Although Tulum is a small town, it is not compact.

The town centre, the beaches, the Hotel Zone and the archaeological site are several kilometres apart, and your choice of transport will significantly affect both your budget and the quality of your entire holiday.

We had a hire car, but we also had to sort out Uber, taxis, parking and transport options between the town centre and the beaches.

This section describes getting around Tulum only:

• You can find information on travelling to Tulum from Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Bacalar and other locations in the chapter‘How to get to Tulum’
• General information on travelling along the Mexican coast can be found in the chapter ‘Transport along the Riviera Maya’
• Want to know about our experiences of travelling by car? Find out in the article ‘Car hire on the Riviera Maya’

How much does transport in Tulum cost?

Mode of transport	Usual price
Colectivo to the Hotel Zone	30 mxn
Colectivo to the southern part of the Hotel Zone	40 mxn
Bicycle	250 mxn per day
E-bike	400 mxn per day
Scooter	500 mxn per day
Taxi from the city centre to the central part of the Zona Hotelera	700 mxn
Parking in the Zona Hotelera	250 mxn per day
Parking at Parque del Jaguar	free of charge

You don’t need a car just to get around the city centre. Between the city centre and the beach, the cheapest option is the colectivo; the most practical are bikes or scooters; and in the evening, a taxi.

You can also significantly reduce the amount of travel by choosing the right accommodation. For a beach holiday, look for hotels right in the Zona Hotelera; for day trips and cheaper dining, hotels in the centre of Tulum are a better choice.

You’ll find more details in the section on Accommodation in Tulum.

Does Uber operate in Tulum?

Uber does not operate in Tulum. We checked this both directly in the app and via Uber’s customer support.

You may come across websites online claiming otherwise, and the app may allow you to enter a route. In practice, however, no available cars will appear, so you shouldn’t count on Uber at all when planning your transport.

You can get to Tulum by Uber from other places where the service is available, such as Playa del Carmen or even Cancún.

However, it is not currently possible to start a journey with Uber within Tulum itself.

Eiby and other apps

A local alternative is the Eiby Taxi app, which can be used to book a licensed taxi. The app displays the fare, route, registration number and driver details in advance.

Eiby works well in the city centre, Aldea Zama and La Veleta. However, the number of drivers is limited and, particularly when leaving the Zona Hotelera, there may be no cars available.

During the high season, most drivers in tourist areas do not sign up with Eiby, as they know they can earn more money working as traditional taxis.

Occasional offers may appear on the inDrive app, but this service cannot be relied upon either.

Tulum does not have a viable network of apps comparable to that of Cancún or Mexico City.

Taxis via Booking.com

If, however, you want the peace of mind of booking a taxi in advance – and, above all, the certainty of the price – you can book a taxi in Tulum via Booking.com.

Prices are usually 10–15 per cent higher than with regular taxis (but with those, you can’t be sure you’ll manage to haggle the price down).

Taxis booked via Booking.com are most reliable for journeys between Tulum Airport and the town centre or the beaches.

• 👉 Book a taxi online via Booking.com

Taxis in Tulum

There are plenty of taxis in Tulum. They can be found at the ADO bus station, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and at taxi ranks in the Zona Hotelera.

You can usually hail one on the street as well.

The problem isn’t availability, but the price.

Do the taxis have meters?

Taxis in Tulum do not have meters. The fare is determined by the route and zone, but passengers must agree on the price with the driver before getting in.

There are fare tables for each zone, but in practice these are not usually displayed prominently, and prices may vary depending on the taxi rank, the time of day and the individual driver.

Always ask before opening the door:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta hasta…?

At the same time, make sure you confirm that this is the final price for the whole car, not a price per person.

Approximate taxi fares in Tulum

Below we provide a realistic figure that you should factor in when planning. This is not a guaranteed fare.

