19 Best Hotels in Tulum: Azulik, Teetotum, Bardo, and more!

Nestled on the northeastern coast of Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Tulum is about two hours south of Cancun and is famous for its lush jungles, Mayan ruins, and breathtaking lagoons. These attractions make Tulum a hot destination for all kinds of travelers, from those who are budget-minded to those who don’t mind splurging on vacations. With so much to see and do, finding the right place to lay your head at night is of utmost importance.

Cancun Airport is 90 minutes away and is the closest airport, but Tulum has become such a popular vacation destination that the Mexican government is opening a new international airport in 2023. Hopefully by then you can just book a flight and skip the car ride from Cancun to visit Tulum.

Popular activities in Tulum include snorkeling, exploring various archaeological sites, visiting the national park, and touring Tulum Town to shop and get a feel for the local lifestyle. Of course, if you just need a break from the hustle and bustle of life, Tulum is also the perfect place to do absolutely nothing.

Tulum, Mexico has myriad options for lodging for all sorts of travelers. The town is full of intimate boutique hotels with distinctive personalities, all-inclusive resorts with unlimited food, drinks, and activities, and large resorts with business conference centers for meetings or banquet rooms for destination weddings. With all these choices, it might be hard to decide which hotel is right for you.

Here Are Our Recommendations for the Best Hotels in Tulum:

Coco Hacienda Tulum (Best Overall)

Price: $$
Star rating: 5 stars

You’ll find Coco Hacienda outside the town of Tulum in the residential area of La Veleta. This adults-only hotel was converted to a hotel from a plant nursery and still has the lush vegetation to prove it. Coco Hacienda’s 19 rooms are each located near one of their two pools in three areas on their property. All have air conditioning, a smart TV, and a safe. Guests can enjoy their jacuzzi or the sauna to unwind in after riding around town on one of their rental bikes.

Coco Hacienda’s restaurant, Hell Yeah, is open for breakfast and lunch. Hell Yeah is where you’ll find various Mexican-influenced meals, creative cocktails, and juices made from the local fruits of Tulum. You can enjoy your meal al fresco on the terrace near the infinity pool and gardens or indoors if you prefer. If you’re looking for a bite to eat at dinnertime, many restaurants are within walking distance of Coco Hacienda.

Azulik (Most Unique)

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 5 stars

You might find it hard to believe that a resort without electric lighting, air conditioning, and television could be considered luxurious, but complete immersion in nature is the focus at Azulik. Immerse yourself in nature in one of their 48 rustic villas equipped with mosquito netting around the bed so you can get a good night’s sleep. Have you ever wanted to sleep on a cliff overlooking the ocean? Or drift off to the sound of a waterfall near your bed? These are just a few of the types of lodgings available that will make your stay at Azulik one you’ll never forget.

You can take advantage of some of the hotel amenities like spa treatments, take a yoga class, or participate in a cacao ceremony during your visit. A complimentary luxury VIP airport shuttle to and from the airport in Cancun is provided for guests staying in the Aqua Villa rooms, and all guests enjoy a daily breakfast included in their stay.

Azulik has three onsite restaurants: Jungle Cuisine is available for three meals a day, while the restaurant Tseenja which features Japanese-Mexican fusion cuisine, is only open for dinner. At Tseenja, you can dine in one of their floating nests overlooking the jungle. The third restaurant Kin Toh specializes in a fusion of Mayan-Mexican foods, and the menu includes imaginative dishes such as wasabi-guacamole tofu, and scallops with jaguar milk. Azulik may not be to everyone’s taste, but if you like nature, yoga, and fine dining and are looking for an unforgettable vacation, you may just love it.

Teetotum Hotel (Best Boutique Hotel)

Price: $$
Star rating: 4 stars

You will find more luxurious hotels in Tulum, but if you’re looking for an intimate and charming place to stay with a minimalist vibe, Teetotum may fit the bill. Each spacious room has a private patio, a king-sized bed, and air conditioning. If you’re feeling indulgent, five types of 60-minute massages are available at their spa. Bicycles are available for guests at no charge, and their plunge pool will be waiting for you after your ride.

A continental breakfast is included in your stay, but you may want to skip that and order the caramelized banana French toast at their full-service restaurant instead. The restaurant offers three meals a day and serves a variety of offerings, such as vegan Beyond burgers, spicy tuna, and flan for dessert. There are only four rooms at this quaint hotel, so don’t hesitate too long to book if you’re interested in staying at Teetotum.

