Share the article
Last updated
Some of the most beautiful white sand beaches I have ever seen are in Tulum.
So it’s no wonder that the airport that makes Tulum even more accessible to travelers from around the world has been a great success.
According to new figures Released as Tulum International Airport celebrated its first anniversary, the airport has already welcomed 1.1 million passengers.
That exceeds expectations (by more than 30%) and Tulum International Airport has become the second busiest airport in the state.
So why is Tulum so popular?
The beautiful beaches of Tulum
People don’t visit Tulum just because the airport is convenient; it is true known for its incredible beaches.
When you imagine a typical paradise beach, these are the beaches that come to mind.
I’m a real beach lover, and these are some of the best I’ve seen.
Although popular (code for busy), Playa Paraíso is not to be missed. This is a wide stretch of white sand surrounded by warm and shallow turquoise water.
It was one of our favorite beaches for swimming.
The beach clubs here looked luxurious and elegant, but since this is a public beach we didn’t take advantage of them, preferring to go it alone (and save a few dollars).
Perhaps the most famous beach in Tulum is Playa Ruinas, which lies beneath the famous archaeological ruins. It’s a great beach and an iconic photo spot.
We viewed this beach from above, but didn’t go down to explore the coastline.
When we were there (in May), the stairs from the ruins to the beach were closed for safety reasons.
The ruins here are fascinating, although very different from Chichen Itza.
Due to the location of this coastal city, the buildings are much closer to the ground.
If you want relaxation and tranquility with fewer visitors, try Playa Las Palmas.
You won’t find flashy facilities here, but the beach is free to enter and the perfect place to lay down a towel and read a book while the kids build sandcastles.
Worth traveling for
Finally, although it is a little further away (about 30 minutes), we loved Playa Akumal beach so it deserves a mention
This beach is a beautiful beach in itself and is home to a nesting ground for sea turtles.
You can only swim with the turtles here if you have a guide and we hired a great guide at the Akumal Dive Shop. Their packages from MXN$750 ($37) per person.
We chose the private tour option (which I would recommend because then you are not limited by the swimming speed of the slowest swimmer in a larger group) and were amazed at the number and variety of turtles and other ocean life we saw.
It is worth noting that there is a fee to access Akumal Beach to cover the costs of conservation in the area. This is MXN$100 ($5) per person and includes access to the showers, lockers and toilets.
Swim in ice-cold cenotes
As beautiful as the beaches are (and they really are), if you’re a water baby like me and love swimming, then you have to experience the cenotes of Tulum.
Their ice-cold water was a refreshing break from the heat and the ethereal, otherworldly environment only added to the magic.
The heat of Mexico was overwhelming for my British kids (who wear more raincoats than T-shirts), so the cenotes were the perfect tonic for all of us.
Some of the best in the area are the Gran Cenote, the Cenote Dos Ojos and the Cenote Car Wash.
The most famous attraction in the area is the Gran Cenote, which can be very busy. Arrive early to beat the crowds, and you can enjoy floating in the blue waters before the tourist buses arrive.
But even when it’s busy, it doesn’t detract from the fun.
Turtles live in this cenote, and if you’re lucky you might spot one!
Less exciting were the bats that live on the roof of the cave. It is worth noting that wearing life jackets is mandatory here, but you can rent them on site. Admission costs MXN$500 ($25) per person.
We loved the semi-open cenote car wash (named after a car wash that was once located nearby). The official name of this cenote is Aktun-Ha.
The water here is pristine and during the summer months algae turns it vibrant green.
There is a swing rope that you can use to jump into the pool, which is a lot of fun! This is also a great place for snorkeling. Entry costs MXN£200 ($9.86) per person.
A little further away but still worth mentioning was the Cenote Hikbuku, which we visited on the way from Tulum to the archaeological ruins of Coba.
Key memories were made in this underground cenote as we took turns making the ‘leap of death’ from the high wall to the icy waters below.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
