Tulum sits on a stretch of the Riviera Maya where dense jungle meets the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Unlike the high-rise resort zones of Cancún, this coastline is defined by low-impact eco-chic hotels, rustic beach clubs, and protected biosphere reserves. The beaches here are not just strips of sand; they are gateways to ancient Mayan history, sea turtle habitats, and some of the softest white powder in Mexico.
Choosing the right beach in Tulum depends heavily on what kind of traveler you are. The northern stretches offer easy access to the famous ruins, while the southern end blends into the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, offering wild, windswept dunes. Because the coastline is divided into distinct zones—each with different sand quality, sargassum management, and crowd levels—it pays to know the landscape before you rent a bike or hail a taxi.
One of the most important factors to consider is the seasonal presence of sargassum seaweed. While many hotels work tirelessly to clear their shorelines daily, some of the more remote, protected beaches intentionally leave the seaweed to nurture the dunes. If you are visiting between May and October, you will want to prioritize beaches with active maintenance or those located near natural breaks that keep the water clear.
Accessibility is another key element of the Tulum beach experience. While the hotel zone runs along a narrow strip of land, many beaches are accessed via sandy paths or through private clubs that require a minimum spend. Public access points do exist, but they can be easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, the beach road is flat and highly walkable, making it simple to explore multiple spots in a single day.
Parking a car in the hotel zone can be a challenge, and the road is often congested with taxis, scooters, and delivery trucks. The most enjoyable way to experience Tulum’s coastline is by renting a bicycle or an ATV, allowing you to stop spontaneously at hidden entrances. Always bring cash, as many of the smaller beach clubs and parking attendants do not accept credit cards.
Below is a curated list of the twelve best beaches in Tulum, ordered roughly from north to south along the coast. Each entry includes what makes the spot unique and who it is best suited for, whether you are a photographer, a family with kids, or a solo traveler looking for solitude.
Playa Las Palmas
| Address | Playa Las Palmas, Zona Hotelera Tulum, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
You'll hear people complaining about the park access fees. That's only when you go by car. We went by bike, it was completely free, we were able to access all the beaches as you can see in the pictures. Water and sand were clean.
The only nitpick would be the boats parked almost everywhere which takes from the scenery.
•April 2023• a great public beach with beautiful water, white sand and wasn’t overly busy when we were there. Seaweed wasn’t too bad and couldn’t really smell it.
Be aware you shouldn’t walk there as it’s a long trek by foot. Definitely drive or ride a bike.
a beautiful sandy beach lined with beach clubs and low key hotels. Its very busy, especially if you want a chair at one of the beach clubs, you better show up early. Other than that the water is warm and it does have sargasso floating in it, but not bad. Not when I was there.
Last time I was at this beach was in 2020 - just before the pandemic.. we'd been going to Tulum regularly for years and this was our favourite beach, but last time we were there the DJ music & bass from nearby restaurants was almost intolerable, you could feel it through the sand. Arriving was easy - lock your bikes in the shade of the trees near the entrance and relax on the sand all day. Grab snacks at the Chedraui on the way, bring a sun-shelter, and the vibes are awesome. Perfect waves for playing in, great lifeguards, and food options nearby. We're going back soon and I'm really nervous it has become super privatized since then...
BEAUTIFUL! For me probably the best beach on the coast of Tulum. Best accessible with bike, or an hour walking from the center. The beach is wider and less crowded than the hotel zone. It’s a Caribbean paradise! Sunsets offer some opportunity for amazing pictures.
Playa Paraíso Beach Club
| Address | Cam. a Zona Arqueologica Tulum, Zona Hotelera Tulum, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | 984 131 7566 |
Playa Paraíso Beach Club is an absolute gem. The location is breathtaking, with soft white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a perfectly relaxing beachfront atmosphere. The staff is attentive, friendly, and goes out of their way to make guests feel welcome.
The food and drinks are fresh, beautifully presented, and complement the serene setting perfectly. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or enjoying a cocktail by the water, every moment feels indulgent and well-curated.
