Tulum Ruins
Exploring the Tulum ruins emerges as an enticing day trip from Playa Del Carmen, a captivating venture that beckons travelers with its iconic vistas overlooking the Caribbean. Nestled in the Riviera Maya, these ruins hold a prime spot on most itineraries. To ensure you make the most of your visit – both economically and efficiently – our guide unveils essential insights. How can you maximize your Tulum experience without breaking the bank or losing precious time? Dive into our comprehensive guide for all the information you need, ensuring your Tulum excursion is both budget-friendly and brimming with unforgettable moments amidst ancient marvels.
One look at the photo above and it is no wonder why this beautiful spot is so popular to visit. Tulum ruins is just about a 50-minute drive south of Playa Del Carmen and makes for a great day trip. (For a cool model of what Tulum used to look like when it was occupied, check out this gallery). This walled city was occupied all the way up until the 15th Century and saw the arrival of the Spanish. Today this is the most preserved coastal Maya city which makes it so interesting for tourist to visit.
Should you go to Tulum by yourself or with a tour?
It will depend on your circumstances what option to visit Tulum ruins is best for you. Here are some things to think about.
- If you are staying at an all-inclusive hotel, it can be hard to get transportation. It might mean a taxi or renting a car for the day is the only way to get to Tulum ruins.
- You will need to have pesos because you will need to pay for things. You can use a card for somethings but for example if you go to get gas for your rental car, we do not recommend using a credit card because of scams.
- A tour has everything included. This means park entrance fee, ruin entrance fee, a guide, parking, transportation, a meal, a second destination, and of course the convenience factor. By the time you pay for all this, some tours start looking more reasonable.
- It is pretty easy to take the ADO bus or colectivos to Tulum ruins. However, the beach and downtown Tulum are too far to walk, and you will need to take a taxi. Plus, any second location, you will usually need to rent a bike or take a taxi.
One tour to Tulum ruins that is fun!
If you are staying anywhere in the Riviera Maya, including Cancun, this tour will pick you up from your hotel. This tour takes you first to Tulum ruins and then to Xel-Ha Park for an afternoon of fun. This tour is good for families because you get some culture and history before having a lot of fun! Also, couples can enjoy this tour because Xel-Ha has a lot to offer visitors and you can still feel like adults.
Check out our video of this tour and how to best book this experience in our article about this Tulum tour.
How to get to Tulum ruins
If you drive yourself there it is easy to follow the 307 Highway straight to Tulum. When you enter the town of Tulum you will see a parking lot and signs for the ruins, but this is just for busses. The parking lot and car entrance is farther up on the left side with a large “Tulum” sign in yellow and it will say parking.
You can take the colectivo to Tulum from Playa Del Carmen. You can read our article on the colectivos in the link. It cost about 50 pesos one way and make sure the driver knows you are going to the ruins in Tulum and not just Tulum. The ruins stop comes first but if you miss it, you will need to take a taxi back to the ruins from the center of Tulum. The colectivo is about 15 minutes faster than the ADO bus and cheaper, but not as comfortable. Colectivos also work better for solo travelers or couples. Groups might find it hard to get a colectivo with several seats at once.
ADO busses go almost hourly to Tulum ruins. It cost between 85 and 116 pesos each way. Tip: Be sure to check the schedule for the return. They do not start until 1:40pm in the afternoon and you might not want to be there that long. So, a later departure will ensure a bus going back to Playa when you want one. The only problem will be that you are visiting the ruins in the heat of the day.
Note: If you take the bus or colectivo, they both let you off closer to the entrance then parking! Go public transportation!
How much is the entry price to Tulum Ruins?
Entrance to the ruins is 85 pesos. If you are a resident or national it is free on Sundays. Parking for a car is 160 pesos, this has recently gone up and bordering on ridiculous prices for parking. Since the parking lot is so far from the entrance, they offer a tractor pulled train for 25 pesos each way. If it is hot and you don’t want to walk that much this can be a nice option, otherwise enjoy the free walk. Water and food are all more costly here, so plan ahead and bring a bottle of water if you can.
What hours are the ruins open?
The ruins are open every day of the week from 8:00am-5:00pm. However, it should be noted that you need to enter by 4:00pm because that is the cut off time for letting people in. That way you can have at least one hour to walk around and exit before they close.
What to see in Tulum ruins
If you want to have a guide, you can hire one at the entrance, then you will be shown all the places of interest within the walled city. It is actually not that large. What makes these ruins so special is the beautiful turquoise waters that lap the beaches just below the ruins.
Guides can be seen near the ticket booth offing services. Prices for a guide are all negotiable. A higher price should be given for a group of 4 or more people. If it is a slow day or not the best weather, you might be offered a lower price. Generally, tour guide prices range from about 900-1200 pesos. Guides will have official ID and are trained to give good tours.
Fun fact: There is an average of 3,287 people visiting. That puts it in perspective how busy this place can be at peak times. However, it is a large space and that number of people is spread out over the day.
