that offers community events like Brazilian capoeira lessons, yoga, spiritual lectures, and eclectic live music. It is also extremely kid-friendly hotel with weekly events designed especially for kids relating to yoga, music, and art.
Although restaurant visitors are welcome to use the day beds on the beach, the pool is for guests only. There are a large variety of accommodation types from spacious and air-conditioned glamping tents with shared bathrooms to beautiful jungle suites with private plunge pools, outdoor showers, thatched walls, and eye-catching furniture pieces that look like they were magically summoned from the depths of the jungle. All rooms are unique but Cabaña 8 stands out with its huge macrame entryway that really tells you everything you need to know about Ikal’s dedication to a bohemian aesthetic.
La Zebra has a top-rated reputation for a fun ambiance, great service, chic rooms, and great beach access. The hotel has six different categories of rooms from basic Garden Rooms to beachfront suites with balconies and plunge pools. Rooms offer a harmony of natural beach tones and textures with a traditional design style that skips the flashy or industrial touches of other Tulum hotels. However, all rooms are still very sophisticated and luxurious and families will appreciate the suites, which come with one King-sized bed and two single beds.
The beach area offers plenty of space for guests to spread out on shaded daybeds. There is also a small spa and a beautiful restaurant with unique tabletops that pay homage to famous works of Mexican art. For epicurean guests, the hotel restaurant also offers an eight-course Chef’s Table experience that pairs artisanal cocktails, beers, and wine with Mexican gastronomy, hosted in a special dining room decorated with Mexican antiques.
Hidden in the less busy part of the Tulum city center, this adults-only hotel has loft-style villas with living rooms and private plunge pools. The lofts are beautiful, filled with natural textures and a dark color scheme, all tucked away in your own private corner of the jungle.
The shared hotel space is also sophisticated and calming, with nature and Mexican culture woven into every element of the hotel’s design. Special features include an agave garden and an ofrenda, or altar, decorated with black and white photographs and skulls.
The location is very far from the beach, but parking is free if you decide to rent a car. The common areas are lively, thanks to the inviting restaurant and bar with billiards and an inviting stone fire pit. The main pool has a fantastic design, fringed with lounge areas that have been sectioned off so you can enjoy a bit of privacy with your toes just inches from the water.
Hotel Bardo also offers many experiences for guests, like sunset intention-setting rituals, temezcal ceremonies, sound healing, and yoga. It may be a long journey to the ocean, but you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating and aesthetically pleasing experience in this hotel that encompasses all the reasons why people come to Tulum.
Located on the south end of the beach, Nômade is a beautiful resort where meandering pathways lead you through a jungle filled with thatched roof villas, treehouses, a yoga shala, a gathering nest, and a meditation tent. Each week the hotel offers a variety of programming from spiritual seminars, live music, tea and cacao ceremonies, and yoga. On the beach, there is a restaurant with seating areas, daybeds, and scattered hammocks shaded by swaying palm trees.
Accommodation choices range from boho-chic suites to deluxe glamping tents and whimsical treehouses. Perched up in the jungle canopy, these treehouses are artistic and intimate with working bathrooms and air-conditioning. As you walk up the winding staircase, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into your own private oasis, far away from any disturbances.
Though from the city center, there are plenty of posh places to eat and shop nearby while avoiding the more boisterous bars and party hotspots, and the beachfront location can’t be beaten.
At Be Tulum, a lush entry includes tall leafy palms and meandering paths that lead to a stunning oceanfront, for a feel as if you’re ensconced within a remote island oasis.
Rooms are modern but still embrace natural textures and colors and include a variety of jungle suites and oceanfront villas with multiple bedrooms, rooftop terraces, and private pools. Rooms at Be Tulum are full of stand-out design pieces you’ll want to take home with you, such as a cubical tree log nightstand and embroidered pillows.
The hotel’s spa, the Yaän Healing Sanctuary, is one of the main reasons to stay here. It offers a variety of indigenous-inspired treatments from healing rituals to more traditional body treatments like massages, facials, and herbal baths. You can also arrange to join a temezcal ceremony and there is daily yoga in the treetop studio. Not every room has a private pool, but all guests can enjoy the beach club which has two great restaurants, one is dedicated to seafood and the other serves elevated Mexican cuisine using ingredients from a sustainable garden.
On what’s normally considered a busy strip, this small luxury boutique hotel offers a calm peaceful atmosphere with just eight rooms and one restaurant dedicated to its guests. Although it does not offer the wide range of amenities or “scene” you’ll find on other beachside hotels, it has plenty of space on the beach with inviting chairs and umbrellas, and great service from the front desk and restaurant staff. Ordering a drink or plate of guacamole to your beach chair is as easy as sending a text.