Maison Tulum (Best Budget)

Price: $
Star rating: 4 stars

The ten rooms at Maison Tulum may be no-frills, but they’re cheerfully decorated in bright Caribbean colors, neat as a pin, and have air conditioning. If cooking while on vacation is your thing or you’d like to save money on meals, you can reserve a studio room with a kitchenette. You can’t beat the price for this family-friendly hotel within walking distance of the center of Tulum—or, for a small charge, you can rent one of their bikes to get to town. Even though Maison Tulum is close to the center of Tulum, you won’t be bothered by the sound of traffic once you enter the hotel’s seclusion.

Maison Tulum has a full-service restaurant featuring authentic Mexican and Caribbean fare, and their bakery makes fresh bread every morning for your complimentary breakfast meal. The rooftop terrace is the perfect place to meditate, read a book, nap in a hammock, or simply enjoy the native plants or an icy Corona with lime.

Secrets Akumal Resort (Best All-Inclusive)

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 5 stars

Located right on the beachfront and a short distance from the center of Tulum, Secrets Akumal may be the all-inclusive hotel of your dreams. With 434 luxury suites, banquet halls, conference facilities, and a business center, you can enjoy it as an all-inclusive resort vacation or reserve it for your next corporate retreat or conference.

This adults-only Hyatt-owned resort is like a cruise ship that never leaves port with unlimited gourmet food and drinks, a server to bring you beverages while you sun yourself on the beach or at the pool, 24-hour room service, and entertainment like live musical performances and shows. Activities such as snorkeling, tennis, cycling, and archery are included in your stay, or perhaps you’d like to take a cocktail crafting or dancing class. You’ll find three pools and two outdoor hot tubs ready to help you unwind at the end of the day.

La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel (Best for Families)

Price: $$$$
Star Rating: 5 stars

Many hotels in Tulum are adults-only, so finding one like La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel that welcomes children can be a challenge. La Zebra is part of the Colibri Boutique Hotels collection and is conveniently located right on the beach on the site of a former coconut plantation. Upon arrival, adults are greeted with a complimentary cocktail and a bottle of artisanal liquor. All the rooms a La Zebra include a king-sized bed as well as a single bed and a rollaway for the kiddos with a choice of a garden view or sea view, which are both available on the ground floor and the balcony rooms on the second floor.

Their onsite restaurant serves three meals a day, and while the menus do not specifically include a children’s section, many authentic Mexican items on their beach service menu, such as quesadillas, nachos, and tacos, will appeal to kids. Young travelers won’t feel left out when their parents enjoy a cocktail after seeing a Turtle Hatch or a Pink Sombrero agua fresca made especially for them.

Papaya Playa Project (Best for Nightlife)

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 4 stars

If you’re in Tulum to fully relax and have a vacation you won’t forget, the Papaya Playa Project might be the perfect place to stay. This trendy hotel has 87 rooms built using local materials and techniques to create an unforgettable lodging experience. Guests can choose between beachfront villas with four and five bedrooms, casitas with an ocean view and private pool, or cabanas set in the lush jungle.

The events calendar at Papaya Playa Project is filled with live music concerts performed by their resident talent, and you can witness the sunset turning into a moonrise every Saturday evening at their Moongaze event. With their full moon party and great DJs Papaya Playa is one of the best clubs to enjoy Tulum’s nightlife.

Cooking classes are available for a fee, or perhaps you’d like to take a kiteboarding or surfing class instead. Make a reservation at Roca Raw Food restaurant, where they serve raw vegan, and raw seafood bowls, or you can eat at the Beach Club for three meals a day, including Sunday brunch. All types of healthy cold-pressed juices are available, and they offer wines, national beers, and “alco-health” cocktails, too.

Hotel Bardo (Best for Older Travelers)

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 5 stars

The Hotel Bardo is hidden deep in the jungle outside the town of Tulum, making it a good choice for older travelers looking for peace and quiet. Each room has its own garden, with a plunge pool and outdoor hammock. The Tulum ruins and beach are a 15-minute drive; or if you desire, the hotel staff can arrange onsite yoga classes or sound healing ceremonies.

The hotel’s main pool is artistically designed to blend into the jungle backdrop and is located near Milum, the hotel’s restaurant. Milum, which describes its fare as “food with soul”, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re looking for cocktails and mocktails, the adjacent Kinky Room Bar has a great variety of both, and you’ll find a billiards table nearby if you’re in the mood to play.

Our Habitas Tulum (Best for Couples)

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 5 stars

The Our Habitas chain has hotels in twelve cities over three continents, and the Tulum location is perfect for couples. Here romance blossoms as you enjoy your private pool in one of their Pool Rooms, immerse yourself in nature in a Jungle Room, or sip morning coffee while watching the waves on the private deck of an Ocean Room.

The wellness center at Habitas Tulum offers many treatments, such as massages, facials, aromatherapy, and even IV therapy drips administered by a doctor. Moro, the hotel’s restaurant, serves three meals a day, with options for all types of culinary adventurers. Craft cocktails and artisanal brews are available, too.

