All the incredible things to do besides the beach in this famous beach town.
In Tulum, locals have a name for the archetypal boho festival tourist dressed in bathing suits and combat boots: the Tuluminati. They descend on the tiny beach town in waves, transforming Tulum’s once laid-back shoreline into something closer to Ibiza during peak rave season. But there’s a far better way to experience this corner of Mexico than bouncing between beach clubs and EDM sets. Beyond the scene, Tulum and its surrounding jungle are full of quieter, wilder pleasures: swimming solo in cenotes, climbing Mayan pyramids with only a few other travelers around, ziplining without the lines, drifting down a river with no one else in sight. In a town famous for its beach, some of the best experiences have nothing to do with the sand at all.
Keep your fierce independent streak going by staying at the locally-owned, boutique Kahatsa Hotel. Or better yet, have Intrepid Tours, a well-known B Corp–certified tour company that prioritizes responsible travel and locally rooted experiences, organize the whole thing for you. Their new Short Breaks offerings take just 4-5 days and fully immerse you in not only the best of the secret gems and undertraveled points of interest, but experiences that actively engage local communities and support regional economies rather than bypass them. The Tulum to Chichen Itza Short Break is a dream itinerary for Yucatan Peninsula travel–plus they do all the work.
1 OF 7
Cenotes
The Tankah community are the Maya stewards of Tankah Pueblo, a 750-acre stretch of jungle home to four stunning cenotes and countless ways to experience these mythical caves to the underworld. In Maya cosmology, cenotes were believed to be portals to Xibalba—the mysterious realm inhabited by gods, spirits, and ancestors—giving the crystal-clear pools a spiritual significance that still lingers today. Swim, canoe, zipline, and snorkel through the sparkling turquoise waters and explore limestone caves full of dripping stalactites and flying bats. After your adventures through these 65-million-year-old natural wonders, enjoy a meal cooked by the Tankah community–fresh tortillas and churros abound. The handmade crafts are a joy to peruse, and you’ll feel great knowing you’ve scored a one-of-a-kind souvenir that directly benefits the artist.
2 OF 7
Cobá
Once a powerful Maya city and major trade hub between 600 and 900 CE, Cobá is now one of the Yucatán’s most compelling archaeological sites. Unlike many of its cohorts, Cobá is based in the jungle and is shaded. This means a visit is far more relaxing than under the blazing sun of most Mayan ruins. You can walk, bicycle, or take a bike taxi across the stone roads that lead you to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán region (about 138 feet). Underrated and under-the-radar, Cobá is worth going to for the shaded roads alone–you’ll get to spend more time actually looking at the details, like skull carvings and the hoops of the main ball court, rather than fanning yourself and reapplying sunscreen. The details are incredible. Get even closer through a hands-on workshop with the Xunaan Kab Maya community, who live in and around the region and help preserve traditional knowledge passed down for generations. In these intimate sessions, community members guide you through the ancient process of creating Maya Blue—a striking turquoise pigment that once held both artistic and ceremonial importance across the Maya world.
3 OF 7
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Possibly the most unique natural ecosystem to be found on the Yucatan Peninsula, don’t miss the unbelievable Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (in Mayan, it was referred to as “The Gate of Heaven”). The preserve boasts tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes, and is home to ruins, cenotes, and coral reefs. Seek out marine wildlife like manatees, crocodiles, and stingrays under skies full of colorful tropical birds (over 300 species!). The color of the water is like nothing you’ve ever experienced–a range of electric blues that sparkle clear to the bottom.
4 OF 7
Boat and Float the Canals
Within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, ancient canals were built through mangroves to serve as trade routes by the Mayans more than 1,500 years ago. Today, you can boat through these incredible channels, observing the myriad wildlife all around you in the marsh. Speed across the turquoise centotes into the gnarled mangrove forests, where a boat will drop you off (and pick you up) so that you can float the crystal waters of the Mayan canals. It’s magical.
5 OF 7
Chichen Itza
The New Seventh Wonder of the World and UNESCO Heritage Site is a short two-hour drive from Tulum, and more than worth the hike. There’s a reason this Mayan pyramid is a World Wonder–between its architectural and archaeological preservation, the ruins are in pristine condition. Its iconic pyramid, El Castillo, was used as a temple and calendar reflecting astronomical events. Chichen Itza also features ball courts, temples, and ceremonial platforms that show the Maya’s advanced knowledge of architecture, astronomy, and mathematics, and the preserved details of the ruins include original artistry in etching and pigment.
6 OF 7
Eat and Drink
There’s no wrong taco in Tulum. Everything from taco trucks to brick-and-mortar stores will satisfy your every desire for conchinita pibil (slow-roasted pork famous to this area). A couple of stand-outs include El Capitan, where the margaritas flow like water; Meli-Melo, a vegan haven set in a cozy home garden; Taqueria Don Honorio, where the quesadillas are beloved by locals and tourists alike’ and Mestizo Gallery Hotel restaurant, where you’ll be treated like family. After you’re full, don’t miss La Guarida, Tulum’s coolest bar–part treehouse, part house party. You’re sure to love the people watching, and you can’t beat the cocktails.
7 OF 7
Tuluminati Spotting
Tulum has a reputation as a boho playground for wellness influencers and luxury-minded spiritual seekers, and while that stereotype exists, it’s far from the whole story. The town itself is surprisingly small—home to only about 35,000 residents—which makes the steady influx of tourists especially noticeable. Locals even have a nickname for a certain type of visitor: the Tuluminati. Join the locals in spotting the Tuluminati–the brightly dressed, combat-boot-clad, spirituality-chasing, EDM-dancing influx of travelers who are seeking a particular scene. You’ll find the “Tuluminati” everywhere you look–it’s like Burning Man at the beach.