Tulum

Mayan ruins above turquoise waters, cenotes and bohemian beach vibes.

Tulum is the Yucatán's most fashionable and rapidly changing beach destination — a former Caribbean fishing village that has transformed into a global hotspot for boutique hotels, wellness retreats, excellent restaurants and a creative, international community drawn by the combination of extraordinary beaches, Mayan archaeological ruins above the sea, and jungle-surrounded cenotes. The Tulum Archaeological Zone — a 13th-century Mayan walled city perched on a 12-metre cliff above a Caribbean cove — is one of the most dramatically situated archaeological sites in the world. The view of the temples above the turquoise sea is stunning, and snorkelling is possible on the beach below. The surrounding jungle holds numerous cenotes (natural freshwater pools in limestone): Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, Kin Ha and Calavera are all near the town and excellent for swimming, snorkelling and diving. Tulum beach (Playa Paraíso and the hotel zone beach road) runs for 10km south of the ruins with a succession of boutique eco-hotels, beach clubs and restaurants. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of mangroves, lagoons and jungle beginning 10km south of Tulum, offers boat tours through extraordinary coastal wilderness. The town of Tulum (the actual village, distinct from the beach hotel zone) has excellent tacos and is significantly cheaper than the beach. Tulum has changed dramatically in the past decade and continues to evolve rapidly.