Aloft Tulum (Best for Pet Owners)

Price: $$
Star rating: 4 stars

If you’re familiar with the Aloft Hotels owned by Marriott, you’ll know exactly what to expect at the Aloft Tulum. For some travelers, this consistency is what they’re looking for when traveling. They know what they’re going to get with very few surprises. Aloft Tulum is kid-friendly and provides games like Jenga and Uno for younger kids, while tweens and teens will enjoy the pool table. The hotel is pet-friendly, too, if your kids have four legs.

A complimentary breakfast is included in your stay, and the hotel restaurant W XYZ is open for lunch and dinner, too. Every Friday night at 5:00, you can compete with your friends in a billiards tournament at W XYZ bar. At the end of the day, head upstairs to the adults-only Ático Rooftop Bar & Lounge for a sunset cocktail or a bite to eat. While Aloft Tulum isn’t located directly on the beach, guests looking to cool off can take a dip in their infinity pool or rent one of the bikes and ride to the shore.

Villa Pescadores (Best for Sustainable Traveler)

Price: $$$
Star rating: 5 stars

Villa Pescadores is one of the five hotels in the Ahau Collection, with reciprocal privileges for guests. If you’re staying at Villa Pescadores, you are welcome to enjoy the facilities at any of Alau’s sister hotels during the length of your stay. Activities such as fishing tours, snorkeling excursions, and even a romantic dinner for two can be booked through their website. The Ahau Collection of hotels puts an emphasis on eco-friendly living and improving their community, and they were given the Green Key Hotel Award for sustainability and environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry.

The rooms and suites at Villa Pescadores are described as “rustic-chic,” and guests can choose between a view of the Caribbean or the hotel’s lush gardens. All rooms have overnight air conditioning, ceiling fans, and terraces. Villa Pescadores’s open-air restaurant has an extensive menu and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll indulge in everything from pasta and seafood to a banana cream pie for dessert.

La Valise Tulum (Best Luxury)

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 5 stars

La Valise Tulum earns its place on our list as the most expensive hotel, so if you’re looking for pure luxury, this is it. Adults-only La Valise Tulum is one of the Namron Hospitality properties and offers its guests intimate and private accommodations with only 11 guest rooms. Activities such as cooking classes, excursions, various spiritual ceremonies, and yoga are all available.

La Valise’s restaurant NÜ is in a jungle setting and is only open for dinner by reservation. NÜ offers a fusion of Caribbean cuisines, and its menu includes creative entrees such as vegan chorizo-spiced cauliflower, tempura oyster mushrooms, and apple pie with cinnamon crumble.

You’re probably ready to spend quite a bit to spend some nights in a luxury hotel, but simply by knowing the best days to book the hotel room can save you a generous sum. Spend a little bit of time to read and implement it to get a good deal for your stay.

Honorable Mentions

Mezzanine Colibri Boutique Hotel

Price: $$$
Star rating: 5 stars

When you arrive at the adults-only Mezzanine Colibri, you will be warmly welcomed with a complimentary cocktail and a bottle of authentic Mexican mezcal. All nine rooms are equipped with mini-fridges, rainfall showers and are air-conditioned. The hotel concierge can arrange various excursions such as scuba diving and snorkeling in the natural sinkholes known as cenotes that are part of an underground river system, or they can book a cultural immersion visit to a local Mayan village. If relaxation is high on your priority list, you can treat yourself to a massage at their onsite spa, which offers many different body treatments designed to refresh and renew.

A complimentary breakfast will be delivered to your room every morning, or head to the onsite beachfront restaurant for tropical hotcakes topped with papaya preserve and mango puree. At dinner, the restaurant serves authentic Thai meals like massaman curry and Kao pad prepared by Thai chef Dim Geefay. You’ll want to leave room for the dessert called Mayan Sacrifice Flambé made with espresso and a local liqueur served over vanilla ice cream.

Hotelito Azul

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 4 stars

The location of the ocean-view rooms in this beachfront hotel allows you to watch the sunrise right from your bed, and the garden-view rooms give you the feeling of being right in the jungle. Hotelito Azul has 31 villas and suites, some with private terraces and jacuzzis. The concierge can arrange private tours to places of interest around Tulum, book an exciting day of ziplining, or help you rent a bike or scooter to explore the area. Hotelito Azul is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your four-legged companion.

The three restaurants at Hotelito Azul provide a variety of options for every palate. Olivia Organic Market is 80% plant-based and serves dishes like veggie antipasto and various bowls, while sushi is the main focus at Kyotaro. The Grill serves seven different kinds of tacos, among many other creative meals.

