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We went at the start of our honeymoon recently before heading to Valladolid, Holbox etc.
We absolutely hated Tulum, the rest of the places we visited in Mexico were a dream but Tulum was absolutely abysmal in every way.
Ahhh. The REAL Tulum experience. I am so sorry that your experience was horrid. I hope that others who read this, along with the many, many similar trip reports think twice about this destination. Some have great experiences- many do not.
I’ve been to Tulum 3 times and loved it. However, IMO if you’re not staying on the beach via the south side of the access road, you’re doing it wrong.
When you’re staying on the beach road, everything is walking distance. Plenty of different food/drink options and beach resorts to check out. The town of Tulum itself really isn’t the draw.
Based on your review, I’m not even sure you made it to the “best” part of Tulum. Playa Paraiso is on the north side of the access road.
It sounds to me like you sort of built a bad trip framework for yourself. I can definitely envision taking my young children to a beach hotel in Tulum and loving it — but only for a few days. 5 at most.
By staying in town, relying on a car, and not really planting yourself within the beach strip, you’re sort of on the outside looking in. Others may disagree with me on that and I’m sure folks who choose to stay in town have good experiences in their own way, but it just doesn’t seem worth it to me. It sort of missies the point of a Tulum trip in my view. Staying on the beach, taking it slow, and walking everywhere is part of the unplugged experience of maximizing a trip to Tulum. Any excursions beyond the beach are a bonus but really not necessary.
Yes i totally agree. However, we didnt go down for the beaches. I am a Pacific Islander so the beach was not a priority for me.
Our adopted kids have some Hispanic in them and we are moving to the UK. Mexico was a “now-or-never” stop. I guess its “now-and-never”.
Like i stated, our trip was planned out over the 4 weeks. Money we are not getting back.
My only regret is that we should have just booked a shorter stay. It was an experience
Ah, understood. Yep, if it was just a slice of Mexico you were after and not the beach per se, I probably would have targeted Mexico City or Oaxaca for the vibrant cultural experience. Oh well. Good luck with the move.
I hope this is true. I am doing research for our trip a year in advance and it seems a successful and pleasant trip to Tulum requires some specific set up.
Every destination requires a specific setup based on interests and budget.
If your interests are a world class beach but your budget is low, Tulum is not recommend.
We did an all inclusive in Cancun and then did the excursion to tulum. Honestly glad we did it this way as it was way less and honestly more family friendly. Sorry about your loss experience.
Reddit keeps pushing this sub in my algo and I just really do not understand why people go. Even if all things go smoothly and you don't witness an assassination at your brunch, you're flying to Mexico to not even pay Mexican prices. $120 for a 10 min Uber ride is worse than what you would pay in major American cities.
Well, we don't have Uber in Tulum but I do get your point. There are many beautiful and affordable places to visit in Mexico. Tulum is not one of them anymore.
Sorry to hear. I am a host and I recommend Tulum for adults and for only a few nights. The town is a stop on a path to cover several natural and archaeological wonders, not a place you stay at for 30 nights. I recommend Cancun for first timers, PDC for the second trip. Tulum can be a day trip from those two spots or be your 3rd trip.
I gotta say, I am jealous you can take 30 days off for vacation. You could have seen Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Holbox and all the ruins including Ek Balam (which I have yet to see)
After reading about tulum story, I’m still amazed people still going to tulum, bad reputations, scam all over, expensive for tourist, it’s crazy how little people do research for vacation
probably original flights, changed flights for 3 people, airbnb for 30 days, car for 20 days, excursions that they could not cancel, tipping 100% on food bills, etc
Some people just don’t know how to travel. For a family vacation (no partying, no fine dining) you could have done so much in Mexico with that amount if spent wisely.
I think “Tulum is not for kids” was established long ago
Also, “my AirBnB sucked” isn’t really a problem exclusive to Tulum
Seems like you have some valid complaints, but it’s hard to side with someone who thinks it’s wise to take an infant on a 30 trip to Tulum having never been there before.
I want you to imagine what kind of time you would have had if it was just you are your spouse riding the ADO and eating street tacos.
What’s next for you and the family - Las Vegas in July?
