Cancun to Tulum

I had a lot of fun on our trip to Cancun and Tulum. I was unsure about a trip to Mexico because I like to experience a lot of different things on vacation. Therefore, we made our trip a road trip around the Yucatán Peninsula. This article covers going from Cancun to Tulum.

Getting from Cancun to Tulum

The drive from Cancun to Tulum is 1 hour and 42 minutes (81 miles). The roads are good on highway 307.

My family flew into Cancun and stayed there for a couple of nights. Then we drove to Akumal. We stopped at Crococun Zoo and ate lunch in Puerto Morelos.

We used Akumal as our base for a couple of nights. We did a day trip to Tulum but it was far easier to just stay in Akumal rather than changing hotels again. Akumal is 1 hour and 18 minutes (65 miles) from Cancun. Tulum is a short 26 minutes (17 miles) from Akumal.

🚘Reserve your rental car by clicking here!

Cancun

Cancun is a great destination. You can stay inside the hotel zone or in downtown. Be warned, if you are driving through the hotel zone that you pay attention to your destination. It is difficult to turn around if you miss your turn. If you stay outside of the hotel zone, you can still access the public beach at Cancun.

Things to Do in Cancun

Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour

4.8/5 stars (22,045 reviews)

If you want to visit Chichen Itza, be sure to book a tour. Your tour includes hotel pickup, transportation, a bilingual tour guide, and buffet meal. You will get to swim in a cenote and experience the wonder of Chichen Itza.

🎫 Book your Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour by clicking here!

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

4.8/5 starts (1,454 reviews)

Enjoy a half-day of snorkeling in the Caribbean with sea turtles and experience the tranquility of a cenote. The excursion includes snorkeling gear, snacks, and transportation.

🥽Book your Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya by clicking here!

Cancun Taco Tour

4.8/5 stars (751 reviews)

The Cancun Taco Tour was by far one of the highlights of my trip to Mexico. The tour includes transportation, tacos and beer at four stops, and a churro to end the night. I traveled with very selective eaters, including one vegetarian. Everyone had food that worked for them and was delicious!

🌮Book your Cancun Taco Tour by clicking here!

Puerto Morelos: A Perfect Stop for Lunch and Animals from Cancun to Tulum

Puerto Morelos is a 33 minute (24 mile) drive from Cancun. If you stop at Croco Cun Zoo on your drive to Tulum, Puerto Morelos is a good place to stop for lunch. We ate at La Choza Del Puerto (#4 of 244 restaurants in Puerto Morelos). It was reasonably priced and they accommodated my vegetarian daughter.

Things to Do in Puerto Morelos

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling

4.9/5 stars (443 reviews)

You will get to snorkel at two spots for 45 minutes each. The tour includes snorkel equipment and wet suits.

🥽Book your Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling tour by clicking here!

Croco Cun Zoo

4.7/5 (2,329 reviews)

Croco Cun Zoo is a small zoo with interesting wildlife and wildlife encounters. You will get a chance to walk among crocodiles, interact with Mexican hairless dogs, and watch the wild spider monkeys. You need 1-2 hours for this stop.

🐊Get your tickets to Croco Cun Zoo by clicking here!

Cozumel

If you want to stop in Cozumel on your drive, you will need to catch the ferry because Cozumel is an island. Cancun is about an hour drive to the ferry terminal. The ferry is another hour. We skipped Cozumel because our trip from Cancun to Tulum also included traveling to Merida and the Ruta Puuc.

⚓Book your ferry tickets by clicking here!

Things to Do in Cozumel

Parasailing Cozumel Experience

4.4/5 stars

Parasailing sounds amazing. You can get some fabulous views above the water. However, if you are likely to get motion sickness (like me), then you might have to settle for watching other members of your group (again, like me) parasailing.

🚤Book your Parasailing Cozumel Experience by clicking here!

Traditional Family Kitchen in Cozumel

5.0/5.0 stars (108 reviews)

Learning how to make food in a destination is a great way to learn about the local culture. On this adventure, you may make guacamole, salsa, vegetables, and quesadillas with handmade tortillas (yum!).

🥘Book your Traditional Family Kitchen in Cozumel by clicking here!

Xcaret Park Day Trip

4.3/5.0 stars (1,699 reviews)

Spend the day at Xcaret Park. This day trip includes transportation. You will get to do water activities, see wildlife (like howler monkeys!), experience Mayan culture, and see a variety of performances. There are more activities available at an extra cost including scuba and jet boat rides.

🚙Book your Xcaret Park Day Trip by clicking here!

