When choosing accommodation in Tulum, location is the most important factor. Not the best reviews, nor the best price. At least, that’s how it was for us.

The town centre, the beaches and the hotel zone are several kilometres apart, and the daily taxi journey can work out quite expensive.

If you’re mainly after the beaches, stay in the Zona Hotelera. For day trips, visits to the cenotes and cheaper food, the town centre is more practical. Look for apartments with a swimming pool at a more reasonable price in Aldea Zama or La Veleta, but these are right on the outskirts of Tulum.

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Where to stay in Tulum by location

Location	Best for	Approximate price per night
Zona Hotelera	beaches, restaurants, shops	4 000 mxn
Tulum Centro	low prices, excursions, car-free stay	1 200 mxn
Aldea Zama	modern apartments, peace and quiet, swimming pools	2 000 mxn
La Veleta	more affordable designer hotels and apartments	2 000 mxn
Akumal and surrounding resorts	all-inclusive, families, relaxation	5 500 mxn

Prices are calculated per double room per night. In hostels, you can find a single bed for around 535 mxn.

Practical tips for choosing a hotel

Always check the hotel’s location on a map before booking.

The name ‘Tulum’ is also used by resorts located tens of kilometres from the centre.

Pay particular attention to the following details:

• The term ‘beachfront’ means the hotel is right on the beach. ‘Near the beach’ may mean a room on the opposite side of the road without its own sun loungers.
• In the hotel zone, there are hotels on both the beach side and the jungle side of the main street. Staying in the jungle area does not automatically include access to the neighbouring beach club.
• Uber does not operate in Tulum. A taxi from the centre to the central part of the Zona Hotelera costs approximately 750 mxn for a single journey.
• Check the parking facilities at your hotel in the Zona Hotelera. Some hotels have only a few spaces or use a paid car park.
• Compare the final price, including taxes and local charges, rather than just the initial amount shown in the search results.
• During the sargassum season, read the latest reviews. A good-quality swimming pool and regular beach cleaning are more important than photos of the beach.

Zona Hotelera: the best beachfront accommodation

The Zona Hotelera is an approximately 10 km-long strip of hotels, restaurants and shops along the coast. Here you’ll find iconic beaches with fine white sand, palm trees and Tulum’s most interesting boutique hotels.

The main advantage of staying right by the sea is convenience. In the morning, you can step straight out of your room onto the beach; hotel sun loungers are usually free for guests, and in the evening you can walk to restaurants.

The downside is the high prices. Even ordinary restaurants and shops in the Zona Hotelera cost more than in the town centre.

The northern part, near Playa Paraíso and the Mayan ruins, is quieter and more convenient for visiting Parque del Jaguar. The central and southern parts have wider beaches, more restaurants and that typical Tulum atmosphere.

• ✅ Great atmosphere
• ✅ Beautiful beaches
• ❌ High prices
• 👉 I’d still choose a hotel here if beaches are your main priority. I really enjoyed it here!

Recommended hotels in the Zona Hotelera

• Ikal Tulum – The hotel is situated in the northern part, near the beaches and the archaeological site. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a quieter setting and don’t need to be right in the heart of the restaurant district.
• Hotel Shibari – an adults-only hotel built around a natural cenote. It isn’t right on the beach, but it’s in the heart of the most interesting part of the hotel zone. Choose this one if you want the hotel itself to be part of the experience.
  • 👉 This is where we stayed – have a look at my review of our stay, complete with photos
• La Zebra Tulum – is a very good choice for families and couples looking for a classic beach hotel. It’s situated right next to a wide sandy beach and has its own restaurant and facilities for children.
• Azulik Tulum – is one of the most famous hotels in Mexico. You’re mainly paying for the original architecture, atmosphere and experience. The value for money in terms of standard hotel comfort isn’t its main selling point.

View a map of hotels in the Zona Hotelera

Tulum Centro: affordable and practical accommodation

The centre, also known as Tulum Pueblo, is the best choice for travellers who want to visit cenotes, archaeological sites and other places on the Riviera Maya.

Hotels are significantly cheaper than those on the beach, but the surroundings are nowhere near as pleasant. The centre of Tulum is simply a typical Mexican town without any particular points of interest.

Around the main Avenida Tulum, you’ll find restaurants, taquerías, supermarkets, car hire agencies and the ADO bus station. You can also reach Akumal, Playa del Carmen and some of the cenotes by cheap colectivos.

We recommend staying in the centre even if you’re travelling without a car. However, you’ll need to cycle or take a taxi to the beach. Walking isn’t very practical due to the distance.

• ✅ Very cheap accommodation
• ✅ Convenient for getting around without a car whilst exploring the area
• ❌ Not ideal for a beach holiday
• ❌ Not a particularly pleasant environment
• 👉 If you’re looking for cheap accommodation and easy access to public transport, then the centre of Tulum is the best choice

Recommended hotels in the centre

• Casa Xanath – a well-reviewed local apartment just a few metres from the ADO bus station
• Casa Colonial Tulum – a hotel on the main road, but with a quiet courtyard, about a 3-minute walk from the ADO bus station

View a map of hotels in Tulum Centro

Akumal and the surrounding area: all-inclusive resorts near Tulum

In the Zona Hotelera itself, boutique hotels – with or without breakfast – predominate.