Overall, Playa Paraíso offers a flawless combination of natural beauty, excellent service, and top-quality amenities. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking for a memorable beach day in Tulum.
Playa Paraíso truly lives up to its name in many ways. The beach is absolutely stunning, with soft white sand and that signature turquoise water that makes this part of Mexico so famous. Even with a bit of sargassum, the natural beauty still stands out and creates an unforgettable view.
That said, the overall experience can feel a bit overshadowed by the access situation. Entering through the Parque Jaguar comes with fees that many visitors may find excessive, especially when you’re just trying to enjoy a public beach. It takes away from what should be a simple, relaxing experience.
Despite that, once you’re actually on the beach, it’s hard not to appreciate how beautiful it is. The colors, the breeze, and the atmosphere remind you why Playa Paraíso is considered one of the most iconic beaches in Tulum.
It’s definitely worth visiting, just be prepared for the logistics and focus on the incredible scenery once you’re there.
Playa Paraíso is a beautiful and very easy beach to visit from Tulum town. It’s the most straightforward option if you want a clean, calm start to the beaches here. Taxi from town is usually 400–500 MXN each way, and the Jaguar National Park entrance is 120 MXN.
The beach itself is stunning, and the beach club has great food, helpful English-speaking staff, and good facilities. Simple and comfortable.
It is expensive, yes, but this is a national park and we should protect the nature we enjoy. For transport out of the park, the Colectivo Electrónico works well, and biking is honestly the best option overall.
Always bring water and electrolytes. The sun here is strong, and it makes the whole experience much easier.
In my opinion, Playa Paraíso Beach Club has one of the best and cleanest beaches in the area. While other beaches were covered in seaweed, this one was crystal clear and spotless, thanks to the natural reef and man-made reef that help protect the shoreline.
The lounge area is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of shaded spots, umbrellas, loungers, and beach beds—perfect for relaxing all day. The restrooms are air-conditioned and extremely clean, which is a huge plus.
The restaurant service was excellent—quick, friendly, and attentive. Every dish we tried was fresh and delicious, and I found the prices very fair, especially for a beachfront location.
I’ll definitely be coming back to this beach club. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a beautiful, clean, and relaxing beach experience.
Magic place with the most beautiful beach! The beach club was also great. Very friendly service and delicious food!
Playa Ruinas
| Address | Zona Hotelera Tulum, 77765 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
It’s a beautiful place. A lot of history and culture. It’s a big place. A lot of walking around. They do allow food but won’t let you take glass, cans or plastic bottles.
FIY: Tons of people there trying to sell guide services, you don’t really need one unless you really want to know about the site and don’t want to read. 3x - 5x prices with guide services then if you go by yourself and you will find a lot of them yelling at you to get your attention.
Park of get off your transportation when you get there. Keep walking until you see a check point where you pay for tickets. The ride is included with the ticket to the ruins, the outside people will tell you it’s not, but it’s included. They will also tell you that beach access is separate charge while it’s not.
Overall great experience to see so much history. Beautiful beach. Be aware of the guides. Don’t listen to them.
Beautiful. Super interesting. Lots of iguana and lizzards. Not much for shade so bring a hat. The beach area has people that will do boat tours.
Very nice area and worth visiting.
Also the beachbis great and hotels/restaurants are fabulous there.
You encounter a lot of Iguanas.
You can enter inside with your car if you have a booking in one of the hotels at no additional charge or park outside and use the club car.
So much seaweed in early May. The ruins beach access is blocked off from the Tulum ruins. There doesn't seem to be any efforts to clean the massive amount of seaweed. They do allow food, but no glass or plastic bottles allowed inside.
One of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen. I can only imagine what life would have been like for the people that occupied these ruins on this stunning beach.
Playa Pescadores
| Address | 109, Zona Hotelera Tulum, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
This beach is beautiful. We had the pleasure of during a boat tour to see the Mayan temples from the ocean and we also did snorkeling at this beach. I love the clear water and we saw a turtle, pelican and sting ray (which I didn't capture a picture of) The only downside was there was a bunch of seaweed before you got into the water. The employees were doing their best to clean it up. Overall, it's a beautiful beach and I would visit again.
