This wooden sculpture can be found at the Tulum Hotel Strip which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in town.
The statue is often referred to as “the Woman Sculpture” and is a popular place to take vacation photos. Whether you’re a lover of art or just looking for a beautiful place to snap a selfie, Ven a la Luz should definitely be on your list!
In this quick guide, I’ll run through everything you need to know about visiting Ven a la Luz– the Raw Love exhibition in Tulum, Mexico.
About Ven a la Luz - "Raw Love" Woman Sculpture
The "Ven a la Luz" sculpture is a 33-foot (10 m) tall artwork constructed by the very talented South African Artist Daniel Popper. The name translates directly as "Come to the Light" in Spanish.
This woman sculpture is made with steel, wood, rope, and green plants and features a woman opening her chest cavity to reveal a lush interior full of plants and green vines.
While the sculpture was once free to snap photos in front of, local Mexican entrepreneurs have capitalized on its popularity and have formed a new exhibition called the Ahau Sculpture Exhibition. This features several other sculptures but the Ven a la Luz is by far the centerpiece.
The sculpture represents the connection between human beings and nature and the overall aim was to raise awareness of the Tulum and Riveria Maya ecosystem.
Tip: A little further south of the location of the sculpture you'll find the famous Follow That Dream Sign.
Where is The Ven a la Luz Sculpture in Tulum?
As of 2021, the statue was relocated to the Ahau Hotel– an eco-friendly and pet-friendly hotel located on the beach in Tulum's vibrant hotel zone.
It's now located on Calle Corazón de Jesús just off of Tulum's main strip. However, finding the sculpture without knowing the exact directions is quite tricky since there is a tall fence blocking most of the view from the road.
Location: Tulum Wooden Sculpture
Tip: The Tulum sculpture exhibition is very close to Cenote Encantado, a must-visit natural swimming location on the hotel strip!
Visiting the Ven a la Luz Woman Sculpture in Tulum
Entrance Fee: 70 MXN pesos (4 USD)
For a small fee, you are now able to go inside the exhibit and get up close and personal with the sculpture.
The Ahau Sculpture Exhibition is open every day from 11 am to sunset. This makes visiting the sculpture early to beat the crowds a little tricky. However, getting here at 11 will let you avoid the longest lines (yes there are people lining up to take photos every day).
I'm not usually the one to line up for "Instagram spots", but I felt this was an unmissable photo stop in Tulum.
Photography Tips for the Tulum Sculpture
Heading out to take some great vacation pics? Here are some quick photography tips to help you get better photos.
Shoot during the Golden Hour
The hour after sunrise and before sunset is often called the "Golden Hour" because of the beautiful light it creates. This is definitely the best time to shoot photos outdoors.
Unfortunately, the Ven a la Luz isn't open for the early golden hour, so the best photos will be just before sunset. Unfortunately, this is also the most popular time to visit!
Don't Use a Tripod
A tripod is a great way to get better shots outside. However, this being a very popular spot, there just isn't room for one.
Use a Wide Angle Lens
A wide-angle lens will help you fit more of the sculpture into the frame. This is especially helpful if there are other people around, as it will make them look smaller in comparison to the statue.
Get Closer
If you can get closer to the statue, it will make for a more powerful photo.
Wait for Your Turn
There's nothing worse than someone butting in. Since this is a popular Instagram photo spot in Tulum, form a queue and wait for your turn to take a photo at the sculpture.
The staff at the Raw Love Exhibition will likely tell impatient people to step back. However, it's best to just not be that person– relax, you're on vacation!
Accommodation Nearby
Wondering about where to stay in Tulum? Generally speaking, there are two areas, Tulum Town (Pueblo), and the Tulum Hotel Zone (Tulum Beach).
Tulum Town is a laid-back town close to the ADO bus station and has loads of hotels, guest houses, hostels, restaurants, bars, and everything else you could imagine.
The Tulum Hotel Zone is located closer to the beach, where you'll find more high-end hotels, beach resorts, restaurants, and nightclubs. Here are the 3 top picks from both neighborhoods.
1. Casa Malca Luxury
Perfect for couples searching for a luxury, private, & relaxing resort. Situated on a private beach surrounded by palm trees and offers luxury spa treatments with a large outdoor swimming pool.
2. Mamasan Treehouses & Cabins Unique
Stay in an epic tree house just 100m from South Tulum Beach! Features an epic root-top jungle bar with rooms overlooking the ocean.
3. Mayan Monkey Budget
The best hostel for a party vibe where you can make lifelong friends. Just a short walk to Tulum Center where you can find many restaurants and bars.
I hope you enjoyed this quick article to the famous Tulum wooden sculpture at this beautiful awesome art installation!
While you're still here on my blog, check out some of my other articles for tips and travel inspiration to the Riviera Maya & the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Things to do in Tulum - ultimate travel guide with 25+ fun things to do
- Tulum Cenotes - the most comprehensive Tulum cenote guide you'll find online
Plan Your Tulum Accommodation
Still in the planning stages of your trip? Perhaps you're booking on the fly. The below accommodation guides will help you plan where to stay in Tulum.
Alternatively, stay in Playa del Carmen.