Route	Price
Short tour of the city centre	150 mxn
City centre – Archaeological Zone	250 mxn
City centre – northern part of the Zona Hotelera	500 mxn
City centre – central part of the Hotel Zone	700 mxn
City centre – southern part of the Zona Hotelera	900 mxn
A short tour inside the Zona Hotelera	400 mxn

Journeys from pick-up points outside beach clubs, restaurants and hotels tend to be the most expensive. In the evening and after events have finished, the driver may ask for a significantly higher fare.

How do you pay?

The most reliable method is to pay in cash in Mexican pesos. Some taxis accept cards, but may charge an additional fee.

You should therefore confirm the fare and payment method before setting off. If you wish to pay in cash, please have the exact amount ready if possible.

Taxi drivers also commonly accept US dollars, but the exchange rate is usually extremely unfavourable.

Are taxis reliable?

In terms of availability, yes. Both during the day and in the evening, you can usually get a taxi within a few minutes, and your hotel or restaurant can call one for you.

However, the way fares are calculated certainly cannot be described as reliable.

Without a prior agreement, you cannot be sure how much the driver will charge you at the end of the journey.

Colectivo: the cheapest way to get to the beaches

Colectivos are small white-and-red vans that serve as local public transport.

They follow a fixed route, but do not have a traditional timetable or clearly marked stops.

They are mainly used by hotel and restaurant staff, but tourists can also travel on them without any problems.

Where do the colectivos depart from?

Colectivos have two main stops in the city centre:

• Parque Rotario – towards the Hotel Zone
• the main road by the ADO coach station – towards Playa del Carmen (via the Archaeological Zone and the coast around Akumal) and towards Cobá

Please check the minibus signs carefully.

Those with “Playa” written on the bonnet do not go to the beaches in Tulum, but to the town of Playa del Carmen.

Which route does the colectivo take?

From the centre to the Zona Hotelera, the colectivo travels along Avenida Cobá towards the coast and then continues south along the Carretera Tulum Boca Paila.

It therefore mainly serves:

• the start of the Zona Hotelera
• hotels and restaurants in the central section
• beach clubs
• southern hotels towards Sian Ka’an

To get to the Archaeological Zone and the entrance to Parque del Jaguar, take the colectivo running between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

How much does the colectivo cost?

The journey from Parque Rotario to the main part of the Zona Hotelera costs 30 mxn.

If you travel all the way to the hotels at the southern end of the Zona Hotelera, you’ll pay 40 mxn.

Payment is by cash only, preferably the exact amount. When getting in, tell the driver the name of the hotel, restaurant or beach club. The fare is usually paid on alighting.

How often do the colectivos run?

Colectivos do not have a published timetable. During the day, they depart approximately every 5–15 minutes or once the van is full.

Normal service runs from 5.00 am to 10.00 pm. In the evening, the intervals are longer and the last service is not guaranteed. You’re therefore better off taking a taxi if you’re returning from a late dinner.

The vans are usually at their busiest in the morning between 7.00 and 9.00 and in the afternoon between 17.00 and 19.00, when hotel staff are travelling.

Where should you board on the return journey?

The stops aren’t marked in any way. Stand at the side of the road heading towards the city centre and wave to the approaching minibus.

In the northern part of the hotel zone, the minibuses may already be full, so you may have to wait longer for a free seat.

We do not recommend taking a colectivo if you have a large suitcase. There is no luggage compartment, and the vans tend to be very full.

Bike hire

A bike is a great way to get between the town centre, Aldea Zama and the beaches. You’ll avoid expensive taxis, parking and traffic jams on the access road.

A standard city bike costs around 250 mxn per day. An e-bike costs around 400 mxn per day.

You can hire a bike:

• directly from your hotel
• from rental shops along Avenida Cobá
• in the centre of Tulum

Some of the larger rental shops include Ola Bike Tulum, MexiGo Rentals and Tulum Rental Co.

Before collecting your bike, check the brakes, lights, tyres and lock. Rental shops usually require proof of identity and a refundable deposit. If possible, leave a deposit and do not leave your original passport at the rental shop.

How far is the town centre from the beach?

It’s about 5 km from the town centre to the start of the Zona Hotelera. The journey takes around 25 minutes on a standard bike.

It takes about 20 minutes to cycle from the town centre to the main entrance to Parque del Jaguar.