Each room has air-conditioning, luscious beds, and a spacious bathroom with an open shower. When you’re not lounging on the beach, relax on the front porch with a hammock and two chairs, and rinse off sandy feet in the seashell water basin. Not all rooms have ocean views, but they’re located steps from the beach no matter which room you get.
Encantada’s design scheme is nowhere near as flashy as other Tulum hotels, but it is still rich in beautiful details like the large macrame wall-hanging in the entrance or the blue stained glass windows in the hallway between the bedroom and bathroom.
Tulum is about 80 miles from the Cancun airport and it takes about two hours to drive there along the main highway. If you don’t rent your own car, you can either take a cab or car service to Tulum, or you can take the ADO bus for a more affordable option.
What is the best way to get around Tulum?
There are many taxis in Tulum, but prices can be quite high especially on a busy night. Alternatively, bicycles are very popular and there is a safe bike path that connects the city center to the hotel zone.
How far is the city center from the beach?
Because much of Tulum is still protected land, there is a lot of jungle between the hotel zone on the beach and the city center. The road from the center to the beach is 2.5 miles long. Without traffic, it takes about eight minutes to drive and 15 to 20 minutes to bike. If you’re considering walking, that will take you at least 45 minutes.
Which is the best side of the beach to visit?
When you reach the beach, you’ll notice that you can go left or right. It is easy to visit both sides in one trip, but you’ll find that it will be difficult to access the beach on the south side without paying an entry fee to one of the pricey beach clubs or having a meal at one of the hotel restaurants. Meanwhile, the north side of the beach has public access and is also closer to the Mayan ruins.
Where should I stay when visiting Tulum?
If you want to make the most of your time in the water, you should select a hotel on the main beach road but be aware that this will also come with a hefty price tag unless you choose glamping accommodations. There are many places to stay in the main town, but you will need to take a cab or rent a bike to get to the beach.
What are the best hotels in Tulum?
Our list is a 50/50 split between the best Tulum hotels near the beach and non-beach options since the beach hotels can be very expensive and there are other attractions that lure visitors beyond just the sand.
We picked the best hotels that represent a variety of lodging styles, budgets, and experiences. Additionally, we looked for strict COVID policies to protect the health and safety of guests, and not every well-regarded hotel in Tulum takes these measures seriously. We also considered amenities such as yoga shalas, beach clubs, spas, and special access to well-hidden cenotes, which are natural swimming holes that are a defining characteristic of the Yucatan region of Mexico.
Tulum also has many hotels that are famous around the world that we did not include, such as Casa Malca, which was also the former home of Pablo Escobar, and Azulik, which is known for its beautiful rooms that are more like works of art, and is the most expensive hotel in Tulum. However, we opted to not include these hotels in our list of the best hotels in Tulum because they are prohibitively expensive for most people.
To see the famous “Come to the Light” sculpture that depicts a towering female figure ripping open her chest, which is filled with lush green plants, you can visit Ahau Tulum. The Papaya Playa Project is another popular hotel that is well-known for its restaurant and community events, and one we considered.
Are hotels in Tulum expensive?
Tulum is one of the most expensive destinations in Mexico and travelers will pay premium prices for hotels right on the beach since that is the best location to be in Tulum. In the city center, there are more budget-friendly options, as well as Airbnb vacation rentals, and hostels, but you will be far from the beach.
During the low season, between late spring and fall, you can expect to pay at least $130 per night on a hotel in the city center or at least $200 for a hotel on the beach (unless you’re glamping). During the high season, which starts in November and lasts until March, hotels in town will likely raise their rates above $200 per night, and hotels on the beach can charge as much as $1,000 per night. The most expensive time of year is around Christmas and New Year’s.
What is a temezcal ceremony?
Many hotels may offer a temezcal ceremony on-site. This traditional Mexican ceremony is a cleansing ritual purported to have many health benefits. It requires sitting in a small domelike structure in which rocks are heated to raise the temperature and cause you to sweat. It is usually combined with some kind of meditation and is followed by a cold shower. Because it takes some time to prepare, the ceremony is usually only offered a few times per week.
Is Tulum beach swimmable?
The water in Tulum beach is very clear and the waves are extremely gentle. It’s very swimmable, however, the beach occasionally suffers from sargasso seaweed invasions. Most hotels employ teams to clean up the seaweed in the morning, but you still might encounter it as you swim. It can be very unpleasant, but the problem is an issue all along the Riviera Maya and throughout the Caribbean.
What are the different neighborhoods in Tulum?
Aside from the beach zone, which is split into the north and south side, there are many neighborhoods in Tulum.
