Tulum on a budget is a must-read for any backpacker, hippies, or flash-packer, but not so fancy for any luxury traveler. How to make the most out of less money with Tulum on a budget – Be wise when spending your money and splurge when it’s the best option.
Tulum is the perfect place to relax if you have been doing some overwhelming traveling and need a couple of days or a week or five to catch up with the energy levels and get ready for more adventures. I decided to go to Tulum after ten days in Cuba. I needed to eat tacos after only eating rice and pork. The food in Cuba is okay, but nothing more.
Splurging with Tulum On A Budget for Less Money but with more Fun
Tulum has become the new hot place in Yucatán. Playa del Carmen is forgotten, by the hip and cool people, that all wander out to Tulum to get Instagram photos that everyone is jealous of and, most of all, smoothie bowls that look like artwork. If you have time in Yucatán, check out Cozumel Island as well or even Isla Holbox for a day or four.
Tulum is not a cheap place with luxury hotels on every corner and beachfront, but it is possible to make it more affordable by diving into these tips and tricks about Tulum on a budget.
Bus from Canun International Airport to Tulum by ADO Bus
If you are entering Mexico by Cancun International Airport, you can quickly jump on the express bus with ADO to Tulum. The ride takes around 2 hours and 5 minutes and costs 262 pesos, that is much more affordable compared to taxi transfer.
How to Spend 72 Hours
in Tulum On A Budget with Less Money
Tulum on a budget is all about diving into the turquoise water and the divine tacos, and dazzling Cenotes like Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote. Tulum Ruins is a must when being in Tulum.
Spend A Day at Playa Paraíso
Tulum’s Best Beach
Playa Paraíso is maybe the best beach in Tulum, and best of all, it is a public beach; in other words, it’s FREE and right next to the Tulum Ruins. If you want to splurge a bit, go to a beach club and get some friendly sunbeds to relax the day-away, you will maybe have to spend a limited amount for using them, but that often covers your lunch, that is two for one. A snuggly sunbed and tasty fish tacos! All you can dream of!
Spend A Morning at Tulum Ruins
The Tulum Ruins are on the edge of the turquoise ocean and are located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The picture-perfect archaeological ruins of Tulum are among the best-preserved coastal ruins of the Maya sites in Mexico. It is only 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen and a ferry ride from Cozumel. And is also close to Dos Ojos & Gran Cenote, and Akumal Beach.
Limited Time in Mexico: Visit – Tulum Ruins
If you are short on time, don’t spend a day going to Chichen Itza. Spend it on the spectacular view of the Tulum Ruins, where the entrance fee costs 80 pesos. Best of all, it is less money than a tour to Chichen Itza, where the ENTRANCE FEE is 480 pesos. If you do book any tour to Chichen Itza, ask if the entrance fee is included in the price of your tour. Remember, you will use the entire day when being in Chichen Itza; tours are around 12 hours.
25 Pictures of The Tulum Ruins in Mexico
Personal Preference of Maya Ruins
I went to Chichen Itza and then the Tulum Ruins. And I think that the Tulum Ruins are a prettier and much easier way to visit and less hassle-free than Chichen Itza. Best of all, if you have a FREE bike at your hostel, it will cost you ZERO to travel to the Tulum Ruins. Remember, either go early or late when visiting the Tulum ruins. If you have time, go to Chichen Itza as well.
Wander Around Tulum’s Pueblo
Tulum is all about being hip and cool, and you can see it by all the bold murals and graffiti around the town center of Tulum. Make sure to use your bike when you have it from the hostel to look around and explore the different Murals.
A Day Trip from Tulum
Cenotes Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote & Snorkel with Turtles in Akumal
Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote are maybe the two most famous cenotes between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, and also perfect when snorkeling with Turtles in Akumal. Wake up early and get there before the tourist crowd gets there. We arrived at 08.00 in the morning, and it was only 5-10 other people, midday. It can be around 100 people or more.
Dos Ojos cost 200 pesos for entrance fee around 14 US dollars.
The Gran Cenote is 180 pesos for entrance fee around 10 US dollars.
Akumal Beach is the perfect stop after doing the cenotes. Have a tasty lunch at Cueva del Pescador with seductive fish tacos. Then walk to the ocean and dive in with sea turtles. Catch a colectivo back to Tulum, or do you want to visit Playa del Carmen?
Divine Street food, Taco is Cheap!
Avenida Tulum and Satélite Sur
Tacos, tacos, and more tacos, because you are in Mexico! Also, because it is cheap, cooked by locals with fresh ingredients! The best place to eat in Tulum on a budget is Antojitos La Chiapaneca!! World-class tacos with the best meat or vegetarian options. Salsa or more salsa!!! You can’t go wrong with the traditional pastor, but we also had the carne asada! We went every day to Antojitos La Chiapaneca.
The Tacos are amazingly good and very cheap. There is a line outside. Local Mexican and SMART tourists are eating here, We ate 9 tacos 2 drinks and paid only 175 Mexican pesos. Do not go Touristic restaurants, go local for real Mexican food. Definitely recommended.
Accommodation in Tulum
In Tulum, you have a ton of options when it comes to accommodation, and it is all about finding the right vibe for you! Be honest, do you need a party place? Are you okay with sharing a dorm with 4 or 10 people? We all have a standard. I’m all about saving money on accommodation; I can have more money to spend on exploring and more tacos!!
Oostel Smart Hostel
Home away from home is Oostel Smart Hostel in Tulum! Great location, behind the main street and next ADO Bus station. Easy access to anything, free bikes, free breakfast, and free wifi. The best hostel I have ever been to, and I have traveled for many years. Oostel Smart Hostel is my favorite hostel in the world! The people are doing a fantastic job to make you feel welcome and cared for with any questions you might have. The beds were huge and comfortable, and the pillows are fabulous! The value for the money is more than excellent.
Papaya Playa Project – The IT Place in Tulum
If you are splurging and want to stay where everyone is doing their Instagram famous pictures, it is at Papaya Playa Project. If you don’t have the money to stay at night, maybe spend the day at the pool.
Honest About Tulum On A Budget
It is hard to be on a budget in Tulum, because suddenly you want to many posh things, like a full-moon party, beach club, amazing yoga, and buying those shoes and the lovely dress, and then you want that fancy lunch and whoops the money went away. Be careful when being in Tulum on A Budget. It can happen to all of us!
Tulum: Great Location for Solo Female Travelers
If you want to start traveling around in Latin America as a female, I can highly recommend Tulum and Yucatan as a great region to start. The Yucatan region are used to tourists and by this also respects women. They mostly do all over Mexico, of course some places they will flirt and speak to you on the street. In Tulum you are in peace.
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