The Zona Hotelera itself stretches for roughly 10 km. If you’re staying at its southern end, the journey to the city centre is no longer a short evening trip.

Is cycling safe?

There are cycle paths along Avenida Cobá and part of Avenida Kukulkán. However, they are not continuous, and within the Zona Hotelera itself, you often have to cycle directly along the narrow road.

During the day, cycling is practical, but be prepared for high temperatures and humidity. After dark, some sections are poorly lit. Make sure you use lights, a helmet and reflective gear.

Scooter hire

A scooter is a faster alternative to a bike and is also easier to park than a car.

A 125cc scooter costs approximately 500 mxn per day. The standard refundable deposit is 3 000 mxn. You will need a driving licence and a copy or photograph of your ID.

The price usually includes a helmet, a lock and basic insurance. However, always check the excess and the scope of the insurance before signing the contract.

We recommend a scooter for journeys between the town centre, Aldea Zama, La Veleta and the Hotel Zone. If you have no experience with scooters, don’t start in Tulum. The road in the Hotel Zone is narrow and poorly lit after dark.

Car hire

You don’t need a car just to get around Tulum. You can walk around the town centre, there’s a colectivo to the beach, and it’s easy to get between the different areas by bike or scooter.

A car is worth it if you want to visit the cenotes, Cobá, Akumal, Xel-Há or other places on the Riviera Maya. We, too, used it most for these longer trips.

You can compare current prices via Booking.com.

Compare car hire prices

On side roads, watch out for speed bumps known as ‘topes’. Some are poorly marked and are easy to miss when travelling at higher speeds.

Parking in Tulum

The parking situation varies considerably depending on the part of town.

Parking in the city centre

Most on-street parking in the city centre is free. It can be difficult to find a space on the busiest streets, but you can usually find one by driving a few blocks away.

Do not park:

• at a kerb painted yellow
• next to a sign with a crossed-out letter E
• less than 5 metres from a junction
• in front of the entrance to a house or hotel

The yellow paint is sometimes faded, so take a good look at the kerb.

Parking in the Zona Hotelera

Parking is not permitted on most of the main roads in the Zona Hotelera. Free spaces at the kerb are rare, and a car parked incorrectly may be towed away.

There are a number of private car parks along the road. All-day parking costs approximately 250 mxn.

Payment is usually made in cash to the car park attendant. Before parking, check the price, whether you can collect your car at night, and the opening hours.

Some hotels, restaurants and beach clubs offer free parking for guests or include it in the minimum spend. However, capacity is usually limited, so it’s best to arrive in the morning.

Parking near the archaeological site

There is a large car park available at the CATVI central entrance to Parque del Jaguar and the archaeological zone, which costs 160 mxn per day.

In front of the official car park, there are also several unofficial car parks where parking may be cheaper, but they are further from the entrance and, what’s more, locals will try to sell you overpriced (bogus) tickets directly into the site.

Parking at the cenotes

All cenotes offer free parking in front of their entrances, provided you buy a ticket to go inside.

Walking around Tulum

The centre of Tulum is easy to get around on foot. Restaurants, shops, the ADO bus station, supermarkets and banks are all relatively close to one another.

It’s also a pleasant walk along sections of the Zona Hotelera.

We found the main street surprisingly quiet; it’s lined with restaurants, shops and cafés.

However, there are practically no continuous pavements here, and the whole hotel zone is very long. After dark, watch out for cars, scooters and poorly lit verges.

We do not recommend walking from the centre to the beach. The distance is approximately 5 km and, due to the heat, humidity and traffic, it will be much more pleasant to take a bike or a colectivo.

Which mode of transport should you choose?

The journey	Best option
Getting around the city centre	on foot
City centre – beach during the day	by colectivo or bike
City centre – beach in the evening	taxi
Aldea Zama – beach	by bike or scooter
Around the Hotel Zone	on foot, by bike or colectivo
Archaeological Zone	by bike, taxi or car
Cenotes and local excursions	hired car
Late return from a restaurant	taxi