Tulum has long been one of our go-to destinations, offering a blend of stunning beaches, incredible food, vibrant community, and eco-conscious living. During our recent two-week Christmas and New Years holiday break in Mexico, we kicked things off with a relaxing and adventure-filled week in Tulum, and we’re here to share all the highlights, from our favorite stays to the best experiences and some points and miles hacks to maximize your trip.

Click here to read about the rest of our two week trip: enjoying the foodie paradise of Mexico City

You can also listen to our full episode covering our entire 2 week stay in Mexico!

Getting to Tulum

Tulum is located about an hour and a half southwest of Cancun and 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen. Traditionally, we’ve flown into Cancun and driven down, but this time, we had the opportunity to land at the brand-new Tulum International Airport (opened March 2024). This made travel significantly easier, cutting our transit time to just 45 minutes.

While our arrival didn’t go perfectly—our bags were delayed for over 24 hours—having travel insurance on our credit cards helped cover our expenses while we waited for our luggage to arrive.

Where We Stayed: The Perfect Airbnb in Tulum

For this trip, we stayed at an Airbnb hosted by Greenwood Tulum, a place we’ve stayed at multiple times and highly recommend. The location is unbeatable: it’s situated in Aldea Zama, a trendy and eco-friendly neighborhood located between Tulum’s main town and the hotel zone. Now every time we come back to Tulum we stay at the same location. Here’s what makes this Airbnb a great choice:

• Private rooftop pool + a larger shared rooftop pool
• Well-furnished modern layout
• 24/7 security
• Full gym
• Grocery store downstairs
• One block from a taxi stand

We always prefer staying in an Airbnb rather than a resort in Tulum because it gives us more flexibility to explore the town, local eateries, and beach clubs.

Pro Tip: Earn Miles on Airbnb Bookings

Did you know you can earn Delta SkyMiles or British Airways Avios when booking an Airbnb? If you frequently book Airbnb’s, go through Delta’s or British Airways’ shopping portal to earn miles for your stay. We personally find British Airways Avios more valuable since they can be transferred to partner airlines in the Avios network like Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, etc.

Beach Clubs & Nightlife: Where to Eat, Drink & Party

Tulum’s beaches are mostly privatized, meaning the best way to enjoy them is through beach clubs. We spent time at Rosa Negra Beach Club, a lively, upscale spot with great music, delicious food, and a fun party vibe right on the sand. However it’s hard to go wrong as many of the beach clubs have great music, scenic views of the beaches, and a great overall energy. Just know that parking is limited in general in the hotel zone, but many of these parking lot give you discounted parking if you are going to a beach club. Also keep in mind that most beach clubs have a minimum spend, unless you just want to eat at the restaurant (usually $75–$100 per person)

Recommended Restaurants in Tulum’s Hotel Zone

1. Bagatelle – A high-end French restaurant with a party atmosphere. One of our favorite experiences.
2. Rosa Negra (restaurant) – A fantastic upscale dining experience with live music and a DJ.
3. Bak – A fire steakhouse that offers fine dining with premium steak cuts and fresh seafood.

Tulum’s Hotel Zone is where you’ll find most of these high-end dining experiences, but it’s also the most expensive part of town. For more affordable and authentic food, head into Tulum Town for incredible street tacos and local eats.

Adventure in Tulum: Exploring Xplor Fuego

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Xplor Fuego, an adventure park that transforms into a fire-lit jungle playground at night. Here’s what we experienced:

• Ziplining through the jungle (some lines even went through fire rings!)
• Underground river swims (though we skipped this due to the cooler nighttime temperatures)
• Off-road ATV driving (a bumpy, fun ride through jungle trails)
• A five-in-one water slide

The park offers a buffet dinner included with admission, and while there’s no alcohol served on-site, the experience was unforgettable. If you visit, consider going at night for fewer crowds and a unique, torch-lit atmosphere.

Tulum Travel Tips & Hacks

1. Use Airbnb for a more authentic experience – You’ll have better access to the local community, shops, and restaurants.
2. Rent a car – We used our Avis President’s Club status (through American Airlines) for an easy rental right at the airport.
3. Book restaurant reservations in advance – Many of the top spots in the Hotel Zone fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
4. Check the actual location of hotels & resorts – Many hotels with “Tulum” in the name are actually 20–30 minutes outside of town.

Final Thoughts on Tulum

Tulum continues to be one of our favorite destinations, and our latest trip reinforced why we keep coming back. From the beaches and mezcal bars to high-end restaurants and adventure parks, there’s truly something for everyone.

If you’re planning a trip, consider mixing in both high-end dining and local eats, beach club days, and jungle adventures for the full Tulum experience. And of course, don’t forget to take advantage of travel hacks like Airbnb miles, rental car perks, and restaurant reservations to make your trip even smoother.

Have you been to Tulum before? What were your favorite experiences? Let us know in the comments!