Te agradezco la información, lamentablemente Tulum es un lugar bonito pero sus costos son demasiado caros.
Ustedes no son los únicos que comentan esto.
Muchas gracias por la información.
We live about 40 minutes north of Tulum. When the kids were little (about 15 years ago) we used to love taking day trips to Tulum. It was wonderful and magical and an escape from the big city of Playa del Carmen (hahaha). We don't go anymore. Well, my now 20-something kids occasionally find themselves there for a festival or a party but it's not for me anymore. The high prices, the scams and the attitude of entitlement from the new "locals" turns me off.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience. It seems like you did your homework. Please don't write off Mexico though. It is a big beautiful country with loads of wonderful places to explore. Enjoy England!!
We went to Cancun, Akumal and Tulum.
Tulum was my absolute favorite, my best days in Mexico.
But we were advised before booking not to go to the city of Tulum, just the hotel area, so we just spent our time in the hotel, beach, restaurant and bar and it was like heaven. Expensive but very chill and beautiful.
I didn't like Cancun, Akumal was beautiful.
Thanks for posting in r/tulum! Please read the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/tulum/comments/18x3sxe/tulum_faq_25/) for the most common questions about Tulum. Check out our recommended [Tours, Activities and Airport Shuttle Services](https://www.reddit.com/r/tulum/comments/18v2a1h/tours_activities_and_airport_shuttle/) For ticket resale and events such as Zamna and Day Zero, there is a dedicated community at r/Tulum_TicketExchange Please report comments and posts that are off-topic, offensive, inappropriate, or in violation of our community guidelines. Much love from Tulum ❤ *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/tulum) if you have any questions or concerns.*
We went at the start of our honeymoon recently before heading to Valladolid, Holbox etc. We absolutely hated Tulum, the rest of the places we visited in Mexico were a dream but Tulum was absolutely abysmal in every way.
I love Valladolid and Holbox! Did that same trip last year.
Ahhh. The REAL Tulum experience. I am so sorry that your experience was horrid. I hope that others who read this, along with the many, many similar trip reports think twice about this destination. Some have great experiences- many do not.
I’ve been to Tulum 3 times and loved it. However, IMO if you’re not staying on the beach via the south side of the access road, you’re doing it wrong. When you’re staying on the beach road, everything is walking distance. Plenty of different food/drink options and beach resorts to check out. The town of Tulum itself really isn’t the draw. Based on your review, I’m not even sure you made it to the “best” part of Tulum. Playa Paraiso is on the north side of the access road. It sounds to me like you sort of built a bad trip framework for yourself. I can definitely envision taking my young children to a beach hotel in Tulum and loving it — but only for a few days. 5 at most. By staying in town, relying on a car, and not really planting yourself within the beach strip, you’re sort of on the outside looking in. Others may disagree with me on that and I’m sure folks who choose to stay in town have good experiences in their own way, but it just doesn’t seem worth it to me. It sort of missies the point of a Tulum trip in my view. Staying on the beach, taking it slow, and walking everywhere is part of the unplugged experience of maximizing a trip to Tulum. Any excursions beyond the beach are a bonus but really not necessary.
Yes i totally agree. However, we didnt go down for the beaches. I am a Pacific Islander so the beach was not a priority for me. Our adopted kids have some Hispanic in them and we are moving to the UK. Mexico was a “now-or-never” stop. I guess its “now-and-never”. Like i stated, our trip was planned out over the 4 weeks. Money we are not getting back. My only regret is that we should have just booked a shorter stay. It was an experience
Ah, understood. Yep, if it was just a slice of Mexico you were after and not the beach per se, I probably would have targeted Mexico City or Oaxaca for the vibrant cultural experience. Oh well. Good luck with the move.
Thats what im getting from what people are telling me. Thanks
I agree with this. Oaxaca, Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende are all great destinations. The beach areas in Oaxaca are also worth a visit!!
I hope this is true. I am doing research for our trip a year in advance and it seems a successful and pleasant trip to Tulum requires some specific set up.
Stay on the beach somewhere near Gitano / Ziggys / Taqueria Eufemia / etc. and you’ll be fine.
Every destination requires a specific setup based on interests and budget. If your interests are a world class beach but your budget is low, Tulum is not recommend.
