Where to Stay on the Beach in Tulum?

If you’re flying all the way to Cancun, then making the two-hour trek south to Tulum: you most definitely want to stay on the beach if you can afford it!  Tulum is known for its soft & supremely white sand beaches (which are wider & prettier than Playa del Carmen’s) & turquoise water.  The biggest mistake my friends & I made when we visited Tulum: we didn’t stay on the beach.  BIG. MISTAKE!!  Every day, we hailed a cab down to the oceanfront ~ because let’s face it: the beach is probably the #1 reason you’re visiting Tulum!  In this article, we’ll find out where to stay on the beach in Tulum…for absolutely all budgets!

(And yes, you can stay on the beach in Tulum for less than $200 per night…)

The Azulik Resort is one of Tulum’s most famous & most unique hotels on the beach ~ but it’s also one of the most expensive!

Search for Flights to Tulum

Where to Stay on the Beach in Tulum: Expensive

1. The Most Instagram-mable Hotel in Tulum: Azulik Tulum ($450+)

If getting hot shots for Instagram is one of your top goals in Tulum: head to the set-in-jaw-dropping-nature Azulik Resort.  Staying at the Azulik is like staying in an upscale treehouse-on-the-beach ~ like the Swiss Family Robinson brought into the 21st century!  The hotel sits on prime real estate right in the middle of “Hotel Row,” so it’s possible to walk to plenty of restaurants & cafes.  Which maybe a good thing: because food & drinks are PRICEY here!!  $20 per drink is the norm, so get your wallet ready if you’re planning a stay here. 

Check prices at Azulik Tulum Resort here.

The insane set-up at Azulik Tulum will have your friends on Instagram drooling with envy…the resort is basically SET UP for social media photo shoots!

Their beachside set-up is high-end & fabulous: you may have your own eco-chic, beachside cabana, complete with comfy chairs & loungers.

2. The Best Beachfront All-Inclusive in Tulum: Dreams Tulum ($336+)

If you love the all-inclusive vibe & don’t want to be shocked by your high bar tab: head to the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa (the most northern hotel on the map above).  While Dreams lacks the bohemian flair of hotels like Azulik, it still offers a wonderful & large beachfront, in addition to several pools.  My main issue with this hotel is that you could be in Cabo, or Puerto Vallarta: the decor & overall flavor here doesn’t really scream “Tulum” ~ you could basically be anywhere in Mexico.  But sometimes, that’s just fine… 

Check prices for Dreams Tulum here.

Dreams Tulum is one of the only all-inclusive resorts in town ~ which will save your wallet, but it lacks some of the character found at other beachfront Tulum hotels.

3. Best Honeymoon Hotel in Tulum: Encantada Tulum ($336+)

If you’re looking for the ultimate upscale adult getaway: check in to the Encantada Tulum.  This hotel has less of a party atmosphere than the Azulik, & fewer families than Dreams.  Encantada is all about enjoying a relaxing, beachfront, & ADULT Mexican escape.  In your own upscale treehouse (complete with thatched roofs: soooo Tulum), let the sound of waves lull you to sleep, or provide the backdrop while you enjoy your mai tais.  This hotel is ranked #3 on Trip Advisor for Tulum & has virtually nothing but five-star reviews.

Check prices at the Encantada here.

For an upscale adult retreat: try the Encantada Tulum.

You’re perched right above the sand at Encantada.

Where to Stay on the Beach in Tulum: Expensive

4. Best Beach Bar & Cabanas in Tulum: La Zebra ($349+)

Though we didn’t stay on the beach in Tulum: we did rent a cabana two days in a row at La Zebra Boutique Hotel ~ which is Trip Advisor’s #1-rated hotel in Tulum!  What I particularly liked about their beachfront area: it was lively enough to be entertaining with great people-watching, but not rowdy like a trip to Cabo Wabo’s.  It’s the perfect mix of fun & relaxing.  And if you’re lucky enough to stay here: modern, elegant beachfront rooms await you. 