Great beach accessible by entry point into the national park. Be aware that motorized vehicles were only allowed if you had a reservation for a tour or booking at one of the hotels.
Beautiful beach, which you can access for free via the main entrance of the temple of you don't mind walking for 20 minutes. Just mention to the ruins' staff that you only want to access the public beach, otherwise they may want to charge you an entrance to the ruins. I would have given 5 stars if the beach was trash free (sadly too many empty plastic bottles were found there)
This is a beautiful beach with fine white sand. The boat rides which I paid 600 pesos for was very short. We viewed the archaeological site for a max of 5 minutes and the captain of this tiny boat with 7 on board almost grabbed my phone to take a picture of me. It was kind but felt a bit rushed. Next we went to see the sea turtles and rays and some colourful fish snorkeling. They dropped bait off the boat to draw them in. All in all it is a short adventure and although beautiful, the whole event felt staged
Later I swam on my own with my own snorkel and was able to see a ray and some fish further out. I will say that the people were very friendly as were the other passengers on the boat.
TIPS
- InDrive app drivers can pick you up at entrance only.
- If you entered the park with InDrive and plan on getting to entrance with eBus and then InDrive to your hotel, make sure you buy Ebus ticket at the entrance as you enter. You CANNOT buy it at bus stops. People will tell you different things but you have to buy it at entrance. 20 mxc pesos per ticket
- Bring enough small changes. Restaurants and hotels do not have enough.
- There will be mountains of smelly seaweed during summer. But if you're here to see fish and turtles, they do go out to deep sea so you should be okay. They say it clears up on dec.
- book a tour, it's cheaper since you wont have to pay any fees to enter the park and to use restroom/shower if you book it with a tour company.
- make sure its a reputable company because service mindset dont exist.
- Bring water in water bottle. Tours usually dont provide since water bottles are not allowed.
Paradise Beach
| Address | Paradise Beach, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Parker our car on the road for free, and walked for free, took about 25 mins with our small children, you can also rent a bilety for a day, but return is before 6pm... beach is very nice, soft sand and blue water, not very crowded.
Visited in april, beach had seaweed
If you are inside the archaiological area of tulum, there are golf carts that can transfer you to the beach Playa Paraiso (Paradise beach), don't do the mistake to get out of the archaiological area and go to the beach with the other way cause you have to make a reservation for your car to park, otherwise you have to park far away and walk to reach the beach
Beautiful beach, but check sargassum conditions BEFORE you go (March 7, 2025)
The beach itself is genuinely stunning, but on the day of our visit it was completely covered in sargassum, thick, smelly, and not swimmable at all. This is important information that's very hard to get honestly in advance.
A few things to know:
🚗 No car access to the entrance anymore, be prepared for a 20-minute walk from where you park. Or you pay the entrance at the park and they will drive you around. Also you can rent a bike.
🌿 Sargassum is not being reported accurately !!! we asked staff at the entrance if there was sargassum, and like every other time we've asked in Mexico, the answer was "just a little." It was far from a little. The social media and webcams don't reflect reality either.
This is our third visit to Mexico in the same month and same region, we know what "a little" sargassum looks like. This was unlike anything we've seen before in all Riviera Maya.
I'm not blaming the beach ,nature is nature. But travelers deserve honest information to plan their visit.
Such a clean and beautiful beach. Once you purchase a ticket to the Tulum archaeological site (400 pesos), you get access to all the beaches inside the area. There’s a shuttle that runs every two minutes and takes you directly from the ruins to Playa Paraíso, making it super convenient. You can also walk or bike if you prefer everything is very accessible and easy to get around.
Wow
One of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
The entrance is free but you cannot enter with your car unless you has a reservation.
Park out side and walk or use the shuttles
Tulum Beach
| Address | Tulum Beach, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Playa Santa Fe
| Address | Playa Santa Fe, Zona Hotelera Tulum, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
Had 2 great days here.
First one we paid 400 pesos per person to go to the ruins as well as the beach.
