If you’re planning a vacation in Tulum, one of the main things that probably attract you to this town is the beach, which is not surprising. Tulum is a laid-back town, but it houses one of the best beaches in the world that stretches so long it’s divided into three main parts. As a traveler in Tulum, you’ll want to know what Tulum beach offers to plan.
This article covers everything you need to know about Tulum Beach. Below, you’ll read about the beach, the location, and even the things you can enjoy in or near it. This way, you can be guided throughout your stay in Tulum and improve your beach day.
Let’s get started!
About Tulum Beach
Before diving into Tulum beach in-depth, you must know the basic information about it.
Tulum beach is a single but long stretch of beach that’s around 6 miles (or 10 kilometers) long. This beach starts from the famous Tulum Mayan Ruins on the northern side of town and ends at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere in the far south.
Three Parts of Tulum Beach
Since the beach is quite long, it’s divided into three main areas, the North Beach, the Middle Beach, and the South Beach.
North Beach
The north beach of Tulum stretches from Avenida Coba (located on Tulum beach road) to the tip of Tulum Ruins.
Since it’s located on the north side of town, it’s a beach commonly visited by travelers who also visit the Tulum Ruins and the entire archaeological park.
The north beach’s main public area is the Playa Ruinas, which lies under the picturesque cliffs of Tulum Ruins.
It houses a dozen of palm trees in its fine white sands while overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Thus, this beach makes a great place to relax after a day of exploration.
Middle Beach
The middle beach is also known as Tulum’s Middle Beach Zone, and it’s the area between Avenida Coba and Avenida Kukulkan if you would see it on the beach road.
The middle beach is where most of Tulum’s actions happen. You can enjoy hotels, beach clubs, bars, restaurants, and even some boutique shops here. It’s also where you can party and enjoy some nightlife besides Pueblo.
The Playa Paraiso is the central public beach in this area, and it attracts thousands of travelers every year. Still, it doesn’t get crowded when compared with Playa Ruinas. The beach stretches along the coast for a few miles, providing plenty of space for everyone.
South Beach
The south beach starts at Avenida Kukulkan and ends at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. This area is more exclusive than the first two, where you’ll see luxury resorts and hotels.
Since south beach houses private resorts and hotels, you’ll need to access some of the areas through the hotels for a fee or a minimum spend on their bars. Still, there’s a public space here called Las Palmas beach.
The public beach is home to calm waters that embrace a stretch of fine white sand. Las Palmas is the place for you if you’re looking for a secluded beach away from the crowds that offer peace.
Due to the exclusivity and isolation, south beach is where families and couples spend some peaceful time together.
Best Beaches in Tulum
Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso is one of the best beach areas in Tulum. It’s one of the three areas that make up Tulum’s north beach, and it’s famous for its fine white sand, clear blue waters, and Instagram-worthy furniture for rent. Playa Paraiso means Paradise Beach, and it lives up to its name.
If you want to know more about this beach, check out: Playa Paraiso.
Playa Ruinas
Playa Ruinas is a public beach located on the northmost side of Tulum Beach. Due to the day’s heat, most travelers who visit the ruins check this beach out as a relaxing side trip. With little to no crowds, it makes a perfect beach area for those who want to enjoy the Caribbean sea in peace.
If you want to know more about this beach, check out: Playa Ruinas.
Playa Las Palmas
Playa Las Palmas is another long stretch of beach area in Tulum. It’s one of the three beach areas of North Tulum Beach, separating the North Beach from the Middle Beach. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and beach clubs for relaxation here.
If you want to know more about this beach, check out: Playa Las Palmas.
Soliman Bay
Soliman Bay is a quiet, secluded beach located a few miles outside Tulum Pueblo. It consists of a private community of elegant villas overlooking tranquil Caribbean waters. Here, you can enjoy Tulum’s sunny days with the same fine white sand and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, but without the crowds.
If you want to know more about this beach, check out: Soliman Bay.
Playa Pescadores
Playa Pescadores is a small area that is part of Playa Paraiso, one of the best beach areas around Tulum and even in the entire of Mexico. This area is a public beach, and everyone can access it easily. Further, it has a line of palm trees offering shade to its guests.
If you want to know more about this beach, check out: Playa Pescadores.
Location
Since Tulum Beach is a long stretch of beach, you can quickly locate it by the end of the Tulum Ruins and the streets of Avenida Kukulkan and Avenida Coba from Pueblo. However, if you’re searching for the particular areas of Tulum beach, they are as follows:
- North beach – from Tulum Ruins to Avenida Coba
- Middle beach – from Avenida Coba to Avenida Kukulkan
- South beach – from Avenida Kukulkan to Sian Ka’an Biosphere
You can reach Tulum beach from Pueblo by taking the roads of Avenida Coba and Avenida Kukulkan. You can also reach them from the Tulum Ruins and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere.
One thing to note is that each of the three areas blends, so they don’t have any specific boundaries that separate one from the other. As such, you can explore the entire beach walking on the sands (if you can walk for a long 6 miles of distance).
