Plan where to stay in Tulum, from the best areas to my recommended tree house cabins, luxurious beachside hotels, and everything in between.
Tulum is one of Mexico’s best vacation spots. While it’s no longer a hidden beach town, this beautiful stretch of coast on the Riviera Maya still offers a much more relaxed travel scene than nearby Cancun.
Generally speaking, there are two neighborhoods where you’ll want to book your accommodation. Tulum Town (Pueblo), and the Tulum Hotel Zone (Tulum Beach). I preferred staying in Pueblo as it offers more budget-friendly stays and is near Gran Cenote. However, the hotel zone offers some of the most luxurious hotels I have ever seen.
So, whether you’re planning to stay near the beach in the Hotel Zone or the heart of Pueblo, this guide will help you find the best place to sleep.
My favorite stay in Tulum was the Casa Almendro for its affordable rooms, central location, and upstairs hangout hammock area!
The Best Areas & Places to Stay In Tulum
When planning where to stay in Tulum, Mexico, there are two areas you'll want to keep in mind.
- Tulum Beach (Hotel Zone) - Situated along the beach of Tulum. This is a great option for those wanting a calmer option to watch the sunset over the Caribbean Sea from a private room.
- Tulum Pueblo (El Centro) - Located in the heart of Tulum. This is a great location for those who want to feel a sense of luxury without breaking the bank whilst also enjoying the awesome nightlife scene.
Pueblo is my favorite and is known for its bustling streets and vibrant cafes that offer mouthwatering Mexican tortillas. I stayed here for over a month on my last visit to Tulum and I can tell you now it's a much cheaper option than staying around the Hotel Zone.
Tulum Beach Hotel Zone: Best Place to Stay for Seaside Hotels
In the Hotel Zone, you'll find a wide range of Tulum beach resorts, hotels, and beach bars.
Accommodation in this area of Tulum is a more pricey than in Pueblo but you will receive the best service and returns for your money.
| Hotel | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | La Zebra a Colibri Boutique Hotel | $$$$ |
 | The Beach | $$$$ |
 | Casa Malca | $$$$ |
 | La Valise | $$$$ |
 | Mamasan Treehouse | $$$ |
1. La Zebra a Colibri Boutique Hotel
- Area: Tulum Beach Hotel Zone
- Best for: Groups, couples, or families looking for a luxurious stay!
La Zebra is a convenient choice for families and groups, but certainly also for couples. The hotel offers spa treatment, massages, and even romantic therapies with a loved one.
La Zebra a Colibri Boutique Hotel has earned its place on the list due to its location, upscale services, and highly recommended on-site restaurant. Located right on the beach, this hotel provides a level of luxury that earns it 5 stars!
They offer 6 different room choices, with some of them even including private pools and open access to the Caribbean Sea. All rooms have an air conditioner, coffee maker, private bathroom, and even a king bed! Of course, there is also a large outdoor swimming pool and direct ocean access.
If you are looking for one of the best Tulum resorts in the Yucatan peninsula, this might be the choice for you!
2. The Beach
- Area: Tulum Beach Hotel Zone
- Best for: Adults looking for a romantic getaway!
Sitting on South Tulum beach with an incredible ocean view, this 5-star adults-only hotel is an absolute gem amongst Tulum resorts.
Situated in a great location, The Beach is just walking distance away from many excellent restaurants and bars. Naturally, there is also an on-site restaurant with superb food.
I personally love the amenities this hotel has to offer with daily yoga classes, a wellness center with spa treatments, tequila tastings, cooking classes, and so forth. There is simply too much to mention, but let's put it this way: there are not a lot of hotels that can brag about having a hot tub and jacuzzi on the roof!
Tip: Don't miss the incredible Ven A La Luz wooden structure that is a 2-minute walk from The Beach Tulum.
3. Casa Malca
- Area: Tulum Beach Hotel Zone
- Best for: Couples & families wanting a luxurious experience away from crowds!
Situated on a private beach area surrounded by palm trees, the Casa Malca Hotel is one of the best options in Tulum for a luxurious experience.
Located very close to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, and just 10 km from the main Tulum town and the Mayan Ruins, this hotel has a superb location away from the crowds!
It has beautifully decorated private rooms overlooking gardens or the ocean. There is an on-site restaurant, luxury spa treatments, and a large outdoor swimming pool for those looking to feel refreshed and relaxed.
4. La Valise
- Area: Tulum Beach Hotel Zone
- Best for: Honeymooners wanting an adult-only hotel!
