The Riviera Maya, located on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, is home to white sand beaches, Mayan ruins and beautiful cenotes. As part of the Mexican Caribbean, the Riviera Maya is a paradise where there is always something new to discover. Enjoy all the top things to do in the Riviera Maya (particularly in Tulum, Bacalar & Valladolid) with this travel guide.
Tulum
When to go
After speaking to locals and doing some research, I came to the conclusion that November-December is probably the best time to visit Tulum. It's the shoulder season (the period in between the low and high seasons of tourism) so the crowds should be fewer, weather should be just right and the Caribbean will be clear of sargassum! (Sargassum is a seaweed-like algae that covers the beach from April-August during sargassum season).
Getting there
An easy and inexpensive way to get to Tulum is to fly into Cancun airport and take a bus from Cancun to Tulum. You can buy a ticket for the bus directly outside the exit of the airport - just search for the ‘ADO’ bus stand. If for some reason you don't see it, ask the airport staff and they should kindly put you in the right direction. Alternatively, you can book your ticket in advance here https://www.ado.com.mx/. You’ll have to select a departure time, so be sure to check when your flight is expected to arrive in Cancun and give yourself a little extra time to get through customs and grab your bags if you have any!
Where to Stay
Tulum is divided into three main areas:
Tulum Centro (busy area, lots of good vibes, where the bus drops you off)
Zona Hotelera Tulum (jungle vibe and loads of hotels and shops right along the beach)
La Veleta (up-and-coming neighborhood close to centro and about 20 minutes by bike to the beach, more locals and an authentic vibe)
To go into a little more detail, if you want to stay on or close to the beach, you’ll likely have to book one of the hotels or resorts in Zona Hotelera Tulum. This looks like it can get pricey, but I'm sure it's worth exploring. If you are traveling on a budget, check out Tulum Centro, where you can stay at hostels like Botanica Tulum or Hostel Che. Alternatively, you can find a one bedroom airbnb fully equipped with a kitchen for $60/ night. I stayed here in Tulum Centro and really enjoyed it! Lastly, you can stay in La Veleta. If you prefer to be in a less touristy place - La Veleta is for you!
I stayed at one of the most beautiful airbnbs I’ve ever been to in La Veleta, with a hand-painted roof top mural and private pool. You can check it out here. This two-bedroom apartment is $70/night, perfect to share with your best friend/travel buddy! Be mindful that this area is still under construction, so roads are unpaved and very bumpy (my bicycle tire went flat here). It's also known for power outages and the WiFi might go out on you! Check with your host before booking, especially if you work online and rely on a fast + reliable internet connection. Despite these possible setbacks, it's a lovely area to stay in.
Where to eat
I will break this down into great spots in the three different areas of Tulum so you know where to go no matter where you stay. There are honestly so many places to eat, but these are a few of my favorites that I highly recommend!
Tulum Centro
Burrito Amor - delicious burritos served in a banana leaf
Humo - really great açaí smoothie bowl and the best cacao chai of my life!
Matcha Mama - the best açaí smoothie bowl I had in Tulum (also located in Zona Hotelera)
La Veleta
Tapatia Vegan Tacos - best burrito I had in Mexico! Also be sure to try the aqua fresca!
Vegan brownies - don’t even know the name of this place, but walk past the Tapatia stand to the paved road (TacoBish is right there on the corner) and turn right. You should see it on your left hand side in a minute or so
TacoBish - favorite taco stand with yummy tacos for around $2 each
La Taqueria - favorite place to go for dinner and drinks (Mezcalita is a must!) Tacos and nachos are delicious. A little pricier, but still manageable. With 2 drinks and tacos you might spend around $20. Enjoy!
Zona Hotelera Tulum
Matcha Mama - the best açaí smoothie bowl I had in Tulum! I also enjoyed sipping on a coconut here after a long + hot morning at the beach
Raw Love Tulum- favorite place in Tulum for delicious, wholesome food! Cash only so come prepared and a bit expensive, but worth it. I loved the avocado toast and they have great smoothies, too!
What to do
Here is a list of things to experience in/ near Tulum! Don't want to give too much away so you can experience these gems for yourself. :)
Sunrise at public beach
Visit the Tulum Ruins (arrive first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat! The ruins open at 8:00AM)
Cenote Cavalera (arrive early before it gets too crowded! It opens at 9:00 AM and costs 100 pesos. I would bring extra cash in case the price has gone up since the time I am writing this)
Temazcal ceremony at Botanica (this is an incredible sweat lodge experience that allows you to reconnect with yourself and address any physical or emotional areas you want to heal)
Art museum at Azulik (I visited the art museum in Zona Hotelera, though there is also AZULIK Uh May located in the village of Francisco Uh May, 25 km northeast of Tulum that I've heard is worth exploring)
Learn salsa & enjoy a fun night out at Palma Centro
Skip Gran Cenote (too expensive IMO)
Explore nearby cenotes - I recommend doing some research and visiting cenotes that are less known for a more natural experience
Bacalar
When to go
Experts say that the best time of year to visit Bacalar is during the dry season, from November to April. In the winter months, there’s little to no rain and pleasant temperatures. I visited in early April and found it to be a really enjoyable time!