Playa Canek Beachfront Eco Hotel

Price: $$$
Star rating: 4 stars

Whether you’re traveling with family or your significant other, there’s a room just right for you at the rustic Canek Beachfront Eco Hotel, located only ten minutes from the center of Tulum. Their Family Suite can accommodate up to 11 guests, and the Garden Room has space for seven guests. Every room has a balcony and air conditioning, and children are welcome. There’s even a playground within walking distance of the hotel.

Their restaurant is noted for its seafood prepared on an open fire, and the Canek Beach Bar will give you a stunning view of the ocean while you sip on 2 for the price of 1 cocktails from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Menu items such as ceviche, tacos, and salads can be delivered from the hotel restaurant right to the bar if you’re feeling hungry. If you want an experience you’ll never forget, you can take relaxation to another level with a massage right on the beach.

Casa Violeta Tulum

Price: $$$
Star rating: 5 stars

Each of the 16 cabanas at the family-friendly Casa Violeta is ecologically designed with artwork that reflects the seashore. All the cabanas are available with a terrace or a balcony; some come with air conditioning. Casa Violeta’s boutique sells items from local artisans, with various products available for purchase on their website. There are plenty of hammocks if your goal is total relaxation. Casa Violets offers activities such as morning yoga classes, or maybe you want a massage or to experience a sweat lodge or a cacao ceremony.

Casa Violeta’s ocean-view restaurant serves three meals daily, with a continental breakfast of fruit, bread, jam, juices, and locally grown coffee included in your stay. On the restaurant’s menu, you’ll find homemade bread, pasta, tortillas, and brick oven pizzas crafted by Casa Violeta’s Italian chef.

Hotel Ma’xanab Tulum

Price: $$$$
Star rating: 5 stars

The beautiful scenery, the grounds, and the rooms at Hotel Ma’xanab Tulum will take your breath away. The décor is laid back and rustic, yet the accommodations are far from basic. Five of the nine suites have their own plunge pools, and all have air conditioning and a private terrace or balcony. You can enjoy a shaded canopy on the beach as you watch the waves, take a dip in their outdoor pool, or ride around town on one of the hotel bikes.

The hotel has a restaurant that serves three meals a day and specializes in authentic Mexican food. Don’t feel like leaving your suite for breakfast? No problem. Breakfast can be delivered to your room.

Hip Hotel Tulum

Price: $$$
Star rating: 4 stars

Hip Hotel Tulum is an oceanfront hotel located within Tulum National Park with 22 rooms. All rooms have a balcony or terrace complete with a hammock and have a view of the ocean. This hotel is popular for destination weddings, with the beauty of the blue waters and white sand making stunning photos. The Copal Spa offers yoga three times a week, massages, and facials by reservation.

Hip Hotel Tulum’s onsite eatery, Tropique Restaurant & Bar, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a variety of seafood dishes and Mayan cuisine, including ceviche.

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is less than four miles (6 km) away. You can explore bays and inlets, coral reefs, and mangrove forests at the reserve and see dolphins or sea turtles if you’re lucky.

Mangle X Tulum

Price: $
Star rating: 4 stars

The Mangle X Tulum hotel is located only a few feet from the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve entrance, giving you a unique opportunity to connect with and immerse yourself in nature. The nine rustic rooms at Mangle X are inside the mangrove; because of this location, mosquito nets are hung around the beds. Following their eco-friendly philosophy, there is no air conditioning at Mangle X Tulum and no electricity between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm.

The hotel owners believe that “rest, nourishing, physical activity, and self-expression” are critical components for a balanced life. Therefore, they serve healthy, nurturing food in their restaurant for breakfast and provide amenities such as an outdoor pool, free bike and kayak rentals, and activities like stand-up paddle yoga.

Conclusion

Tulum has it all—Mayan ruins and cenotes to explore, authentic Mexican food, a national park, and gorgeous white sand beaches. There’s something in Tulum for everyone, whether your goal is to pack in as many activities as possible or swing in a hammock under a palm tree with a cold drink in your hand. No matter what kind of vacation you’re looking for, you’ll find something to love about Tulum, including a great place to stay. So what are you waiting for? Open your favorite hotel booking site and book a room for you next vacation!

You might also like:

10 Best Tulum All Inclusive Resorts: Sunscape, Bahia, & More Where to Stay in Tulum: Best of Beach Zones & Pueblo Is Tulum Safe? 7 Points to be Aware of & 10 Safety Tips to Know 8 Best Clubs In Tulum: Zamna, Confessions, & More 5 Best Tulum All Inclusive Resorts for Adults Only Tulum Nightlife: 11 Best Bars and Clubs in Tulum 11 Yoga Retreats In Tulum: Amansala, Holistika, & More 17 Best Hotels in Seattle: Four Seasons, Edgewater, and More