Once upon a time, Tulum was a quiet town in Mexico, known for its Mayan ruins, lovely beaches, and boho vibe. Then the influencers, digital nomads, and partiers began to arrive. Resorts and upscale beach clubs multiplied.

Now, travelers debate: Is Tulum overrated and overpriced? Or is it still a gem on the Riviera Maya?

The answer really depends on how you plan your trip. You can still experience Tulum on a budget by getting an apartment or home in town, eating out at local (non-touristy) restaurants, and renting bikes to get around. Or, you can treat yourself to a lavish stay at an all-inclusive resort. Either way, we love Tulum. Here’s a quick guide to planning your trip.

3 reasons you should always buy travel insurance for Mexico

1. Without travel insurance, medical emergencies can be expensive. Travelers often wonder: “Does U.S. health insurance work in Mexico?” The answer is simple: No. Most healthcare providers require payment up front. Not only that, but “U.S. citizens have lodged complaints against some private hospitals in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Los Cabos to include exorbitant prices and inflexible collection measures,” the U.S. Department of State warns.¹ Your best defense is travel insurance with emergency medical and emergency transportation benefits, which can pay for your care in a covered medical emergency.
2. Without travel insurance, you could lose a lot of money if you have to cancel your trip. Tulum isn’t a cheap destination anymore. Don’t risk losing your nonrefundable trip expenses! Trip cancellation/trip interruption benefits can reimburse you (up to the limit specified in your plan) if you have to cancel or cut short your trip for a covered reason.
3. Without travel insurance, you have to handle travel challenges on your own. Tulum is generally considered a safe destination, but travelers have reported being robbed and targeted by scammers. When something goes wrong and you need help, contact 24-hour assistance by phone or via the Allyz® app. Our team of multilingual travel experts will do what they can to get your trip back on track.

3 of the best travel insurance plans for Mexico

What’s the best travel insurance plan for Mexico? Here are a few of the options.

• OneTrip Prime is our most popular plan for international vacations. Plus, it covers kids 17 and younger for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).
• OneTrip Basic offers all the essential trip protections for overseas travel with lower benefit limits.
• AllTrips Prime is a smart choice for frequent travelers. Get affordable protection for every trip you take in 365 days, so you can travel with perfect peace of mind.

Find out why more than 70 million American travelers each year trust Allianz Travel Insurance to safeguard their biggest adventures! See all our plan options and get a quote for your next trip.

3 of the best things to do in Tulum

1. See Tulum’s famous ruins (bring your swimsuit). While Tulum’s Mayan ruins are smaller than other sites, they’re ornate and magnificent. Wander the cliffside temples on your own or with a guide, if you want to learn the history. Then, spend some time sunbathing on the beaches below.
2. Snorkel the cenotes. Cenotes are naturally formed limestone sinkholes filled with cool, clear water. They’re everywhere around Tulum, and each has its own charms. Some are large and busy, with on-site restaurants; others are small and secluded. Casa Cenote is known for its resident crocodile, Panchito. Don’t worry, he likes tourists.
3. Hit the club. Tulum is famous for its beach clubs: private clubs that offer all-day (and late-night) parties with DJs, cabanas, and pools. Most charge a fee to enter, and there’s a minimum spend on food and drink. Catch fire dancers at Vagalume or kick back at Ziggy’s.

3 of the best hotels and resorts in Tulum

If you want to escape the bustle of the main resort area, book a stay at KAN Tulum. This sustainable boutique hotel in Tulum has lush surroundings and a private cenote. Stay in the Zen Jungle Retreat, a treehouse suite high in the canopy, or book a ground-level suite with private plunge pool.

La Valise Tulum is the spot for barefoot luxury. This small resort consists of 22 A-frame, palapa-style suites: choose beachfront with ocean views or jungle-facing suites, most with private terraces and outdoor soaking tubs. La Valise also offers a long menu of spiritual ceremonies, such as the Cacao Ceremony (“connect with all of your being and humanity at large”) and the Mud Ritual (“join your spirit with the energy of the earth to encourage inner harmony and outer joy”).

What if you’re traveling on a budget? Despite its reputation as an expensive destination, Tulum still has plenty of affordable hotels. Consider Bakal Tulum: a quiet, clean hotel with a large pool in downtown Tulum.

3 of the best places to eat in Tulum

Eater says the best place in Tulum for classic Yucatán cuisine is an unassuming restaurant built from tree branches: Poc Chuk "Las Mestizas." Order pork smoked over a wood fire or escabeche, a dish of barbecued chicken and elbow pasta in a clear broth, flavored with bitter orange and chiles in vinegar.

In a taco mood? Taqueria Honorio is the place to go for breakfast or lunch. It’s almost always crowded, but don’t let that discourage you! Diners rave about the cochinita pibil (Yucatán slow-roasted pork), the turkey tacos, and the vegetarian tacos with egg, cheese, and avocado.

There’s memorable fine dining in Tulum, too, with multiple Michelin-starred restaurants. We’ll suggest NÜ Tulum, an elegant restaurant that serves modern takes on Mexican staples. Vegetarians will find a lot to love here, such as huitlacoche tetela: corn fungus with mole chichilo and purslane.

Ready to visit Tulum? Don’t forget to protect yourself with travel insurance. The best time to buy is right after making your first trip deposit. Find the best Allianz Travel Insurance plan for you.

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