Tulum Beach vs Tulum City Center: Where to Stay, Eat, and Play
O hhhh how I just love Tulum. No for real, I have been twice in one year and I could honestly go back every weekend if I had the opportunity to. I love the nightlife, beach vibes, jungle scenery, and incredible cultural influence. When in Tulum, there is so much to choose from for things to do, see, and places to eat. I recently just went for my bachelorette, maybe a new post on that in the upcoming weeks? Anyway, I have found there is a big difference between Tulum Beach and the Tulum City Center. Whether you are choosing where to stay, where to party, or where to eat, each part of Tulum has its special vibe.
Tulum Beach
Tulum Beach is a place to go to when visiting Tulum. It is going to have your trendiest, vibiest, and wildest restaurants, bars, and hotels. It is a strip of jungle vibes and good times. With that being said, this area can come with a price tag. It gets quite expensive whether you are having a bite to eat or just going shopping. But either way, I wouldn’t suggest missing this part of town when visiting Tulum. Most of my trips have been spent enjoying everything this strip offers. The downfall to this beautiful spot in Tulum, there is always traffic heading into it. If you have to take a taxi to your dinner expect to be spending one + hours in the taxi. It is quite annoying but even with that I personally still think it is worth it. There is so much to do, see, or even stay at so definitely do your research before you make a decision.
Where To Stay
Azulik $$: Now this place is a vibe. Whether you stay here or not, you still have to see all this hotel offers. It was made with the jungle theme in mind. It has innovative architecture and incredible hospitality. Plus, you can have dinner in a nest at the top of it. The restaurant is called Kin Toh and I’ve only heard amazing things. Hotel room prices can range from 400 to 5000 USD. If this is out of your budget, there are many ways to still experience this beautiful hotel. You can eat at either the Kin Toh restaurant, the Tseen Ja, or Cenote which all contribute to that insta-worthy shot in their ways. Azulik also has an art exhibition that you can explore called Ik Lab and it is free. Your bank account doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying the jungle beauty at its finest.
Casa Malca $$: There is a big attraction when it comes to this hotel because it used to be Pablo Escobar’s former home. It is a boutique-style hotel only having 42 rooms. It is a beautiful place to stay as well as visit. It is a mix of modern art and a beach sanctuary. It is located right on the beach and each room has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the ocean. Casa Malca can be visited without staying there and it is quite a hot spot for photos. There is a 50 USD minimum for purchasing food or beverages though if you are not a hotel guest.
Coco Tulum $: Coco Tulum, still on the pricey side, offers two options for your experience. You can choose the more zen, chill, yoga-vibe hotel. Or you can choose the Beach Club Hotel for a bit more liveliness. This hotel is based on having older-style cabanas that turn into a trendy haven. It is also located on the beach and has the most peaceful serenity.
El Pez $: If you are looking to stay on the beach but at a cheaper rate, El Pez Hotel still seems like a great option. This hotel is just under 100 USD a night and is in a prime location. It is a boutique hotel that still gives you Tulum charm to it. They have 4.5 reviews online, it seems like a cute and perfect Tulum getaway. The next time I visit Tulum, I will be staying here.
Where To Eat
Arca: Based in the heart of Tulum Beach, it brings a desiccant display of a unique Mexican-inspired culinary. The food will melt in your mouth with savory flavors. This restaurant is on the more pricey side but the menus are always fresh with the best local and seasonal ingredients.
Gitano: A personal favorite, every time I go I am highly impressed. The food Is mouthwatering as the flavors sit so pleasantly on your tongue. It is tucked away in a jungle atmosphere that lights up in the night. It is charming, intriguing, and so unique. The food is a Latin-inspired cuisine that has flavor and fun added into each bite. Later at night, it has a DJ and turns into a party.
Raw Love: You may know of this restaurant without even knowing you do. The towering wooden sculpture that almost everyone takes a picture of is the entrance of Raw Love. Most people don’t even know this as they usually only come for the picture. If you do find yourself here for breakfast or lunch it will not disappoint. The food is all raw and healthy. They make their own almond butter and oat milk. It is as natural as natural gets and it is incredibly good. I highly suggest getting an açaí bowl and a meal. Just go all in because you won’t regret it.
The Real Coconut: This is the perfect breakfast spot to enjoy yourself a great meal with an even better view. Now, this restaurant does have lunch and dinner but I have mostly heard great things about their breakfast. They are a plant-focused restaurant and are 100% gluten, dairy, soy, and corn-free.
Where to Play
Now a lot of the places to “play” also offer a divine cuisine. There isn’t anything quite better though than to have an incredible meal followed by incredible drinks and a whole lotta dancinnn.
Casa Jaguar: This is a restaurant deep in the heart of the jungle but located right across from the beach. It is a seasonal cuisine that creates an artisanal way of cooking with some of the best chefs from around the world. They also have an incredible mixologist to give you a wonderful drink to sip on. It can get quite wild here, especially on Thursdays for their jungle party. On Tuesdays, their dinner party turns into a cocktail party and when I was there, ladies drank for free.
Bagatelle: This is a southern France-inspired cuisine that has not only incredible food but incredible performances. I highly enjoyed the food here but what made it so special and a place that needed to fall under the “where to play” category was the after-dinner show. Once we finished our mouthwatering and overwhelmingly good meal, the staff cleared our table for a show. Flame throwers, Ariel dances, DJs, and a whole lot of dancing came once we finished dinner. And by dancing, I mean, dancing on the tables! It was the most fun I have ever had. We went from a classy dinner to a wild dance extravaganza.