Here is a handy map of Tulum ruins
Look at the map and follow the numbers
- This is where the trail from the parking lot leads you and the train drops you off. There are public bathrooms here and the only ones near the ruins, so take advantage of them. This is where you will buy your tickets and then follow the red line to number two.
- You can enter the first gate, but the second gate is much nicer, and you can get several good photos here. Basically, the side of the ruins near the ocean is much more photogenic and interesting. You can walk the other parts as well, but you can observe them from a distance if you like. As you walk to number three you will get a beautiful beach view.
- This spot will put you in front of the most famous spot in the ruins, The “Castillo” or “castle” as it is called.
- This overlook here will be where you can take some of the best photos! This is also where there is a large wooden staircase going down to the beach and you can get in the water here.
- Make sure you go around the back of the “Castillo” to get another great view.
- Walk to here and you will see some detailed carvings on the buildings, then proceed to the exit, number seven.
- This is the exit. It is a quiet end of the ruins. As you go out there is usually a person selling water or ice cream, which you might want after being in the sun.
- Walk here to go back to your car or bus. This is also where you can catch the tractor train.
More tips for visiting Tulum ruins
If it might rain, a rain poncho can save the day. There is not any protection from rain while walking around.
It is usually hot walking around, so comfortable clothes, shoes, sunscreen, hat, glasses and water are all good things to keep in mind.
If you drive to the ruins, there are many gift shops by the entrance. It is almost hard to find the trail to the ruins. Don’t give attention to overly aggressive salespeople and don’t take photos will the animals if you care about them. They belong in the wild and not working all day. Plus, those people with animals are well known for asking for a payment after a photo is take, just be prepared.
It takes about an hour to walk around. If you have hired a guide, it will take about 45 minutes to one hour to go around. If you come with a tour, often there is a 45-minute tour and you have about one hour to take photos and walk around on your own.
Going to Tulum on vacation?
If you are not only going to be visiting Tulum ruins but also going to Tulum, here are some helpful articles for you.
- If you need transportation from the Cancun Airport to Tulum, here is our guide.
- Other activities and sights to see in and around Tulum.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Tulum ruins. It is one of the spectacles of the Mayan world that is just in our backyard.
Have you been to Tulum ruins? What tips do you have for another tourist? What would you do differently next time? Let us know in the comment box below.
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Hi there! I plan to do a free day trip to Tulum by collectivo. I want to go to the centre of town and rent a bike. How far of a bike ride is it to the ruins? Can I ride by bike around instead of walking? Any ideas on low cost but quality bike rentals in Tulum? Thank you in advance.
There are many places that rent bikes in Tulum and all are about the same price. The ruins are about 3 km from the center of town. If you go to visit the ruins you will need to lock up your bike before going in. Also check out the road to the beach because there is a bike trail and it makes for a lovely ride. Enjoy!
Tulum was nice but we think it is a little over rated. There is a great view over the ocean but we like Coba ruins better. More to see, biking and climbing the pyramid.
Tomas was a great guide and added a lot of spiritualality of the Mayans and how the architecture confirms it. I was and am fascinated by it.
We were planning a visit to Tulum ruins and were not sure how we were going to get there. We just knew the photos of it were amazing and we wanted that photo. Your guide helped us get there and spend time in the best way. Thanks for this guide and next time we come to the Rivera Maya we will be checking out your other guides because we are thinking about going to Coba or Ek Balam ruins. It you had to pick one of those, which one do you think we should go to? We are an active couple in our late 20’s and maybe want to swim too.
Hello Mary. We are glad you found our guide helpful, we like to be able to give people the tools to make their vacations a success and enjoy everything that is here. For your next time down we would recommend both ruins because they are equally nice, but we do lean toward Coba. Both ruins have cenotes nearby you can swim in and both ruins have temples you can climb to the top. So since you are an active couple that is a great thing to do. But at Coba you can rent bikes and visit the ruins. The trees are also larger here and the experience is more jungly.
Your guide made it easy for us to Playa our trip to see Tulum ruins. We found everything you described and did it on our own. Thanks.
Hi, we just wanted to say a big thank you for writing and posting this guide it has been very helpful. We are heading to Tulum ruins just now and with your map we will not go wrong. We don’t want to go home we love it here. Thanks again xx
We wanted to thank you for a good article. we followed your tips and had a very good day visiting Tulum ruins. I love you website by the way.
Hello. We just got back from Tulum ruins and had a good time and followed your advice. It was really hot and we are glad we took water. The prices were high around the entrance. The view of the ocean was outstanding and we cannot wait to visit next year!
Hello Sarah. We are glad you had a good time at Tulum Ruins. Maybe next year you will be ready for some more ruins. There are several good options to consider. We have a whole guide to Mayan ruins and what to expect at each one. See you next year here!
Hello,
I found your guide very helpful. I am on my way down to Playa del Carmen with a group of 28 people. I am interested in the tour (for the entire group) you had described for $48. The link however sends me to viator.com with much higher prices. Do you know how I could book this more directly and work out a group rate? Thanks for your help:)
Christy
Hello Christy. Thank you for letting us know. That is the problem with links because sometimes they change the price. We will change that and get back to you this evening with more up to date information. We will send you an email and anything else you need just let us know. We are glad to help out.