Parking
When it comes to parking, you can find public and free parking along the beach road of each area. However, you’ll find the north beach with more available parking spaces than the other two.
Generally, the middle and south beaches usually pack more vehicles, especially during peak season. Still, the beach road remains safe and free parking for everyone on the beach.
You can read more on parking in Tulum in this article: Parking in Tulum – A Complete Guide.
Restaurants
When it comes to restaurants, you’ll find most of them packed in the middle beach. Since it’s the central beach zone, you can find plenty of restaurants and bars close to each other.
You won’t find many options on the North beach since it’s more directed to the Tulum Ruins. However, if you’re in South beach, you may find some on-site restaurants from luxury hotels that are usually exclusive or expensive.
For this reason, your best bet is to go to the middle beach if you’re searching for something to eat while enjoying Tulum beach.
We have a guide for you if you’re searching for the best options to enjoy some food in Tulum. If you want to know the best places to eat some good food while in Tulum, read about the Best Restaurants in Tulum.
Hotels
When it comes to hotels, you’ll find plenty of options along the entire Tulum beach. However, you can find cheaper options in the north beach rather than the middle and the south.
The most expensive ones are the hotels on the south beach since they house private and secluded beach areas along with luxurious amenities.
The north beach also houses some private hotels, which can also be expensive. However, they are not as expensive as luxury hotels.
The middle beach has cheaper options, but they usually come with fewer amenities and can be pretty noisy from all the parties and nightlife.
Now, searching for a hotel in Tulum, you may find some helpful insights through our article: Where to Stay in Tulum?
Beach Clubs
When it comes to beach clubs, you’ll often find the best ones everywhere in Tulum beach. As such, you won’t have problems if you want to enjoy some shade, chairs, tables, and even sunbeds.
One thing to note is that south beach has fewer beach clubs since most are private and luxury hotels and resorts. As such, you’ll have better chances of getting some umbrellas and other beach amenities at the north and middle beach.
Of course, if you’ve booked at a luxury hotel in South Beach, chances are you’re entitled to free beach amenities within the vicinity of the hotel. However, if you’re beach hopping, you can find the best and most practical beach clubs within the north and middle beach.
Prices
As mentioned earlier, the entire stretch of Tulum beach has public access, meaning you can enjoy the beach without paying for anything.
Still, some of the establishments, especially the ones on the South beach, would ask you to pay an entrance fee to access the beach nearby. In addition, they may require a minimum spend on their bar or restaurant if they don’t charge an entrance fee.
The cost of renting furniture on the beach ranges from 100 to 500 pesos in most beach clubs. It is also common for beach clubs to accept foreign currency. Therefore, the best way to avoid being slashed with high prices is to pay in local currency.
It’s also wise to know that their restaurants may have minimum consumption requirements at busy times. Depending on the furniture you hire, these costs might range from 1000 to 3000 pesos per bed.
One thing to note is that most payments for rentals and food on beaches are in local currency, the Mexican pesos. While some establishments accept US dollars, chances are they can have a different (higher) exchange rate.
As such, it’s best to have some local currency available for such expenses. If you want to know where to exchange money, read: Best Places to Exchange Money in Tulum.
Now, such an entrance fee usually comes with complimentary amenities like a table, chair, umbrella, and sunbed. They may even include some beach towels.
If you’re in the middle or north beach, you can find amenities for rent, but you can save such an expense by bringing your own.
Activities
The activities in Tulum beach vary depending on the area. The north beach is generally meant for relaxation, but it usually comes as a side trip from the ruins.
The middle beach has plenty of bars, restaurants, and other amenities since the establishments don’t charge the guests for entrance to the beach.
Finally, the south beach includes more wellness activities since the location is peaceful. Here, you can enjoy some spa treatments and even yoga classes. The south also has more thrilling water activities if it’s what you prefer.
Read more on activities in Tulum in this article: 24 Things to Do in Tulum (and Places to Visit).
Nearby Attractions
Due to the long stretch of Tulum beach, it has several nearby attractions for you to enjoy. However, the distance to these attractions depends on the area where you’ll stay.
For instance, the north beach is near Tulum Ruins, which means you can visit the beach or the ruins without traveling far.
The middle beach is the nearest area to Pueblo, but it’s still a few minutes of driving or biking away. Unlike the north and south, it has hotels and restaurants, meaning you won’t run out of action in this area.
The south beach is near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, and it’s the most common attraction for people staying at this beach. However, it would be best if you still had a tour or a boat ride to explore the reserve.
Conclusion
Tulum beach is a long stretch of beach comprising three different areas, and each one offers a different vibe from the others. However, one thing to note is that each area includes Tulum’s fine white sand and clear turquoise waters.
Overall, the only difference is how you’ll enjoy the best beach in Tulum. Knowing your preference will help you pick your preferred area and stay at it for an entire day or even longer. Of course, you can always explore the entire beach if you’re up for it.
