Thousands of tourists travel to this famous Mexican beach every year to enjoy all the luxury Tulum offers. Located on the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, the town is known for its white-sand beaches, exotic resorts, and world-class restaurants. So, when is the best time to visit Tulum?

The best time to visit Tulum, Mexico, is in April and from October to November, when crowds are sparse. The weather is excellent during these months, with average temperatures of 85°F (29.4°C). The skies are clear with no chance of rain. Hotel rates are at their lowest, averaging $49 per night, and you can book a round-trip flight for $215.

A trip to Tulum is the perfect blend of nature and adventure, with beaches, lagoons, and archaeological sites. So many options can make it tricky to fit in all of Tulum’s best experiences, but our month-to-month guide will help you make the most of your visit. Follow along for the town’s best attractions you don’t want to miss.

Worst Time to Visit Tulum, Mexico

The worst time to visit Tulum is from December to March, which is the high tourist season. The weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve are especially crowded. Prices are at their peak, and it’s impossible to find hotel accommodations.

Tulum is full of college-aged kids from February to March who are on spring break. If you’re looking for a more peaceful and quieter trip, you will want to avoid traveling during these months. Tulum’s night life is especially vibrant and active in March.

If you plan to travel to Tulum during the high season, I recommend booking your room and tours at least six months in advance. You will find better hotel rates the earlier you book too. Lodging can cost up to $387 per night in January and February.

When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Tulum?

June and October are the cheapest months to travel to Tulum. Both are low-season months, and you will save the most money traveling during this time. Rooms are easy to find and are discounted up to 58% since there are few tourists in the area.

Tulum is split into two different sections, Tulum Pueblo (downtown) and Zona Hotelera (Tulum Beach). Tulum Pueblo is cheaper to shop and dine in compared to Zona Hotelera. The downtown area has low-cost lodgings and is perfect for those with a low budget. Zona Hotelera offers premium beach-front vacations at high prices.

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can still make a trip to Tulum affordable at any time of the year. But don't forget there are several costs to keep in mind -- such as hotels, flights, food, drinks, and more.

If you plan on getting married in Tulum (my two friends recently did) in a beautiful nature-type destination, you'll also want to consider looking at a destination wedding package to get a good deal (since you'll likely have at least 20+ guests).

What Time of the Year Has the Best Weather in Tulum?

The best weather in Tulum is from December to April when the weather is perfect for swimming and outdoor exploration. Daily temperatures range between 62° to 92°F (16.6 – 33.3°C). These months have the least amount of rain, and when there is a shower, it usually only lasts for an hour.

June, September, and October are the rainiest months. Rain falls for 20 days in June, and can hamper your ability to spend time outdoors.

Related Read: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Tulum Resorts

January: Best Time to Visit the Mayan Ruins

January is one of the cooler months in Tulum, but it’s still hot and humid. Daytime highs average around 84°F (29°C).

The Tulum ruins are one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico. The Mayan structures date back to the 13th and 14th centuries and sit high on a seaside cliff. You can walk through the entire zone within two hours and swim at the nearby beach after.

The Coba Ruins have become increasingly popular because of their exceptional location in Tulum’s jungle. This Mayan city was a central hub connecting the largest network of stone causeways in the ancient world. Climb to the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid for stunning views of the jungle canopy.

• Tulum Ruins
• Coba Ruins
• Zamna Music festival
• Akumal Arts Festival

February: Best Time for a Yoga Retreat

February is Tulum’s driest month of the year, and the humidity is very high. It’s warmer than January, with daily high temperatures are 86°F (30°C), rarely falling below 77°F (25°C). 

Tulum has become one of the premiere spots for yoga retreats as it’s a serene place to relax and unwind. Tribal Tulum offers an exciting dive and yoga retreat package. Yoga classes are held on the beach, and meditation classes are held on rooftops overlooking the town.

You can completely immerse yourself in nature at the Harmony Glamping Yoga Retreat. You’ll get a glamourous bell tent to yourself, and wake up in Tulum’s lush gardens every morning. There are morning and evening yoga sessions, daily massages, and a stand-up paddleboard yoga class.