Hello Christy. Do you know your dated for coming to the Riviera Maya and what day you would like to visit Tulum ruins? If you visit before November 1st there is a rate of $40 USD per person.
Hi! I am planning a DIY day trip to tulum ruins from playa del carmen. What is the best place to catch a bus back to playa del carmen?
Hello Farah
Are you talking about the ADO Bus or the colectivo? There is an ADO bus top by the highway near Tulum ruins. This is the same place you would catch the colectivo. Just be sure to check the ADO schedule because there are not as many busses that leave from the Tulum ruins stop as the downtown Tulum station.
Hi there, thinking about finding our way to Tulum and do we have to purchase our ADO tickets before hand for the return trip or we can purchase before boarding at the bus stop by the ruins?
Hello
You can purchase your return tickets there in Tulum if you like. There are limited times for the bus so if you want, it is not a bad idea to buy your ticket already and plan on departing at a certain time. That will guarantee your seat. It is usually not full but gives you peace of mind.
Appreciate the prompt response! You are amazing!
These are good details for visiting. We have been to Tulum ruins once before but this time we are coming with friends, so we hope to follow your instructions and take our friends there ourselves.
Hi! I am going to drive to the ruins and have a couple questions:
1) Are the signs guiding you to the ruins clearly marked on the highway?
2) Is the tractor-pulled train and the guides right there in the parking lot when we arrive?
3) What is the best time to visit the ruins? We would like to avoid the tour buses, if possible!
Hello Christina
The signs are pretty clear. If you are driving, do not pull into the first street to your left as you enter Tulum where it says ruins. This is for bus stops and taxis. There is no parking here. You must drive until you see the large TULUM sign on our left. This is the main entrance and where you park. You will pay for parking here.
The train to the ruins is there and comes frequently. We always walk though.
The best time to see the ruins is not in the heat of the day. Most tours arrive at 9am or after. Later in the day you can get in but you want to have time to walk through before they close. So after 3pm if it is not hot.
We hope this helps you and you have a great trip to Tulum ruins.
We visited Tulum ruins this week and the one tip we have for other guest is walk from the parking lot to the entrance. You really don’t need to take the train the short way. Save the money and buy something with it later.
You give good details for visiting. We have been a few times and really like Tulum ruins.
We’re very grateful for your complete guide. We visited Tulum ruins yesterday and it was easy to follow your directions. It make it easy to visit. Thanks.
Very detailed guide to visiting. It is cool to see the view from the ruins and if open the swimming is great at the foot of the cliff.
What time does the gate to the ruins open? Why are the tour company prices so much higher than the prices you quote?
The ruins open at 8:00am There are hundreds of tours that operate to Tulum ruins. Some include Xel Ha and some are just the ruins. Some tours overcharge people and some give good value. That is why we like to give recommendations for tours or give people the information to do it themselves.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Tulum Ruins. Regards
I can’t find a contact site for Viator for questions. I think our hotel, Grand Princes, may be out of their pick up area for the early public tour of Tulum ruins? How do I find out before paying?
Hello Carol
This is a good question. We looked over their description and only says most Playa Del Carmen hotels. We would suggest booking it and seeing what they say. There is a 100% cancelation policy if you cancel 2 days before, so you should be covered. We wish we could offer you the tour personally so we could guarantee all the answers but we do have to refer people to tour companies.
So, what’s your part on all this? Why do you have this site?
It is very helpful.
Do you get a commission?
Hello Carol
We mainly have this website for two reasons. 1. To help people discover all the things that are here and how to enjoy them. Sometimes making a guide to show people how to see places themselves. 2. Help good merchants or restaurants get known. Many places that we go to never know we just wrote about them. We have a great sense at the end of the day that we have helped people both find things and support good hard working people that offer good services. We also will talk with businesses because we see many people overpay or have no idea how to do marketing here. Another platform we have is supporting cultural tourism and preserving it.
Hi there, we are going to visit Tulum(early) and then Coba on Christmas eve. Going to use the Ado buses from Playa del carmen. Can you tell me which bus stop i need to get off at Tulum please as there are 2 stops: Tulum or Tulum Zona Arqueologica (is this the stop closer to the ruin)? Look forward to your reply.
Many thanks in advance
Sukyi
Hello
Yes the Tulum Zona Arqueologica stop is the one at the ruins and the other is in the center of Tulum. These stops are about 2 miles apart so make sure you get off at the correct one. We hope you have a great time visiting Tulum ruins.
Thanks so much for your reply.
Hello, we are going to Playa Del Carmen in January 2017 for the first time and staying in North Playa. We would like to try to take the colectivo. How do I catch the colectivo from my hotel and how do I know where to get off for the ruins? Are there visible signs from the freeway? Thank you very much.
