A Tulum Itinerary for the Perfect Wellness-Focused Weekend
Discover the perfect Tulum itinerary for a wellness-focused weekend in Mexico’s hottest spot on the Riviera Maya.
Ahhh Tulum! It’s got to be my favourite wellness destination in the Americas. Rich in stunning beaches, spas and wellness centres, beautiful properties, healthy food options and all the boho vibes, it’s difficult to find a better place to spend a weekend or a week.
A Tulum itinerary is all about rest, relaxation and treating your body and mind to some well-deserved treatments, nutrition and Vitamin D. There are so many things to do and see as well as just relaxing on the beach that your Tulum itinerary can be anything you want it to be.
Keep reading this Tulum travel guide for all the best advice about what to do during your wellness-focused, weekend Tulum itinerary.
*This ‘Tulum itinerary’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you.
GET IN
To get to Tulum, you’ll first have to fly into Cancun international airport. From the airport, it’s about a 2 hours bus ride south to Tulum. The best bus to take is the ADO and it’s available right outside the arrivals terminal which takes you straight to the centre of Tulum town.
Shared or private taxis and transfers to Tulum are also available at the airport. To grab a great deal make sure to book before you arrive, I highly recommend using eTransfers for your trip as they are reputable and offer competitive rates. Check them out here to get a quote.
GETTING AROUND
Upon researching your trip to Tulum, you’ll soon find that Tulum is split into two parts, ’Tulum town’ and ‘Tulum beach’ and they are quite spread out. Depending on where you’re staying you’ll definitely need your own wheels to get around.
Bicycle – Cycling is a great way to get around the immediate area. It’s completely safe in Tulum and you can easily cycle to and from the beach from town in 15 minutes. You can also visit Gran Cenote and the Tulum ruins by bicycle too.
Scooter– If you prefer something a little faster then there are a couple of places in Tulum town (along the main highway) where you can rent scooters. Scooters are also great to visit the surrounding area but it isn’t safe to go further out along the main Cancun-Tulum highway, due to the amount of heavy traffic it has.
Car – To explore further afield such as Playa del Carmen, Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Sian Ka’an, Bacalar or even Cancun for the day you’ll need to rent a car. There are many local agencies in Tulum town which rent cars and it’s pretty easy to do it, just make sure you have your passport and driving license.
I’d highly recommend using Rental Cars for great deals and many options. Click here to get a quote for your trip.
Colectivo – If you’re not quite up to driving, colectivos are local minibuses that ply the highway picking up and dropping people off the main Cancun-Tulum highway. You can find the colectivo departure point in town at the Tulum town/beach road intersection. They can take you to some of the cenotes near Playa del Carmen and Playa del Carmen itself.
WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM
Azulik Tulum– Instagram famous Azulik is the place to be for one of the most natural and unique yet luxurious experiences in Tulum. Located on the beach strip, much of this hotel looks like it’s been built with driftwood, the decor, interiors and design are an architectural and design marvel.
They offer an amazing spa experience and a daily yoga class happens in their extraordinary ‘yoga-barn’ at 7.30 am. (Drop-ins also available). Their bar and pool area is the perfect place to watch the sun go down after a day on the beach.
Check rates and availability here
Olas Tulum– One of my favourite places to stay in Tulum, Olas is the only 100% sustainable hotel in Tulum. It’s small and only has six cabanas as well as a beautiful yoga deck overlooking the swaying beach palms.
The simple yet tasteful rooms are exactly where you want to be waking up every morning to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach nearby. Make sure to also book yourself into a morning yoga class and get an amazingly relaxing massage in the evening.
Check rates and availability here
Hotel Blanco Tulum– This brand new hotel is located right on the edge of Tulum town on the way to the beach, meaning you’re in the middle of both worlds. The hotel is bright, airy and super comfortable. It’s simple but rooms have everything you need and include a coffee machine, large TV and sofa. There’s also a gorgeous rooftop pool with brilliant views of the jungle canopy- perfect for cooling off during the midday heat.
Check rates and availability here
For the full Tulum hotel guide check out Where To Stay in Tulum: The Best Hotels in 2022
Accommodation in Tulum can be expensive. For the best deals on accommodation in Tulum use the form below:
WHERE TO EAT IN TULUM
Tulum has some of the best healthy eating and plant-based options in Mexico if not the whole of Latin America. Things don’t get much better for plant-based, fresh, wholesome options that will leave you feeling good and glowing from the inside out. Both Tulum town and the beach have many plant-based restaurants and cafes and many other restaurants also offer veggie and vegan options on their menus.
La Hoja – For the best plant-based versions of Mexican classics head to La Hoja in Tulum town, this open-seating restaurant is 100% plant-based and does the best vegan ‘El Pastor’ tacos I’ve ever had. Tacos here are a must but if you’ve had your fair share already they also serve salad bowls, burgers and stews as well as delicious smoothie bowls and a large assortment of fresh fruit juices.
Raw Love– Probably one of my favourite places to eat on Tulum beach, Raw Love is a must when you’re on the beach, relaxing for the day. You’ll find Raw Love in the premises of Hotel Ahau Tulum, right on the beach strip. The little cafe itself is located outside and surrounded by lush, green bushes, tall shady palms and earthy cabañas.
The menu is raw, plant-based and includes many different varieties of smoothies and cold-pressed juices as well as açai bowls, ice-cold coconuts, salads, and other raw mains and desserts. The food is colourful, nutritious, healthy and delicious. It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch or an afternoon post-beach pick-me-up.
Matcha Mama – For all things smoothies, smoothie bowls and iced matcha lattes Matcha Mama is the place to go. This little shack can be found both in town and on the beach strip and is the perfect place to go for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. I personally couldn’t say no to an ice-cold smoothie bowl after a few hours on the beach.
Charly’s Vegan Tacos – Mexico is all about tacos and this is one of the best places for vegan tacos in Tulum. Located on the beach strip, this little eatery sells mouth-watering tacos that you can’t miss. They have seitan, faux chicken tacos as well as loaded nachos, elotes, salads and refreshing drinks like watermelon or hibiscus flavoured water.
For more on where to eat check out the Complete Guide to the Best Vegan Restaurants in Tulum
TULUM WEEKEND ITINERARY
There is so much to do in Tulum that one weekend is not enough to really experience it all. For this reason, I would encourage you to stay longer to fully allow yourself to relax, unwind and experience all that this little pocket of heaven has to offer.
Your Tulum itinerary will no doubt focus on what you’d like to do most; relax and unwind, visit the sights of the area, spend time on the beach etc. Here is a list of all the top wellness and cultural focused things to do in Tulum so you can choose your favourite to make your own, personalised Tulum itinerary.
GET A SPA TREATMENT
If you’ve come to Tulum to relax and get away from it all, spending some time in a spa is the best way to go. There are so many places to choose from and most beach resorts have their own. The spas in Tulum are also often much better value than the ones you’ll find at home.
Why not spend the afternoon pampering yourself completely with massages, facials, herbal baths or rituals. One of my favourite spas and wellness centres in Tulum in the Yaan Healing Sanctuary.
RELAX ON THE BEACH
With one of the most beautiful beaches in Latin America, spending some time on the beach or at one of the beach clubs is a must. Walk up and down the beach enjoying the ocean breeze and white sand between your toes, swim in the crystal-clear turquoise water and relax in a sun lounger or beautiful boho-style sunbed.
Beach clubs belonging to various resorts line the shore and you can take your pick which one to relax at during the day. My favourite are Instagram famous Coco Tulum, Casa Malca and Alaya Tulum, where you can grab a sunbed and an ice-cold coconut and relax to the sou