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, white sand beaches (wider & prettier than those in Playa del Carmen) & stunning 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 likely 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.
Azulik Resort is one of Tulum’s most famous hotels on the beach ~ but it’s also one of the most expensive!
The good news is: you can stay on the beach in Tulum for less than $200 per night…read on to find out where.
Azulik Resort
La Zebra Hotel & Cabanas
Dreams Tulum
Encantada Tulum
El Pez Hotel Tulum
Alaya Tulum
Coco Tulum
Mezzanine Hotel Tulum
How to Get to Tulum
- How to Get to Tulum: Fly into Cancun International Airport, then rent a car or take a bus down to Tulum (two-hour drive).Â
- Getting Oriented in Tulum: Tulum is divided into three different parts: 1) Up by the main highway, aka not the most attractive part of town; 2) North by the Mayan Ruins; & 3) Beach-front Hotel Row (the most desirable part of town). This article focuses ONLY on hotels right on the beachfront.
Where to Stay on the Beach in Tulum: Lux
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.Â
Check prices at Azulik Tulum Resort here.
The insane set-up at Azulik will have your Instagram friends drooling with envy…the resort is basically SET UP for photo shoots!
Their beachfront set-up is fabulous: grab your own eco-chic cabana.
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…Â
Check prices for Dreams Tulum here.
Dreams Tulum is one of the only all-inclusives in town ~ but lacks some of the character found at other beachfront 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: head to Encantada Tulum.
You’re perched right above the sand here…
Where to Stay on the Beach in Tulum
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.Â
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.
La Zebra offers one of the widest beachfronts in town, & you can rent these cabanas out….sipping a mojito & savoring their delicious ceviche!
Modern elegance at La Zebra ~ with the added bonus of a happening 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 Alaya Tulum: it’s hard to make a beach hotel feel cozy, but they’ve found a way.
Alaya Tulum is a great choice for just about anyone.
Best Beachfront Hotels in Tulum: Budget
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 Alaya, El Pez offers stone walls & wood ceilings in a gorgeous, beachfront setting ~ at about half the price!
What makes El Pez unique is that they offer a grassy area in addition to simple 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 is famous for: its beachfront 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 ~ one of the most affordable hotels in town.
Expect great Thai food & a scene at the hip restaurants in the Mezzanine Hotel.
Best Beachfront Hotels in Tulum
xoxo NoeliaÂ
Read Next: Two MUST-PACK Items for Mexico!!
Amazing timing, I was literally just researching this a few days ago! I had a birthday trip to Tulum planned for May 2020 that was cancelled due to the pandemic so it is high on my priority list after I get the vaccine. Thoughts on Playa Xcanan? That’s what I had booked previously and was looking at options not on the beach that were cheaper but you convinced me that staying on the beach is the way to go!
Ha ~ how funny! That’s serendipity at work right there : ) So we never visited Playa Xcanan ~ in taking a quick peek on Google, their rooms are definitely going to be more “basic” than the hotels on my list. But some people are never in their room…so it really depends what you’re looking for. If it were me, I’d look up one of the budget hotels on my list b/c they all still have a really luxe feel without being crazy expensive! And their locations are PRIMO. Let me know what you decide ~ Tulum is AMazing!! xoxo Noelia
Great article! My husband and i are looking for a winter escape – Tulum certainly seems to fit the bill. Based on your research, I’m curious where you would stay in Tulum? (And I agree, staying on the beach seems paramount)
Hi Anne! Thanks for your question. After writing this article, I’d love to grab a drink (& some amazing photos) at the Azulik ~ but I’d LOVE to stay at the Alaya! The rooms are sooo cute & full of character, right up my alley. But if I was more on a budget, the El Pez is where I’d look at next! xoxo Noelia