Second day did not pay and you just walk straight from the car park to the beach ( you can't get the train transport) but its only 15 minute slow walk.
You do get your bags checked and can't take in any plastic bottles etc . But you can take your reusable bottles.
Good facilities, water stations, sinks and bathrooms at the entrance and again at the edge of the beach.
Went mid December and the beach was lovely.
There are people trying to sell you boat trips. We did take one 10 dollars each. Took you to aee the temple from the sea and then yo a snorking spot where we saw at least 6 different turtles and several rays.
The reefs arent amazing, but there are some different fish there.
Lots of beach clubs along there. Most if you have something to eat or drink there then you can use their facilities and sun loungers.
This review is to give you instructions on how to get to the beach for free. We’ve seen the Tulum Ruins a couple of times so that wasn’t our purpose for this excursion. Here goes ….
We were on our scooter and parked for free at the Tulum Ruins parking lot. Prior to entering the parking lot ignore all the sales people who appear to be helping you with parking, but actually selling you 1-hour boat tours for 600 MXN per person LOL. After entering the parking lot you will go through an outdoor mall. You can use the washrooms here … just follow the official signs (not the free baño signs leading you to a store). After you pass this outdoor mall you will see signs to the Public Access to the Beach (fyi 8am to 5pm). You will go through a checkpoint for your bags. Don’t bring single use plastics (eg Cristal water bottles … we bought a cheap 2-litre hard plastic water jug/bottle from Chedraui). And just to be safe I didn’t bring ziplocks too. They will stamp your wrist after this. Then you will walk for about 20 minutes to get to Playa Santa Fe. Easy peasy … you don’t have to pay a cent. From there you can walk to the next beaches …. Playa Pescadores etc. These beaches are lined with beach clubs … which don’t excite me really. Plenty of boat tours lining the shore. Vendors selling tours or products … not too pushy though. There was plenty of seaweed when we were there. Would I go back to this beach? No, but it was an experience and the water was beautiful.
On the map i can see this beach is divided into a couple of beaches, i am not sure based on what they split it , to me it looks like one huge beach. and in general i liked it except two things: 1. Extremly annoying and pushy salespeople every couple of meteres which drove me crazy. 2. You can t access jaguar park ( area with the beach) after 5 pm if u didn t enter earlier, which was completely disappointing during the last day of my stay.
October 2022. First the parking. Keep driving, you don’t have to pay. It’s a Scam. Some people rented bikes but it's not exactly safe with all the cars. We saw a woman hit a pot hole and fall over. It’s very hot. Fellow gringas, wear a hat, reef-safe sunblock, and bug spray. Bring lots of water and snacks. Entry to the ruins is $ 10 USD. There are people all over selling front-of-line ruin passes that include a boat tour of the ruins which is really just a selfie stop and then they take you to the reef to snorkel. We were told it was 1hr wait to get in into the ruins. We were there on a Sunday afternoon. My girlfriend didn’t feel well so we opted for the boat tour for $45USD per person. We were told the tour left every twenty minutes, that we would have access to bathrooms, and two free margaritas. Also, a scam. We waited for 1 to 1.5hrs. Had to change in a hut and there are no restrooms anywhere. The margaritas were tiny and tasted like Kool-Aid. We got thirsty and ordered one beer and one water. It was $13USD. We felt like we were being taken advantage of. They will not tell you the price until they bring it to you. Highly recommend that you learn how to convert Pesos to USD if you plan to explore without a guide. Learn to haggle in Spanish. Leave your valuables in your car or hotel or in the US for that matter. We left our belongings with the tour shack and it was all returned untouched. The tour company and staff were very friendly and helpful. Our tour group was a mix of locals and Americans. Once on the small fiberglass boat, they stop for ruins selfies. Not my jam. I'd rather walk the ruins. Next stop, the reef. Snorkeling was beautiful. The gear will get you by but it is very basic. It sits it some sort of solution to “sanitize” it. So many sting rays. Sea turtles, clownfish, and I saw a barracuda. They feed the sting rays sardines. They tell everyone the reef area is shallow water 4-6ft and you could touch the sand. Another scam. It felt like everyone we spoke to only tells half-truths. Seriously, you cannot trust anyone outside the resorts. Again, learn as much Spanish as possible. They ask for tips for being your boat guide. They said we would learn the history of the ruins on the boat tour. Nothing historic was shared. Now back to the beach. The sand is a lovely white soft sand. The area is beautiful. The water is warm and fairly clear and calm. Feels like a local beach. We felt like we were being watched most of the time. When we were leaving there were four plus drunk guys and I mean drunk!!! They were harassing all the women. Disturbing. We didn't explore Talum but it is being developed like crazy! Starting to resemble Honolulu shops but with a Yogi vibe. We had to get back to our hotel before dark as most roads do not have lights and people and animals are constantly running across the roads. All in all a beautiful beach but come prepared, come early, and leave with plenty of time to get back to your hotel. One last thing of mention there is seaweed in the beach but it's a beach. You walk over it and you're in beautiful water with a view of myan history.