The city center is where most locals live and where you’ll find lively restaurants and a shopping scene. Aldea Zama is a highly-polished gated community, which is more like a small suburb within Tulum. La Veleta is another community slightly further from the beach than Aldea Zama, where there are luxury apartments but there is still a lot of construction. Villas is a very small local neighborhood that is quiet and although there are no hotels here, you might be able to find a vacation rental.
Is it better to stay in Tulum Town or the beach?
It depends on your budget and what you plan to do. The beach is beautiful, but on top of the high nightly hotel rates, you will spend a lot of money at pricey bars and restaurants. However, if you want to spend every day at the beach, you’re better off staying in the beach zone since high taxi prices from the center of town will end up being just as expensive.
If you’re more set on visiting ruins, exploring cenotes, and taking day trips, you’ll save money on lodging and dining by staying in town, away from the beach.
A recent string of high-profile drug plane interceptions suggests the once tranquil Mexican state of Quintana Roo is being increasingly relied upon as a drug trafficking hub.
On February 5, local media reports claimed a Cessna-type jet suspected of being used by drug traffickers had been found partially incinerated after it landed in the community of Nuevo Tabasco, close to Quintana Roo’s border with Campeche.
Military officials were present at the site, as it was suspected drugs transported by the plane might have been hidden in mountains surrounding the illegal landing spot, according to local media outlet, Quadratín Quintana Roo.
The report added that the aircraft had been detected by Mexico’s air force earlier that morning, before it was found partially destroyed hours later.
Last year, the state saw a number of irregular landings linked to drug trafficking.
In October, Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed in a morning press conference that a plane carrying 1.5 tons of cocaine had landed at Chetumal Airport in southern Quintana Roo just hours earlier.
López Obrador reported that three suspicious jets had been detected entering Mexican airspace before they were swiftly pursued by members of the nation’s military and Secretary of National Defense. While one plane landed in Chetumal, with authorities subsequently detaining a member of its crew, the remaining two aircraft managed to evade authorities.
A Mexican soldier patrols a street in Cancun, August 19, 2007.
REUTERS/Victor Ruiz
Military sources suggested the planes could have arrived in the state from Colombia or Venezuela, according to Sol Quintana Roo.
Last July, the state’s then-police chief, Alberto Capella, tweeted that a plane suspected of being involved in illicit activities had strikingly landed on a public highway in the municipality of Chunhuhub.
After consulting military sources, Milenio reported the Hawker 700 jet had initiated its journey in Venezuela, before landing on the Mexican road in broad daylight, where a truck was awaiting its descent. The media outlet added that authorities later found both vehicles abandoned, discovering just under half a ton of cocaine worth over $5.2 million left in the deserted truck.
Drug planes from Argentina and Colombia also disembarked in Quintana Roo last year.
Authorities intercepted an aircraft piloted by two Bolivian nationals traveling from Argentina to Mexico’s largely touristic Cozumel island in January 2020, seizing around a ton of cocaine in the process.
Most crews have evaded capture, despite being traced and pursued by authorities.
Just beyond Quintana Roo’s southern border, Belize has also seen such flights land illegally, as drugs are increasingly trafficked northward. On January 29 of this year, a clandestine aircraft carrying over 90 kilograms of suspected cocaine disembarked in the nation, with nine people detained following its descent, media outlet Amandala reported.
InSight Crime analysis
Mexican soldiers in a mall following reports of gunfire, in Cancun, January 17, 2017.
(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Illicit flights disembarking in the state have largely carried sizeable shipments of cocaine, ultimately fueled by record production of the drug in a host of South American countries including Colombia, Bolivia and Peru.
While 2021 has only seen one such flight disembark in Quintana Roo so far, last year eight aircraft linked to drug trafficking were reported to have made irregular landings in the state, preceded by 2019’s staggering total of 14, according to the Quadratín Quintana Roo.
However, the media outlet added that Mexico’s air surveillance system – controlled by the nation’s air force – reports an average of three irregular flights made within the state’s boundaries per week.
Although cocaine has passed through Quintana Roo for decades, security analyst Alejandro Hope told InSight Crime that an increased number of drug flights landing in the state in recent years may be a product of the tightening land border between Mexico and Central American countries, as well as former US President Donald Trump’s pressure on the Mexican government to act in this respect.
Most of the drugs that are successfully transported on from Quintana Roo ultimately reach the US, while some are shipped to Europe or remain in Mexico for domestic production, according to Hope.
The analyst added that those who receive the cocaine in Quintana Roo may be linked to the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG). The drugs may also be collected by residual members of the Gulf Cartel and Zetas, who have been known to operate in the state, Hope suggested.
InSight Crime reported on how Quintana Roo has seen an increase in violence related to organized crime of late, with independent cartels battling for control over lucrative drug distribution points. Such battles have been spilling over into events attended by tourists, allegedly including a music festival in Tulum last October.
