15 Epic Day Trips from Tulum to Explore the Yucatán

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So you’ve ticked everything off your Tulum bucket list and are itching to see more of Mexico’s Riviera Maya or go on a Yucatan road trip?

You’re in luck! Tulum is perfectly sandwiched between epic nearby destinations, meaning plenty of day trip opportunities! 

While it might be hard to pull yourself away from Tulum’s beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere, there are so many colonial cities, pueblos magicos, and coastal gems just waiting to be explored! 

From the Mayan ruins and subterranean cenotes in Coba to Valladolid’s striking colonial cathedral, getting out of Tulum on a day trip is a must.

Whether you have all day or just a half-day, here are the best day trips from Tulum!

In this guide, I’m sharing the best places to visit in one day from Tulum including driving distance, what to do, and more.

15 Best Day Trips from Tulum, Mexico

While many blogs and itineraries offer day trip ideas, including things to do in Tulum, cenote tours, Tulum ruins, and Laguna Kaan Luum, I consider those activities to still be in Tulum (and so are their addresses).

The day trip suggestions below are for places outside of Tulum.

✨ The shortest day trip from Tulum is only 20 minutes away, and the furthest is 2.5 hours away. So you have quite a bit of choice!

The places you see first are the closest in distance, and the last are the furthest day trips from Tulum. This way, you can quickly scout out which day trips you’d have time for!

Note: Some destinations may take longer to reach even though they might be closer due to road conditions or traffic.

1. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve & Muyil Ruins

• Distance: 23 km / 14.5 miles south of Tulum
• Time: 20 minutes via Hwy 307
• Directions

One of the best day trips from Tulum is the closest. Just a 20-minute drive south of Tulum lies the hidden Mayan ruins of Muyil.

Here, you can tour the ruins underneath the forest canopy before continuing to the shore of the Muyil Lagoon inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Things to do at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on a day trip: 

• Float down ancient Mayan canals
• Go on a guided tour of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
• Visit the Muyil ruins

The highlight of this day trip from Tulum is floating down ancient Mayan canals in the lagoon carved out in 500 B.C. during the pre-classical era. These canals were used as historic trading routes from neighboring Mayan civilizations.

You can go on a guided Sian Ka’an + ruins tour or visit alone.

If you go without a tour, the best time to visit is early morning, around 8-9 AM, when it first opens so that you can secure a spot with a boat captain.

Read my guide to Sian Ka’an for more details: How to Visit Muyil and Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

2. Akumal

• Distance: 28 km / 17 miles north of Tulum
• Time: 25 minutes via Hwy 307
• Directions

If you take Chetumal-Cancun Hwy 307 in the other direction from Muyil, you’ll head toward Akumal — another coastal town known for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

Akumal is a popular day trip from Tulum to witness sea turtles in the wild.

Quite literally, Akumal in the Mayan language translates to “Place of the Turtle.”

Things to do in Akumal in a day:

• Snorkel with sea turtles
• Go scuba diving or get your PADI Open Water certification
• Visit the Yal-Kú lagoon
• Relax on beautiful beaches

Its colorful coral reef near the shore makes it a hotspot for divers — from newbies, training to get their PADI certification to Dive Masters.

Thanks to its picturesque beaches, Akumal is a big destination wedding spot for star-crossed lovers with tropical hearts.

Seeing as it’s so close, it definitely merits a top spot on your Tulum day trips list!

While you can drive, taking a local shuttle there is just as easy. Learn more about getting from Tulum to Akumal.

I have a special love for Akumal because it is where I earned my PADI Open Water certification! You can read more about scuba diving in Tulum here.

3. Coba Mayan Ruins

• Distance: 47 km / 29 miles west of Tulum
• Time: 45 minutes via QROO 109
• Directions

Another incredibly popular day trip from Tulum is none other to the Coba Archaeological Ruins.

What brings people to Coba, you ask?

Well, if not for its hidden Mayan ruins tucked away in the jungle, it’s for its underground cave cenotes just around the corner.

Things to do at the Coba Mayan ruins on a day trip:

• Visit the Coba Ruins
• See the unique underground cave cenotes

If you want an adventure worthy of a day trip from Tulum, you should definitely put Coba on your bucket list!

When you go, head out early. If you go early enough, you’ll be able to enjoy Coba without a crowd while everyone’s busy visiting the Tulum Ruins and Tulum’s cenotes.

