Playa Ruinas is a popular beach area in Tulum, making a beautiful side trip for travelers visiting the famous Tulum Ruins. As such, it’s not surprising if you also want to check out this beach. If you’ve seen the picturesque location of the Tulum Ruins, you’ll also be mesmerized by the scenery that Playa Ruinas will offer.
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.
Now, if you plan on checking out this beach, you may want to know a few helpful things to include in your plan. As such, this article will cover everything you need to know about Playa Ruinas, including its location, the restaurants and hotels nearby, and even other things and activities it may offer.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Location
Playa Ruinas is an accessible beach area to locate in Tulum, and it’s because this area is right below the famous Tulum Ruins. In addition, this beach area is the northernmost area of Tulum’s long stretch of beach. As such, it doesn’t get too crowded, making it a peaceful area for you to enjoy.
Besides Playa Ruinas, two other beach areas make up North Tulum Beach. The other two are Playa Las Palmas and Playa Paraiso. Still, the three areas blend, making one long stretch of beach together with the Middle Beach and South Beach.
How to get there
As I mentioned, Playa Ruinas is only a few steps away from the Tulum Ruins. Thus, if you plan on visiting this beach, you’ll find this place once you are in Tulum Ruins. The most common mode of transportation to this place is a car or a bike.
From Tulum Pueblo
If you’re coming from Tulum Pueblo, it’s only 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers) away. As such, it will only take around 12 minutes if you’re driving a car and 14 minutes riding a bike.
From Hotel Zone
If you’re coming from the Hotel Zone, it’s only around 2.1 miles (3.4 kilometers) away. As such, it will only take around 10 minutes if you’re driving a car and 12 minutes riding a bike.
Parking
Since the beach is beside Tulum Ruins, you can enjoy the parking spaces near it. However, most parking spaces within the ruins have a parking fee, usually around 160 pesos.
Note that parking fees are in local currency, so it’s best to have some local currency with you. If you want to know where to exchange your cash for local currency, check out: Best Places to Exchange Money in Tulum.
Now, if you’re heading to this area early, you’ll find free parking on the beach road. It’s accessible and only a walking distance from the ruins and the Playa Ruinas.
Restaurants
There are no restaurants near Playa Ruinas, as it’s one of the most secluded areas in Tulum. Therefore, it would be best to bring your lunch, snacks, or meals if you plan on staying at this beach for a while.
Due to the narrow stretch of the beach, it’s not an ideal place for people to have a restaurant here. However, you may find some restaurants in nearby beach areas like Playa Paraiso and Las Palmas Beach.
Hotels
No hotels are available near Playa Ruinas; the nearest hotel is a few minutes away. The reason is that this area is filled with ruins, trees, and cliffs with a narrow sandy beach.
Some of the hotels are a bit far from this area. Nevertheless, most hotels will be glad to arrange excursions for you if you want to visit the ruins and nearby beach areas.
Beach Clubs
Since there are no hotels and restaurants nearby, you’ll also find no beach clubs around Playa Ruinas. For this reason, you won’t find umbrellas, sunbeds, and even chairs and tables on the beach for rent.
Most people take shade from the shadows made by the cliffs, while others take shade from the lines of palm trees. Unfortunately, due to the lack of beach amenities, it’s not something that attracts crowds.
However, if you want the best out of Tulum without the crowds, you may find this spot a hidden gem, so long as you bring your food and amenities. Just be sure not to litter around to keep the place clean.
Prices
Due to the lack of amenities and establishments within the area, Playa Ruinas is a free public beach, and you won’t spend anything here.
The entrance to the beach is free, although it’s a 15-minute-walk from the ruins. You’ll also not spend anything on food or beach amenities since you won’t find them in the area.
As such, it’s best to bring your things if you want to relax for a little bit. Most people tend to check out the beach area of Playa Ruinas and then head back to other beaches to relax.
Activities
Playa Ruinas is a secluded beach area, meaning you won’t find many activities here unless you make one yourself.
Overall, this narrow beach area is more of a site to see than a place for relaxation. It’s not where you would spend an entire day since it lacks the beach amenities and food availability.
Now, if you’re up for an entire day in this area, bringing your food, tables, and chairs is best. You can also have some water activities, but it’s all up to you.
If you prefer having more activities, you can check out the other areas of Tulum Beach. Most of the activities center on Playa Paraiso and the Hotel Zone.
If you want a complete guide to activities in this town, you can read: 24 Things to Do in Tulum.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest attraction to Playa Ruinas is the Tulum Ruins, together with the museums and parks within the Archaeological Zone of Tulum.
Thus, most travelers to Tulum usually include these attractions in a day since they are all a few minutes of walking away from each other.
Here are some of the nearby attractions within the Archaeological Zone of Tulum:
- Casa del Cenote
- Casa del Chultun
- El Castillo
- Templo del Dios del Viento
- Playita Tortuga
All these attractions are 15 minutes’ walk away from Playa Ruinas. Another nearby attraction is the Tulum Tower which is a mile (1.7 kilometers) away from the beach.
Besides the archaeological zone, it’s only a short drive away from the Hotel Zone, where you can find plenty of restaurants and bars. It’s also a short drive from Pueblo, where you can find budget food and stays.
Some cenotes are worth visiting if you’re up for something different. You can find some beautiful cenotes after a few minutes of driving. If you want to know the best ones in town, check out: Best Cenotes in Tulum.
Conclusion
Overall, Playa Ruinas is that beach area in Tulum that offers a secluded area for those who want to enjoy the beach in peace. It’s a bare area with no establishments, no restaurants, no shops, and fewer to no crowds. The beach creates a perfect secluded setting with the Mayan ruins above, the cliffs, the trees, the narrow sandy beach, and the clear turquoise waters.
If you want to enjoy some peaceful time, hearing nothing but the crashing of waves and the blowing of winds, Playa Ruinas is the beach area for you while in Tulum.
