Tulum's areas
- Tulum town (downtown): restaurants, shops and the main avenue.
- La Veleta and Aldea Zamá: residential areas full of Airbnbs, between town and the beach.
- Hotel zone (Tulum Beach): hotels and beach clubs along the coastal road.
- Archaeological site and Playa Paraíso: north end of the hotel zone.
Options, most to least practical
Scooter: what locals and residents use. Playa Paraíso in about 12 minutes, the ruins in about 15 and the highway cenotes in 20–35. Park anywhere.
E-bike: perfect for town, La Veleta and Aldea Zamá, and for the beach without sweating. No fuel.
Taxi: handy at night or for groups, but agree the fare before you get in, and on the hotel zone it can take a while.
Car: worth it for long trips (Cobá, Chichén Itzá, Bacalar), less so day to day because of parking.
Our take
For most visitors, a scooter for a few days covers the whole trip. From 3 days delivery is included and we bring it to your hotel or Airbnb. For long day trips, see our experiences with transport.
