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What’s the Cost of Living in Tulum Mexico?

Last Updated: November 3, 2021 · Digital Nomad, Mexico, Riviera Maya

Are you thinking about where to live in Mexico as a digital nomad and heard Tulum was a good choice? If so, then you’re in the same boat we were about one year ago. When we moved to Tulum, I was also on the search for how much it costs to live there for one month (or several!). That said, the cost of living in Tulum Mexico is not what you might expect!

I know everyone has a different budget for traveling and enjoying life in Tulum. Expats and digital nomads who work remotely will obviously have a bit more leeway when it comes to budget. But that’s where this subject gets tricky. (More on responsible/ethical travel in just a bit!)

So how much does it cost to REALLY live in Tulum?

Although I touch upon this topic in my Digital Nomad Guide to Tulum, I wanted to do an in-depth breakdown of how much it costs to live here for a while (between 1-3 months or more). Is it expensive or affordable? Let’s find out!

Table of Contents show
How Much It Really Costs to Live in Tulum Mexico
Cost of Renting an Apartment/Studio in Tulum
How Much Should You Pay/Negotiate?
Is It Safe to Live in Tulum? Where Should You Stay?
Is Eating Out Expensive in Tulum?
How Much to Budget for Tulum Activities
Cost of Tulum Cenotes
Cost of Tulum Ruins
Tulum’s Beach Clubs
How Much Is Transportation in Tulum?
Getting Around on Foot
Bikes
Scooters
Bus/Public Transportation
Taxis
Average Prices for Groceries & Shopping
Local Markets
Supermarkets
Cost of Coworking Spaces & Coffee Shops
Total Monthly Cost to Live in Tulum Mexico

How Much It Really Costs to Live in Tulum Mexico

  • gallery images of Tulum Mexico with text overlay
  • Beach with palm trees and palapa huts, photo with text overlay "Cost of living in Tulum Mexico"

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

In this guide, you’ll discover how much it costs to live temporarily in Tulum Mexico. I’ve divvied up this post into sections so you can learn about the average cost for housing in Tulum, restaurants/going out, activities, transportation, grocery shopping, and anything else that has to do with living in Tulum.

Cost of Renting an Apartment/Studio in Tulum

Apartment rentals in Tulum can vary on a scale between “local foreigner” and “rich foreigner.” I say this because, no matter how good your Spanish is, if you are a foreigner coming to live in Tulum then you will be considered moderately wealthy.

On the cheaper side, you can get a furnished one-bedroom apartment or studio in Tulum Town for around $500-600 USD. We found a lovely little studio in the Colonia Hurucanes neighborhood which was cool because we were close to much of Tulum’s street art scene.

On the upper end of the scale, you can have a fully equipped 1-2 bedroom apartment in an “expat neighborhood” for $1000-2000+ USD per month.

Also Read: 9 Best Eco Boutique Hotels in Tulum

  • toucan sitting in tree in Tulum Mexico
    A toucan in the tree behind our little studio in Tulum
  • grey cat stretching on floor in cute apartment in Tulum Mexico
    Yoda loved living in Tulum!

How Much Should You Pay/Negotiate?

While you can try to negotiate the price for a monthly, long-term deal, most prices for housing are fixed. This is simply because there is currently so much demand for housing in Tulum — if you don’t take the offer, someone else will.

This is also part of the problem. Tulum is becoming too expensive for its own good. Unfortunately, gringos who can afford $2000+ monthly rentals are coming to Tulum in droves. The consequence? It’s pushing the local population out of Tulum into neighboring communities currently unspoiled by tourists (such as Muyil to the south or Chemuyil to the north), as they can no longer afford to live in Tulum’s vicinity.

When finding housing in communities such as in Tulum, which are often negatively impacted due to overtourism, consider opting for more local accommodation options over nicely-packaged apartment complexes owned by giant corporations.

You may be asking then, “But, Bri — how do I find local housing in Tulum?”

My recommendation:

  • Search on local Tulum Facebook groups — Post your listing in Spanish first, then English, and state the low-end of your budget (if you state the maximum, you’ll only receive offers with the maximum or above). Use Deepl for translations if you need it.
  • Search for quaint studios/apartments in Tulum Town on Airbnb and reach out for a monthly deal — This is how we found our cute little studio in Tulum Town that was owned by a lady from Mexico City.

Where you live in Tulum also will have a huge impact on the average expense for rentals. That’s why, if you are on a budget, you should look for housing in the town.