The entrance price for Coba is around 95 pesos, while parking is 50 pesos. There is an extra charge to rent bikes and explore the ruins faster, but it’s worth it, in my opinion!

4. Punta Allen

• Distance: 55 km / 34 miles south of Tulum
• Time: 2-3 hours via QROO 15
• Directions

Ever wondered if you were just to keep driving down Tulum’s Hotel Zone road? Well, you’d end up at Punta Allen!

Things to do in Punta Allen on a day trip:

• Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
• See the Punta Allen Lighthouse
• Snorkel in Blanquizal

While Punta Allen seems close to Tulum because it’s only 35 miles away, it actually takes between 2-3 hours to get there because of the road conditions.

QROO 15 is just a dirt/gravel road full of bumps and potholes. 😬

But if you make it there, Punta Allen will reward you with its sandy beaches and small Mayan fishing village vibes.

The tricky part about visiting Punta Allen from Tulum in one day is that, well, it takes a while to get there.

You also need a full tank of gas and a sturdy 4×4 vehicle.

Punta Allen has no gas service, so you need a big tank to get there and back.

(Trust me, we learned the hard way when we tried to make it there on a rented scooter!) 🛵

Punta Allen is actually inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (it’s massive).

Aside from visiting the reserve (which you should do!), spend your time in town seeking out the Punta Allen Lighthouse or snorkeling at Blanquizal.

Once south of the Tulum Hotel Zone, you’ll be asked to pay a conservation fee of $50-75 pesos.

Tip: You can also head down this road as an alternative day trip from Tulum, even if you don’t make it all the way to Punta Allen. Visit the beach near Boca Paila, tour the free visitor’s center, and climb the watchtower there. You can also take a boat trip to the lagoon to see wildlife, such as native birds, manatees, and crocodiles.

5. Playa del Carmen

• Distance: 65 km / 40 miles north of Tulum
• Time: 55 minutes via Chetumal-Cancun
• Directions

Of course, if you are in Tulum, you’ve likely heard about Playa del Carmen. Maybe you’ve even been before!

Either way, Playa del Carmen is just under an hour’s drive away, making it the perfect day trip from Tulum. It’s neither too far nor too close, so you feel like you’re getting a real break!

Things to do in Playa del Carmen in one day:

• Stroll down La Quinta Avenida for shopping and bar hopping
• Go on a guided tour of the Rio Secreto
• Enjoy a fun evening experiencing the vibrant nightlife!

Plus, the vibes of PDC are way different from those of Tulum. I think it’s a bit like if Cancun and Tulum had a baby (lol).

There’s a low-key boho vibe but also an eccentric shopping, dining, and nightlife scene.

Like Tulum, you’ll also find nearby natural sites to explore, like the Río Secreto, an underground cave system with a river running through it!

If you are a digital nomad, you’ll appreciate Playa for its conveniences and stronger wifi compared to Tulum.

6. Cozumel Island

• Distance: 80 km / 50 miles north of Tulum
• Time: ~2 hours, including the ferry to cross
• Directions

San Miguel de Cozumel, simply known as Cozumel, is a stunning island just off the Riviera Maya coast.

It makes for an awesome day trip or even a multi-day trip especially if you have 1-2 free days in your Tulum itinerary.

Some of my favorite places are the Punta Sur Eco Park for snorkeling and the San Gervasio Ruins! You can also check out my in-depth guide on what to do in Cozumel.

Things to do in Cozumel on a day trip:

• Visit the Punta Sur Eco Park
• Scuba dive and snorkel along some of the best reefs in the Yucatan
• See the San Gervasio Ruins

To get there on a day trip from Tulum, you first need to drive to Playa del Carmen (actually just south of it) and then take a ferry crossing from Punta Venado/Calica.

Ferry times and maritime departure ports may vary depending on who you book with.

The new Ultramar Ferry departs from downtown Playa and offers the fastest route at only 20 minutes and costs around $580 pesos/person round-trip (basic adult plan).

So if you’re just visiting on a day trip from Tulum, it’s better to pay a bit more to save on time.

Otherwise, the Winjet and Transcaribe ferries take around 45 mins to 1 hour.

ALSO READ: Cozumel, Mexico: The Complete Travel Guide 🏖

7. Felipe Carillo Puerto

• Distance: 96 km / 60 miles south of Tulum
• Time: ~1 hour via Mexico 307
• Directions

Photo credits: Na’atik Language and Culture Institute (left), @salvador_sg (right)

Felipe Carillo Puerto, named after the journalist and revolutionary with the same name, is a bustling Mayan city.

