Tulum Travel Guide: The Best Guide for a Girls Trip!

Last updated on January 21st, 2025

If you want to unwind in paradise, drink out of coconuts, dance the night away in the jungle or get your zen on- Tulum is your answer!

Just a short 4 hour flight from Toronto or NYC, this bohemian beach hideaway is home to some of the best restaurants and trendiest hotels in all of Mexico making it the perfect spot to escape for a bit.

I decided to celebrate my 40th birthday there and I was SO glad I chose Tulum. It is the perfect mix of everything- yoga, turquoise beaches, daytime margaritas and the whole town is aesthetically pleasing.

There was 8 of us in total so I wanted a place that could appeal to all the different personalites coming and I would recommend Tulum for not just a birthday celebration but also for a bachelorette, couples trip or even a solo get away

Our Girls Weekend in Tulum Itinerary Overview

Friday

Dinner at Rosa Negra
Arrival/Taco Lunch at our Air BNB
Post dinner Cocktail at Gitano

Saturday

Smoothies at Matcha Mama
Shopping around town
Lunch and Beach Club- Gitano
Massages
Dinner at our Air BNB courtesy of the Chef’s that our Air BNB host arranged
Mariachi Band

Sunday

Sound Bath from Breath Work Tulum
Visit to Atik Cenote Park
Lunch at Palma Central
Pre Dinner Cocktails at Azulik
Dinner at Acra

The Best Airbnb in Tulum- Casa Amor

When I tell you that I found a GEM of a spot to stay at for our trip, I am not lying. I searched for months to find a place that was A: rated really well, B: Had all the bells and whistles and C: looked beautiful! I couldn’t recommend doing an Air Bnb over a hotel for a bigger girls trip like this since we got to hang out together in the main areas AND it was just way more cost efficient.

Our Airbnb called Casa Amor was all of these things plus more. Not only did the place check all the boxes but the hosts literally set up SO much for us. They set up the private chefs we had for breakfast and dinner some of the nights, massages for us, transportation and even arranged for groceries and food to be there upon our arrival!

Here are some of the key features of our Air Bnb in Tulum:

4 Bedrooms each with their own bathroom ( this was legit the best part!)
Fully Equipped Kitchen with large dining table ( for 10 guests!)
Modern pool with comfy lounge chairs and outdoor seating area
Tv/Sound System and huge sectional
Gated door
Washer and Dryer
Walking distance ( 10 minutes) to some cute restaurants

Best Areas to Stay in Tulum

Tulum is divided in to 3 main areas and it’s good to understand the lay of the land before deciding on what hotel or villa to book

Beach strip Tulum aka Zona Hotelera

The beach strip is probably the most popular area to stay in Tulum where you can find the 5 star resorts and Instagram famous restaurants! Staying here will guarantee a prime spot on the beach which most hotels being situated directly on it.

PRO: Easy access to everything, do not need to worry about transportation for the most part- though it can take you about an 1+ hours if you wanted to walk from one end of the strip to the next

CON: More $$, way more crowded

Downtown Tulum

Downtown Tulum also called “Tulum Pueblo” is more inland from the beach and is a more local area of the town. It is filled with authentic restaurants, artisans and crafts and has more of a bustling atmosphere.

While this area still has more of a local feel to it, there has been a lot of development in the last few years and now you can find trendy restaurants and smaller boutique hotels popping up every week. This is where our Air bnb was located ( a few roads away!)

PRO: Everything is cheaper here- accommodations, food, drinking and you are close to the Ado bus Terminal

CON: A good 15-20 minutes to the beach

Akumal Tulum

Situated about 25 north of the main beach strip of Tulum, the Akumal area is more quiet and filled with bigger resorts that focus on wellness, privacy and pristine beaches. This area is great if you are looking to explore some all inclusive options or if you want to rent a villa and go into Tulum for a day trip.

PRO: You can truly have peace and quiet

CON: You are hotel trapped and need to arrange transportation to leave or do anything different

Welcome Bags For My Girls Trip in Tulum

Since my friends travelled all the way to Mexico for my birthday, I wanted to get them a little something upon their arrival. In their welcome kit I included a custom shirt that I had made on Etsy ( ours said Tequila and Tulum but you can do whatever saying you want/pick colours!). I added in a sleep mask, a Summer Friday lip balm and some masks! All items are linked below

Things to do in Tulum on a Girls Trip

Tulum is the perfect spot for a girls trip because there is quite literally something for everyone. If you want to just party, you can do just that. If you are into wellness and yoga, you can fill up your time with downward dogs and namastes. And if you want a balance of both ( like we did), I am breaking down the best things to do in Tulum for a girls trip that checks both of those boxes.