Hello Nancy
As you can see in the colectivo article, the colectivos do not run straight from Cancun to Tulum. They only run Cancun to Playa or Playa to Tulum, so you will need to get to Playa and transfer to a Playa Tulum colectivo. When you enter the Tulum area there is a sign and a small parking lot with a small building. It is not the best signage but the driver should let you off on the highway there and you just cross the highway and walk down the road. It is one of the first things on the left as you enter town.
Hi
Are the Tulum Ruins open on New Years Day?
Thanks for your time
Mark and Linda
Hello Mark and Linda
According to the official website it is open. We hope this is the case if you are going that day. If not and you are visiting Tulum with a car you can go to the beach and see Tulum ruins from a distance from Playa Paradiso. It is a long shot but just in case it is closed you can enjoy your time there.
Hi there – I’m staying near Akumal at Bahia Principe Akumal hotel. If I was to take a collectivo how much would it cost and how do I do so? Is there a set schedule or might my kids and I be standing out on the highway a long while. If we take a taxi, sounds like it drops us off at a different entrance? How far a walk to where you actually get tickets and is it clearly marked? We are not interested in a tour. We also want to get there for 8am.
Hello Lara
The colectivos are the cheapest way to get there but that does not always mean the most convenient. It would cost about 20-25 pesos per person each way. The first step is making it out to the highway. There is no set schedule but they come by about every 5 or 8 minutes. They will drop you on the highway across from the ADO bus stop and taxi stand area. It is not signed the best but you will need to cross the highway and walk down a short street and then turn left to walk down the road/pedestrian road to the entrance. There is a “train” that is pulled by a tractor that ferries people from the main parking lot to the entrance. You can catch this and pay for it or walk to the ticket booth. At that hour it should be cool and not an issue unless you don’t want to walk about 1o minutes. Make sure you only buy the entrance tickets from the official booth.
To take the colectivo back you will walk back to where you got off and take the colectivo from the opposite side that you got off on.
A taxi will drop you off at the same spot. Only cars enter the other entrance and park in the lot.
We would suggest either option to you. A taxi is easier but more expensive.
hello yucatan…. will you pls give me the address of the calle where i can catch the ADO. then exact address of the calle where i can catch the collectivo? this is really help for us. we are going next month to mexico and our first stop is tulum.
Hello. Here is the ADO Bus info: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/ado-bus-and-stations-guide-in-playa/
And the information on the colectivo with address: https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-take-the-colectivos-to-tulum-or-cancun/
We hope you have a great trip to see the Tulum ruins.
ARE THEIR ANY BENCH’S TO SIT DOWN AND REST NEAR THE RUIN’S?
Hello Julia
There are not many options, so if you had a foldable chair, that might be good to bring. The ruins are not huge but if you go with a tour you will have to wait for the group. There are some low steps in places to sit but if you have limited mobility, these are low.
Hello.
We will be staying in Cozumel. We are planning a day trip to PDC, and take the Colectivo to Tulum ruins.After some time there we would like to go for 2 to 3 hours to Akumal beach. What would be the best for us to take the Colectivo to Tulum ruins and then a taxi to Akumal and ask the driver to wait for us, and take us back to PDC? What would be the approximated cost of it? Or take Colectivo to Akumal and again after the beach?
If you are going to be taking the colectivos, you might as well take these to Akumal as well. If you are going to the beach in the front of Akumal, you just walk about 10 minutes into the town from the highway. If you do a taxi you would just take it one way and get another waiting taxi to your next destination.
Thanks for guide, its really helpful. I will be driving there from Playa.
You keep saying, do not pull into the first street to your left as you enter Tulum where it says ruins. This is for bus stops and taxis. There is no parking here. But from google street view I saw a parking lot for cars at the end of the road before the the road block/entrance. Can’t I just park there? It stated M$70 from the street image. Which is 10peso higher from your second turning, but its nearer and shorter walking distance. Am I correct?
Hello Alvin
It does appear to be parking there but every time we or others have attempted to drive down this short road, there are people that wave you off. Perhaps because it is full? The official parking is the second entrance coming from the north. Let us know if you are successful parking here.
ok, I’ll update here once i’m there in another 3weeks.
Btw you mention Parking for a car is 120 pesos. Does google street image below show only 60 peso? I see a 120 peso below it, but its not clear and I don not know Spanish, price is for foreigner? https://www.google.com/maps/@20.2179838,-87.4384643,3a,17.5y,106.65h,85.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0jILTMrUrkX3jpvZfec8_w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
And the parking spot I mention earlier show 70 peso?
https://www.google.com/maps/@20.2182988,-87.4354572,3a,15y,215.22h,81.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJLRZekm3gQnNhOZmuK1PFg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
Hello Alvin
The first google map is over 4 years old, so the prices for parking have changed. The other google map you show is over one year old. It also appears that it might be 70 pesos per “hour” or fraction of an hour. We cannot really read the sign. But, the official parking is 120 pesos in total for your time there and it is the most spacious parking lot for your trip there. If you want to try the side parking lot, please let us know if it is only for taxis, full, or even more expensive then the regular parking.
hi Graham, I drive to Tulum last month, only back to my own country last week, sorry for the late reply.
