BootsnAll Travel Community

ok so my friend asked to reschedule honduras.. boo. so for now, i need something to keep me going until next year's travel plans! it has to be cheap, and something i could do over 4-5 days early june. i was thinking of flying into cancun (~$500) and going to tulum. everytime i see pics of the ruins, i think it's so amazing. ancient ruins right on a tropical beach?? i'm down! but... then i hear all these horror stories about how the place is completely, utterly, totally overrun with tourists and resorts. mildly overrun is ok-- i just don't want something like daytona or south beach. think it'd be worth it to fly down there just for that? in early june, at that? thanks!

Tulum is definitely not "really that bad." In fact, Tulum is an excellent place to get away for a few days. As for the ruins, Tulum is nothing more than a minor Maya site - the setting is the most compelling thing about it. As for the vibe, it is certainly not undiscovered, but the beach is wide and over 10km long, so there's more than enough room for everyone there. The daytrippers from Cancun mob the ruins in late morning and early afternoon, but don't make it too far away. The ambiance never gets beyond chilled-out, if that's what you're worried about. People staying there tend to be low-key couples and backpackers.

Accommodations are a mixed bag. There are hundreds of beach palapas available. The budget ones are decidedly rustic - think sand floors and no electricity at night. June is low season, although even then, the cheap ones tend to go fast. I'd recommend staying in the town the first night, and exploring the beach during the day. People who reserve the cheap beach places in advance are often disappointed. If you're going by yourself, you'll probably want to stay in town anyway, as the beach gets really quiet at night. Taxis run the 3km between the town and beach for 30-35 pesos, although it can be tricky getting one back from the beach late at night. Food and drink are really expensive on the beach, which is another reason to stay in town. Hostels like the Weary Traveler (very much a party hostel - be forewarned) offer at least one shuttle to and from the beach every day.

These are photos of what it looks like in peak season (late December). I usually make it there at least once a year.

oooooooooh pretty!! thanks, felix.

originally, i was considering something more specific.. doing a yoga retreat in tulum. but then as i researched it, things were popping up at like $1500! wtf, no thanks. so then i thought ya know, i could prob just go down there, hang out, drop in some yoga classes once in a while, veg out in some spa, etc.

now i just need to find a decent flight!

Hey xoom!

I haven't been there in forever, but from what I've heard, Felix's description is spot on. It really is a first rate beach, and big. And in June, I wouldn't think it would be anywhere near as crowded as it is in winter, as Felix mentions.

If you get really lucky, and there's next to nobody there, there's a little beach (and I mean little) that you can access right behind/below the ruins by climbing down. (At least you used to be able to get down there.) If you get there at the right time, you might even have it to yourself.

Don't miss the cenotes in the area.

Have fun!

Travis, that beach is still accessible, but it's easily the most crowded beach in the Tulum area now. That is the one that it seems like every single daytripper from Cancun visits, although it is stunning, like all of Tulum's beaches.

The various cenotes in the area are definitely worth a trip. You can see some on your own if you rent a bike or moped in Tulum pueblo, or take a tour. Weary Traveler usually organizes about five a week for about 100 pesos - sign up the day before.

personally, my wife and i were quite dissapointed with the ruins of tulum. i must say though, that we have been spoiled by a whole bunch of other fabulous ruins, the last before tulum being uxmal. the ruins at tulum were totally unaccessible and quite small. the beach was nice but so are all the beaches around the carribean. i must say that since we saw tulum, and all it's tourists, (are we in cancun, or what?) we have been mega spoiled by lamanai in belize and tikal in guatamala and especially palenque in chiapas. palenque was our favorite of all.

tulum the town is unknown to us because we did not hang around long enough to find out. i will guarantee one thing for sure. tulum is not a city to spend time in with an r.v.

all in all i would have to say that the whole of the yucatan peninsula was a disappointment for us. not that we didn't appreciate all of the good about the place, just that we were probably expecting much too much. the snorkeling around shore was not very good, it rained on us a bunch, tons , and i mean TONS of gringos running amuck and tour buses everywhere.

could i have some cheese with my whine.

we couldn't move on fast enough. great roads though and nearly no traffic. nice and flat

loving ALL of mexico, the good and the bad, 2bits.ca

quote:

Travis, that beach is still accessible, but it's easily the most crowded beach in the Tulum area now. That is the one that it seems like every single daytripper from Cancun visits

Too bad. Like I said, it was a looooong time ago when I was there. Probably almost 20 years. (Yeeesh.) Way back then, we practically had the ruins, and that beach, to ourselves.

quote:

Like I said, it was a looooong time ago when I was there. Probably almost 20 years. (Yeeesh.) Way back then, we practically had the ruins, and that beach, to ourselves.

And the dinosaurs roamed the earth, too?

I haven't been to Tulum but one thing I've noticed, especially about travel in Mexico is you have to know where the herd goes and then wait them out, its often pretty easy to do. Like Felix is saying about the daytrippers, etc. It's like waiting out cruise ships. You just wait till they have to get back on the boat and then you enjoy the sights. While waiting there are often plenty of interesting, wonderful sights that the daytrippers don't hit up.

ive also been to tulum, though it was nearly ten years ago, and i was all of fourteen and definately part of the tour herd (forgive me, it was a school trip) and you know what? i think its pretty lame that the fact that there might be a bunch ofpeople there might stop you from going. yes the groups are annoying, so plan around them, but to even consider not seeing this place would definately be your loss. so GO!

Yep. Most of the daytrippers come from Cancun; a smaller number from Playa del Carmen. If you arrive at the ruins at dawn, you'll have the place to yourself for a couple of hours, which is all you need to fully explore Tulum's site. Besides, the place gets blazingly hot by noon.

Coba is nearby, and a much more impressive site than Tulum. Very few people visit these ruins compared to Tulum, and it's easily accessible from Tulum. Couple a visit there with a swim in a cenote, and you've got a full day right there.

quote:

And the dinosaurs roamed the earth, too?

Just Salmo.

Renting a Moped (or quad!!!) is a great idea! Then you can hit up the cenotes on your own. You don't really need a guide, just look for the dive signs. And that landscape is as flat as a tortilla so it'd be fun and easy.

The only question is whether or not you'll get rain in June...really, is there anything worse than escaping Seattle for a quick beach hit and getting rain?

No. No there is not.

ok, i'm 99% sold.

as for teh remaining 1%.. a friend of mine that studied abroad in greece a couple years ago has a sister doing that this coming fall qtr. so she's flying in for 2 weeks. her sister is flying in on her 2nd week, so my friend invited me to come with her in august. if she says spain and ibiza, my personal mecca, i'm so there-- screw the costs.

decisions, decisions!

I visited Tulum just after New Year 2008 and found it a little disappointing although it did rain on and off a few times as we walked round. It's true there are hords of tourists in the morning all following the same path around the ruins. It's a shame you can't climb on any of the ruins, but I suppose its a way to try to protect them from all those trampling feet.

The beach is accessible from the ruins and does seem to be the busiest area for beach revellers.

more travel articles can be found at: WorldRamblers

i suppose tulum would be super crowded during thanksgiving weekend huh? or maybe not too bad?

I think as others have said it is all in the timing- spend the night close- go in early in the morning- leave by 10:30 or 11- go see Coba or the cenotes and if you want return by 3:30 or 4 and see the rest. You don't want to be on the beach that time of year fom about 11 to 4 anyway. You could also go over to Vallolidid and go north to Ek Balam, a wonderful not widely visited ruin. The beauty of Tulum is not in the ruins as much as its remarkable setting.