Expat (read “gringo”) neighborhoods, such as the up-and-coming La Veleta neighborhood and the Aldea Zama neighborhood, are targeted toward foreigners and are therefore overpriced/expensive.

girl and cat lounging in hammock inside apartment in Tulum Mexico
Our rental was ideally located and we always felt safe exploring Tulum Centro

Is It Safe to Live in Tulum? Where Should You Stay?

Many people coming to live in Tulum often are first-timers to Mexico and this may be the first time actually living in Mexico as a whole. If that’s you, then safety will be a top concern when first moving here. I get it!

Moving to Mexico as a digital nomad can be daunting if you’ve never done it before. The media, and how it often portrays Mexico in a bad light, doesn’t help.

In general, as a nomad who has lived in Mexico on and off for three years, Mexico feels pretty safe. Unfortunately for Tulum, that status is currently changing.

Overtourism in Tulum is leading to irresponsible tourism — including foreigners buying drugs off the street — which is attracting low-lying drug cartels to fight over territory. As a result, crime rates are increasing. Sadly, this has led to several incidents of shootouts in Tulum (as well as petty theft and robbery, and even a rape case).

No matter where you live — in Mexico or the US or Europe and beyond — always stay with a friend, never walk alone, don’t stay out after dark, don’t flaunt your valuables, remain aware of your surroundings, and avoid places you shouldn’t be.

Is Eating Out Expensive in Tulum?

  • açai bowl and matcha smoothie at Matcha Mama restaurant in Tulum Mexico
  • vegan tacos restaurant in tulum
  • healthy salad with popcorn at La Hoja Verde cafe in Tulum, Mexico
  • beachfront restaurant tulum

Are restaurants expensive in Tulum? Yes and no. The answer depends on where you go. Typically, eating out is much cheaper in Tulum Centro than in Tulum’s hotel zone by the beaches.

Click the link to read my full guide on the best restaurants in Tulum (most of the ones I recommend are budget-friendly or mid-range).

Here’s what you can expect price-wise when eating out in Tulum (estimates are per person):

  • Cup of coffee: $2–4 USD or $60–90 MXN
  • Cocktail: $5–10 USD or $100–200 MXN
  • Breakfast in a cute cafe: $6–12 USD or $140–250 MXN
  • Lunch in a restaurant in Tulum Centro: $6–15 USD or $140–350 MXN
  • Lunch in Tulum’s hotel zone: $15-25 USD or $250-500+MXN
  • Street food: $1–5 USD / $20–100 MXN
  • Dinner in Tulum Centro: $10-20+ USD or $200–400 MXN
  • Dinner in Tulum’s hotel zone: $25–50+ USD or $500-950+ MXN

My favorite places to eat are in Tulum Town! There are lots of delicious vegetarian-vegan cafes as well as airy outdoor cafes and restaurants to go for a nice meal for either lunch or dinner.

How Much to Budget for Tulum Activities

As for things to do in Tulum, how much do they cost? Here are the main expenses to expect to pay when doing some of Tulum’s top activities.

Cost of Tulum Cenotes

  • woman at cenote cristal in tulum
  • wooden ladder cenote calavera main entrance in tulum mexico
  • welcome sign in cenote calavera in tulum mexico

The best cenotes in Tulum typically come with a steep entry cost! Here are a few examples:

  • Cenote Calavera — $200 MXN
  • Gran Cenote — $180 MXN
  • Dos Ojos — $350

There are a few others that are more “off the beaten track” that are less expensive to enter! For example:

  • Cenotes Escondio y Cristal — $120 MXN for both
  • Cenote Carwash — $100 MXN
  • Casa Cenote — $150 MXN
  • 3 Cenotes near Coba Ruins — $100 MXN ea.

Cost of Tulum Ruins

  • Tulum Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula
  • el castillo pyramid inside muyil ruins site
  • couple sitting atop coba pyramid @ coba mayan ruins

You can’t go to Tulum without visiting its well-preserved Tulum Ruins overlooking the Caribbean!

  • Cost of Tulum Ruins: $80 MXN.

There are also the Coba Mayan Ruins in the jungle located about 40 minutes that often is visited on a day trip from Tulum.

  • Cost to enter Coba Ruins: $65 MXN.

Lastly, if you are wanting to explore all the ruins around Tulum, then head to Muyil just south of the town (about 20 minutes driving) to discover the Muyil Ruins and go on a fun lagoon float in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

  • Cost to visit Muyil Ruins: $45 MXN.

Tulum’s Beach Clubs

  • tulum beaches

Now, one of the most FAQs I get is “How much are the beach clubs in Tulum?” To that, I say $$$$.

Tulum’s beach clubs are interesting. You basically pay for access to the privatized beach and provided lounge chairs, but it isn’t cheap. The cheapest beach club is Ziggy’s at $50-100 per person, and that doesn’t include the cost of food that you’re required to purchase.

