Excursions to Tulum from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya
Tulum Tour from Cancun
Tulum is about 80 miles (130 km) from Cancun, roughly a 2-hour drive, so tours from Cancun leave early in the morning to get you there before the heat and the biggest crowds. We offer pickup at hotels in the Hotel Zone, Costa Mujeres and downtown Cancun. You’ll find full details for each tour on its own page.
Tulum Tour from Playa del Carmen
From Playa del Carmen the drive is about an hour, which leaves more time at your destination and makes it easy to combine Tulum with cenotes, snorkeling or a nature park. We also offer pickup in Puerto Morelos, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras and the rest of the Riviera Maya.
Practical Information Before Visiting Tulum
- How long the visit takes: walking through the ruins takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on your pace and whether you have a guide. It’s a small site, which is why it’s almost always combined with another activity.
- Best time of day: first thing in the morning, with cooler temperatures and fewer visitors. Private tours and those that leave early usually arrive before the big tour buses.
- The beach at the ruins: right next to the site there’s a small white-sand beach. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if you’d like to take a quick dip afterward.
- What to bring: comfortable shoes, a hat, water, and biodegradable (reef-safe) sunscreen, which is required at cenotes and eco-parks.
- What’s not allowed: climbing El Castillo or any of the structures; visitors follow marked paths.