Beautiful beach. Sand is soo fine that it almost does not stick to your feet. The water is Cristal clear and even by the corals you can see the details of the bottom at almost 3 meters. I have great videos of stingrays school of fish and even turtles. What a great place
Tulum
| Address | Zona Hotelera Tulum, 77765 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | 983 837 2411 |
Very interesting site with Mayan ruins and ocean views. While crowded, it isn't overbearing. Make sure you bring a reusable water bottle!!! You cannot bring in single use plastic bottles from a store / resort.
Visiting the ruins was informative and beautiful. We learned about construction of buildings and roads, the religious carvings, and the culture and society, all of which we enjoyed very much, particularly in such a beautiful place. I feel silly saying it because the history was so fascinating, but we also really enjoyed all the iguanas!
This place was amazing. Setting is beautiful. Only complaint is entrance is somewhat of a tourist trap with junk and harassing vendors. Be prepared for a lot of walking, and take a metal
refillable water bottle. Plastic is not allowed inside the park. Sunscreen is also a must.
Worth the trip to the ruins! We were coming in from Playa del Carmen. About a 1 hour ride from Hotel Etereo.
We reserved a private tour from Cancun Go Travel. Our tour guide Joel was amazing..
Beautiful. Definitely use a guide and bring a metal water bottle. Use the train system if possible to travel the whole Mayan area from the airport to Tulum. Be prepared for iguanas. SOOO many iguanas. Was a very beautiful site.
TULUMANIA BEACH CLUB
| Address | Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila km 7.5, Tulum Beach, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | 984 210 4398 |
Migel and Neilson are absolutely incredible!!!! Thank you both for the outstanding hospitality. You truly made us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. Easily one of the highlights of our trip! The food and drinks were phenomenal, and everything exceeded our expectations. We’ll definitely be back very soon ❤️🙏🏽
Amazing location and vibe - we were off season so not too crowded, the music was great, the food was delicious, the margaritas were strong (2 for 1 all afternoon too) and Miguel took good care of us.
We ended up spending more than the minimum amount but I don’t think they’re enforcing it when it’s not crowded; we were given a comfy beach bed as soon as we walked in without any mention of a minimum spend.
Came here to watch a soccer game and was thrilled with the full beach club. Pool and beach were awesome and they had the game on. Miguel was a fabulous server. Fish tacos and quesadillas were great!
They have the best entertainment, someone playing saxophone and someone dancing on the beach. This was followed by an amazing techno DJ session. It's a loud beach club, do not go here to chill & relax.
Booking was easily done on WhatsApp one day in advance. We paid $5000 pesos for a day bed, fully redeemed for food and drinks. They did charge $750 pesos additional service charge which is 15% same as all. Menu is short and sweet, decent options, fair price.
Beds were not the most comfy and towel rental is 100 pesos extra.
Food was mediocre, we had pizza and grilled chicken. Service was excellent and quick.
Beach was amazing in Jan but go here for the entertainment and the best vibes until sunset.
