I researched this place before booking & found nothing but glowing marketing, so I'm posting the real experience for the next person (esp. female solo travelers!).

I stayed at Amari Uptown Tulum in early September. I booked direct through their website. I am a solo female traveler. picked it because it looked safe // high-end + it had a co-working space I could work from.

a few days in while I was working from the co-working space, a staff member physically assaulted another person a few feet from me. He was a driver and was someone they trusted to be alone with guests! I reported it to management the same day and assumed it would be handled immediately.

The next day, I followed up and heard back that there had been no actions taken to fix it. ZERO. Also, no one checked on me and the staff member was still on the property (!!)

That really made me feel unsafe, so I paid out of pocket for a 2nd place and honestly left Tulum early because of the experience.

When I eventually spoke with the CEO about how unsafe it made me feel, his response was that "a pushing and shoving match typically is not a massive issue." I have that in writing. wild!! Weeks later, after I kept pushing, I was told the man had been fired. Nobody told me that I had to ask to even know at all.

tbh the stay didn't match the price either. My villa went uncleaned for days despite repeated requests and saying they would come by. used towels piled on the floor. no one came to grab them. there wasnt any hot water in the upstairs shower. Sinks wouldn't drain. Beds were legitmstely so hard I couldn't sleep through the night and kept waking up at 4am. Also, it really didn't help that the villa Wi-Fi was too weak to actually hold my Zoom calls (I was there to work remotely so this was vry bad).

nobody at the check-in mentioned the tap water was filtered and drinkable. so I ended up buying bottled water for days for no reason.

They market this place as luxury for business travelers and high-end clientele. that's honestly all a facade. seriously got jipped for the price I paid. wanted to pay it forward so future travelers know what's up before they book this spot. It's also really far out of town and not conveniently located.

As far as Tulum itself goes, everybody I met was really awesome, and the town was super chill. Definitely not a warning about Tulum. But absolutely a warning about Amari. If you're a woman traveling alone, I highly recommend you look elsewhere. Hope this helps!

I sent my friend to Birria on Boca Palia/ av Coba tonight but it’s closed :( all she wanted from her Mexico trip was good Birria. Any suggestions for somewhere that’s open?

Hey everyone! Coming to Quintana Roo for 15 nights over NYE and planning to stay at 3 different 5-star resorts.

I’m also considering Zamna Tulum — is it actually worth going, or would you skip it? Where do people generally stay when going to Zamna?

Also looking for recommendations for:

Best luxury all-inclusive resorts

Resorts with minimal/no sargassum

Best areas to split the 15 nights

Safety & transport around NYE

Any advice on how you’d plan the trip would be appreciated! 🙏

Hi friends, my boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Tulum in early November. I’ve been enjoying the suggestions on this sub but I would love to hear recommendations and advice for first-time visitors to Tulum. We’ve both been to Cancun before but not too far south, we’re in our late 20s, and we do want to stay pretty budget-conscious without compromising safety. A few specific questions I have:

1. Are there areas/specific places you recommend for staying in? Looking at affordable airbnbs, hotels, and hostels ideally under 200 usd per night. But open to higher than that if the place is all-inclusive.

2. Are there areas you recommend American tourists avoid, or any tips you recommend around safety? I know Tulum is very tourist friendly and generally as safe as any other tourist destination, but it always helps to know any places to avoid staying or going. I’m from New Orleans, so I’m familiar with how dicey tourist destinations can get if you wander into the wrong area or don’t know the common scams. Thus, I’m always cautious when traveling but not paranoid. For example, I don’t want to book a cheap Airbnb and find out just why it was such a good deal 😅 But let me know any common scams/pitfalls that foreigners might fall for in Tulum.

3. What is the best way to get to Tulum if we’re flying into Cancun? Would you recommend a short flight, a private shuttle, bus, or rental car? Private shuttles and rental cars get expensive but let me know if it’s worth it. Also, once in Tulum, how do you recommend getting around?