The more expensive and luxurious beach clubs — such as Papaya Playa Project or Habitas — have a minimum spend of around $200 per person (though that may have recently changed).

Also Read: What to Wear in Tulum: The Perfect Packing List

How Much Is Transportation in Tulum?

Getting Around on Foot

Thankfully, if you live in Tulum Centro, getting around on foot is pretty easy. You won’t be able to walk from the town to the beach, though, or from town to any of the cenotes. For that, you’re better of renting a bike, scooter, or taxi.

Bikes

Depending on how long you intend to live in Tulum, you might want to consider buying a bicycle to get around. In our opinion, it’s the best option for exploring Tulum.

Rentals cost up to $200 MXN per day, so renting a bike in Tulum may get expensive if you stay one month or more.

Our apartment complex came equipped with two bikes we could use, so this is how we got around Tulum. There are new bikes for purchase in the Súper Akí Tulum supermarket in town for around $2500–3000 MXN pesos (about $125-150 USD). Used bikes can be found on Facebook Marketplace.

Scooters

You won’t be able to buy a scooter as a foreigner in Mexico. But you can rent a scooter in Tulum and drive them legally with your US Driver’s License, or international license if you’re coming from Europe. We rented scooters for weekends to explore a bit further around Tulum and to get to/from the cenotes quicker.

  • bicycles parked at matcha mama - biking in tulum mexico
  • woman riding scooter in tulum down jungle road

Bus/Public Transportation

Public transportation in Tulum is fairly reliable and cheap. You won’t really find mini-vans (called colectivos) that run between Tulum Town and the Tulum beach strip, but you will find them making pick-ups/drop-offs between Tulum and neighboring communities.

That said, you can take a colectivo to get from Tulum to Akumal Beach, from Tulum to Lagoon Kaan Luum, from Tulum to Muyil Ruins, etc.

Taxis

Taxis in Tulum are extremely expensive. What’s worse, you run the risk of getting stuck in traffic. If you are want to live in Tulum, getting around on foot or bike is ideal for keeping your transportation budget down.

Average Prices for Groceries & Shopping

Local Markets

As usual, shopping at local markets in any destination is going to be the cheapest option. You can bulk buy veggies and fruits for half the price.

As a couple, we typically spent $50 per week on veggie/fruit hauls from the local market.

  • supermarkets tulum mexico
  • Acai bowl and matcha smoothie at Matcha Mama
  • shopping @ gypsea market in tulum mexico

Supermarkets

Chedraui and Super Aki are the two main supermarkets in Tulum. They’ll have conserves, shelf staples, and all the frozen and commercial foods you could need. The prices are about what you’d find in any Wal-Mart — not super expensive like an organic niche store, but much more expensive than the local veg/fruit markets in town.

If you live in Tulum and shop each week at Chedraui, expect to pay up to $100 per couple on groceries.

Cost of Coworking Spaces & Coffee Shops

Last but not least, if you are a digital nomad or remote worker, then you will no doubt be on the hunt for some decent co-working spaces or coffee shops where you can get some work done.

The coworking spaces have fairly expensive pricing plans, but they’re worth it if you need fast wifi and wouldn’t mind joining a community of fellow nomads.

  • freelance writer and digital nomad in tulum mexico
  • digital nomads tulum

The Digital Jungle coworking space has packages that start out at $350 MXN for a Single Day Pass ($300 MXN for residents).

When it comes to coffee shops with wifi in Tulum, there aren’t that many. Starbucks was always our safe haven when the internet at home was sucky. Otherwise, there’s Ki’bok (but it’s busy and loud), Babel, or Vintage Cafe Tulum in Aldea Zama that opened more recently.

Total Monthly Cost to Live in Tulum Mexico

If we add all this up, the average cost to live in Tulum can range from $1500 up to $2500 and beyond (it really all depends on your housing situation and lifestyle).

Paul and I managed to live in Tulum for roughly $1300–1500 USD per month, including accommodation ($550 USD), eating out—lots—($250 USD), activities ($100 USD), transport ($0-10 USD), groceries ($400 USD), and odds and ends such as our telephone data plan ($20 USD) and water refills ($15 USD).

I hope this guide helps you get a better idea of how much it costs to live in Tulum for a couple of months!

Do consider that our spendings won’t be the same as yours and that Paul and I like to travel minimally/on a budget within reason. (We do spend more on experiences and eating out because that’s just what we love to do!)

If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out or drop a comment below. x

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By: Bri · In: Digital Nomad, Mexico, Riviera Maya

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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