I came here with my friends and happy to say that place is nice , clean and fun. Great food and customer service. Thank you Wilbert for taking care of us
I definitely recommend the place.
Public Beach
| Address | QROO 15, Tulum Beach, 77765 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | — |
This public beach is area is ok. It’s small and easily accessible but lots of rocks and the water isn’t always great.
If you walk down/south another 10 min or so there is a bigger and much nicer beach in my opinion.
Love, love, love this local park. Right on Lake Muskoka! You can walk out about a kilometre in waste deep water. Water warms up nicely during summer months. Beautiful staircase to walk into water. Well maintained and a few picnic tables as well. Public bathrooms as well.
Beautiful beach kinda small. It's closed off ans has lots of rocks so you can't go past the beach area. Like a kiddy pool!
Its a public beach. From where we stayed a 15 min bicycle ride. Easy to get to. The beach bars flanking the public beach are a joke with decapitated chairs. Water was ok, not the multiple blue you expect. The beach is not very large so get there early! Bars were reasonable.
During Weekends its crowded, best time to go is during weekdays. Went to see the sunrise on he last of the trip and it was great.
Good space to park car or scooter during the day. Weekend evenings it gets little tight for parking. Wouldn't recommend to car drive here during weekend evenings as its hard to find parking
Taboo | Best Beach Club Tulum
| Address | Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Zona Hotelera Km 7, Tulum Beach, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Phone | 984 401 0975 |
I love Taboo. It is very very pricey. I loved my drink and my salmon taco. I did not like to be harrassed by the beach vendors so I would suggest to not take a sunbed if you want to avoid that experience, but rather, stay closer to the pool. The music could have been better (it is my 2nd time at Taboo so I know their potential). Overall, I will always recommend Taboo.
Absolutely horrible experience. I would never return.
After I declined an offer to buy marijuana, things took a disturbing turn. I jokingly said, “Mine is better,” with absolutely no intention of smoking or buying anything. After that, three men and one woman watched us for the rest of our visit. They repeatedly pressured me to buy what they were selling, asking for $50 USD per preroll joint..no telling what it was laced with. One of the men said he was “the cartel” and said he made the rules. He also told me the establishment was owned by the cartel. The staff did eventually come over to speak with us, but instead of stopping the individuals who were intimidating us, they simply advised us while allowing the situation to continue. At no point did anyone intervene to remove the men or ensure our safety. No one should have to feel threatened or harassed while trying to enjoy a beach club. Whether those claims were true or simply an intimidation tactic, it created an unsafe and uncomfortable environment. If you’re looking for a relaxing, upscale experience, I would strongly recommend spending your money elsewhere. I cannot recommend this place to anyone and would never return.
Rating: 4.5/5
A very relaxing but expensive day. Total spend was over $11,000 MXN for a family of three. The service was top-notch, though the food menu is a bit repetitive if you stay for multiple days—sushi was unfortunately unavailable.
Pros: Great service and relaxing cabanas.
Cons: Lots of uncleaned sargassum on the beach, basic restrooms, and a "party" vibe that is better suited for adults than families with young teens.
I’d come back for an adults-only trip once the food options are expanded!
I expected that the sargassum would at least be cleaned at a high-end beach club like this. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. The pool water was also quite dirty, which left essentially nowhere to swim.
I rented a sunbed and still ended up getting sunburned after a couple of hours, even though I was sitting in the shade under an umbrella and applied sunscreen twice. When I later moved to a swing closer to the bar, a hostess approached me in a very rude manner asking what I was doing there, which made me feel unwelcome.
You are also required to pay gratuities on top of the 2,000 MXN minimum spend, which feels unreasonable considering a single cocktail costs around 470 MXN (about 35 CAD).
To be fair, the food, cocktails, music, sunbeds, and overall atmosphere were good. However, given the price and the issues mentioned above, the experience felt significantly overpriced. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I had gone to the Cancun location and had a blast! I had heard how much fun people had at the Tulum location that I was ready to see for myself! It was 1:30pm on a Sunday and basically nobody was there. I had spent $100 on three drinks, that tasted just okay. Had been consistently harassed by workers for us to pay the 2,500 pesos per person to move to the beach, despite expressing how we didn’t want to. If you want the hype and to spend your money on just the brand, go on over! There are plenty of other beach clubs better than Taboo.
