The 10 Best Day Trips From Tulum

If you are looking for the best day trips from Tulum, you have come to the right place! While Tulum has a lot to offer, so do the surrounding areas. From activities to adventures, these Tulum day trips will make your time in Mexico unforgettable!

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There is so much to appreciate in Tulum, Mexico. Chic hotels, public art installations, and vegan eateries are found on every corner of this trendy, art-filled town.

However, Tulum is not a huge town. If you are like me and love to explore, you may be curious what else there is to see around Tulum. And, I have more than a few mind-blowing options to share.

Here are the 10 best day trips from Tulum, in the jungles, caves, and lakes in the surrounding areas. Check out as many of these Tulum day trips as you have time for!

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10 Day Trips from Tulum, Mexico

1. Swim in Tulum’s beautiful cenotes.

Cenotes, cenotes, cenotes! Did you know that the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is home to more than 6,000 cenotes?!

Cenotes are formed through a centuries-long process where the limestone bedrock is naturally eroded away. It eventually collapses, creating holes in the earth.

These openings expose the fresh water from underground rivers and/or collect clean rainwater, creating picturesque and crystal clear waters. The water is generally very chilly, but it is a welcome change from the humidity of Tulum.

My favorite cenotes that are easy day trips from Tulum include Cenote Calavera for its mysterious beauty; Canote Caracol for cave-like solitude; and Cenote Taak Bi Ha for the brilliant blue water.

While it is completely possible to visit the cenotes on your own in a rental car, you might consider joining a tour if you want to avoid the hassle of planning. Check out these Tulum cenote tours:

Visiting cenotes is easily the number one day trip from Tulum. Don’t skip it!

What to pack:

• Rugged trekking sandals
• A wide brim hat
• A swimsuit
• Packable travel towel
• A waterproof camera
• A change of clothes

2. Go back in time at the Coba Ruins.

Tulum is also home to some of the best Mayan ruins in Mexico. My top pick is easily the Coba ruins because of the location.

First, it is tucked away in the lush jungle, and feels like you may have traveled back in time to find it. Second, it is very peaceful because it is not quite as popular as some of the other ruins you can visit.

Because Coba doesn’t get as many visitors as Chichen Itza for example, you can actually climb the steep structures if you’re feeling adventurous.

These ruins are one of the best day trips from Tulum, and only take about 45 minutes to reach. And again, you can either rent a car and visit yourself, or book a tour for less of a headache.

Check out these Coba tours:

3. Have quiet time on Isla Holbox.

Isla Holbox is one of the best day trips from Tulum, but I do need to warn you – spending a few days here is even better. I spent several days here and would visit again in a heartbeat.

A tiny dot on the northern end of Quintana Roo, Isla Holbox is one of the most peaceful spots. I relaxed on the beach, swam in the clear sea, and wandered the picturesque streets. Though there are a number of hotels that line the beach, if you walk a bit out of the way, you can find some secluded public areas with ease.

I highly recommend leaving super early so that you can spend most of the day on the quiet island. And, to visit independently, it will require that you get yourself to the ferry. Park in one of the designated lots (fees will be posted) and walk to the ferry. After a short and easy ride, you’ll arrive.

Not into driving there? Check out this tour instead:

4. Snorkel or dive in Cozumel.

Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, and it sits roughly 50 miles away from Tulum. Visitors should first travel to Playa del Carmen then board the ferry to Cozumel, which will take only 20 minutes.

Cozumel is a special place because it is still undeveloped in many ways. You’ll see untouched nature in a pristine island environment.

Cozumel is world-renowned as one of the best places for snorkeling and diving due to the incredible coral reef. The second largest in the world, in fact.

Even if underwater adventure is not your thing, Cozumel has beautiful quiet beaches, great food, and the Punta Sur Ecological Park, as well.

Cozumel is easy to visit on your own with a rental car, but once again, you could also choose a tour if you prefer.

What to Pack:

• Your own snorkel gear
• An underwater camera
• Packable travel towel
• Reef safe sunscreen
• A wide brim hat
• A swimsuit
• A change of clothes

5. Explore the architecture of Valladolid.

If you are interested in the history and impact that the Spanish conquistadors had on this region, then a Valladolid day trip is definitely for you. And bonus, Valladolid is one of the most colorful places I saw in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The architecture is what makes Valladolid so charming. Everything from the churches to the city buildings are bright red, or pastel-colored, or adorned with a rainbow of flags. Everywhere you turn is bright, colorful, yet somehow relaxed.

Visiting Valladolid is like stepping back in time, to a town where that pace of life has been preserved from centuries before. Don’t skip this one!