If you want to leave the touristy coastal towns in the Riviera Maya behind and get a sense of real Mayan culture and history, then a day trip from Tulum to Felipe Carillo Puerto is a must.

Things to do in Felipe Carillo Puerto:

• Take a Spanish/Maya immersion course
• Dig into authentic Mexican cuisine
• Visit the Santuario de la Cruz Parlante

If you ask locals around Tulum or near Muyil, many of them live in FCP because it’s remained local and genuinely Mexican and they can’t afford to live in Tulum.

There are lots of things to do in FCP on a day trip.

You can visit an ecotourism center run by Mayan locals, take a Spanish/Maya immersion course, taste authentic Mexican food, or visit the Santuario de la Cruz Parlante — a cross-shaped shrine symbolizing the strife and plight of the Maya people.

8. Puerto Morelos

• Distance: 97 km / 60 miles north of Tulum
• Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes via Highway 307
• Directions 

Tucked between Cancun and Tulum, Puerto Morelos is often touted as a “hidden gem” in the Riviera Maya. 

This down-to-earth city feels much more authentic than many other tourist-crowded towns nearby while still having most of your typical tourist amenities. 

Because Puerto Morelos isn’t too far from Tulum, you can pack a lot into your day trip! 

Things To Do in Puerto Morelos on a day trip:

• Visit El Faro Inclinado (the Leaning Lighthouse)
• Snorkel along the National Reef Park
• Cenote hop on the Ruta de los Cenotes

Start at the beach with a stop at the El Faro Inclinado, also known as the Leaning Lighthouse, and take the opportunity to snorkel along the National Reef Park where the Mesoamerican Reef is fairly close to the shoreline.

If you’re a cenote-lover, head to the Ruta de los Cenotes. This 21-mile route connects 60 cenotes and also has fun outdoor activities sprinkled throughout, like rappelling and ziplining. 

Back in town, you can also explore the beautiful Jardín Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín. You’ll find everything from cacti to orchids and lots of wildlife, including monkeys and iguanas.

If you happen to be in Puerto Morelos on Sunday, you can also stop into the weekly market, where you’ll find handmade, artisan products. 

9. Valladolid (Most Underrated Day Trip from Tulum)

• Distance: 102 km / 67 miles west of Tulum
• Time: 1 hour 30 mins via Hwy 109 and 180
• Directions

Valladolid is a charming colonial city in the state of Yucatan.

If the state’s capital of Merida had a small sister, it would be Valladolid.

Things to do in Valladolid in one day:

• Seek out cenotes
• Walk around downtown Valladolid and its colonial charm
• Explore the Ek Balam ruins
• Visit the Casa de Los Venados Museum

It is a bit farther away, but many travelers make the day trip from Tulum to jump in one of Valladolid’s cenotes or use it as a pit stop on the way to/from Chichen Itza in one day.

I really enjoyed my time in Valladolid and feel like it’s one of the most underrated destinations on a Yucatan Peninsula road trip.

Use your day trip to seek out the nearby cenotes, like Saamal or Sac Aua (you can kayak in the cenote!), or see the lesser-known Ek Balam ruins (more below). You’ll most likely need to choose between the two, but they’re both great options!

Then, walk around downtown, browse the colorful folk art at Casa de Los Venados Museum, and grab some delicious food.

Thanks to the fast highways, getting to Valladolid on a day trip from Tulum is fairly easy and straightforward.

If you leave in the morning you’ll have practically the whole day to visit Valladolid and maybe even hop over to see one of the Wonders of the World.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Things to Do in Valladolid (Best Cenotes & Activities)

You could also pay a visit to Uayma an unassuming yet charming colonial Mexican town pitted between Valladolid and Chichen Itza (it lies 20 minutes west of Valladolid).

It’s in this small adorable town that you can see the majestic church adorned with a decorative red and blue facade. We stayed one night in the colonial-era house just in front of it, Casa de Los Pianos, before visiting Chichen Itza the next morning.

Uayma offers a glimpse into small-town Yucatan and shouldn’t be missed on a day trip to Valladolid from Tulum.

Ek Balam Ruins is another nearby attraction located just 30 minutes north of Valladolid.

If you don’t have interest or time to see Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, meaning Black Jaguar in the Mayan language, offers a glimpse into another ancient Mayan Kingdom.