Spend an afternoon at one of Tulum’s beach clubs

Tulum is home to beach clubs aka places where you day party with DJ’s, drinks and dancing. I am not a club girl. In fact I hate clubs ( I hated them even in my 20’s) but beach clubs- beach clubs I love. I love being outside and having fun during the day vs late night and is there anything better than dancing with a marg in the sun? Below is a list of the most popular beach clubs in Tulum:

Gitano Beach Club: This is where we went. Gitano is a Tulum institution. It was one of the first cool cocktail bars on the strip and despite that- it is still one of the coolest years later. They recently opened up a sister location called Gitano Beach Club and it’s beautiful. What I liked about it here is that it is a bit more tame and refined than some of the ones below. They have a DJ and it’s a vibe but you can still enjoy your food, hit the ocean and hear yourself think. ( $80-$150 minimum spend depending on if you want a daybed, cabana etc)
Taboo-Taboo is another great option if you want to have a bit of sun lounging and a bit of dancing. You can stay here and party until the sun starts setting and it feels like things are just beginning. ($100 USD per person cover charge. It goes towards drink/food like most places)
Mia– Mia is one of the most popular beach clubs in Tulum and I would say the one that gets the most “wild” ( $75 USD) per person minimum spend per person)
Bagatelle-The Bagatelle brand doesn’t mess around. With numerous locations all over the world, you can expect the same elegance, vibes and good times at each one. This Bagatelle has it’s Tulum twist to it and there is not only a beach club but also a restaurant if you wish to come when the sun sets ( $100-$150 minimum spend per person depending on day of the week)
Tantra-As the name suggests, Tantra is a bit of an exotic and rustic beach club option. Picture yogis vibing together on the beach…but with nice drinks and a good atmosphere.
Coco Tulum- Coco Tulum is a smaller and more bohemian atmosphere with white driftwood swings and tables that deck the beachfront bar. Drinks are reasonable ( for Tulum) and the cover charge is minimal ( $20 USD)

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Interested in Mexico? You should check out these other spots to see:

Visit a Cenote – Must do Activity in Tulum

Cenotes are in abundance within the Yucatan Penisula making it one of the most popular things to do in Tulum. The natural freshwater “pools” are called Cenotes where you can swim, snorkel, and dive in them. The water is SO fresh and rejuvenating and a lot of them are tucked away within caves or in lush jungle landscapes.

Here are the main Cenotes in Tulum:

Gran Cenote (gets really busy, go early!)
Dos Ojos ( one of the most popular and almost like a 2 in 1 Cenote as there are two sink holes in the same area. The entrance fee is higher because of this at $21 USD)
Jardin De Eden
Cenote Calavera ( one of my favourites as you literally have to jump down a house to access it and there is a ladder to get back up!)
Atik Cenote ( this is where we went on our girls trip and it is a mix of art installations and a swimming hole!). Entrance was $25 USD and it was cash only

This is the MOST refreshing water you will ever swim in. If you go to the Gran Cenote- make sure to go to the back stairs for a more private dip. The water colour is also much different there.

Cenote Calavera below

Atik Park below- where they have cenotes and an art park

Go to Rosa Negra for Dinner

There are a ton of dinner spots in Tulum- everything from fine dining to casual little taco joints. For an opening night dinner with your girls in Tulum, I could not recommend Rosa Negra more! It is tucked right into the jungle and has open air seating.

With a Latin infused menu, bongo performances and a DJ setting the vibe, it’s the perfect spot to eat out and also party a bit. I am not a club girl so this was a really great medium for our bigger night out. A few of us went over to Gitano for post dinner cocktails after which was perfect! There was no minimum spend required and we did a bunch of sharing plates.

I would definitely recommend a reservation in advance. Other options that have a similar vibe: Bagatelle and Lios ( Rosa Negra had the best overall reviews though)

Visit the Tulum Ruins

If you and your girls like activities and want to see some of Tulum’s natural landscapes and history, a visit to the Tulum Ruins should be on your list. It’s a look into what the Mayan world used to be and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. We did not do this on our trip but I have visited when I first came to Tulum and I would recommend it for any first timer to the area.

The Tulum ruins are situated at the edge of the coast line and offer sweeping views of the ocean

It is $6.00 USD to enter the suit and like many tourist sites, I would go as early as possible and on a weekday if you have that option

Do a Theme Night for a girls trip in Tulum

Is it even a girls trip if you don’t have matching PJS or do some sort of outfit coordination? I live for stuff like this ( some of my friends are not as enthusiastic about it as I am though haha). With that being said, I wanted to have a theme night at least one of the nights but kept it easy: T E Q U I L A S U N S E T.

You could wear any colour of orange or pink and I brought decor from home to play on that theme for our dinner set up. In the itinerary that you can download above, I share the Outfit inspiration that might finding an outfit a little easier ( and gave some direction)

Rent Bikes

The area is best discovered via bike as you can bike the whole strip and make pit stops along the way. Rentals can be found at most hotels for as little as $20 USD

If you want to book with a company directly, Ola Bikes is a great option and right in town. On my first trip to Tulum I made an ambitious move of biking from downtown Tulum to the beach strip and we were legit dripping in sweat. I would recommend just biking along the beach area strip.

Do a Wellness Activity

Tulum is known for being a mecca of wellness and rejuvenating. Whether you are looking for a yoga retreat, a meditation class, massage or going a little deeper with a Temazcal Ceremony ( a sometimes 2+ hour sweat session inside a clay cave with a shaman), it is worth adding a wellness experience into your itinerary.