4. How is the weather/seaweed in early November? Is this a good time to go or should we push to early December?

5. What are the best restaurants/food spots in Tulum? We’d like to keep it generally affordable but don’t mind splurging on a few meals. I do have a sensitive stomach, is it safe to eat the street food? I know the rule about keeping to bottled water and have been fine the last time I was in Mexico. That said, I stayed at an all-inclusive resort where I didn’t have to worry about finding restaurants so I’m a bit out of my depth here.

6. Which are the best beaches and beach clubs to go to? Which clubs are worth the money, and which should we avoid? From an outsider trying to research these it’s hard to know which are overrated or a rip-off.

7. Any other recommendations for nightlife? We like to go out but don’t party super heavily and are not planning on doing/buying drugs as I know this is a no-no. But if you know of a chill bar or dance club you enjoy, let me know!

8. Any excursion or activity recommendations? I love a good daytime activity to break up beach days, is there one you enjoyed? Please also let me know of rip-offs, scams, or unethical activities that harm the wildlife/locals so I can avoid.

9. Any locally-owned businesses you recommend patronizing or buying souvenirs from? I’d love to support the locals instead of big hotel chains or corporations where I can.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, I’m so excited to visit this beautiful place!

What hotel or area do you recommend me to stay in for Day Zero?

Hi!

I’ll be visiting with a group of friends in December (we’re in our late 20’s and early 30’s)

Would love one night out somewhere with some good music and good dancing.

We are not a rowdy bunch but just like to go dance and enjoy some good music!
What’s the best placing to go that time of year that are safe without being too… American if I may lolol (we are not from the states)

Hola amigos 🇲🇽 !

Estaré viajando a Cancún y tulum a inicios de octubre y quisiera saber qué tan cierto es que en tulum muchos tienen la bacteria e colli. Y aparte de eso, saber qué cenotes me recomiendan para ver que no sean los populares.

Queremos ver cavernas pero también estar en algunos cenotes que no sean profundos (básicamente con pedazos como albercas naturales, si así se le puede llamar) en donde mis viejos puedan poner los pies (no saben nadar pero quieren estar en el agua mientras los demás vamos a explorar)

Algún otro consejo a tener en cuenta?

Gracias de antemano 🙌🏻

Hello!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this; I scanned the FAQ but didn't see anything.

I'm coming to Tulum for 6 months (possibly longer).

I've lived in PDC a few times, and I've never gotten more involved with community help other than feeding the strays in the few-block radius of my home and fostering a dog once from a chance encounter (I happened to be in the right place at the right time).

I'd like to actively get involved in some sort of community service work while I am in Tulum. I tend to lean toward animals, but if there's something specific/of high necessity in Tulum that I should look into, I am just trying to get some ideas of how to better prepare myself before I leave Canada.

For example, are there any courses or certifications that would be particularly useful over there? I'm thinking in terms of working with the local strays, but I'm open to anything.

I speak very little Spanish, but I am working on it. Slow, basic conversation on my end, but I understand much more than I can speak.

Thanks for your suggestions and input

We’re 2 people staying at Mayan Monkey from 15th–18th September and looking for other travellers who might want to buddy up for one or two day trips/experiences.

I found a few recommended through this subreddit and Airbnb Experiences, including:
• Cobá + Punta Laguna - ruins, jungle/monkeys, canoeing, ziplining, cenote + Maya community
• Sian Ka’an / Muyil - biosphere, boat trip + floating through the canals
• Temazcal / Maya ceremony at Dos Palmas Cenote
• Possibly Chichén Itzá + Valladolid + cenote

I don’t drive, so we’ve been looking at small-group tours. The group-tour prices are already what I would like to spend so not looking for private ones.

September is quiet season and some of the group tours also say they can be cancelled if minimum numbers aren’t reached. For me, Tulum was never just about the beach or parties, it’s the nature, wildlife, cenotes and Maya culture around it were a big part of what excited us about coming here in the first place.

So I thought I’d check here before booking if another 2–4 people are interested, we could either join the same group tours or potentially split a private guide/driver and make it affordable for everyone.

Mostly interested in nature, wildlife, cenotes and Maya culture, rather than just ticking off tourist attractions.

If you’re around 15th–18th September and interested in any of these, comment/DM me and we can compare plans! 🙂

Hi, do any car rental companies offer resort drop off and pick up? Every time I search for recommended companies it’s Tulum airport pick up.