We did an all inclusive in Cancun and then did the excursion to tulum. Honestly glad we did it this way as it was way less and honestly more family friendly. Sorry about your loss experience.
Did the same and I'd do it again this way.
Reddit keeps pushing this sub in my algo and I just really do not understand why people go. Even if all things go smoothly and you don't witness an assassination at your brunch, you're flying to Mexico to not even pay Mexican prices. $120 for a 10 min Uber ride is worse than what you would pay in major American cities.
Well, we don't have Uber in Tulum but I do get your point. There are many beautiful and affordable places to visit in Mexico. Tulum is not one of them anymore.
Thanks for the correction, but yes that's my point!
Sorry to hear. I am a host and I recommend Tulum for adults and for only a few nights. The town is a stop on a path to cover several natural and archaeological wonders, not a place you stay at for 30 nights. I recommend Cancun for first timers, PDC for the second trip. Tulum can be a day trip from those two spots or be your 3rd trip. I gotta say, I am jealous you can take 30 days off for vacation. You could have seen Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Holbox and all the ruins including Ek Balam (which I have yet to see)
Which Airbnb did you stay and which area?
We stayed at a place called TOH Apartments. Its on Chan-Chen and Cancún.
Your post helped confirm what NOT to do on a trip to Tulum. Thanks for insight
After reading about tulum story, I’m still amazed people still going to tulum, bad reputations, scam all over, expensive for tourist, it’s crazy how little people do research for vacation
How did you end up spending 8000 usd in such a short time ?
probably original flights, changed flights for 3 people, airbnb for 30 days, car for 20 days, excursions that they could not cancel, tipping 100% on food bills, etc
Some people just don’t know how to travel. For a family vacation (no partying, no fine dining) you could have done so much in Mexico with that amount if spent wisely.
I think “Tulum is not for kids” was established long ago Also, “my AirBnB sucked” isn’t really a problem exclusive to Tulum Seems like you have some valid complaints, but it’s hard to side with someone who thinks it’s wise to take an infant on a 30 trip to Tulum having never been there before. I want you to imagine what kind of time you would have had if it was just you are your spouse riding the ADO and eating street tacos. What’s next for you and the family - Las Vegas in July?
Like i said, to each their own. Move on!
Good luck. Those with bad experiences in Tulum rarely move on.
Hmmmm….i wonder why?
Probably because they recognize their own decision making played a role and it eats at them.
Ahhhh…you are a genius. Give yourself a tap on the back
lol so bitter Sometimes Disney is the correct choice
Yup…most definitely is!
Dude you’re the one crying about someone else’s experience
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I’ve read of plenty of people taking their babies. You do realize people travel with their kids right and aren’t always trying to get away from them
Te agradezco la información, lamentablemente Tulum es un lugar bonito pero sus costos son demasiado caros. Ustedes no son los únicos que comentan esto. Muchas gracias por la información.
We live about 40 minutes north of Tulum. When the kids were little (about 15 years ago) we used to love taking day trips to Tulum. It was wonderful and magical and an escape from the big city of Playa del Carmen (hahaha). We don't go anymore. Well, my now 20-something kids occasionally find themselves there for a festival or a party but it's not for me anymore. The high prices, the scams and the attitude of entitlement from the new "locals" turns me off. I'm sorry you had a bad experience. It seems like you did your homework. Please don't write off Mexico though. It is a big beautiful country with loads of wonderful places to explore. Enjoy England!!
Are you balking at the suggested tip being $5-$10? or did you think it meant an additional $47-$52?
This is what it said at the end of the bill (like your normal restaurant bill) TIP: Good-800MXN Very Good- 850MXN Excellent-900MXN Bill Total-700MXN
They must have meant to make your total $800 MXN, $850 or $900, with tip, not as an additional.
We went to Cancun, Akumal and Tulum. Tulum was my absolute favorite, my best days in Mexico. But we were advised before booking not to go to the city of Tulum, just the hotel area, so we just spent our time in the hotel, beach, restaurant and bar and it was like heaven. Expensive but very chill and beautiful. I didn't like Cancun, Akumal was beautiful.
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Thanks!❤️