Surrounded by lush jungle, it is a much quieter escape than Chichen Itza.

Nearby are also a few cenotes with jungly vibes and swing ropes, notably Cenote Xcanche, that you can’t skip out on.

While it’s a bit too far for a day trip, there are lots of things to do in Merida, the Yucatan Peninsula’s unofficial capital. Valladolid is on the way from Tulum to Merida and combining these two would make for a wonderful road trip!

10. Cancun

• Distance: 131 km / 81 miles north of Tulum
• Time: 1 hour 40 mins
• Directions

OK, so you’ve likely already passed through Cancun if you landed there and drove to Tulum.

But just in case you come from Merida or another airport, you can always take a day trip from Tulum to Cancun.

Things to do in Cancun on a day trip:

• Shop til’ you drop at Mercado 28.
• Grab tacos along Avenida Kulkulkan
• Take a tour of the Mayan Museum
• Go beach hopping!

There are lots of beaches to lounge on and even more dining and shopping opportunities. I personally loved exploring the Mercado 28 and eating my way through some taco stands.

Cancun is also great for beach hopping, but if you want to dig deeper into local culture, the Mayan Museum is a must!

ALSO READ: 15 Unique Things to Do in Cancun (+ 5 Day Itinerary)

11. Chichén Itzá (Most Popular Day Trip from Tulum)

• Distance: 153 km / 95 miles west of Tulum
• Time: 2 hours via Hwy 109 and 180
• Directions

Chichen Itza is probably one of the most popular day trips from Tulum because everyone who visits Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula for the first time wants to see this incredible Wonder of the World.

Things to do in Chichén Itzá in one day:

• Visit the ruins!
  • See the Temple of Kulkulkan – Chichen Itza’s most impressive sight.
  • Witness the Sacred Cenote
• Stop for lunch in Valladolid
• Swim in Cenote Ik Kil

I can’t blame them!

The first time we road-tripped around Yucatan and Quintana Roo, I too, said “I must see Chichen Itza!”

There is a certain magic surrounding Chichen Itza.

So, if you want to take a day trip from Tulum to see Chichen Itza, you must start early.

Chichen Itza gets super busy and people line up even before the entrance opens at 8 AM.

There are many group tours from Tulum that will take you on an all-inclusive day trip to Chichen Itza and the surrounding cenotes like Cenote Ik Kil or even a stopover for lunch at Valladolid.

These tours are great, but they don’t leave you much room for flexibility.

It would be a long day if you were to pack Chichen Itza and Valladolid (plus the surrounding cenotes and attractions) in one day. But it really depends on your pace and what you want to see.

ALSO READ: Chichén Itzá: 10 Things to Do and Know Before You Go

12. Bacalar

• Distance: 215 km / 134 miles south of Tulum
• Time: 2 hours 20 mins via Hwy 307
• Directions

Bacalar, near the Belize border, is one of Mexico’s magic towns (pueblo magicos) that is filled with eco glamping hotels skirting its Lagoon of 7 Colors (Laguna de Siete Colores).

Things to do in Bacalar on a day trip:

• Kayak, snorkel, or sail on the Lagoon of 7 Colors.
• See the 18th-century San Felipe fort

It is a super cute and small town with down-to-earth vibes. It’s not yet developed like Tulum, but it’s on the rise of becoming the next travel hotspot.

You can kayak, snorkel, and go sailing on its blue and green-hued lagoon and swim in the nearby Cenote Azul, or check out the town’s 18th-century San Felipe fort.

I really loved exploring Bacalar and its hidden gems! If you are looking for a quieter town to escape to, then definitely consider taking a day trip from Tulum to Bacalar.

Make sure to head out early though since it is 2.5 hours away.

ALSO READ: How to Visit Bacalar & Kayak in the Lagoon of 7 Colors

13. Mahahual

• Distance: 226 km / 140 miles south of Tulum
• Time: 2 hours 30 mins via Hwy 307
• Directions

Things to do in Mahahual in one day:

• Sip margaritas at a beachfront restaurant
• Go swimming and snorkeling.
• Bike around town.
• Walk along the waterfront Malecon.
• Feel pampered at a beach club.

What once was a local fishing village is now becoming a hotspot for tourists and cruise ships.

Nonetheless, Mahahual remains a little slice of paradise, perched on the Costa Maya and the shores of the Caribbean Sea.

