[url=http://www.tulumruins.net]Tulum[/url] is on the [wiki=5ade1fa41cf41823fa05a8343dbd3195]Yucatan Peninsula[/wiki], in [wiki=8dbb07a18d46f63d8b3c8994d5ccc351]Mexico[/wiki].
From the [wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc#By_plane]Cancun International Airport[/wiki] you can take the [url=http://www.ado.com.mx]ADO bus[/url] to [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki] with departures every :30min to 1 hour for around $156 MXN (about $12 USD). Once in Playa del Carmen you transfer to a second bus (ADO, AU or Mayab) to Tulum for an additional $62 MXN (about $4,5 USD).
Rental cars are priced reasonably and are the easiest way to get around the Tulum area. Shop around rates upon arrival, and feel free to haggle. Check with your credit card company to see if they automatically insure you, most do so you don't have to pay the additional insurance that the rental agency often tries to insist you purchase. It is a very easy drive to Tulum. To get there you take the only highway south from [wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc]Cancun[/wiki] Airport straight down past [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki], [wiki=049a9750c9c90f6b554defa840dac09d]Akumal[/wiki], etc. About 90 minutes from the airport you will arrive in Tulum.
If you don't have a transportation manner assured it is highly recommended to pre-book a transfer from the airport to your hotel or destination. There are some companies very reliable, safe and professional as:
*Discovery Mundo
*Olympus Tours
*Best Day
*Amstar DMC
*[url=http://www.paradisetransfers.com/tulum-transfers.html] Paradise Transfers - Airport Transfers fron Cancun to Tulum[/url]
And some others locals you can find in TripAdvisor.
Many of the Hotels in Tulum offer a pick-up service from the Cancun International Airport for an additional price depending on the hotel.
Buses from [wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc]Cancun[/wiki] run quite regularly. There is also an [url=http://www.ado.com.mx]ADO bus[/url] direct from Cancun Airport to [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki].
Buses from [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki] run hourly or so. Bus station is at southern end of Fifth Avenue near Playacar. ADO Bus stops at Xcaret and Xel-ha enroute to Tulum. Mayab bus stops more frequently enroute to Tulum from [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki].
To visit the ruins, get off the bus at the first Tulum stop at the intersection with the access road to the ruins. It's an easy one mile or so flat walk to the ruins from the intersection.
An alternative to the buses is to catch a "collectivo" van. In [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki] you can find these on Calle 2 towards Avenida 20. One-way trip costs $50-60 MXN.
If you drive yourself to the ruins before opening time, it may be a bit confusing as to where to go and what to do. As soon as you park, a man on a bicycle should find you and charge you for parking ($50 MXN). You must go through a sort of half open-air mall (which is empty before 8AM). From there you can either sign up with a tour guide ($20 USD per person?), pay for a shuttle ride to the ruins ($20 MXN), or walk a mile along a road to the ruins. The guides are reported to be better story tellers than actual experts on Mayan culture. The walk is on level ground and passes quickly as you admire the jungle and abandoned shops along the way. If you can walk it, do it and save a few bucks! As you approach a stone wall, to the left will be a brown wooden building where you can purchase your ticket into the ruins (57 MXN, an additional 35 pesos if they see that you have a video camera). From there, head along a stone path through the jungle and into the ruins...
What most folks really need to know, and only manage to figure out once there, is the fact that there are really three different areas all referred to as Tulum only minutes away from each other, not close enough though to walk to and from.
Tulum Pueblo sits split by highway 307 running South-North. "El Pueblo", as referred to by locals, is home to most workers of the tourist industry and where many of the stores, supermarkets, two bus stations, inns, hostels and small hotels are found. This section of town has a definite feel of existing mostly to cater to the Tulum ruins. Tulum pueblo is indeed a destination for shopping, great restaurants, a modest night life, studying the language at Instituto Chac-Mool Spanish School, booking tours, banking, shopping for food, local vegetables, fruits, cafes, and local flavor. Do not miss it.
Tulum Playa nests along the coastline that leads into the Sian Ka'an Biosphere [Ecological Reserve], the Caribbean white sandy beaches to the east, an impressive mangrove & wetland reserve to the south. Tulum Playa embraces many of the fancier, ecological, boutique and spa hotels, and it has a decent selection of restaurants and night spots. There are also a number of affordable beach front cabana-type lodging locations. Walk the beach and simply step in and inquire about accommodations and rates. Always ask to see the available room(s) before committing: cabanas generally look better from outside than inside; bathrooms in particular are often in sad disrepair.