First, the parking location I show u in google map is valid and its definitely nearer (shorter walking distance) to the entrance than the “official parking”
Second, the parking price for whole day is M$70 they still have the same banner in google street!! But when we leave around 1pm, the parking lot was fully occupied, guess u have to make it earlier or try your luck, btw we reach there around/before 9am.
Thank you for the update. This is good to know and share with our readers. We hope the rest of your trip was good.
Where is the nicest part of the beach in Tulum? Would I be able to walk there from the ruins?
Hello Graham
There is one of the nicer beaches just south of the Tulum ruins. You cannot however walk there on the beach because there are rocky cliffs that break up the beach access. When you exit the ruins there is a paved road that is closed to cars up to a certain point. If you walk this road south you will come to a beach access road. This will take you to a nice wide beach where there are a few beach bars.
We just got don’t visiting Tulum ruins. We had a great day and your guide was very helpful. Thanks a ton.
Are there lockers at the ruins? Are their taxis at the ruins to take you to the area for swimming with the turtles? How far is that? Do you know how much to rent equipment for a couple of hours at the beach?
Hello Jan
We do not think there are lockers at the ruins. Akumal where the turtles are is about 25 minutes up the coast. It is possible to take a taxi there but it will be a little expensive. Another factor to think about is the bay is highly regulated because only a limited amount of people can go per day and only certain tour companies offer the tour. It is a very popular things to do and it just recently reopened. Here is one option, a tour to Tulum ruins, swimming with the turtles and a cenote visit. 3-in-1 Discovery Combo Tour: Tulum Ruins, Akumal Turtles Plus Cenote and Caves
I was going to Tulum ruins and came across your website. Spot on and good and helpful for us. Thanks!
I booked the Tulum tour based on your website and advice/link. However, the tour operator never showed up. I do not think you should be promoting this tour. We are very disappointed and now wasted a vacation day.
Hello dear sad tourist
We are sorry that this tour provider has not showed up. We hate bad companies and we have deleted them from the website and article. We will look for another one. Thank you for your feedback. We only like to have responsible companies on our website and respond very quickly to our readers. Let us know if there is anything you need for your vacation.
Hi. What is the average cost for a taxi ride from Riviera Maya hotel to Tulum? What is the Entrance fee for adult and children? Is there a restaurant near Tulum? T
Hello Joanne
These are all very good questions. The Riviera Maya is a big place with about 40 miles of coastline but you probably mean some hotel between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. It will vary but around 300/500 pesos each way. It is always good to ask before getting in. There is not a good restaurant at the ruins. If you want to eat out in Tulum, it is best to take a taxi about 2k into town and walk around and find one that you like. Most of the restaurants are along the 307 Highway. There is the hotel zone but this is further and you should plan exactly where you want to eat out. It will tend to be more expensive there as well. The price is 65 pesos, which is very affordable. We believe this is the same for children.
Hi there I have a few questions. From Hacienda Tres Rios in Riviera Maya Playa del Carmen was thinking of doing the collective van rather then renting a car. What do you suggest? I heard it’s not worth the tour fees for Tulum ruins and plus we want to explore a little of Tulum after the exhibit. Would like to know is it easy to find a collective van from our resort – Hacienda Rios to both Tulum and Cancun? Also do they have a service like Uber around there that would help benefit a family of 5. To spend a full day in Cancun with a return is it reliable with collective express and where could we find them by our resort. Lastly, Tulum Ruins how close do they drop you off from the entrance to the exhibit?
For the first thing, it will be better if you rent a car. For one, you need to take two colectivos to Tulum since you are on the north side of Playa. And that means two colectivos back to your hotel. You will also need to take a taxi into Tulum town from the ruins. It can also be hard to find a colectivo at times for a group or family. So there is a lot of transportation and it will be easier in a car.
If you want to visit Cancun from your hotel, you can take the colectivo into downtown Cancun. There is not too much to see there. Most tourist are in the Hotel Zone. You would do better to walk around Playa on 5th Avenue. There is much more to see and more enjoyable.
The Tulum ruins are about a 10 minute walk from the colectivo stop.
Thank you for all your helpful feedback.
Sorry forgot to inquire so what do you think Tulum tour or on our own since we want to explore the day in Tulum or is Tulum too small to explore & eat prior to heading back to our resort? How far is 5th ave from our hotel Hacienda? Prior to leaving the US is it wise to pre purchase rental here and ins?
Tulum ruins are easy to walk around yourself and part of the tour is mainly the transportation. No tour will take your around the town, so it is best of you spend your money on a rental car and still save money. We just write about a good local car rental company that is Canadian run here. They have a small fleet of cars and the owner usually calls you and sets everything up with you. Here is the link and the email is in the article. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/car-rental-playa-del-carmen/
From your hotel to Playa is about 15-19 minutes driving. Or you can do that part with colectivos but they will drop you on 2nd street at the south end of town and you can walk up 5th Avenue.