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Here are some amazing places to have a mind, body and soul recharge:

Holistika Tulum ( Yoga and Temescal Ceremonies)
Sanara Tulum (Yoga, Cocoa Ceremonies)
Yaan Wellness Energy Healing Spa Tulum ( Sound Baths, Yoga and Spa)
Amansala ( They have an amazing rooftop Yoga Deck and host a lot of retreats here)
Mayan Clay Spa ( I had a life changing clay massage here and not only was it insane but it was affordable!)

If you are looking for a private sound bath right at your villa or air bnb, we booked Breath Work Tulum. It was about $350 USD for 8 of us total. It lasted an hour and she set up sound bowls, charms, brought yoga mats etc. She was lovely and it was nice to do in the comfort of our own space)

Go to Azulik for Sunset Cocktails

Azulik is one of the most famous spots in Tulum…and for good reason. It is known for its artistic and organic architecture, featuring treehouses, wooden structures, and elevated platforms that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings.

It is truly a work of art and a place that is so unique! I stayed here back in 2018 when the rooms were still ( SOMEWHAT reasonable) but now they are over $1000 a night minimum.

There are a few ways to visit Azulik without staying at the hotel itself:

Book a ticket for Sunset. The ticket is $50 USD and gets you one cocktail and passed appetizers. Yes, it’s overpriced but you are paying for the experience. This is what we did and I would do it again in a heartbeat. They have a DJ playing and you get to see the entire Mayan jungle AND ocean from the top. These tickets cannot be booked in advanced so you just need to get them from the door. We didn’t go early and had no problem getting in right at sunset!
Book a dinner at Kin Toh. This is Azulik’s fancy restaurant where just like the building itself is art, so is the food. They offer tasting menus here and while it’s beautiful- you cannot access the rooftop or nests when you are just dining here.
Book a Nest. Booking a Nest here will land you in one of those Instagram Famous bird’s nests where you have a private table overlooking the Jungle. The nests range between $500 USD -$2500 USD per table depending on how many people there are and that doesn’t include food. If money is not an object, this is a great experience I’m sure but I would personally just book a sunset ticket as you still get the same views!

Hire a Mariachi band

Hiring a Mariachi band is always a good idea. Literally this was my favourite memory from our girls trip to Tulum. On the night we stayed in and had a dinner cooked for us at the house, my friends surprised me with a Mariachi band. The doorbell rang and in they came signing happy birthday. Core memory and not to mention they were INCREDIBLE! They played for just over an hour and we fed them tequila between their sets. ha! This is the company that was used

How many nights do you need in Tulum for a girls trip?

While you can easily spend a week in Tulum basking in the sun and sipping margaritas in between yoga sessions, for a girls trip 3-4 nights is the perfect amount of time! We did 3 nights and I was ready to get home after a full weekend of fun.

Our flight back to Toronto was only 4 hour so if my journey there was longer, I think another night would be good.

Airport Near Tulum, Mexico: Tulum International Airport

The new Tulum airport is a game changer for those wanting to book a trip to the area! Prior to this you would need to fly into Cancun airport and it would take 2 hours to get to Tulum. Air Canada flies to Tulum now several times a week making it super convenient if you are flying in from Toronto. There are also direct flights from JFK and LA! The ride from the Tulum Airport into town takes only 30-45 minutes depending on where you are going!

The Tulum airport is SO nice -decked with trendy restaurants, tequila shops, gift shops and more. It was also veryyy quiet ( barely any people) when we arrive and departed making the trip super seamless and easy.

How to Get from Tulum to Cancun?

Rental Car: The most expensive option, but it allows you more flexibility with exploring the area. We rented a car during my first visit and found it to be really convenient for stopping in a variety of places since taxi and uber costs can add up. You can rent online before arriving or stop at one of the rental companies before exiting the airport. The 2-hour drive is a straight shot down the highway!

Private Shuttle: There are companies that will take you to Tulum in a private van for around $150 usd. This option is feasible for large groups.

Ado Bus Station: One of us in the group had to head to Cancun after the trip was done. She hopped on a bus from Ado Bus Station which is in the center of downtown Tulum. It was 5 minutes from our place. It is a nice coach bus ( has AC) and you can purchase a ticket at the stall in person or online ahead of time. Total trip is about $20USD one way.

Tulum Travel Guide: General Tips

If there is one thing that you need to pack, it’s BUG SPRAY. Put on bug spray the minute the sun starts to go down and lather it everywhereeee. You are in the Mexican jungle and it can be annoying at times. On my latest trip there, they weren’t that bad surprisingly but other times they really ate me alive.
If you go during the hot season, make sure that the place you are staying has fans or AC. You will NEED it. Trust me
If you are travelling with kids, I recommend checking out Playa Del Carmen. It’s more kid friendly and about 30 minutes from Tulum!
Most places take credit cards but I would still bring cash for some things. ATM machines are found in a lot of spots and most places accept USD along with pesos. Especially bring money to the Cenotes if you visit them. Most of these places DO NOT have credit cards

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