Solo Travel in Tulum, Mexico

The hippie vibe and beautiful beaches in Tulum, Mexico has made it a popular destination around the world, and it tends to attract some interesting people. Many come to enjoy Mayan rituals in the jungle and others arrive looking for a yoga retreat.

 

When you travel solo in Tulum, you will experience the true essence of this ancient Mayan city. Use this as a guide to allow yourself to discover the hidden secrets of the town.Solo travel often results in an unforgettable experience.

 

How to Arrive in Tulum

 

At the Cancun airport, find the red ADO Bus stand. You can get a ticket straight to Tulum for $15-20usd. Sometimes they only accept cash, but they will take either Mexican Pesos or US Dollars. When you arrive at Tulum bus station, walk out the front and you can flag down a taxi pretty quickly. You can expect to pay $50-100mxn (about $5usd or less) depending on how far you need to go.

 

Tulum is safe, but always be careful no matter where you travel. I arrived after dark and felt safe getting a taxi to get to my Airbnb. If you want to find something with less crowds and a bit safer, here is my list of the top 5 safest (and most beautiful) beaches in Mexico. 

 

 

Best Time to Travel Solo to Tulum

 

I visited Tulum in late August, which happens to be towards the end of the sargassum seaweed season. Typically, the stinky seaweed washes up starting in April and sticking around until September. While I was there in August, the seaweed wasn’t bad enough to keep anyone from swimming, but I heard that there are times when it is too thick to enjoy the Caribbean water. I recommend visiting Tulum during the Winter to miss the seaweed, but if you can’t avoid it, I definitely think it is still worth the trip.

 

 

Where to Stay as a Solo Traveler

 

As a solo traveler, I love to stay in hostels, but I enjoy my alone time as well. In Tulum, I split my time between an Airbnb and a hostel both in the center of the city. You will find much cheaper prices staying in the city center rather than near the beach. I highly recommend finding a place that includes a bike with your accommodation since most people get around on bike. It saves so much taxi cash, and it is such a fun way to see the town. My Airbnb provided a bike for me to use, but the hostel charged $15usd per day! Most bike shops will rent you a bike for $5usd per day, though. 

 

 

Best Eats in Tulum for Solo Travelers

 

If you eat plant-based, you will love the amount of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Tulum. Del Cielo is a little breakfast spot with great smoothies and breakfast plates. Check out Food Trucks Tulum for a beer garden vibe, and if you are craving sushi, you can get some delicious rolls at UNO Japanese Sushi. Make sure to get the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had from this little coffee cart called Mochiart.

 

 

The Best Beach in Tulum

 

The public beach is Playa Paraíso, and it is about 5km from the city center. On a bike it is not too far, but make sure to bring enough water and snacks. You could also catch a colectivo or a taxi, but I don’t recommend walking. When you get to the first roundabout where there is a police stand, go left! I recommend going to the second public entrance, as the first one can be crowded.

 

 

Things to Do in Tulum

 

Enjoy the luxury of solo travel by doing whatever you want in Tulum. Ride your bike or take a colectivo or taxi to visit the Mayan Ruins. It’s only $8usd to enter, and it’s a beautiful place to walk around and get great photos of the cliffs and the ocean. I actually bought a combination ticket at the Mayan Ruins for the entrance fee + a boat ride to go snorkel in the coral reef + entrance and tour of Cenote Park Yaxmuul. All this cost me $940mxn (less than $50usd), and I did these activities over the course of three days.

 

If you decide to take a day trip to Cancun, make sure to check out these tips.

 

 

Bonus Tip for Solo Female Travelers

 

Join the Facebook group Tulum Girl Gang or any other Tulum Facebook groups to find people to meet up with and see local events. I enjoyed going to the yoga studio OM Collective because they have classes and events every day. It is always fun to try something new while on a solo travel adventure! Tulum offers so many unique events and activities, so take advantage of them in this quirky little town on the Mayan Riviera.  

 

Have you been to Tulum? If not, what are you most excited to do when you visit?