Top 7 Best Areas to Stay in Tulum for Every Budget

Are you looking for the best areas to stay in Tulum? Then you are in the right place!

Colorful, sunkissed, and tropical, Tulum is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico for a reason. As the perfect melting point of culture, nature, and nightlife, this little beach town has erupted over the past decade to overtake the likes of Cancun and Playa del Carmen and is as much of a hit with yogis and backpackers as it is with honeymooners and families. 

But to make sure your stay is as dreamy as possible, you need to know exactly where to stay in Tulum. Beyond the town center, the beach strip area is split into two distinct areas and among those, you’ll find varying styles – and budgets – of accommodation and atmosphere.

Before you book your hotel, you need to familiarise yourself with the best areas to stay in Tulum and that is exactly why I prepared this guide to save you all the hard work!

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Tulum

Peeking out from the Mayan jungle and overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the beach town of Tulum is situated in the state of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. If you plan to spend more time on the peninsula, check out my post about the best Yucatan road trip itinerary!

At a glance, Tulum is divided into two distinct areas: Tulum Pueblo, the downtown area, and Tulum Playa, the legendary beach strip. But within these two districts, there are sub-sections to take into consideration when selecting the best part of Tulum to stay.

Now let’s dive into a quick overview of the best areas to stay in Tulum so that you can get a handle on what might be the best option for you.

AREA	BEST FOR	RECOMMENDED HOTEL
Tulum Pueblo (Downtown)	Budget-friendly, First-time visitors, Local food, Yoga	Hotel Bardo
La Veleta	Boutique hotels, Budget-friendly	Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum
Tulum Beach	First-time visitors, Nightlife, Photographers	Dune Boutique Hotel
Tulum Beach North	Honeymoons, Tranquility, Adult-only hotels	Kai Tulum
Tulum Beach Middle	Luxury hotels, Upscale dining, Boutique nightlife	Ahau Tulum
Tulum Beach South	Family-friendly, Eco-friendly resorts	Encantada Tulum
Punta Allen	Local life, Nature & wildlife, Offbeat, Budget-friendly	Hotel Cielo y Selva

Best Areas to Stay in Tulum 

For those of you seeking a more in-depth guide, the following section is going to equip you with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

I have carefully researched and selected the best places to stay in Tulum based on whether you’re traveling on a budget, looking for luxury, hungry for nightlife, or want something suitable for children.

I’ve even picked out three hotel recommendations for each of the areas selected. Let’s get into it!

1. Tulum Pueblo – Best place to stay in Tulum for budget-friendly accommodation

Tulum Pueblo, or Downtown Tulum, is the official town center. It’s usually overlooked in favor of the beach, however, it does have a lot of its own charm and a great ethos.

The town isn’t large and is surrounded by greenery. There is an incredible food scene with more traditional places to eat and an upbeat nightlife scene with friendly bars leading the charge.

While a number of the wellness-oriented hotels in the Tulum Beach Strip schedule yoga and meditation events, Tulum Pueblo is actually one of the best areas to stay in Tulum if you want to hop around a mix of studios during your stay.

As accommodation is significantly lower than the beach, Pueblo might be the best place to stay in Tulum if you are traveling on a budget. Besides a mix of mid-range and luxury hotels, you can find humble hostels and low-key guest houses.

You’ll need to have a car in order to get to the beaches and factor in parking costs or endure a long bike ride. But – swings and roundabouts – another plus of staying in the town center is that you can get a headstart on visiting the local cenotes which are only a short drive or bicycle ride from downtown.

Pros and cons of staying in Tulum Pueblo

Best places to stay in Tulum Pueblo

2. La Veleta – Best place to stay in Tulum for boutique hotels

La Veleta is a small, green neighborhood just south of Tulum Pueblo that has been subject to gradual development over recent years.

Accommodation options are more boutique and deluxe than elsewhere in the town with an emphasis on sustainable practices and yet are drastically lower in cost in comparison with the beach.

Another huge bonus of La Veleta is how peaceful the neighborhood feels, making this one of the best areas to stay in Tulum for couples and families seeking solitude. 

Depending on how far south in La Veleta you decide to stay, you will need to factor in a walk or short cycle ride to meet the central part of downtown. If you don’t fancy straying too far to eat, then there are also some excellent restaurants within walking distance within the La Veleta neighborhood.