Another Note: La Zebra is pretty far down “Beach Row,” which means you’re not surrounded by a bunch of party hotels & random beachgoers.  It felt far enough away to be a bit secluded, while still being within walking distance to cafes & shops.

Check prices for La Zebra here.

As you can see in the photo, La Zebra offers one of the widest beachfronts ~ & even if you’re not staying at their hotel, you can still rent one of their cabanas for the day. Which is good because their drinks & food are EXcellent!

Modern elegance is the name of the game at La Zebra ~ but with the added bonus of a really fun beach bar.

5. Coziest Beachfront Hotel in Tulum: Alaya Tulum ($394+)

My award for the coziest, most unique architecture in Tulum goes to the highly-awarded Alaya Tulum.  Their character-filled stone walls (which can be found in most guest rooms) are more typically found in Europe than they are in Mexico ~ which makes the Alaya such a unique find!  They’ve combined cozy character with the relaxed, beachy “Tulum” vibe in a nearly perfect way, making this a fantastic hotel for  just about anyone traveling to Tulum.

Check prices for Alaya Tulum here.

My “cozy” award goes to the Alaya Tulum: it’s hard to make a beachy hotel cozy, but with their addition of rocky stone walls ~ they’ve found a way to make it more homey, yet beautiful.

The Alaya Tulum is a great choice for just about anyone.

Best Beachfront Hotels in Tulum:

Under $200/Night

6. Best Affordable Luxury in Tulum: El Pez Hotel Tulum ($160+)

Did you know that you can stay in an amazing resort on the beach in Tulum for less than $200 per night?  I certainly didn’t, until I did some research for this article.  At the top of my list in the “Affordable” category is the stunning El Pez Hotel Tulum ~ one of the Colibri Group’s many hotels in town.  With beautiful rooms and a relaxed vibe, this is a great place for a girl’s getaway, solo retreat, or even a romantic getaway.  At this price, you can’t beat the atmosphere & views.

Check prices at the El Pez Hotel here.

Similar to the Alaya, the El Pez offers stone walls & wood ceilings in a gorgeous, beachfront setting ~ at about half the price!

What makes the El Pez Hotel unique is that they offer a grassy area in addition to simply beachfront & sand.

7. Best Shabby Chic B&B in Tulum: Coco Tulum ($175+)

With its near all-white decor & dreamy, beachy vibe, the Coco Tulum is another outstanding option in the budget category ~ with rooms for less than $200/night.  Another thing its known for?  Its swings!  People a’plenty flock to Coco Tulum’s beachside bar to grab a shot on their iconic set of white swings.  If you stay here, you may be able to grab a shot before crowds get there…

Check prices for Coco Tulum here.

The Coco Tulum = shabby chic heaven on the beach.

One thing the Coco Tulum is famous for: its swings!

8. Best Adult’s-Only Hotel in Tulum: Mezzanine Hotel ($138+)

If you love Thai food in addition to beach views: pack your bags & head for the Mezzanine Hotel in Tulum….pronto!  Another stylish hotel from the Colibri Group, you’d never know that the Mezzanine is one of the most affordable hotels on the beach.  It’s rated the #2 hotel in Tulum by Trip Advisor, with over 1,000 near-perfect reviews.  This just may be the best value on the beach, & it’s also one of the most walker-friendly hotels ~ as its near loads of fun restaurants & bars.

Check prices at the Mezzanine Hotel here.

Tahitian vibes in Tulum at the Mezzanine Hotel ~ one of the most affordable hotels on this list.

Expect great Thai food & a bit of a scene at the hip Mezzanine Hotel in Tulum ~ another hotel from the Colibri Group.

Best Beachfront Hotels in Tulum!

xoxo Noelia 

Read Next: Two MUST-PACK Items for Mexico!!

Pin It!