Thanks for your help.
Magnificent guide and details. We used to help us see Tulum.
What a helpful blog! I am planning a trip to Riviera Maya for 12 people in December. I was just about to hire a tour company to arrange a half-day tour, but given our large number, and the fact that I don’t like large bus tours had decided to use a group called Tours By Locals (you might want to check them out). These are locals who do qualify as tour guides and you can book a person whose tour interests you (tour of the town, cooking lesson, and once we even had a bee keeper giving a tour of his home/hives). They have always been GREAT. Most of them have regular passenger cars, once in awhile you come across someone with a van. Most are willing to rent a larger vehicle, but then again the price for these customized tours keeps rising. For this particular tour we were going to take a taxi (that holds 14-arranged by our hotel), meet our guide and then start our day that we want to last no longer than 1/2 day. After reading this, I have decided to arrive by taxi to Tulum Ruins, hire an English speaking guide there, then use small taxis to get to either town, beach, or swimming with the turtles. Whenever we complete what we feel we want to do, the big taxi will pick us up or we can break into smaller family groups, each can grab separate taxis. This way we can all see the ruins and then everyone can choose whatever he/she wants to do (lie on a beach, swim with the turtles, enjoy the town of Tulum) and have the freedom of heading back when they want. What do you think?
Hello Sue
There are a lot of private tour companies or people that can be found on the internet. We always like to make sure they have proper licenses and giving tours, paying taxes, and transporting with insurance. Many people offer tours but are not fully registered or say they are. We do like small companies and individual care because locals can offer the best insider advise and help for tourist.
We see in your plan that you want to swim with the turtles. Were you going to Akumal for this? This is a little far from Tulum and if your group breaks up you should know that you will be about 30 minutes away. Also you need to go with a certified tour operator there since it is limited to a certain number each day. So you cannot just go there and swim with the turtles yourself. The bay has gotten so popular that they have had a lot of issues with regulating it and it was even closed for a while. There are many cenotes near Tulum you can visit. You can also see our guide with map for things to do in Tulum. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/best-things-tulum/
We hope you have a great time here!
Good morning! For the entry fee, do they accept USD or pesos only?
Lauri they take pesos and take credit cards. We recommend using cash as much as possible in Mexico since this is accepted and there is less chance of getting your credit card info skimmed as with all destinations in the world.
Hello Mr. Yucatan,
My husband and I are very experienced world travelers, and looking forward to visiting Tulum. We plan to park our rental car in the lot, and hire an English-speaking tour guide at the entrance of the Ruins. You have expressed that it is important to you (and to us!) to hire a licensed, legitimate guide (if you choose this option). Can you provide a detailed list of how we may identify these guides at the Ruins entrance? Do they have certain uniforms? Badges? Credentials? Certain company names? Thank you.
Hello Eugene
It is fairly easy to identify. They have lanyards with ID’s. Most are bilingual or more. It is good to talk to them to see if they can speak good English. The price is kinds of negotiable and depends on how busy it is and how many in your group. We hope you have a great visit!
Amazing article, thank you so much
I’ve visited the Tulum ruins before, during a cruise excursion, but felt rushed when it came time to visit the beach below the ruins, after our guided tour. We’ll be in staying in Playa del Carmen, and taking either the ADO bus or taxi to the ruins. The question I have is, I was just looking at Google Street View of the wider beach just south of the ruins, and I see pedestrians walking along that road where there are no cars, but looking closer to the beaches, I see cars which look mostly like taxis. I’m assuming if we go to that wider beach, we can hire a taxi to take us back to the ADO stop or back to PDC? I do understand the it’s more expensive for a taxi, but we may be willing to pay it, for the convenience, and to not have my boyfriend’s father have to walk too far in the heat.
Hello KD
We are glad you will have more time this time to visit. A taxi to Tulum from Playa is too much in our opinion. The bus will get you there just fine. Make sure you get the ticket to Tulum ruins. From the ruins you can walk that road to the beaches. They are very nice! There are some beach bars and services there. From there you can take a taxi back into Tulum and catch the bus from the ADO station.
Thank you for the information you provide; very helpful. I’m assuming a taxi ride from Playa del Carmen to the Tulum ruins would cost somewhere around $40-$50 U.S. one way, according to a comment I read somewhere. If it’s more than that, I’m okay with taking the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen around 7am to the Tulum ADO terminal, and taking a taxi from there to the ruins entrance or the parking lot. It should be a fun day, and going without a tour will allow us to go at our own pace, and not be rushed, like the last time.
According to our taxi guide list a taxi for up to 4 is 670 pesos and for 5-8 1340 pesos. But as always, check before getting in. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/playa-del-carmen-taxis/
Thank you; I’ll read the link you provided.
Hi,
I’m going to tulum ruin the next week by my self and i want to know if there in the ruins I can pay for a tour guide? because i don’t what any package of bus lunch or other site. only go there pay the entrance fee and a tour guide at the park. ThT is posible? they have tour guide that you can pay ath arrive Nd how much it is?
thanks for your help
Yes there are personal guides available at the entrance right after you pay. They have official ids. Guides are negotiable and depends on availability and group size. It is around 500 pesos.
