My Favourite Photos of Tulum to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

I’m usually a pretty optimistic, positive traveller. I enjoy the vast majority of places I visit.

But I don’t love Tulum.

It’s definitely not one of my favourite places in Mexico.

And, despite being one of Mexico’s most popular destinations, I actually think it’s quite overrated.

Don’t get me wrong, Tulum has the makings of a perfect tropical destination.

Turquoise waters, soft white sand, ancient Mayan ruins perched on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean – it sounds like it should be amazing.

My partner visited Tulum 15 years ago, and she said it was incredible back then. Laid-back, bohemian, and magical. But when we went in 2022, we were pretty disappointed.

It was overpriced (I mean, WAY overpriced). It felt very showy, with overly pleased-with-themselves wellness retreats and pretentious resorts.

Everywhere you looked, people were strutting around, preening and taking photos of themselves.

Kind of grim, actually. The kind of tourism I hate.

Most of the nicest sections of the beach were reserved for exclusive use by fancy beach clubs and hotels.

And the sections of public beach that were free to access were generally pretty dirty, littered with plastic, glass bottles, and other rubbish.

There were a few redeaming features, though.

The Mayan Tulum ruins were fantastic, even despite the crowds. I had some fairly decent food in the main town.

And I did love renting a motorbike and exploring the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. That place, at least, hasn’t been spoiled by over-tourism yet.

But, overall, I wasn’t a fan of Tulum. I don’t plan to go back.

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A serene coastal view in Quintana Roo, Mexico with calm greenish-blue water in the foreground, surrounded by lush green vegetation and palm trees. In the distance, there is a sandy shore stretching towards the horizon with a partly cloudy sky above.

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A pelican standing on a concrete pier in the Sian Ka'an nature reserve near Tulum, overlooking a body of water, with green trees and a blue sky with clouds in the background. The bird faces sideways, and the pier shows signs of wear and weathering.
A motorboat with a blue canopy gliding through calm waters near a mangrove-lined shore just south of Tulum. A large crocodile swims in the water, trailing behind the boat. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue.
Alex Tiffany standing on a terrace during sunset, holding a drink to his mouth while gazing into the distance. He’s casually dressed with rolled-up jeans, and the background features lush greenery and an expansive view of nature with an orange-hued sky.
A street vendor in Tulum preparing food at a grill, wearing a white mask and black apron. She is holding a container of what appears to be marinated food and cooking tacos or tortillas with toppings, with a large onion and a bottle of oil on the side.
Another view of the outdoor dining space in Tulum.
A round wooden table set for dinner with dimly lit lanterns above. The surrounding environment is filled with palm trees and a rustic ambiance.
A luxury outdoor dining area in Tulum at night with a long wooden table set with candles, plates, and glasses. Overhead, woven basket-style light fixtures hang, illuminating the space surrounded by palm trees, giving the setting a tropical, intimate atmosphere.
A rooftop terrace with a scenic view of lush green treetops extending towards the horizon, where the sky transitions from light blue to golden as the sun sets. A couple of people are seated on the terrace, talking and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
A wide-angle view of the Tulum ruins, showing ancient stone structures against a bright blue sky. The grassy foreground is dotted with palm trees, adding a touch of greenery to the historic site.
A stone structure from the Tulum ruins, featuring a small thatched roof at the entrance and weathered stone pillars. The ancient building is surrounded by stone steps leading up to the entrance, set against a backdrop of a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.
A stunning coastal scene with turquoise ocean waves gently crashing onto a small sandy beach next to the ancient Tulum ruins. The shoreline is bordered by rocky cliffs and palm trees, with a stone ruin visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A large iguana perched on a rocky ledge, basking in the sun with the vibrant turquoise ocean and blue sky stretching out behind it. The waves can be seen breaking in the distance, adding to the coastal vibe.

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Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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