La Valise Tulum is truly special, just take a look at those pictures!
The design of this hotel is treehouse-inspired but with a modern beachfront. All rooms are artfully crafted and have water views from the bed. As this is an adults-only hotel, I found it a great choice for honeymooners and couples looking for an uninterrupted, quiet, child-free stay.
La Valise Tulum offers plenty of activities, such as curative pre-hispanic sound healing, sailing and snorkeling the Caribbean Sea or embarking on a Sian Ka'an Safari. There are also complimentary yoga classes each Friday at 5 pm.
If you are looking for a beachfront hotel with private parking, surrounded by palm trees, with only the sounds of the crashing waves this is a great choice!
5. Mamasan Treehouse & Cabins
- Area: South Tulum Beach
- Best for: Those looking for a unique treetop experience!
Dubbed 'The Instagram influencers' dream', this treehouse-inspired hotel features bamboo suites, cabins, and geodesic domes accommodations. Located just a short walk from South Tulum Beach, the Mamasan Treehouse & Cabins boasts a great location.
There is a beautiful rooftop jungle bar (using fresh organic ingredients), and guests can also enjoy a la carte breakfast for a small extra cost. Given the good location, it is also easy to get to other bars and restaurants.
Just when you thought it couldn't get better it does as pets are allowed on request and this is an adults-only hotel!
Pros & Cons of Staying in Tulum Beach Hotel Zone
Pros:
- This area is filled with incredible beach hotels
- Walking distance from Cenote Encantado
- Views over the ocean with a fantastic sea breeze
- Instagrammable photo spots like the Follow That Dream sign and “The Woman Sculpture” are all within walking distance.
Cons:
- Accommodation and food are more expensive due to the location
- More people stay in this area during the high season which means that traffic can be worse at particular times of the day
- Affected by Sargassum Seaweed Seasons
Tulum Pueblo: Best Hotels for Mid-Range Budget
It is the perfect area for those with a lighter wallet and base for action-packed day trips. This area boasts an abundance of tasty and delicious food at your fingertips.
Some of the best cenotes, like the Gran Cenote, are only a short distance from the Center of Tulum.
| Hotel | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | Orchid House | $$$ |
 | Turquoise Tulum Hotel | $$ |
 | Casa Almendro | $$ |
1. Orchid House
- Area: Tulum Pueblo
- Best for: Large groups looking to split costs!
Orchid House is one of the best boutique hotels in Tulum. Besides their beautiful rooms, they also offer an entire villa for up to 10 people, with a private plunge pool included. Therefore this is a great choice for large groups.
Hotel guests can experience the outdoor jungle pool (with a bar!) and enjoy the open-air restaurant Nest, an Instagram favorite. Orchid House offers a unique experience in a quiet and private area for a lower price when compared to hotels lining the beach.
Another thing to love is the location of this great boutique hotel! Situated close to Aldea Zama with direct road access to Tulum's white sandy beaches.
2. Turquoise Tulum Hotel
- Area: Tulum Pueblo
- Best for: Couples or small groups looking for rooms with private pools!
The Turquoise Tulum Hotel is located excellently in the heart of La Veleta, from where it is easy to get to El Centro Tulum by bike. It is located just 1.5 km from the ADO bus station and 5 km from the Tulum Archeological Site, which makes it an excellent location.
The hotel offers 4 different room types to choose from, all with pool views or private terraces. Naturally, all rooms include wifi, air conditioning, and private bathrooms. There is easy free parking, and bikes are freely available.
If you are still looking for where to sleep for the best value for money, this might be the pick for you.
3. Casa Almendro
- Area: Tulum Pueblo
- Best for: Budget travelers looking for a comfortable stay with private rooms
Casa Almendro is one of the best options for those on a lower budget. It's set on the main road in the center of Tulum, close to some of the best restaurants and just 3.2 km from Playa Paraiso.
There is a relaxing feel with lots of trees throughout the property, and the hotel also features a rooftop kitchen and terrace with hanging hammocks which is a great area to watch the sunset.
Private rooms feature air conditioning and free wifi, while some of them have fridges and kitchens.
I enjoyed my stay at Casa Alemdro as it was a great base when exploring the incredible things to do in Tulum.