Pros and cons of staying in La Veleta

Best places to stay in La Veleta

3. Tulum Beach – Best place to stay in Tulum for first-time visitors

Situated at the end of Avenue Kukulkan, Tulum Beach marks the main entrance to the Zona Hotelera Tulum and is one of the busier parts of the area.

There are loads of hotels and restaurants to choose from in this section and it is the best part of Tulum to stay for nightlife, making it my overall pick for where to stay in Tulum if this is your first time visiting.

Furthermore, this is where you can start your content creation journey and visit some of the famous sculptures and installations that you’ll have scrolled past on social media. If you wish to do so, make sure to check out my guide to the best Instagram spots in Tulum!

As Tulum Beach is so desirable due to its handy location and amount of opportunities for getting around the local sights, accommodation in this area is particularly expensive. You can book in advance or choose dates in the shoulder season if you want to reduce your overheads.

Pros and cons of staying in Tulum Beach

Best places to stay in Tulum Beach

4. Tulum Beach North – Best place to stay in Tulum for honeymooners 

Tulum Beach North covers the stretch of coastline that heads up from Tulum Beach to the Tulum National Park and Tulum Ruins.

Beautiful resorts and hotels characterize the area, offering sanctuaries of peace and quiet that are set back beyond the busier areas of Tulum Beach and Tulum Beach Middle.

With long swathes of soft golden sand, the beaches here are some of the nicest in the area and there are plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities to look out for as well.

While accommodation is still pricey in comparison to downtown and La Veleta, you are more likely to scoop a deal on a luxury place in Tulum Beach North.

There is a solid selection of adult-only hotels and resorts that cater specifically to couples, making Tulum Beach North my shout for the best place to stay in Tulum for honeymooners or those celebrating a special anniversary. 

Pros and cons of staying in Tulum Beach North

Best places to stay in Tulum Beach North

5. Tulum Beach Middle – Best place to stay in Tulum for luxury 

Heading further south of Tulum Beach and Tulum Beach North, Tulum Beach Middle is where accommodation, leisure, dining, and nightlife take a turn for the fancy!

Picking up where the main Tulum Beach zone left off, Tulum Beach Middle is the location of a number of the most Instagrammable places in Tulum as well as some of the hippest boutiques, coolest beaches clubs, and most appetizing restaurants and cafes in the area.

Tulum Beach Middle is brimming with places to stay and is the best area to stay in Tulum if the sky’s the limit and you are seeking the full barefoot luxury experience.

While prices are high, the quality of the hotels is out of this world and you’ll be sure to get the full celebrity treatment. That being said, there is a scattering of more affordable hotels and plenty of markets if you want to watch your expenses.

Pros and cons of staying in Tulum Beach Middle

Best places to stay in Tulum Beach Middle

6. Tulum Beach South – Best place to stay in Tulum for a family-friendly vacation

Tulum Beach South is the most southerly segment of the Tulum Beach Strip, right before you reach the fauna and flora-rich Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

The pace of life on the strip cools down in this southernmost point and while you’re still within walking distance of the restaurants and clubs of Tulum Beach Middle, you will find the environment and beaches to be distinctly quieter. 

With accommodation being more affordable, the area less crowded, and the beaches more serene, Tulum Beach South is the best part of Tulum to stay for families.

The proximity to the reserve is a bonus for kids and wildlife enthusiasts alike and, in fact, if you are looking for a closer connection with nature, Tulum Beach South is the setting of a handful of eco-lodges and yurts!

Pros and cons of staying in Tulum Beach South

Best places to stay in Tulum Beach South

7. Punta Allen – Best place to stay in Tulum for local life 

Waving farewell to the Tulum Beach Strip and continuing south to the tip of the Boca Paila Peninsula, you will come to the teeny fishing village of Punta Allen.

There are no grand resorts and beach clubs in this neck of the woods: accommodation is modest and generally, you’re looking at laid-back guest houses, homestays, and locally run eateries.

This is ideal if you’re eager to get off the beaten track and see a different side to Tulum. Located within the limits of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Punta Allen is also one of the best areas to stay in Tulum for nature. 

If you are heading to Tulum for the first time and want to soak up that famous energy of the beach and downtown, then Punta Allen might not be the best area to stay in Tulum. However, choosing accommodation in Punta Allen is a great shout for a repeat visitor or if you’re eager to avoid the tourist center. 

Pros and cons of staying in Punta Allen

Best places to stay in Punta Allen

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