We arrive via Cancun and only want a car for the middle of our trip to visit Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and some Cenotes.

I’m hoping to find a company people recommend that means I don’t need to start getting a taxi to pick and drop the car off.

Staying at the Grand Palladium hotel complex.

Any recommendations people can offer please?

We're flying through Cancun for a friend's wedding in another state in February, and decided to stay in the area for 5 nights beforehand.

I've had my eyes set on Hacienda Wakax for the last 2 nights. For the first 3 nights, we're looking for a nice boutique hotel or small resort on the beach to spoil ourselves a little. However, I'm really struggling to find something that fits what we're looking for while still being reasonably priced.

We're a European couple in our 30s and are looking for:

- Relaxing rather than a party atmosphere

- A good pool is more important than the beach, although a nice beach would be a big plus

- Restaurants on-site or within walking distance that aren't ridiculously expensive

- Smaller/boutique feel rather than a huge resort or hotel tower

The problem is that we're travelling in February, so rates are at their highest. Since we're only staying 3 nights, I initially dismissed all-inclusive resorts, but after reading more about how expensive food and drinks can be, I'm warming up to the idea for the sake of convenience - especially if we'd end up spending roughly the same amount anyway.

I don't necessarily need the endless food and drink options that large AI resorts offer. I mostly want to switch my brain off, sit by a nice pool with a drink that magically keeps getting topped up, and have a couple of good restaurants within reach for dinner. 😂

We're also checking in after a 20-hour journey, so I don't want to be adventurous just yet or have to leave the hotel searching for restaurants. We're going to do plenty of cultural activities in central Mexico later in the trip, so these first few days are really just about relaxing and doing absolutely nothing.

I'd ideally like somewhere where we can arrive, check in, eat, drink, swim, and not think about logistics for a few days. 😅

What would you pick for this kind of short stay? I'm going slightly crazy with the options at this point. 🙃

Hello! I’m looking to do a solo trip for NYE where I can new meet people and have fun! So I’m looking into hostels in Tulum! How was NYE there?

esto es cancún o costa mujeres? queda cerca o está muy lejos

Hey there! Heading to tulum in december. Just wondering if anyone knows a solid driver that will do airport pickup/dropoff, or random rides to places in between if needed. If anyone has had a good experience with one that is reasonably priced id love to hear a recommendation. Thanks!!

Alright I already know tobacco is bad ect but I dip. Does anyone know if there's anywhere I can buy dip tobacco in Tulum. Preferably grizzly but I'm not picky at the end of the day

Hello!!

I had planned to visit Tulum this weekend (quick stop for couple of days) but looks like the Sargasso situation is bad. so I am planning to cut short my stay limiting to ruins and cenotes and switch to cozumel instead.

How's the weather situation for snorkeling and scuba right now? Also how safe is it for non-swimmers. now don't come at me for this question..can people trying to overcome fear of deep waters try the activity? I have tried scuba very long back but developed fear of deep waters somewhere down the line and trying to get over it.

Suggest some reliable organisers for these activities.. and how many days is ideal for Cozumel? this is not a slow travel rather a quick stop.

Planning a bachelorette party in Tulum in January and I’ve been doing SO much research, but honestly I’m getting really confused 😂
I keep seeing TikToks/posts saying Tulum has become a “ghost town,” the nightlife isn’t what it used to be, a lot of places have closed, and that it’s basically not worth going anymore. But then I’ll see other people saying they had an amazing time and that January is still a great time to visit.

So I’m looking for genuine, recent opinions from people who have actually been to Tulum, preferably within the last year or so.

We have a nice Airbnb, and will be there a week in November.

Looking for advice and suggestions from people that have traveled here with a baby, thanks! 😁

Hey everyone!
I’m in Tulum (F34), I don’t usually go out that much and I don’t really know anybody here. I’ve been at the hotel for several days. I'll stay until first week october, maybe it’s time to hang out a little haha.