⫸ Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive: This Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote and Valladolid tour combines the previous item on this list, too! It is perfect if you want to visit both Chichen Itza and Valladolid. BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE!

6. Make your way to Chichen Itza.

Though farther out than Coba, the most famous ruins are easily Chichen Itza. This ancient site sits a reasonable two hour drive from Tulum. So, it does require a bit more effort, but I promise it is worth it!

A Chichen Itza day trip from Tulum is a must. The site is remarkably well-preserved and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. And, while it does get crowded, these ruins are very impressive.

My best advice is to visit as early as possible, both to avoid the heat and the crowds.

There are plenty of Chichen Itza tours from Tulum to choose from, too. Here are two of the best Tulum to Chichen Itza tours:

7. Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal.

“Akumal” means “turtle” in Mayan, so it is no coincidence that this area was named after this incredible reptile. Akumal has tons of sea turtles!

Akumal’s ocean has a huge coral reef that attracts sea turtles to this very spot. They rely on the coral reefs ecosystem for their food, so you are almost guaranteed to find them here.

Luckily, an Akumal day trip from Tulum is very easy to plan.

Be aware that there are heavy restrictions on swimming with the sea turtles. And, that is a good thing, so we don’t overly disturb their habitat.

Visitors will pay a fee of roughly $50 USD to swim, and the area where tourists can go is limited. The downside is, it can get very crowded, so go as early as possible.

I’ve been able to see the sea turtles in Moorea and Oaxaca and elsewhere in the world, but I never saw so many as in Akumal.

⫸ Akumal Bay Snorkeling With Sea Turtles: This tour provides pickup and dropoff from Tulum, and visits both Turtle Bay in Akumal as well as a massive cenote. Search for three different sea turtle species underwater, and swim in a cenote. BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE!

8. Paddleboard and play at Xcaret.

I only found out about Xcaret within the last five or so years, but apparently it has been around for quite some time. Xcaret is one of the best Tulum excursions you could choose if you like tropical adventures and outdoor fun.

This nature and adventure park offers loads of things to do, like paddleboarding, swimming, hiking, and more. Xcaret kind of has it all, and the scenery is absolutely stunning, to boot.

At night, visitors can watch the Mayan and Mexican cultural show, so you can really make a full day of visiting Xcaret.

Xcaret is roughly 45 minutes outside of Tulum, to the north. If you have a car, you can absolutely drive yourself. If you don’t have a car, consider the tour below, which includes full day admission, lunch, and the cultural show.

⫸ Xcaret Full Day Admission, Lunch and Cultural Show: Enjoy Xcaret’s incredible nature with a full-day admission as well as lunch and a show. Explore the cultural traditions, swim and snorkel around coral reefs and in underground rivers, or just lounge on the beautiful beach. BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE!

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9. Adventure in the Jungle at the Xplor Park.

I think you may have noticed, I love adventure travel. Adrenaline junkies, you will want to book this excursion, stat!

Xplor Park is simply a junge adventure park. You can zipline here above the trees, and swim in more cenotes, if you’re not sick of them yet. (Trust me, you won;t be. Cenotes are magical.) You can drive ATVs through the mud and even go rafting.

Xplor Park kind of has it all. If you want an adrenaline rush, then this is the best of all the Tulum day trips for you!

Spend a day discovering the unique attractions of the Xplor Park in the Riviera Maya. Fly over treetops on ziplines, explore the underground network of rivers, and drive an amphibious vehicle through exciting jungle trails.

⫸ Xplor Park All Inclusive Trip: This full-day ticket gives you access to all of the theme park’s attractions, such as zip lines, amphibious ATVs, rafting, and swimming inside underground rivers. All activities take place outdoors in the natural environment. BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE!

10. Float in the magical Bacalar Lagoon.

Bacalar is a stunning local-known spot that has remained a secret for some years. It is starting to gain popularity as a stopover spot for travelers crossing from Belize into the Yucatan Peninsula, or for those who are road tripping through Quintana Roo, as I was!

If you make the 2.5 hour drive south to Bacalar, you will quickly see why it’s so magical.

The water is a clear, striking blue made all the more stunning due to its white limestone floor. The scenery is breathtaking, and the entire area is so calm and relaxing after spending time in lively Tulum.

This is an excellent spot to hang out and enjoy a peaceful day. Hip and delicious vegan restaurants are cropping up in the area and camping is easy if you prefer to stay overnight.

But go soon, because this hidden gem won’t stay secret for long!

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After my many visits to Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula, I can confidently say that these are the best day trips you can take from Tulum. Which one will you be taking first?

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