Pros & Cons of Staying in Tulum Pueblo
Pros
- Cheaper than the beach hotel area
- Lots of food choices within walking distance and for a much lower cost
- Public transport is readily available
Cons
- Traffic can be busy
- Accommodation can be fully booked out
Best Low-Budget Choices
These choices will have you sleeping comfortably without spending your holiday savings in one night.
| Hotel | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | Mayan Monkey | $$ |
 | Meteora Stay & Coffeehouse | $$ |
 | oOstel Smart Hostel | $ |
1. Mayan Monkey
- Area: Tulum Pueblo
- Best for: Backpackers looking to meet others and party
This 3-star hostel is a fantastic place to meet new people and party through the night. The adults-only Mayan Monkey has its own nightclub and DJ!
Besides that, they also have a coffee house on site, a wellness center, and yoga classes. Located just a short drive from Paraiso Beach, this hostel is truly one of the best places to stay in Tulum if you don't mind a party or two.
There is an outdoor swimming pool, and rooms feature free wifi and private bathrooms. The equipped kitchen is shared, which makes it a great place to make some new friends!
And for those who are up for an adventure the Cenote Car Wash is a short 18-minute drive away.
2. Meteora Stay & Coffeehouse
- Area: Tulum Pueblo (CBD)
- Best for: Low-budget travelers or couples looking to meet others
The Meteora Stay & Coffeehouse has an excellent location in Tulum town.
Located just 800 m from the ADO bus station and 3.7 km from the Mayan Ruins, this hostel offers a range of private rooms that can fit up to 3 people. Some have private kitchens and bathrooms.
The property boasts shared lounges and beautifully designed terraces. The hostel even has a working area! What I loved about this place were the incredible jungle vibe and the outdoor swimming pool. Amazingly, this calming atmosphere is possible being so close to the bustling Tulum town.
This hostel has gotten some great reviews, and I fully understand why!
3. oOstel Smart Hostel
- Area: Tulum Pueblo
- Best for: Those on a budget or traveling by bus
I end the list with the oOstel Smart Hostel one of the best value for money for anyone on a tight budget. It is very difficult to find such a good place for such a low price.
oOstel Smart has extremely comfortable beds with cubical curtains and an electricity socket. The free wifi works well throughout the property, and there are two separate pools one outdoor and one offering a swim-up bar!
The location is excellent, as it's within walking distance of the ADO bus station and the Tulum ruins. For those who are looking for an adventure, Cenote Calavera is a 7-minute drive from the hostel.
A great option for those looking to travel by bus.
My Hotel Selection Process
- Accommodation Criteria: After reading thousands of reviews from different hotels & hostels I use this knowledge and my own experiences to choose my accommodation options for the lists above. I make sure to consider price, location, and comfort.
- My Experience: Although I did not stay in every resort or hotel on this list I was still able to stay in many during my month in Tulum. Staying for a long period allowed me to narrow down the best places to recommend whilst removing others due to my first-hand experiences.
- Top Reviews: All hotels, hostels, and resorts have a high star rating and boast hundreds of reviews on reliable booking sites such as hotels.com, booking.com, and Expedia.
- Local Insights: After spending over a month in Tulum I was able to speak with other travelers and ask about their hotel and hostel recommendations and this helped with choosing my accommodation options.
Read more about how I review & select hotels & accommodations.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler since 2018. Each accommodation option in this guide is handpicked by me. Read my travel review ethics statement.
FAQ About Staying in Tulum
Is Tulum a good place for budget travelers?
Absolutely, Tulum accommodates all types of travelers. Tulum Pueblo (El Centro) is perfect for those on a budget, with plenty of budget-friendly hotels and even hostels. If you plan your stay in the low season you will find even better accommodation deals.
What area is best for experiencing Tulum's nightlife?
Tulum Pueblo is the heart of Tulum's nightlife. It offers an array of bars and clubs. It's also more budget-friendly compared to the Beach Hotel Zone. Straw Hat throws some pretty wicked parties and is located on the main road in Pueblo.
What's the best way to get around Tulum?
I found bicycles to be a popular and eco-friendly way to explore Tulum. Many accommodations offer bike rentals, making it easy to navigate between the beach, cenotes, and Tulum Pueblo. Alternatively, you can hire a moped from many rental stores in Pueblo.
What should I know about the seaweed season in Tulum?
Sargassum seaweed can affect Tulum's beaches from May to October. Many of the hotels and resorts actively clean their beach fronts to minimize the amount that builds on the shoreline. Warning though it can be very smelly.
I hope that this Tulum accommodation guide has helped you plan where to stay during your next trip to Mexico's Riviera Maya!
While you're here, don't miss some of my other travel guides below!
- 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.