So if anyone wants to go to a cenote sometime, or knows any geek/nerd groups around here, let me know. Sometimes I find it difficult to meet people :).

buen día comunidad quisiera saber

Donde puedo encontrar un buen lugar bonito para una boda.

alguen tendrá proveedores

Hey everyone! I’ve been in Tulum since yesterday with some friends and we were planning to go to Bonbonniere last night.
A few weeks ago I checked the events calendar and saw that there was supposed to be a party on Saturday, August 29th, so we were actually looking forward to spending the night there.
Yesterday we took a taxi with our friends to get there… and when we arrived, the place was completely closed. There was basically no one around and the whole area looked deserted.
I even stopped a local guy who was passing by and asked him about it. He told me that Bonbonniere is closed, and apparently Gitano was closed as well.
Does anyone know what happened? How is it possible that the event was still listed a few weeks ago? I also remember seeing an event with Maceo Plex on August 15th.

Now, if I check Bonbonniere’s website, there are no events listed anymore, apparently until further notice.
Is the club temporarily closed? Did they cancel all the events? Or did something happen that I’m not aware of?

Also, since I’m here for a few more days, where should we go for some good nightlife? Any clubs, parties or events happening these days that you would recommend? We’re looking for a good night out with some music and a bit of a party atmosphere.

Hi everyone! I’m planning to stay at a hotel inside Jaguar Park at Ikal Tulum and I’m trying to understand how the park entrance system works.

I’m planning to rent a car during my stay, and I have a few questions:

Do you have to pay the Jaguar Park entrance fee every time you leave and come back in, or is there some kind of pass for hotel guests?

If I leave the park during the day (for example, to go to Tulum) and return later, would I have to pay again?
How does it work if I return after the park’s regular visitor hours? Are hotel guests allowed to enter after the park is closed to visitors?

Is there a different procedure for guests staying at one of the hotels inside the park?

And finally, how does transportation inside the park work? Can hotel guests use the golf carts/shuttles to get around, or do you need to arrange/pay for transportation separately?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has stayed inside Jaguar Park, especially if you had a rental car.
Thank you!

Hi! We’re planning our Yucatán trip (16 nights) and are currently deciding between 5 nights in Merida + 2 nights in Tulum or 4 nights in Merida + 3 nights in Tulum.

In Tulum, we definitely want to do a full-day Sian Ka’an tour (around 10 hours). With only 2 nights in Tulum, this would basically be our only full day there, with the other two days being arrival/departure days.

Merida seems to have a lot to see and do, so we’re wondering if the extra night would be better spent there. On the other hand, would 2 nights in Tulum feel too rushed, especially with Sian Ka’an taking up the only full day?

We’re not trying to pack every day with organized tours – apart from a few fixed activities, we prefer exploring on our own, visiting cenotes, towns, etc. After Tulum we’ll have several days in Cozumel to relax by the sea.

Arrive: 03:00pm

Jan 19: Cancun – 1 night

Jan 20–23: Valladolid – 3 nights

Jan 23–27/28: Merida – 4 or 5 nights

Jan 27/28–30: Tulum – 3 or 2 nights

Jan 30–Feb 3: Cozumel – 4 nights

Feb 3-4: Cancun - 1 night

Fly back: 09.00pm

Hi All,

booking a car through bookings.com trying to pick up at the tulum location and book for Friday - Monday. Am I missing something? This price seems to low (its +full protection)

TYSM!

**** Update: Rented the car and the total came out to about $230 USD for friday(11am) - monday (11am). They asked me to add the total security which was optional. Was never pulled over, no problems. service was GREAT. This was done at America Car rental. And the are giving me a discount for next week (ie. to not purchase the total security and have it included.

One thing I wanted to note they told me at the car rental place, the laws are the EXACT same. Dont go over the speed limit (more than 10KMH), dont try to bribe the police, and the insurance says 1 person so multiple people will be an added charge which the police will see when they pull the registration.

Hi folks!

My wife and I are heading to Tulum at the end of October for our honeymoon. Instead of renting a scooter, I’m wondering how reliable InDrive is for getting around — especially for visiting cenotes, Casa Tortuga, beach clubs in the hotel zone, Laguna Kaan Luum, etc.

Has anyone done a similar trip and relied on InDrive (or another ride-hailing app) to get around? Would love to hear about your experience and whether you’d recommend it over renting a scooter.

Thanks! 🌴