• Tribal Tulum
• Harmony Yoga Retreat
• Copal Retreat
• Azulik Maya Spa

March: Best Time to Enjoy Tulum’s Mexican Cuisine

The weather in Tulum in March is hot, with daily temperatures around 82°F (27.7°C). You can expect occasional rain showers.

The Tulum Food, Spirits, and Wine Festival takes place every March, and gives travelers a taste of the best foods in the Yucatan. This one-week event will introduce you to Tulum’s restaurants and allow you to sample their Mexican cuisine. Vendors work alongside artists selling handmade crafts and musicians performing in the streets.

Book a more personalized, hands-on experience with Rivera’s Kitchen Tulum. Their most popular offering is “Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum.” You’ll be guided by a local through preparing a 3-course-meal from scratch in their home. Afterward, you will share the meal with your host.

• Tulum Food, Spirits, and Wine Festival
• Mamazzita Tulum
• Tulum Local Walking Food Tour
• Riviera Tulum

April: Best Time for a Family Trip

This month is much hotter than March, with temperatures around 91°F (33°C). April is a dry month and offers 9 hours of sunshine per day.

Tulum's shoulder season begins in April. Crowds begin to thin out except for Easter break. Hotels begin to offer deals. The town celebrates Children’s Day on the 30th. Local children dress in festive costumes, and children receive free admission to the cinema, zoo, and more.

Si’an Ka’an Biosphere is an extraordinary place to take the whole family on a day trip. This UNESCO World Heritage site features more than 600,000 hectares of lagoons, wetlands, and Mayan-built canals. It’s also home to more than 320 bird species, 318 species of butterflies, 100 mammals, and more.

• Children’s Day Holiday
• Si’an Ka’an Biosphere
• Helados Buena Estrella
• La Reyna de Micoacan

May: Best Month for Scuba Diving

The weather in Tulum in May is humid, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). It’s an excellent month for swimming, with the water at an average temperature of 82.4°F (28°C).

May is the perfect time to scuba dive and swim with whale sharks. Whale shark season kicks off on May 15th in Mexico. Mexico Whale Shark tour company will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to their private marina. A guide will fit you with snorkeling gear and swim with you as you see these gentle giants up close.

You can also ocean dive in Tulum as the town’s reef is very accessible. A 10-minute boat ride will take you to the dive sites. The best spot is Cuevitas, and it’s open to divers of all skill levels. It contains beautiful coral caves, hundreds of tropical reef fish, boulder and fan corals, and more.

• Mexico Whale Shark
• Cuevitas Dive Site
• El Camello Jr

June: Best Time to Visit Tulum’s Adventure Parks

Hurricane season starts in Tulum in June, but the town rarely sees a storm and fares well. Humidity is at its peak, and temperatures average around 90°F (32.2°C).

Xel-Ha is one of Mexico’s best adventure parks. You can swim in the “largest natural aquarium in the world.” You can also zipline, jump off the Cliff of Courage, cross the suspension bridge, and explore Mayan ruins. This eco-park offers a fun-filled experience for the entire family.

Another eco-park to visit is the Parque Ecologico & Cenotes LabnaHa. It’s also known as Mayan Magic World and is a favorite family destination. Experience the thrilling descent on ziplines into the Sacred Lakes. A daily visitor limit ensures your visit is enjoyable and peaceful.

• Xel-Ha Adventure Park
• Mayan Magic World
• Festival de Cultura del Caribe

July: Best Mont to Visit Tulum’s Cenotes

July is one of Tulum’s hottest months, with temperatures rising above 90°F (32°C). Daily rain showers help cool things off, though.

Many travelers visit Tulum for its magnificent cenotes. Dos Ojos is the top diving site in the Yucatan Peninsula. The cenote is almost 7,000 years old and features underwater caves and passageways. This stunning natural wonder is sure to be a quintessential experience.

Kaan Luum Lagoon is one of Tulum’s best-kept secrets. Surrounded by the lush fauna of the jungle, it’s a less crowded spot for swimming, yoga, and paddle boarding. The waters are crystal clear, and there is half a mile of sand bar to sunbathe on.

