Spend a Free-Spirited Weekend in Tulum, Mexico

Whether you’re enticed by Tulum’s history or wellness scene, this Mexican beach town is sure to cure your case of wanderlust. The area is anchored by ancient Mayan ruins, once nearly lost to history thanks to the jungles that surround them.

Find Tulum’s more modern attractions along the beach and in the towns — including casual cafés, bumping beach clubs and wellness amenities such as yoga studios, spas and more.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Take in the Natural Wonders

They may as well change Tulum’s name to Cenote City for its thousands of crystal-clear, water-filled sinkholes. One of the major attractions drawing nature lovers to town, the cenotes invite visitors to take refuge from the tropical heat with a swim in these stone wonders. Try Cenote Calavera, just a five-minute drive from Tulum Centro.

Before or after your swim, pay a visit to DelCielo, the best breakfast spot in town, for homemade granola, fresh juice and classic breakfast options.

Then, travel 30 minutes south of the city to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Here, adventurous travelers can book snorkeling tours in waters teeming with vividly colored fish or kayak among the mangroves, home to hundreds of unique birds and animals.

When the hunger pangs hit, head to Mamazul Tulum for innovative tacos — think xcatic peppers, which are native to the Yucatán, filled with house-made smoked marlin.

With fuel in your stomach, hire a car to the Mayan ruins found in the Tulum Archeological Zone, located about 3 miles away from the town center. This is among the area’s most famous attractions, and its crown jewel is a temple structure on a high bluff overlooking the ocean.

Be sure to bring water, a hat and sunscreen, so the heat doesn’t spoil your exploration of these sprawling ruins, once a fortress complex.

After exploring, end the day with a mezcal cocktail at Arca. This fine-dining restaurant uses traditional cooking methods and local ingredients to create an incredible feast — and a wonderful way to end a day in Tulum.

Saturday: Strike a Pose and Ride a Bike

Tulum has become a major hub for yogis and their students to namaste all day under the palms. So start the morning off right with a cold coconut, spiked with a straw, and some Vinyasa yoga at Studio Sol Yoga & Wellness.

For your cool-down, get on your bicycle (Tulum’s preferred mode of transport) and pedal the sandy paths of the trendy Aldea Zamá neighborhood.

Wedged up against lush forests, new cafés and restaurants are popping up here on the regular. Treat yourself to a sandwich (or a savory croissant) at local favorite Vintage Café Tulum followed by ice cream at Campanella Cremerie. Try a scoop of banana dulce de leche or a mixture of cacahuate (peanut) and coconut.

Go for a stroll in Tulum Centro, also known as Tulum Pueblo, where the locals live. Spend the afternoon shopping for handmade souvenirs like ceramic painted skulls and woven-reed handbags along Avenida Tulum and at the Tulum Bazaar.

Stop off for happy hour at Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar for, you guessed it, a mojito. It should come as no surprise that they make a mean one here, served with a stick of fresh sugar cane for stirring.

No trip to Mexico is complete without a burrito bursting with traditional flavors. Locals and travelers alike will tell you that Burrito Amor has everything from Mayan spinach to cactus to al pastor pork stuffed inside a handmade coconut tortilla.

Enjoy a light dinner here and then keep your personal eating tour of Tulum going with an out-of-the-box dessert: street tacos worthy of a visit from Anthony Bourdain at Aca Tacos de Canasta.

Sunday: Hit the Beach

Save the best for last with a day at Tulum’s pièce de résistance: the beach. Along with endless stretches of sand, Tulum’s Beach Zone is home to some of the area’s best restaurants, offering uninterrupted views of the water.

Pay a visit to Playa Ruinas, one of the region’s most special beaches. This small sliver of sand can be found in the shadow of the Mayan ruins. It’s best frequented in the early morning or late afternoon, when the crowds visiting the ruins have dispersed.

The uber-popular Playa Paraíso is another stretch worthy of a swim. You certainly won’t have the beach to yourself, but the Playa Paraíso Beach Club offers a front-row seat to Tulum’s glittering coastline with a slew of water activities to choose from, including snorkeling and boat trips.

Or just sit back with a piña colada in one hand and some super-fresh ceviche in the other. We wouldn’t blame you.

For dinner, get your fill of traditional Mexican food at Mivida. Enjoy the sound of waves crashing with a bowl of guacamole and a plate of fresh fish tostadas.

Next door at SFER IK Museion, you can get your Instagram shots in at this whimsical eco-architecture art gallery, made of crafted wood and stone. The team here works with contemporary visual artists on rotating exhibits and community workshops.

Catch the sunset on the rooftop of Puro Corazón, sipping smooth mezcal with a jungle backdrop while a DJ spins ’90s rap and the sky turns from dull orange to deep red. Of course, you can try to snap a photo, but pictures don’t do this tranquil piece of paradise justice.