Normally after we´ve been to a wonderful location, we write a nice, positive, and inspiring ´Top 10 Things to Do in …´, but we couldn´t. Tulum is just not that great as advertised (on Instagram). We´ll tell what we didn´t like (and DID like), read on fellow traveler!
It might be hard to believe that we did not really like Tulum that much. We try to give our readers an honest review of how things are, and sometimes paradise is perfect, and sometimes paradise is a facade. The amount of money you are ready to splurge is what makes all the difference…
First things first; 3 things we DID like about Tulum
Okay okay, not everything about Tulum is awful (as you see in these atmospheric pictures in this suitcase story). We might be a bit harsh in this item, but it is the hard truth about this increasingly popular becoming paradise travel destination. This is what we DID like about Tulum;
3. A very cool esthetic: Tulum has a vibe, a look, a unique typical Tulum esthetic. It´s the wooden details, the thatched roofs everywhere, and the overall paradise look of palm trees and beautiful multiple layered blue ocean water.
2. Amazing beach clubs: Wow, these beach clubs are epic. What decor! They have spent some serious money on these compounds, the interior, and the atmospheric overall look. Tulum has a specific esthetic, as mentioned before, and you will find that cool look in almost every beach club, bar, and restaurant.
With that being said, you should be aware that these investments have to be paid back. By you. By asking prices like 5 dollars for a Coca Cola, 20 dollars for a pizza, and 3 dollars for a coffee. In any other place in Mexico, you can have a feast for that amount of money.
And the hotels in Tulum, oh my goodness…
Pro-tip: these beach clubs and restaurants are a must-visit; Nomade, Azulik, Kitchen Table, Be Tulum, and Coco Tulum. And don´t forget to visit the cool statue (see picture) and the Follow your Dreams sign. You will find them all at this (horrible) single beach road.
1. The amazing beaches: You will find many beautiful beaches in the hotel zone. It´s one big long beach north of the coast and one big long beach south of the coast. The hotels, clubs, shops, and restaurants are in between. The way the palm trees wave, the way the water crashes down on the beach, and how pleasing the overall look is for your eyes, is just wonderful!
If you have the money and don´t mind splurging on overpriced.. uh… everything, then go ahead: get yourself an epic Tulum hotel, eat at the fancy restaurants, drink expensive cocktails, and go out to all the luxury boutiques. You will love Tulum if that´s your thing!
Pro-tip: we loved our visit to Zazalkin, a beach club at Tulum Beach / Pescadores Beach.
Pro-tip: there are many cool day trips to do around Tulum and hotspots to visit, like the Coba and Tulum ruins, a couple of refreshing cenotes, and you can even jet ski, snorkel with turtles, and get a lovely (expensive) massage at the beach.
5 Things we did NOT like about Tulum, Mexico
We were not the only travelers who didn´t like Tulum. Ready?
>>1. The road at the coast of Tulum, WTF?!
Tulum is divided into two areas, the little town called Tulum Pueblo and the Zona Hotelera (the hotel zone at the coast). They are divided by about a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute bike ride. But… there is only one road towards the hotel zone. And when arriving, it´s still the only road towards all the hotels, beaches, clubs, stores, and hotspots. But what´s the problem my little free bird, you say? Well, dear reader, the road is just plain awful!
This absurd and very thin road is the main road for huge trucks, SUVs, bike riders, motorcyclists, walking tourists, selfie-takers, cops on ATV´s and everything in between.
It´s a dangerous road filled with tire-breaking potholes. If you ride your bike here, if you dare, then be aware. And don´t cycle here past 6 pm, because the road is not lit.
One final thing that annoyed us about this road; you couldn´t really see while on the road, what was cool or not. Is this place cool? No idea. And what about that one? No idea. And this continues the whole way down…
>> 2. Expensive, very!
As mentioned before, you will pay premium prices for regular things like a drink, a pizza, and a coffee, but you will pay wayyyy more for exclusive hotels, exclusive restaurants, and exclusive clubs and bars. And by exclusive I mean; rich tourists who are don´t care if they splurge too much money on their holiday to Tulum.
But, with that being said, if you are able to spend 5000+ dollars in a week on Tulum, you will have an awesome time here. But if you aren´t able to spend that amount, get ready to sleep in the Tulum Pueblo town, where it´s very loud, busy, and according to stories from fellow travelers that we´ve met that it can be quite dangerous (they were jumped on their bikes to hand over their stuff, just one street away from the main street!).
Be sure to check out our cool Instagram Stories for more atmospheric videos and pictures!
>> 3. Plastics everywhere!
No, not plastic straws in the ocean, no. I mean plastic people! You will find a whole bunch of washed-up plastic people who are here to find like-minded souls. Big fake butts, big fake titties, big fake duck lips, big fake hair, and big fake steroid-fueled muscles. That was quite harsh, right? It´s true though.
These guys and girls might have a kind heart and have amazing lives, I´m not saying anything about that. My point is that it´s a certain type of crowd. Influencers, models, OnlyFans accountholders, colorful hipsters, and tough guys who walk around like hotshots.
If you are one of the above, you will love Tulum!
>> 4. The main road in Tulum Pueblo
My god, the horror does not stop at the beach road. The main road in the Pueblo town of Tulum is also awful. It gets very crowded and there are many traffic jams here. Sometimes, you have to sit in this traffic jam for 20 minutes, for a 3-minute drive… Be sure to avoid the morning traffic and the traffic around 6 pm when everybody leaves the beach.
And the rest of the roads in Tulum are also $#!$. I hope the mayor of Tulum reads this and seriously fixes the infrastructure. Tulum can be so much better if some big investments and adjustments!
>> 5. Tulum is unsafe
We´ve felt very safe in Mexico. After three weeks of road tripping through the Yucatan Peninsula, we haven´t a single bad experience. Until Tulum…
Read our full suitcase story of what happened to us in Tulum. We got robbed of all our luggage…
But after this happened, we´ve heard many stories of locals and other fellow travelers about what happened in Tulum. If you are a tourist, a westerner, a European, an American, a wealthy-looking individual.. be very aware of your stuff. Don´t wear expensive watches, jewelry, or brand clothes. And be aware of your gear like cameras, smartphones, and other flashy expensive-looking items. You are prey to these thieves who know many tourists from richer nations come to chill out here.
And one extra notice to top it all off; they didn´t really uphold any rules for Covid (this was in January 2021). They were partying at the beach with no masks and were standing way too close to each other for comfort. Big sigh…
Finishing note
We were glad that we got out there quickly. It wasn´t our scene, it didn´t quite fit our budget as world travelers (we are not on a holiday here, so spending 5000 dollars a week is not an option), and we didn´t feel safe at all because of what happened to us and others in Tulum.
Tulum is amazing, and awful at the same time. It´s a two-face paradise travel destination for us. You have been warned informed.
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