It should be noted most of these establishments are Eco-friendly and do not provide electricity past midnight. Toilet paper can not be flushed and it is asked that water and other resources be used sparingly. The hotels in Tulum aim to keep Tulum as it is and stop the ecological problems that have already taken hold in [wiki=fd5a6f048c89ada0ec63459c7d4467dc]Cancun[/wiki] and [wiki=80641aeee9616559ce67bb5d4837755b]Playa del Carmen[/wiki].
If you are staying on the beach and trying to save money, it is wise to stock up on food and drinks in the pueblo. There are not too many restaurant options on the beach, and the ones that are operational are comparatively quite expensive.
Taxis have a near monopoly on transport to and from the playa. Buses come from time to time, but hitchhiking can also get you where you need to go.
The beach area hotel zone sees considerable trade in and use of illicit substances. Keep in mind that for some visitors this is the area's main attraction, so if you choose to attend a bonfire or rumba party use common sense. The street running parallel to the coast where most of the cabanas are is unlit and curvy. Exercise extra caution after dark. There are no sidewalks.
Tulum Ruinas is the archaeological site where the Maya ruins of Tulum stand. It is conformed by a-mile-long road leading into the ruins from highway 307. The road is flanked by several restaurants, a commercial area geared to one-day visitors, a huge parking lot, a small bus station that operates part-time and a handful of middle range hotels.
Tulum is mostly known for its ruins, which strike an impressive image next to the sea, but were constructed during a time period of Maya culture that was waning. The site is notable for a small cenote (albeit dry during Jan 2009), beautiful beach below the ruin laden cliffs and some well preserved stellae in only one of its structures. After visiting other ruins in the area such as Coba, Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, Tulum's main claim is the sea-side setting. It is best visited on a clear, bright day or at sunrise. Bring your swimming suit. At the time of writing, one of the best sections was closed to visitors and covered with plastic bottles and other refuse.
A standard to telephoto zoom lens does well if you must photograph during times of peak tourism. This strategy will keep people out of your shots of the ruins. Tripods are allowed only with a permit that is exclusively available in Mexico City for a $500 fee. A monopod may be a possibility.
: See also: [wiki=e4093ae3affb9c031f9f1d47f7dd3f2b]Cenotes of the Yucatán[/wiki]
In much of the Yucatan, rainwater collects in a system of underground caves and tunnels. Where these tunnels reach the surface is known as a cenote (pronounced seh-NOH-teh). Cenotes usually allow swimming and diving, and at some you can rent related equipment. They contain fresh water, which is often cool since they are shaded in most cases. Cenotes allow close-up access to fauna such as fish, turtles, and in some cases, bats. Some cenotes are mainly enclosed with only small openings on the surface and a larger above-water cavernous area that extends under the rock covering. Others are more open and allow more natural light.
* El Gran Cenote. Admission: $150 MXN (September 2015). This is the most popular cenote (and therefore the most crowded) in Tulum. A good combination of a deep, cavernous portion, a couple of shallow open-air portions and ample wooden decking with stairs down to the water at several entrance points. This is recommended for first-time cenote-goers. Snorkelling gear is available for rent although prices are a bit steep. As of June 2014 prices were $80 MXN for snorkel and mask rental (snorkels appeard to be non-valved), $30 MXN to rent a locker to store your bags, $50 MXN to rent a life vest and $250 MXN to buy a waterproof camera.
* Casa Cenote, in TanKah III Bay is a magic spot. Here the Cenote goes underground some 100 yards before the beach, only to emerge as an 'underwater' water spring about 20 yards of the beach, right in the ocean. Must see. Tanka III Bay is just over 7 kilometers (5 miles) north of the intersection to the ruins. Take a cab. Great places to eat and stay or scuba too. Admission: about 25 pesos. Extra charge to rent a snorkel or kayak.
* Cenote Calavera. Admission: $100 MXN (September 2015). This is named "calavera" or "skull" because the entrance has one circular opening of about 9 meters in diameter into which one can jump or descend down a ladder, plus two smaller openings of about 1 meter in diameter. The cenote is mostly enclosed and only partially lit by daylight - there is a large cavernous area that is home to many bats.
