Tulum has become a super popular destination, and for good reason. With some of the best beaches in all of Mexico, good vibes, and a mix of local and gentrified experiences it’s a hotspot for those looking to truly escape. But, as always, that comes with a cost. That’s why I’ve put together this guide on how to visit Tulum on a budget, to help you visit without breaking the bank.
Tulum is no longer the backpacker-friendly destination it was ten years ago. Instead trendy bars, member-only beaches, and acai bowls have brought with it higher costs than similar beach towns across Mexico. However if you have your heart set on visiting Tulum you can still do it on a budget, and I’ll show you how.
Just know that going into a trip to Tulum you need to set your expectations to your budget. If you’re set on trendy beach resorts you’ve seen on Instagram you’ll likely be paying $350-$550 per night. But with a few small changes you can save money on your trip.
Going to the Yucatan? Be sure to check out my Guide to Merida for some inspo!
I found that with the right mindset Tulum can still be an affordable travel destination. One of the biggest things to keep in mind is that it is touristy so you have to get off the beaten path and know a bit about Mexico to find ways to save while also having a more local experience. Prices are high in Tulum only because the tourists make it that way.
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With these savings hacks, we spent 5 nights in Tulum and spent $1,156 for two people.
There are a few proven ways to help you save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on your own trip to Tulum. Here are a few of the best ways:
Tulum is actually broken into two parts: Tulum Playa (Beach) and Tulum Pueblo (Town). Most tourists stay in Tulum Beach where everything from food to taxis to hotels is higher in cost. Tulum Pueblo is the more local area, yet still highly touristy, that has some amazing restaurants, hotels, and just a better overall local(ish) Mexican vibe.
We stayed at the Coco Hacienda Tulum with a great travel deal at just $90 a night during off-season!
The collectivo system is one of the best ways to save money on transportation in Mexico. You basically find the right van headed in the direction you want to go, tell the driver where you want to get off, and pay a small fee. If you feel overwhelmed taking public transportation in another country try asking your hotel how to take the collectivo and they’ll show you the ropes. But I promise you can do it!
If you really want to save money, consider using your hard earned points and miles to save thousands on a hotel room or your airfare. One of the best redemptions in Tulum is staying at the Secrets Tulum Resort and Spa for starting at 25,000 points a night (compared to $550+). You can transfer Chase points to Hyatt or use your Hyatt points for the stay.
Travel Tip! If you have travel rewards check Point.Me to see the best redemption on a flight. You can fly to Cancun for as little as 15,000 miles roundtrip with some airlines!
I’ll be the first to admit I went to an amazing sushi restaurant and had perfect acai bowls in Tulum but one of the best ways to save money is skipping those places and going inland to find more local offerings.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite cheap eats from my trip to Tulum:
This place opens every morning at 10:00am with a line down the block. The tacos are steamed with whatever meats of the day in a large basket and are just delightful. Be sure to arrive early, as they are there until they run out every day.
Paletas, or popsicles, are this place’s specialty and it’s no wonder why. With amazing flavors, the perfect location, and not to mention popsicles in the yucatan, it’s a stop worth making. (I highly recommend trying the chili and mango.)
Located on the corner of Geminis Sur and Avenida Tulum, this al pastor stall is open in the evenings during the street food market. You can get 5 tacos for less than $3 and they’ll be some of the best you’ve ever had.
Located right on the main strip of Tulum Pueblo you’ll find this authentic taqueria. Two favorites are their al pastor, which is sliced thin with a pineapple on top and their cochinita pibil.
Located at the end of the main road you’ll find this family-run vendor selling their famous shrimp and other seafood tacos.
If you have never experienced a Mexican cantina you are missing out. Though each one is slightly different the general understanding is that you pay for drinks and you’ll get free food. Come here and listen to some live music, dancing, and drink a Corona.
Mexico has such a seasonality to travel which really impacts the price per night. I’d recommend traveling shoulder (or even off season if you don’t mind a chance of rain) to save big. April and May are some of the best months to visit to save money and beat the crowds. But I’ve visited the Yucatan during hurricane season in October and November and had no problems.
Travel Tip! If you have a flexible schedule, try Thrifty Traveler. They offer some amazing flight deals (like $120 to Cancun from Kansas City). You can use code KENDYL10 for an additional discount!
Tulum is really a place of price gouging when it comes to guided experiences. You can (and should) save a lot of money by avoiding most guided tours, especially for the Tulum Ruins and cenote experiences. You can visit these places on your own for a fraction of the price.
Oftentimes I’m a DIY-traveler but you can find some amazing package deals through Travelzoo for Tulum pretty frequently. Sometimes they’ll even cover your airfare, too. If you like to book everything together, this might be a good option for you.
Though the upfront cost is higher, this guided food tour will feed you enough for an entire day. You’ll learn a lot about traditional Yucatan foods and find some truly local spots to go back to on your own, which will save you money over the course of your trip.
While cenotes like Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Dos Ojos, and Cenote Ik Kil are super popular and beautiful, they also have higher price tags to visit. Instead consider Centoe Cristal (my personal favorite – there were 3 people there when we arrived) or Cenote Escondido. These less-toured options will give you amazing vibes at just 150 pesos per person.
Unless you’re a huge history buff, you don’t need a guide to visit the Tulum Ruins. Instead visit yourself and just pay a small entrance fee of less than $5. (You can read up on the ruins’ history before and after your visit.)
I highly recommend this taco tour with a local guide for less than $40 per person. You do have to pay for your tacos (each one is less than $1) but you’ll get a great look at some local hotspots while learning a little bit more about Tulum’s history.
Playa Paraís is one of Mexico’s best public beaches with locals from the entire Yucatan coming here on the weekends. The best part? It’s free to visit.
I hope you enjoy my travel guide to the best way to visit Tulum on a budget! There are certainly plenty of ways to save money and make your trip memorable along the way.
Explore on. -K
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