Skip to Content

This Iconic Mexican Town Was Just Named One Of The Best Beach Destinations In The World

Share The Article

Last Updated


There’s no better way to spend your holiday than a dreamy beach vacation, and one of the best places for a dreamy beach vacation is the Mexican Caribbean.

The region is filled with pristine shores, gorgeous little towns, and a thriving entertainment scene that caters to virtually every type of traveler.

woman on a swing in tulum

However, there’s one place, in particular, that’s emerging as the Mexican Caribbean’s hottest destination – it’s full of soft-sanded beaches, fascinating historical remains, amazing nightclubs, and, best of all, it was just named one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world according to a recent report from the U.S. magazine International Business Times.

Here’s what makes Tulum stand out from the rest of the region:

A Record-Breaking Hotspot

The days of Tulum being an off-the-beaten-path destination reserved only for the most adventurous souls are long gone – the dreamy beach town has officially become a major international hub that welcomes millions of travelers year-round.

tourist beachgoers photographing at the entrance of Ven a La luz, tulum

Just this past January, a brand new tourism record was announced, showing once again that Tulum’s remarkable surge in popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

As The Cancun Sun reports in the article linked a couple of paragraphs above, it’s important to remember that during the third week in February, which is far from a peak time in the Mexican Caribbean, hotel occupancy in Tulum remained at an impressive 89%, so those thinking about visiting the town as we get closer to summer might want to act quickly before everything sells out.

Be Tulum Boutique Luxury Hotel

The Perfect Blend Of Beachy Allure and Cultural Charm

What many younger travelers seem not to know is that Tulum is much more than just a fun, beachy vacation hub.

The town initially rose to popularity thanks to its ancient Mayan ruins, which are dramatically perched atop cliffs that overlook the Caribbean Sea – talk about a postcard-perfect scene!

mayan ruins in tulum

The juxtaposition of these remains and the modern beach scene makes Tulum a truly one-of-a-kind destination where travelers won’t have to choose between getting to lounge on world-class beaches and immersing themselves in the captivating Mexican history.

Tulum offers all that and more in a neatly wrapped package that exudes a type of bohemian charm that helps visitors truly leave behind the stresses of day-to-day life.

A Young Couple Looking Happy As It Walks Down A Beach Drinking Coconut Water In Tulum, A Mayan Beach Town Bounded By The Caribbean Sea, Mexico, Latin American

There’s Always Something To Do

If there’s one thing social media posts have taught us about Tulum is that the place is fun.

Whether you love the nightlife, you're an outdoor enthusiast ready for that next adventure, or just someone looking to take in the local culture and traditions through the many town-wide events that take place throughout the year; one thing’s for sure – you’ll never get bored in Tulum.

Man holding a woman in Tulum party

Beyond the famous beach clubs, those visiting the Mexican Caribbean hub this year will also get to go on exploration tours of the nearby cave systems and cenotes, dive in the crystal-clear waters, try some of the best food in the country (and remember, the competition is stiff), or go to one of the many festivals and wellness retreats that take place this time of year.

For more info on these types of events, you can go here or here.

Now Might Be The Perfect Time To Visit Tulum

If all this has made you even more eager to finally take that Tulum trip (who can blame you?), I’ve got good news for you.

woman relaxing in turquoise waters of Caribbean Sea in front of paradise beach in Tulum, close to Cancun, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Now might be the perfect time to finally realize those plans.

Skyscanner’s search tool estimates that these upcoming months are the cheapest time of the year to fly to Tulum, with return tickets starting at just $220, and as the city’s newly opened airport continues to expand its network, not only are you going to get more choices when it comes to airlines and schedules, but tickets are bound to get cheaper, too.

new tulum airport

The Other Beach Destinations That Made It To The Top 10

For those looking to explore the beachy wonders of the world beyond Mexico, these are the rest of the gorgeous places that also made it to the top 10 ranking:

view of Shipwreck (Navagio) beach, Zakynthos, Greece
  • Navagio, Greece
  • Turks and Caicos Islands, UK
  • Bahía Do Sancho, Brazil
  • Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles
  • Polihale Beach, Hawaii
  • Camps Bay, South Africa
  • Maya Bay, Thailand
  • Long Beach, Canada
  • Whitehaven Beach, Australia

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


Drgs

Thursday 7th of March 2024

Whomever qrites these articles deserves to go on vacation in tulum.

That whole place is a scam

Pat

Thursday 7th of March 2024

We were just in Tulum for two weeks. It is a horribly overrated place nothing like it was.

It has turned into nothing but a tourist trap. The taxis are the worst. My advice: Avoid Tulum.

Donna

Saturday 9th of March 2024

@Randy, So true!! It used to be a more "secluded beautiful beach" Mayan ruin tour than a tourist trap. I guess that's progress for you.

Randy

Friday 8th of March 2024

@Pat, it hasn't been the same wonderful spot for 10 years. So sad

Traveler

Thursday 7th of March 2024

Its a joke! Dust like fesh fesh, sargassum, overpriced. Trap for tourists , paradise for dumb instagrammers...

I lived.There

Wednesday 6th of March 2024

Tulum extremely expensive..n crime ridden run by cartels a who u kidding

Donna

Saturday 9th of March 2024

@Nate, Exactly put!! I couldn't agree more!! Used to be nice several years ago "like 20" when you would take a tour to get beautiful photos on the pristine beach before sargassam and tourists/resorts ruined the area....not to mention all the crime that comes with a built-up area and the cartels of course

Nate

Thursday 7th of March 2024

@I lived.There, Appreciate the honesty! I just left there last week! I have been coming to Tulum for year's. No more! Traffic is ridiculous, so many scooters and bikes. Just like Ibiza, the DJ's destroyed a magical place! Just a party town now for all countries. Don't even mention culture in your article when most people don't give dam about the Mayan culture! Keep the alcohol and drugs flowing is all that matters! Tragic what happening to a magical place!!!