* Cenotes Cristal and Escondido. $120 MXN buys admission to both (200MXN if you have diving equipment). These two cenotes are across the highway from each other, 3km south of the beginning of the Pueblo. Both are open-air, relatively shallow water, and unlikely to be crowded. Cristal has a diving platform about 3 meters above the surface of the water. The shape of the cenote is semi-round. Escondido is longer and contains an interesting floor of algae-covered rock and wood. Many fish eat the algae off the surfaces. There are small islands around which one can swim, and flexible straw-like tree roots jut into the water. Escondido is a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute bicycle ride down a bumpy dirt road from the entrance gate to the highway.
* Dos Ojos Cenote. $200 MXN for entrance only, as of November 4th, 2015 (good if you bring your own equipment and are ready to walk 3km to the cenote), or $500 MXN for the entrance plus a guide, ride to the cenote, snorkel equipment, lamp, and wetsuit if you want. Set aside around 2 or 3 hours total.
* Zacil-Ha. Admission: $60 MXN (November 15). Beautiful open-air cenote. It looks like a natural swimming-pool, but there are also underwater caves that go very far away. There's a zip-line for $10 MXN, snorkeling gear and life vests rental, deck chairs, tables for picnic, a bar and restaurant. Mostly Mexicans go there.
For the budget minded, try and Pollo Asada which both offer chicken that is roasted to perfection that can be ordered by the 1/4, 1/2, and whole.
* Don Cafetos features authentic mexican and is one of the most popular restaurants on the strip
* (and El Camello Jr) "The Camel" has great (and cheap) seafood (the ceviche is excellent!). Unpretentious but packed with locals as well as tourists. Take a cab to get there unless you are in the southern part of town.
*Probably the best food in town. Somewhat expensive but well worth it. The young chef-owner Claudia has been trained at Mexico City's premier culinary academy. Unfortunately few tourists ever notice this place since it's not on the main strip.
*local food, cheap and delicious.The service is warmly and friendly.Probably the best (and cheapest) enchiladas in town.
*Healthy Vegetarian and Vegan Meals in an open chill environment. Super Foods, Home Made Bread, Germinated Seeds, Aloe Vera, Slow Food, Smoothies, Cold Press Juices and a Biodegradable Bulk Food Store.
* One of the best pizza in town. They have delivery. The menu is in one of the photos on the Facebook page.
* Best tacos al pastor! And very cheap ($7 MXN as of November 2015). Try also the sopes.
* Tamales stand on the street. Very tasty and cheap.
It should be noted that most of the restaurants in town are infinitely cheaper than those at the resorts. Most places, with the exception of the italian and japanese restaurants feature entrees for well under 100 pesos, or 10USD. There are countless little cafes and establishments to get a great bite to eat for cheap.
You can also go to one of the two big supermarket at the entrance of Tulum to stock up on food and drinks: Chedraui and San Francisco. You can also buy a cooler here which is great for having cold drinks on the beach each day. The mini-vans and taxis will get you there. Chedraui is more English-friendly than San Francisco (and it's also closer to the beach).
* Check out Mezzanine on the cliffs (only 40 feet high but nice) overlooking Playa Paraiso. Superb Thai food and great ambiance and a super view. They even make decent drinks too and have good shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
*Family warmth, exquisite taste, fresh and creative food prepared right in front of you.
*Great juices, their organic, every day brunch menu is to die for. Lots of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options to choose from along with the nest eggs benedict you have ever tasted. Friendly service along with a relaxed atmosphere makes this restaurant true gem. They also serve lunch and dinner with an amazing and diverse menu.
*Featured in Food and Wine magazine. Only open during the high season. Reservations must be made prior.
“Oscar & Lalo Restaurant - Bar - Grill Welcomes you! We have been serving excellent Specialty Seafood, Mexican and Yucatecan Cuisine since 1984. Have a look at our site, browse our menu, and discover that Oscar & Lalos is your dining destination in the Riviera Maya. Come and enjoy our beautiful tropical Jungle Garden, have a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail, and taste the delicious fresh Seafood, Mexican and Yucatecan Cuisine that has made us the pride of the Riviera Maya!
The sleeping options have a poor price-performance ratio. In the zona hotelera (at the beach) really simple rundown cabanas with shared bath and without seaview are sold for $50 USD. If the place doesn't have a proper reception desk, don't stay there or, at least, don't trust the anonymous gatekeeper with your credit card.