Playa Punta Piedra
| Address | QROO 15, Tulum Beach, 77765 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | — |
| Phone | — |
It is a public beach so no need to pay for anything. Have in mind there are lots of rocks when you get into the water so it can be a bit tricky to go in for a swim.
Nice spot. Small Beach. Rocky point. Mainly, local Mexican goes there at the evening. Parking at the side of the road, but it does not have much.
What a waste of time, not just the beach tulum itself is now a overpriced overhyped dusty flea pit, came 10 years ago and really enjoyed it, not so now, there's trash everywhere and construction everywhere, the beach is covered in weeds and the cost to go on a private beach which they clean is exorbitant
Free small beach. Not very easy to swim here but perfect for the views, wild life and sunbathing.
⚠️ TOURIST ALERT: BEWARE OF TRANSIT POLICE!
Important warning for visitors with cars! Be extremely cautious about local transit authorities - they are known for two common practices that can RUIN your trip:
They may either:
-Remove your license plates
-Tow your vehicle away
In both cases, you'll have to pay significant fees to recover your plates or get your car back. This has become a common trap targeting tourists who are unfamiliar with local parking regulations. TULUM COULD BE A TOURIST TRAP!
Essential Tips for Visiting Tulum Beaches
Before you set out with your towel and sunscreen, there are a few local logistics that can make or break your day. Tulum’s beach scene operates on a mix of public access, private property, and environmental regulations. Understanding these nuances will save you time, money, and frustration while helping you respect the fragile coastal ecosystem that makes this destination so special.
1. Plan Your Transportation Before Noon
The beach road gets severely congested after 11:00 AM. If you are driving, arrive early to secure parking near a public access point. Better yet, rent a bicycle from town and ride the dedicated path—it gives you total freedom to hop between beaches without dealing with parking fees.
2. Check the Sargassum Forecast
Use live webcams or local seaweed monitoring sites before choosing your beach for the day. If the sargassum is heavy on the north end, head to a beach with natural protection or one known for aggressive daily cleaning. This single check can transform your experience from disappointing to postcard-perfect.
3. Understand the Minimum Spend Culture
Many of Tulum’s best beaches are fronted by beach clubs that require a minimum consumption per person, often ranging from $30 to $100 USD. This usually gets you a lounger, umbrella, and access to clean restrooms. If you are on a budget, pack your own drinks and use the free public access points instead.
4. Respect the Sea Turtles
Tulum’s beaches are critical nesting grounds for loggerhead and green sea turtles between May and October. Never use flash photography at night, avoid walking on marked nests, and do not leave beach furniture out after dark. If you see a turtle nesting, keep your distance and notify a local conservation officer.
5. Carry Pesos, Not Just Dollars
While many beachfront businesses quote prices in US dollars, you will almost always get a better exchange rate by paying in Mexican pesos. Small vendors, parking attendants, and bike rental stands often cannot break large bills, so keep a stack of 50- and 100-peso notes handy.
6. Leave No Trace
The beaches here sit within a delicate ecosystem. Bring a reusable water bottle, avoid single-use plastics, and take all trash with you. Many beach clubs have banned plastic straws and cups, so having your own eco-friendly gear aligns with the local ethos.
The beauty of Tulum’s coastline is that it offers a different personality at every turn. One morning you might be watching the sunrise over the ancient ruins at Playa Ruinas, and by afternoon you could be floating in a hidden cenote-fed lagoon just steps from the sand. The key is to move slowly, stay flexible, and let the rhythm of the Caribbean guide your day.
Whether you are planning a romantic escape or a solo reset, these beaches deliver an experience that goes far beyond sunbathing. They are places where history, nature, and slow living converge—and once you find your favorite stretch of sand, you will understand exactly why Tulum has earned its reputation as one of Mexico’s most magnetic coastal destinations.
