What's best just south of Tulum?

[bill2354]

We are going to be staying just north of Tulum in a few weeks, and have never journeyed south of the archaeological zone. What should we definitely see/where should we definitely go just south of Tulum-within a 1/2 hour or so car ride? Best beach? Best food? Best cenote? Most interesting thing?
Thanks for any input!:D

[calowie]

Beaches: go out the gates of the ruins at Tulum, walk south along the road (parallel to the beach) for about 500 metres. One of the first places you will come to is the fisherman’s cooperative. Turn in, walk down to the ocean. These dunes are about 150 metres from the water. There is a small spot to buy drinks etc. Otherwise you are alone on this absolutely gorgeous beach. In our several visits, most people keep to themselves, but this also is used as a nude beach. Great for quiet relaxation.


You could continue on the road, or walk down the beach from the cooperative, and another 2-300 metres you will find the paraiso beach- turn in this is a great beach club- you can rent palapas/lounge chairs for reasonable amounts. Good food, lots of music, great time. The beach is about 30-50 metres wide here and swimming is great. Greta for socializing. Kite surfers are often here.


If you continue along this same road to the first intersection, (about 4 km from the ruins) there are several small restaurants along the way. We have eaten at most of them- quality differs, but all have great salsas on all the food, and the beer is cold. Past the intersection, about 100 metres are the entrances to papaya playa and Copal. The beach here is much narrower, but great. Both have good food, although Copal’s is expensive.

Another 600 metres down the road is a tiny village-stores, money exchange, good bars, some with tables right on the beach- lots of good food sites (Zahra, Zamas, etc). If you have a car and continue another 5 km, the road turns to the right. The beach after this point gets wide again and is gorgeous. There are many small hotels and restaurants. We like Las ranitas- great food in a site looking over the beach. Total bliss. The road continues all the way to Punta Allen, but that is another story.

[jx2]

We are going to be staying just north of Tulum in a few weeks, and have never journeyed south of the archaeological zone. What should we definitely see/where should we definitely go just south of Tulum-within a 1/2 hour or so car ride? Best beach? Best food? Best cenote? Most interesting thing?
Thanks for any input!:D

Most of your questions were answered perfectly by Calowie.
The best and nearest cenote would be Grand Cenote located approx. 15 min. due west on the road to Coba from the 307 and Coba rd. intersection..

[bill2354]

Thanks for the responses. Anyone with any other 'must-do/must-see' ideas?:D

[John in DC]

Don't miss spending some time in Tulum pueblo. It's not a shiney place, but it is bright. There are several good restaurants in Tulum, and some interesting places to go for a drink. It's about as Mexican as you're going to find anywhere nearby, tempered only by the dreadlocked Vermonters and gorgeous Italians you see around town. A weekend night in Tulum is pretty cool.