Akumal: A Perfect Place to Stay from Cancun to Tulum

We stayed in Akumal for two nights. Akumal in June is inexpensive and quiet because the seaweed is pretty bad. So, if you just need a place to sleep rather than a place to spend time, it is perfect depending on your travel dates. Akumal is convenient to all the attractions from Tulum to Cancun.

Things to Do in Akumal

Akumal Monkey Sanctuary

4.5/5.0 stars (126 reviews)

The Akumal Monkey Sanctuary was definitely a highlight on my trip to Mexico. There were several animal encounters including with a spider monkey. Be sure to book your tickets in advance so that you get there before the last tour begins. We almost missed it!

🐵Book your tickets to Akumal Monkey Sanctuary by clicking here!

Aktun Chen

You can swim in a cenote, zipline, see animals, and explore a cave with bats and an underground river at Aktun Chen. Be sure to pack some snacks. We visited during June and there was very little food available. However, our activities were spread from morning to early afternoon, so having snacks and drinks of our own mattered.

If you have ziplined in Costa Rica or other mountainous region, you may be disappointed by ziplining in Mexico. The terrain is flat, so you won’t get the same vista views. However, it might be a good entry point if you haven’t ziplined before or love it no matter the setting.

🦇Learn more about Aktun Chen by clicking here!

Tulum

Things to Do in Tulum

Tulum is touristy. The Tulum Archaelogical site is must see. It is extensive and has views of the sea. The beach is nearby, but a bit of a walk to get to. The area near the ruins has plenty of restaurants. If you venture away from the ruins, be sure to stop for gelato at Aldo’s — they even have vegan options!

Tulum Ruins Tour

5.0/5.0 stars (189 reviews)

You do not need a private guide to visit Tulum Archaeological site. However, guides are important because they can provide much more insight into what you are seeing. An added benefit of this tour is that it includes hotel pickup.

🎫Book your Tulum Ruins Tour by clicking here!

Tequila and Mezcal Tasting with Cheese Pairing

4.5/5 stars (12 reviews)

On this adventure, you will get to try six kinds of tequila and mezcal from different Mexican states! However, this excursion does not include transportation and the bar can be difficult to find.

🧀Book your Tequila and Mezcal Tasting with Cheese Pairing by clicking here!

Tulum Instagram Photo Experience

4.9/5.0 stars (258 reviews)

The Tulum Instagram Photo Experience is an all-day tour. You will have a professional photographer taking you to the best most Instagram-worthy spots! You can also get transportation from Cancun and many hotels in Riviera Maya.

📸Book your Tulum Instagram Photo Experience by clicking here!

Packing List for Cancun to Tulum

In addition to clothes, swimsuits, toiletries, and other essential travel gear, you will need several more items for a trip to Mexico. This packing list includes the essentials for anyone traveling to Mayan ruins, the beach, and cenotes from Cancun to Tulum.

1. Umbrella: Be sure to pack an umbrella for shade at Mayan ruins. Most ruins do not have much shade.
2. Reef-safe sunscreen: The sun is unforgiving in Mexico. Don’t forget your reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm. Pro-tip: pack one of each for each member of your group.
3. Bug spray: Some Mayan ruins are in more wooded areas. You will want to pack some insect repellent.
4. Waterproof phone pouch: I love this waterproof phone pouch. It is easy to use, keeps your phone dry, and floats!
5. Microfiber towel: Bring at least one microfiber towel for each member of your group. They dry quickly and will come in handy for the beach and cenote swims.
6. Water shoes: I love these water shoes.You will want water shoes for cenote swims. They also come in handy for the beach. They drain while in use and they dry quickly. Pro tip: buy one in a different color for each member of your group.
7. Sun hat: I swear by this sun hat because it is ventilated, adjustable, and comes with a chin strap. It will stay on your head even on a windy day and keeps your face and neck shaded.
8. Prescription snorkeling gear and goggles: If anyone in your group wears glasses, they will want to bring prescription snorkeling gear and goggles. You just need your prescription so that you know what strength you need to order.
9. Carbon monoxide detector: I never leave the country without my carbon monoxide detector. Several tourists have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Mexico and elsewhere in recent years. (Read more about staying safe in Mexico.)

It’s Time to Go From Cancun to Tulum!

You won’t be disappointed going on a road trip from Cancun to Tulum. There are many things to see and experience. Plus, stopping in Puerto Morelos, Akumal, or Tulum gives you a chance to experience places that are less crowded and busy overall compared to Cancun and Cozumel.