Getting there
From Tulum, you can easily get to Bacalar by renting a car or taking the bus. The car is the more expensive option, but depending on your situation, potentially the more convenient one. If you are traveling on a budget, or simply don’t want to drive, you can easily take the bus from Tulum Centro to Bacalar.
In my experience, it was convenient having a car, especially since we didn't stay right in the center of town. Since Bacalar is a pueblo (small town) if you stay in or near the center, a car isn't necessary. Instead, you can walk everywhere and easily take a taxi (which aren’t too expensive here) to go to places like Cocolitos, Cenote Azul or Los Rapidos. In summary, having a car is nice, but not necessary - especially if you stay in the center.
Where to Stay
Anywhere in the center is ideal. The second airbnb I booked was this one and I could walk to the center in just 15-20 min. If you are looking for something higher end/ luxury - I recommend MBH Maya Bacalar. I spent 2 nights here and it was truly amazing. You have a view of the lake from your room and can take a bath in your private outdoor tub while gazing up at the stars. Pure magic! Included in your stay are paddle boards and kayaks that you can take out on the lake - or you can simply relax in one of the hammocks built into the dock if you prefer. There is also a restaurant serving up delicious food - great for breakfast before going out to explore or for dinner after a long day. MBH Maya Bacalar also provides bikes that you can easily use to get to the center of town.
Where to eat
Mango y chile - amazing plant-based options and delicious smoothies
Mi Burrito - cute food truck serving burritos in banana leaves
Nao Bacalar - amazing food with a beautiful view of the lagoon
La Playita - a casual and cozy restaurant right on the lake - tacos were so good!
What to do
Here is a list of things to experience in Bacalar. Again, I won't give too much away so you can experience these special moments yourself!
Sunrise SUP Tour at The Yak Lake House book here.
Swim in Cenote Azul
Enjoy the crystal clear water at Cocolitos (go first thing in the morning - opens at 10AM)
Enjoy drinks and live music at Galeón Pirata
Have dinner or drinks at Habitas Bacalar (call ahead to make a reservation)
Valladolid
Getting there
Rent a car from Tulum and drive. The road you will be on basically straight from Tulum to Valladolid is highway 180, just be mindful of the speed bumps. They do sneak up on you, especially as you are approaching some small towns along the way.
Tip: I decided to stay in Valladolid mostly because of its proximity to Chichén Itzá and some beautiful cenotes. However, the town itself is lovely to walk around. If you just have 1 night, I recommend driving straight to Chichén Itzá and getting there at the end of the day once most of the crowds have left (think 3-5PM). Then go to Valladolid, have dinner at Burrito Amor, followed by an early night’s rest so you can wake up and visit nearby cenotes first thing the next morning. I decided to visit Cenote Oxman and Suytan. Note: both of these cenotes have gotten quite popular, so I would recommend looking for other cenotes in the area that are off the beaten path - I have a feeling you'd enjoy that much more!
Where to stay
I stayed here. It was inexpensive and perfect for just one night. I felt very safe in this area and could easily park my car in the street and walk to the center. I recommend it if you are looking for something simple just for the night.
Where to eat
Sadly the only time I had in Valladolid was for dinner the night I arrived. I went to Burrito Amor. I knew I loved this restaurant from trying it in Tulum and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a quick bite - their burritos are very good!
What to do
Roam around the colorful streets
Visit Chichén Itzá
Explore cenotes in the area
Packing for your trip! Here is a list of things to bring with you to Riviera Maya
Light clothing (shorts, t-shirts, light workout clothes, dresses, a sweater for the evenings - it can get a bit cooler at night at least in March)
Comfortable sandals + sneakers (I love my rope sandals from Nomadic State of Mind - find them here)
Swim wear
Sunscreen (preferably non-toxic - my holistic nutritionist recommended this brand - COOLA)
Hat
Sunglasses
Water bottle
Mosquito repellent (preferably non-toxic)
Backpack/ extra bag
Travel journal/ books/ reading material
Camera equipment
Electronics, chargers + a power bank
Reusable straw and cutlery is always a good idea!
Toiletries
Passport/ Identification card
Cards (Credit and debit - you can withdraw pesos at the ATM in the airport)
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to The Riviera Maya: Tulum, Bacalar + Valladolid. Have a wonderful time and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Feel free to let me know if you try any of these experiences - I look forward to connecting with you soon!
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