Hi,
I will be going to Mexico in a month with my friends (group of 6). We are staying at the Occidental at Xcaret Destination, Cancun, Carretera Federal Chetumal Pto. Juarez. What is the best way to get to Tulum Ruins and what is your advise on how to maximise our day in Tulum? I would prefer the bus route and just want to know the route. Any other suggestion on must see in Cancun. Many thanks in advance.
You will need to take the colectivo from the highway or make your way into Playa Del Carmen and then take the Ado bus to Tulum from there. The ruins are separated from the town and beach so you will need to take taxis there. You might find that walking around the town and shopping is good or you can rent bikes and go along the beach road. It is very trendy there with boutique hotels and little shops. It just depends on what you want to do there.
Plenty of helpful information. Your website has helped up plan our trip tp the Riviera Maya and Tulum.
We are planning a trip at the end of January. Is the weather there usually warm enough to swim in the ocean and/or cenotes? Also, when we went there before, after we walked around Tulum we booked a local guide to ride in our car and he took us to a cenote and to Akumal. How is the best way to get that sort of tour guide again?
Hello Debbie
The weather is very nice in January. We usually have low amounts of rain and nice days. Although locals will not swim as much then but tourist will love the water of both cenotes and the ocean.
As far as getting a guide, it runs the gamut when you ask around for someone to take you places. We like to refer people to official guides and registered tour companies. There are websites with locals that offer tours for lower prices but often these are not official businesses and do not pay taxes. Taxi drivers will often take you to places and offer to do so after some negotiating. It is also fairly easy to rent a car and we try to make it easy to find places that we write about.
Hello,
I love your site! We will be traveling as a large family group and plan to drive ourselves to the ruins at Tulum. Would it be possible to drop my grandmother off at the entrance and then park the car in the parking lot.
Best,
Amanda
Hello Amanda
There is another street that is closer to the entrance and it has parking but it is often full so we don’t mention it. It still is a walk to the entrance and saves you about half the distance. You might just park and take the tractor train to the entrance. There is no way to drive close to the ticket booth entrance by car.
My boyfriend and I will be visiting in Nov this year. I will likely be on crutches/using a walker/kneeling scooter with at least one, if not two ankles in orthopedic boots (broke them both in late August and am on the mend now). What is the handicap accessibility like at the Tulum Ruins?
Thanks!
Melanie
Hello Melanie
We are sorry to hear of your conditions. We were just at Tulum ruins and were looking at the access. First, from the parking lot to the entrance there is a 10 minute walk or a tractor train that carries people. This would be hard to ride so maybe a wheel chair will be best for the day. The ruins does have ramps but you will need someone to push you because they are steep at points. You will not be able to access all of the ruins but get to go through the center and see most of it albeit from a short distance.
This guide was super helpful and gave a good sense of what to expect costing wise.
I took the ado bus at 74 pesos a trip and paid 360 pesos for the entry ticket, a short train ride to the ruins entrance and a tour guide. At the end of the tour I wished I had just paid 70 pesos for the entry ticket and moved around and took photos alone. the tour guide was interesting but I was more interested in the photos.
All things considered, it was beautiful. Typing this while waiting at the Ado terminal for my bus back to Playa Del carmen
We are glad you had a good time and got to use our guide. The ruin of Tulum are nice and very photogenic. Some of the other more detailed ruins are better to get a tour with. We hope you get to come back and explore more places when you are here again. Safe travels.
My wife and I will be in Playa del Carmen for a week in mid-January and are trying to figure out when to do what. Your amazing site is certainly a welcome source of ideas & info. We want to visit the Tulum ruins for a half-day and were wondering if Sunday would be good for that, or is that also when most everyone else goes there? Is there a better day of the week to visit (Monday & Wednesday are already full :))
Hello John
Sundays at the Tulum ruins are fine. Sundays locals get in for free but almost everyone has been so it is not that crowded with locals. Early in the day is best. Sunday and lot of resort people are leaving or coming so it actually is a lower tour day. We hope you have fund there and thank you for reading our site.
Hello, we wants to visit Tulum ruins during our upcoming trip and have the flexibility to spend as much time as we want at the beach. For this reason, we want to take a taxi there rather than a tour. Can you please let me know if taking any available taxi is safe in this part of Mexico or should we get a transfer arranged ahead of time. We will need a ride from Playa de Carmen and back.
Almost all of the taxis are good and safe so that is not an issue. One option is taking the bus to Tulum and taking a talking a taxi around Tulum and the bus back. You will spend about $70 usd on taxis back and forth. So this is just another idea. The ADO bus goes to Tulum ruins. Just check the schedule because not all Tulum bound busses stop there.
Hello! We’re having organized tour to Rio Secreto. It finishes at 4 pm. Would we be in time to take collectivo and get to Tulum before closing? Even 20 minutes for visiting is enough. And is it possible to walk on the beach nearby ruins after they’re closed?