There are beachfront restaurants with live music, quiet beach spots, attractive hotels, kayak and SUP rentals, and of course, a handful of snorkeling and dive centers to enjoy the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Mahahual is also located 1 hour and 15 minutes from Bacalar.

So while it might be far to see both on a day trip from Tulum, you could consider spending 1-2 nights down there to explore both Bacalar and Mahahual since they are relatively close to each other.

14. Izamal

• Distance: 210 km / 130 miles west of Tulum
• Time: 2 hours and 53 minutes via 180D
• Directions

Things to Do in Izamal in one day:

• Head out to the Kinich Kakmó Izamal Pyramids
• Visit the Convento de San Antonio de Padua
• Try classic Yucatan dishes like sopa de lima and cochinita pibil

Tucked in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, Izamal is one of Mexico’s pueblo magicos, a city or area that is cultural contributions. 

So what makes Izamal worthy of its pueblo magico title? The beautiful colonial architecture! Also known as the Yellow City for its colonial buildings drenched in sunshiney yellow paint.

“Izamal” directly translates to “dew that falls from the heavens” in the Maya language. This is a taste of a more local Yucatan city … 

Spend the day walking around and taking pictures of the striking, yellow buildings and city center before heading to the Convento de San Antonio de Padua. This is one of the oldest monasteries in America, and you’ll learn more about Spanish colonialism here. 

One thing in particular that draws in visitors to this little town is the nearby ruins, Kinich Kakmó Izamal Pyramids, which are right in the city’s center! 

One of the best features of Izamal is that everything is very walkable so you can park the car and get everywhere on foot. 

Whatever you do, don’t leave town without getting a taste of authentic Yucatan cuisine! Use your trip to Izamal as an excuse to dig into Yucatan cuisine like sopa de lima or cochinita pibil.

15. Rio Lagartos

• Distance: 205 km / 127 miles west of Tulum
• Time: 2 hours and 55 minutes via Mexico 285
• Directions

Things to do in Rio Lagartos on a day trip:

• Take a tour of Rio Lagartos
• See the pink pools at Las Coloradas
• Stop for a local lunch in San Felipe

While there’s no shortage of stunning natural sights on the Yucatan Peninsula, the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve has to be one of the best! 

If seeing flamingos in their natural habitat and exploring vibrant pink lagoons sounds like your cup of tea, then this is a must-do day trip from Tulum. 

These protected wetlands cover over 150,000 acres and are sandwiched between the ocean to the north and the jungle to the south. 

If you are coming for just a DIY day trip, leave as early in the morning as possible!

Once you arrive, head straight for the main dock to negotiate your boat trip. You’ll spend the day with a local guide who knows all the best nooks and crannies and can teach you more about these wetlands and the wildlife. 

Another option is to go with a tour which isn’t a bad idea if you don’t feel comfortable renting a car or you simply want a worry-free approach. 

Tip: To see the most flamingos, visit from spring to summer (breeding season). 🦩

Aside from the flamingos, you’ll also see abundant wildlife, like crocodiles and different species of birds. 

Most boat tours also stop at El Bañyo Maya for a refreshing mudbath on your way back to town!

The Las Coloradas salt mines are also nearby and famous for turning the lagoon’s edge bright pink. 💕

If you’re doing a DIY trip here, you’ll need to drive here separately as this isn’t typically included in the boat trip.

Most visitors don’t make it to Rio Lagartos in favor of the Riviera Maya’s glitzy resorts or simply because they fill their time cenote hopping and seeing Mayan ruins. But that means you’ll have this incredible natural wonder mostly to yourself!

Getting to Rio Lagartos from Tulum is quite the haul. You can drive here in 3 hours with a rental car, and this is the best way as taking the bus is much longer! 

As you needed to drive right through Valladolid, this could be a good overnight road trip as well!

More Tulum Day Trip Ideas

There are plenty of other small towns and attractions that didn’t get a special mention here, but that will charm you nonetheless as places to visit nearby Tulum.

If you have extra time, I recommend exploring Chemuyil, Calakmul ruins, Uxmal, and even Merida where there are tons of things to do (3 hours away)!

Further reading:

• 10 Essential Tulum Travel Tips
• 50 Best Places to Visit in Mexico

Happy exploring beyond Tulum!

If you have any questions or suggestions about these day trips from Tulum, feel free to drop your thoughts below in the comments or shoot me an email.

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