The large all-inclusive resorts labelled as ‘Tulum’ are in fact mostly located north of the town, for example near Tankah Bay or Akumal.

I certainly wouldn’t recommend staying around Akumal in the off-season, when a beach holiday doesn’t make much sense due to the large amount of seaweed.

• ✅ Typical all-inclusive hotels for a carefree beach holiday
• ✅ A wide range of options, from mid-range to luxury hotels
• ❌ Not very practical for exploring on your own
• ❌ High prices
• 👉 Ideal for a carefree holiday during the peak season

Recommended hotels in Akumal

• Hotel Club Akumal Caribe– situated right by Akumal Bay. It offers standard rooms and bungalows and is suitable for travellers who want to stay near Turtle Bay but don’t need a large all-inclusive resort.
• Akumal Bay Beach & Spa Resort – an all-inclusive resort right on the main beach. It’s ideal for families and couples who want to combine a resort stay with direct access to Akumal Bay.
• Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya – a luxury, adults-only all-inclusive resort right on the bay. This is the best choice for couples seeking peace and quiet, a higher standard of service, and who do not want to simply make a day trip to Akumal.
• Bahia Principe Explore Akumal– usually offers better value for money in terms of the range of services provided.
  • 👉 We spent 3 nights here and have written a detailed review of our stay, complete with photos

View a map of hotels in Akumal

Aldea Zama: a peaceful spot between the town centre and the beach

Aldea Zama is a modern residential area situated between the town centre and the coast. It offers new apartments, smaller hotels, restaurants and a number of swimming pools.

It’s ideal for families, longer stays and anyone looking for more space. For the price of a standard beachfront room, you can often get a whole apartment here.

However, its central location doesn’t mean you’ll be walking everywhere. A bike, scooter or car is still the most practical way to get to the town centre and the beach.

• ✅ Good value for money
• ✅ Modern resorts
• ✅ Peaceful surroundings
• ❌ Still quite a long way to the beach (definitely not within walking distance)
• ❌ Not such an authentic Mexican atmosphere
• 👉 Probably the best choice for long-term stays

Recommended hotels in Aldea Zama

• Moxy Tulum– my favourite chain, a modern hotel on the main road, right between the town centre and the hotel zone, a great balance of price and quality
• Jade Zen Residences – an apartment hotel ideal for long-term stays

La Veleta: affordable Tulum-style accommodation

La Veleta lies south-east of the centre. It’s livelier and usually cheaper than Aldea Zama. Here you’ll find cafés, restaurants, apartments and smaller hotels built in a typical style combining concrete, wood and tropical greenery.

Some of the side streets are not well lit or maintained. We therefore recommend this area mainly if you have a hire car, scooter or bike.

• ✅ Suitable for a peaceful stay at a good price
• ❌ Far from the beach
• ❌ Relatively far from the city centre too
• 👉 A good choice for those who want to be away from the hustle and bustle

Recommended hotels

• Turquoise Tulum Hotel – a small boutique hotel offering excellent value for money
• Little Gem Hotel Tulum La Veleta – a lovely, modern hotel in a very quiet area at a good price

Where we stayed

We split our stay between two different places:

• 2 nights at the Shibari Hotel right in the Zona Hotelera
• 3 nights at the Bahia Principe Explore Akumal in the resort area north of Tulum

This combination makes sense if you want to explore the restaurants, shops and atmosphere of the Zona Hotelera, but also spend part of your holiday in the comfort of an all-inclusive resort.

Similarly, you could combine a cheaper hotel in the centre with one or two nights on the beach. You won’t pay the Zona Hotelera price for your entire stay, but you won’t miss out on the experience of waking up by the sea in the morning.

Frequently asked questions about accommodation in Tulum

Where can I stay in Tulum without a car?

For day trips and travelling by bus, choose accommodation in the centre near the ADO bus station.

If you’re after beautiful beaches and restaurants, stay right in the heart of the Zona Hotelera.

Is it worth staying in a hotel right on the beach?

Yes, if you want to spend most of your holiday by the sea.

You’ll save on taxis and beach clubs. For an active holiday with trips to the cenotes, Cobá or Sian Ka’an, the town centre is a better option.

Do hotel guests have free access to the beach?

At a beachfront hotel, access to the beach and use of the hotel’s sun loungers are usually included in your stay.

Hotels on the opposite side of the road often have agreements with other hotels, allowing you to use their beaches for free, but this isn’t always the case.

Where should you stay during the sargassum season?

Choose a hotel with a good-quality swimming pool and check the latest photos and guest reviews. Even an expensive hotel in the Zona Hotelera cannot guarantee a seaweed-free beach.

You can find more details in the section on the weather in Tulum.

Are there all-inclusive hotels in Tulum?

Yes, but most of the large resorts are located outside the centre and the Zona Hotelera.

You’ll find the widest selection towards Tankah Bay and Akumal.

Is it worth staying near Tulum Airport?

Only if you have a very early flight. The airport isn’t near the town centre or the beaches, and there aren’t many restaurants or things to do in the surrounding area.

• 👉 Our experience with transport to and from Tulum Airport
• 👉 Book 1 night atHotel Mundo Maya Tulum Aeropuerto, right in front of the terminal

How many nights should you spend in Tulum?

For the beaches, the archaeological zone and one cenote, we recommend at least 3 nights. If you also want to visit Akumal, Sian Ka’an and more cenotes, allow for 5 nights.

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