Kindest regards,
Evgenia
No you would not really have time to visit Tulum ruins after your tour. The beach access is further south of the ruins and you cannot see the ruins from the beach. The beach is broken up by cliffs so you physically not walk in front of the ruins.
As I read there are days when it’s possible to visit Tulum Ruins after 5 pm to 7 pm for 240 pesos. Does it still so? We’ll be there in April, 14.
We do not know if this is available now. Coba ruins offer this which is nice because you can climb the pyramid and see the sun setting over the peninsula. Tulum faces east so you only get to enjoy with less people but the light is nice during the day to visit.
Where can I check if it’s possible to come Tulum Ruins after 5 pm to 7 pm for 240 pesos?
Usually private tours will offer this or asking at the ticket office at Tulum.
Hi, we are visiting Tulum Thursday and have a few questions.
1-Can we get tickets to the tractor-train when we get off the bus from the hotel?
2-How much does it cost and are the tickets round trip?
3-Will we need pesos?
4-Can I bring a backpack?
Thanks!
Hello Jeff
What bus are you talking about getting off from the hotel? Is this a special transfer from your hotel to Tulum ruins? The tractor has a ticket booth when you can get tickets. You will need pesos for the entrance of the ruins. If you don’t have any there is an exchange place at the entrance by the parking lot. You can bring a backpack but large bags are not recommended since they might not allow it in.
We are planning a trip in August with our grown kids and their significant others, we are staying at the Dreams Tulum Resort, we didn’t want to do the full day excursions but want to see the Cenotes, the Ruins and downtown, should we rent a vehicle, do public transportation, or would the excursions be the best option? Thank you so much for your help!
Your hotel is pretty close to the Tulum ruins. Depending what your hotel has for transport, you can take a taxi to the ruins and another one to the downtown. We imagine there are no or limited car rentals options from your hotel. Most of the cenotes to visit are outside of Tulum and need a car. You can do taxis but it will add up. Check taxi prices at the hotel and see what they say and if they have cars for rent and compare.
Thank you for sharing so much useful information. I just wanted to know whether it is possible to see Tulum town, Tulum ruins and a cenote easily by public transport. Will we be able to easily get between places? Is there a cenote that you recommend? Thank you
Hello Kristen
A taxi is the best way to get into town. Most drivers speak English or a little and you should ask the price before getting in, nothing is metered. Grand Cenote is the closest cenote at 3 km out of town. It is popular. Public transit is not really available in Tulum and it is only rental bikes, taxi or renting a car. Bike rentals are fairly easy to get but the trip to Grand Cenote is 3km in the sun, but some make this trip in bike,
Thanks for this helpful resource! Your articles have helped me navigate my way to Playa and nearby sights and activities, and save money doing so. I want to report that the going rate for a colectivo ride from Playa to the Tulum ruins is now 45 pesos, in case this helps other readers be prepared.
Thank you for this update. This is helpful.
Hi. Do you have a way for people with mobility issues to navigate. The ruins? Ie: bicycle taxi?
Hello Karen
We don’t do tours there and are not the official tourism board but we will be glad to help you with your question. There is limited access to the ruins with wheelchairs. There are no bike taxis available. The ruins are much smaller than others so it would not really be a good service. Coba ruins does have the bike taxis. If someone is walking with a cane you can walk for about 10 minutes to the entrance of the walled city and see most of it from a distance. The beach view is a little harder to get to since it is the farthest part you need to go to.
Could you please let us know what the name of the stop if we take colectivo? Or we could just tell the driver “Tulum Ruins”?
If you say Tulum ruins he will stop there. When you get on there is someone asking all the people ans he tells the driver. It is a major stop so pretty easy to get off there.
Good day! We are going to Tulum ruins this weekend and wanted to know if there are good restaurants near the entrance that we can go to.
Hello Kara
There are only touristy places that are not that good at the entrance of the Tulum ruins area. It is best to go into town. There you have a lot of options along the 307 highway or you can go to the beach road on the south end and you have more upscale beach clubs and restaurants.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Tulum Ruins. i have been wanting to visit here forever!
Your tips were very helpful for us when visiting Tulum ruins. It was short and sweet visit. I think the parking should be free though.
How possible is it to walk from the downtown bus station to the ruins? I am not taking the bus but will stay there and know that taxis to Tulum ruins is expensive.
Hello Tyler
It is possible to walk. It is a few kilometers and when it is hot and sunny, that would be a hot walk. Taxis in the downtown to ruins are not too bad, they get expensive between hotel zone and most places. You can also rent a bike for the day and see the ruins that way.
Tulum was an easy day trip. Your helpful article and video made it much more smooth for us. After visiting for many years to Playa del Carmen, we finally got to visit the ruins of Tulum.
Thank you for the tips. We are glad we took the train the entrance. It was a hot day there to walk but beautiful views.
A visit to Tulum ruins is a must when visiting the Riviera Maya. We loved it and the views of the beach.