Things to do in Tulum

Tulum’s gorgeous white sand beaches, stunning Mayan ruins and other natural wonders have made it a top destination for travelers looking for a little bit of everything—adventure, relaxation and breathtaking views. Add to that its abundance of resorts and dining options, and it’s no wonder Mexico’s best-kept secret has transformed into a bucket-list destination. 

What you’ll learn:

• Some of the area’s most extraordinary attractions include the Dos Ojos Cenote and the cliffside ruins of the Tulum Archaeological Zone.

• Gourmets can enjoy dishes by influential Tulum chef José Luis Hinostroza at two celebrated restaurants.

• Accommodations include Be Tulum for spa-centered relaxation and Nomade Temple Tulum for soulful wellness.

• Eligible cardholders can earn elevated rewards when they use Capital One Travel to book their trip.

Framed by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and groves of swaying palm trees, Tulum is a place where art, nature and spirituality coexist. For travelers wondering what to do in Tulum, the options are as diverse as the landscape: ancient ruins perched on cliffs, jungle sanctuaries devoted to creativity and wellness, and crystalline cenotes that invite you to dive into another world.

Part art installation, part eco-luxury retreat, Azulik Uh May is a living, breathing work of art. Its centerpiece, the SFER IK Museion, hosts immersive contemporary art exhibits that merge handmade craftsmanship with nature. The on-site Jungle Cuisine restaurant is a holistic fine dining experience designed around medicinal gastronomy. And its House of Ancestral Medicine offers yoga, astrology and traditional healing ceremonies inspired by Mayan cosmology. Guests can even stay overnight in one of Azulik’s sculptural villas, each built from natural materials to promote reconnection with the elements. 

Azulik Uh May: Grulla 23, Francisco Uh May, 77796 Tulum, Mexico

Just 5 miles out of town, Dos Ojos Cenote is one of Tulum’s most stunning natural wonders: a pair of sinkholes (“dos ojos” means “two eyes”) that open into more than 50 miles of underground caves. Visitors can swim or snorkel independently in the cenote’s clear waters or join a guided tour for a closer look at the sublime, otherworldly caves that unfurl beneath the jungle’s surface.

Dos Ojos Cenote: 77774 Quintana Roo, Mexico

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the Tulum Archaeological Zone is an iconic ancient site. Dating back to the 13th century, this former Mayan port city remains remarkably well preserved, with temples, walls and ceremonial structures still intact. It’s almost like taking a time machine to a forgotten world. You can avoid the crowds (and the midday sun) by visiting early in the day.

Few chefs have shaped modern dining in Tulum quite like José Luis Hinostroza, whose influence stretches from candlelit jungle kitchens to casual downtown eateries. His restaurants reflect the dual spirit of the region: inventive yet rooted in tradition, global in technique yet unmistakably local in flavor. These Tulum restaurants capture his philosophy: food as storytelling, where every dish connects diners to the culture and environment that inspire it.

Chef Hinostroza’s Michelin-starred Arca restaurant offers a microseasonal menu of small plates featuring inventive takes on Mexican classics such as octopus al pastor. Inspired by street food and street food culture, there’s open-fire cooking, an unbeatable atmosphere, and a diverse menu with exciting meat, seafood and vegetable dishes. The vibe is humble and relaxing, with most lighting from candles and even a gravel floor so the food can speak for itself.

Arca: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 7.6, 77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico; 011-52-984-177-2231

For another standout concept by Hinostroza, you can head to Mestixa, a casual yet creative spot in downtown Tulum. In Spanish, “mestixa” means “mixed,” and this concept brings together Asian and Mexican street food dishes. Dishes may include a New York steak bowl with bone marrow ponzu sauce and pork belly baos with kimchi, chicharron and pickled cucumbers.

Mestixa: Av. Satélite between Av. Tulum and Calle Polar Pte., 77760 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico; 011-52-984-182-7283

Hotels in Tulum are intentionally designed and shaped by a reverence for nature, wellness and community. 

When you’re planning your perfect trip to Tulum, consider choosing one of the handpicked premium hotels, resorts or vacation rentals of the Premier Collection or Lifestyle Collection featured below. Booking through Capital One Travel gives eligible cardholders premium benefits with every visit, including an experience credit to use toward activities unique to each stay; room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available; and complimentary Wi-Fi. Plus, you’ll earn elevated rewards.

Between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea, Be Tulum feels like a sanctuary crafted by nature itself. Architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape. There are palm-shaded pathways, wood and stone textures, and suites that open to private plunge pools or ocean views. Days here unfold slowly: sunrise yoga, afternoons at the beach club and dinners at Ocumare, where local ingredients meet modern Mexican flair. The on-site spa offers Mayan-inspired rituals and holistic treatments that make it easy to reset and reconnect. 

Be Tulum: Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 10, Tulum Beach, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico; 1-855-205-4000. Book through Capital One Travel.

At Nomade Temple Tulum, luxury meets spirituality. The property’s tree houses, bungalows and oceanfront suites create an atmosphere of barefoot sophistication, while its design—woven textures, soft lighting and handcrafted details—evokes bohemian bliss. Guests gather for open-air meals at La Popular, where fresh fish from the sea is grilled over a wood fire, or for live music nights at Macondo. The wellness program is central here: morning breathwork and yoga, evening sound journeys, and the ancient temazcal ceremony, an ancestral steam ritual meant to cleanse body and spirit.

Nomade: Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 10.5, Tulum Beach, Zona Hotelera, 77880 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico; 1-855-205-4000. Book through Capital One Travel.

Our Habitas Tulum is an adults-only retreat that combines sustainable design with modern comfort: minimalist villas made from natural materials, a communal fire circle and the ocean always within view. The heart of the property is Moro, an open-air restaurant serving wood-fired dishes that fuse Latin and Middle Eastern influences. Guests can join daily programming—yoga, breathwork, cinema nights and cultural workshops—or venture out for guided tours to ancient ruins and hidden cenotes.

Our Habitas: Avenida Boca Paila Km. 4.5, Tulum Beach, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico; 011-52-984-401-0390. Book through Capital One Travel.

Tulum delivers a rare mix of culture, history and healing. Add inventive restaurants and wellness-focused stays like Be Tulum and Nomade, and you can understand why this coastal town continues to captivate travelers year after year.

If you’re planning a trip to Tulum, you might want to consider taking a travel rewards credit card:

• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights, vacation rentals and activities when booking through Capital One Travel with the Venture X card.

• Earn unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities when booking through Capital One Travel with the Venture card. 

• Earn 2X miles on all other purchases, at home or away, with the Venture X and Venture cards.

From booking to destination, you can elevate every part of your trip with Capital One:

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit. Venture X and Venture cardholders can receive up to a $120 credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® when they pay for the application fee with their card. 

• No foreign transaction fees. Some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees when you use a credit card to make purchases in a foreign country. Capital One doesn’t charge these fees with any of its U.S.-issued credit cards. View important rates and disclosures.

• Flexible options for redeeming rewards. Redeem rewards for flights, hotels, vacation rentals, rental cars and activities booked through Capital One Travel.

• Travel protections. Cardholders may have access to travel insurance through their credit card. Benefits may include trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage insurance. You can review your guide to benefits for more information on which benefits come with your credit card.

• Security features. You’ll also have access to security features like fraud alerts, card lock, $0 liability for unauthorized charges and virtual card numbers.