Rosa Negra: I highly enjoyed the food here as well. I thought the Latin American-influenced cuisine was perfect. Although, most don’t just come for the food. If you do plan on making a trip here, expect to be dancing and singing while you wait for your meal. It is a good meal but it is also a good time.
Papaya Playa Project: I would suggest going here on Saturdays and specifically Saturday nights. They have a dj dance party on Saturdays and it is right on the beach. It is fun, wild, and something you can’t miss. You can also stay here as it is a hotel too.
Taboo: I honestly never even had a chance to try their food here but it did look quite delicious. This beach club has everything. Whether you are looking for a private event, a day party, or even a wedding, they have you covered. My bridesmaids and I went to the day club pool party and pretty much died in happiness. It was like Vegas but more of a vibe with an incredible ocean view. If you are wanting to turn up and day drink your Saturday away, this is where you need to do it. If there is a group of you, I would suggest getting a table so you can order food or bottles or whatever you please.
Tulum Town
Every time I go to Tulum, I regret not spending more time in the downtown area. It is an up-and-coming city that still has a beautiful Mexican influence. It is also a lot more affordable than going anywhere by the beach. When I say a lot, I mean a lot. A meal that might cost you fifty dollars will cost you ten dollars here. So if you are looking at ways to save money this is it, spend more time in Tulum Town. We want to see the hit attractions that are located on the beach, but you’d be surprised at how many cute, insta-worthy places there are in the city center.
Where To Stay
Elements Tulum Boutique Hotel $: If you are looking for more of a hotel vibe, this hotel is going to be an amazing option for you. It is only 59 USD a night and it is located right in the city center. It is right in the middle of everything, It has its pool and is well-kept. The reviews on Google also say incredible things about it. A great option at an even better price point.
Airbnb $$: Airbnb’s in Tulum are the most affordable I have ever seen. They are also very beautiful with newly renovated indoors as well as many beautifully showcased outdoors, including pools. There are many to choose from and a lot of the Airbnb’s are located in-between the Tulum Town and Beach area. If you want to stay more in the downtown area, make sure you are specifically looking near or around the city center. Another great area that is up and coming and still closer to downtown than the beach is looking for an Airbnb in the La Veleta area. When you pull up Airbnb, Tulum Centro on the map display is the city center.
Orchid House Tulum $$: Who would I be if I didn’t tell you about my favorite hotel in Tulum thus far? Orchid House Tulum isn’t located in the city center but it is about a 30-minute walk, a 10-minute bike ride, or a 10 USD taxi drive. It’s tucked away into the depths of the jungle. It is the most charming hotel I have ever stayed in. It is a boutique-style hotel with only 12 rooms. The entire hotel was architected to fit freely within the jungle. The outdoor living feel and jungle vibes make it a perfect getaway sanctuary. The only downfall is how relaxing and quiet it is. This may be a pleasing attribute to many but if you are coming to Tulum to party, this might not be where you want to stay. Although, we still had such a great time. This hotel also has a nest-in-the-sky dinner area like Azulik. The dinner is a six-course tasting menu and you can make a reservation even if you don’t stay in the hotel. Just like Azulik, this hotel is going to give you such insta-worthy shots.
Again, These places are located closer to the city center which makes them hard to get to the beach. It isn’t impossible to go to the beach from here but expect to pay a lot of taxi fees and wait in traffic at peak hours. It is doable though, I have done it every time I have traveled to Tulum.
Where To Eat
Burrito Amor: I would say this is such a hole-in-the-wall type of place. It is located in the heart of downtown and it has such a cute trendy vibe to it that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. The food is also incredible AND inexpensive. You can find an extensive list of smoothies, juices, salads, breakfasts, and burritos. Their tortilla-wrapped burritos are then wrapped in banana leaves to allow for the burrito to have a slightly crisp texture. This restaurant is a must!
Verdant: This farm-to-table ethical eatery is one you can not miss. The food is served in a laid-back chic restaurant. The tasting menu that is provided is from their grown herbs and vegetables. They are highly committed to their environmental and social responsibility. It looks amazing and I will be there the next time I visit.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca: If you are looking for true, amazing, and some of the best tacos in all of Mexico (maybe an exaggeration) this is your place. It is just a walk-up restaurant and you order at the counter. You won’t be disappointed though. The tacos are 50 cents and you will find only the locals hanging around. A truly hidden gem. It is only open for dinner so definitely plan accordingly.
Liefs: My friends and I stumbled upon this place randomly and I am so glad we did. It is such a charming outdoor eatery that is from an old converted volkswagon. It takes the food truck vibes to a whole new level. The outdoor seating area is super cute and perfect. It is a vegan restaurant and has such flavorful healthy options. You can enjoy coffee, smoothies, amazing açaí bowls, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I highly suggest it here.
Where to Play
El Batey: This is a must and has been on my list to go to for a while. It is a newly added mojito bar that provides mojito with fresh ingredients and freshly crushed sugar cane juice. It is a trendy cocktail bar that provides dancing, music, and good times.
Naná Rooftop Bar: This is a mezcal bar that provides mezcal made from all different regions. This is going to be a more sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere. The drinks are also mixed with freshly squeezed juices. It has a lounge area as well as a DJ area too.
Encanto Cantina: This a Mexican-inspired uniquely designed bar. It has similar vibes to many of the Tulum Beach restaurants. It also provides an exquisite dinner.
I love Tulum
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