• Dos Ojos Cenote
• Kaan Luum Lagoon
• Gran Cenote

August: Best Time to Visit Aktun-Chen Natural Park

August is the peak of the summer season, so days are sweltering. It’s also in the middle of the rainy season, and the average monthly rainfall is 5.7 inches.

Aktun-Chen Natural Park is the perfect destination for a day trip. A tour guide will walk you through a 5-million-year-old dry cave. The National Geographic Society named it one of the “Top 10 Most Impressive Underground Walkways in the World.” There are over 400 acres of natural landscapes to explore.

Muyil Archaeological Site is another collection of Mayan ruins that you don’t want to miss. It was a major maritime port from 600 – 900 A.D. It has three main structural groups, with its most notable being the primary pyramid over 50 feet tall.

• Aktun-Chen Natural Park
• Muyil Archerological Site
• Cenotes Sac Actun
• Parque Nacional Tulum

September: Best Time to Visit the Beaches

September sees a few days of rain each year. The rain helps keeps temperatures from getting too hot, with average daily temperatures ranging between 80-88°F (26-31°C).

Tulum lies right on the dazzling blue Caribbean Sea. Playa Paraiso is one of travelers’ favorite beaches to check out while in Tulum. It’s one of the most picturesque spots in the entire town and is famous for the crooked palm trees that line it.

If you travel to Tulu, you’ll want to check out at least one of their famous boho beach clubs. Most charge between $50-100 to get in, but that fee goes towards your minimum spend on food and drinks. At La Zebra, you can access several pools, a private beach, and luxurious amenities.

• Playa Paraiso
• Casa Malca
• La Zebra
• Punta Allen

Related Read: 21 Best Beach Clubs in Tulum

October: Best Month for the Arts

October in Tulum will be generally pleasant, with an average temperature of 86°F (30°C). However, it can feel uncomfortable due to high humidity. You can expect around 3.6 inches of rainfall throughout the month.

The Art Gallery Treehouse, located at the Tulum Azulik Retreat, features an impressive list of contemporary artists. The gallery feels like a magical getaway with its detailed, raw bejuco wood walls and ceilings. The building rises to the height of the jungle canopy that surrounds it, and natural light illuminates the art inside.

You can also take an interactive art walk through the jungle. Created by Holistika and Tulum Art Club, the journey will inspire your creativity. The exhibit features sculptures, murals, large structures, and more. The art walk is free and open to the public seven days a week.

• The Art Gallery Treehouse
• Tulum Art Walk
• Hernandez Gallery Tulum

November: Best Time for Autumn Festivals

November is in autumn in Tulum. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a muggy 86°F (30°C).

The best jazz musicians come together every November to perform at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. With over 50,000 attendees, the festival is regarded as one of the best jazz festivals in the world. Listen to music performances on Mamitas Beach and enjoy the Caribbean sunset in the background.

Tulum also celebrates Hanal Pixan in November. It’s a two-day Mayan festival dedicated to spirits who have passed on. The first day is dedicated to children who have passed away. Locals build altars around the town and decorate them with photographs, candles, plates of food, and flowers.

• Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
• Hanal Pixan
• Mavan Temazcal Ritual
• Selva Maya Co Adventure Park

Related Read: Do You Need a Passport To Go To Mexico?

December: Best Time for Religious Celebrations

December is post-hurricane season, and Tulum’s weather is warm and sunny. The average high temperature is 83°F (28.3°C).

All of Mexico celebrates the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe in December. Tulum’s most significant cultural event is observed every year on December 12th. The event involves a series of relay race pilgrimages where runners pass on torches until the last team member reaches downtown Tulum.

Tulum also celebrates the Day of Holy Innocents in December. On December 28th, locals remember the children of Israel killed by King Herod. The religious holiday has become Mexico’s April Fool’s Day. Catch people playing silly pranks on one another.

• Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
• Day of Holy Innocents
• Dos Equis Winter Beach Festival
• Sound Tulum Music Event

What is the Best Time to Visit Tulum to Avoid Crowds?

The best time to travel to avoid crowds in Tulum is from April to May and October to November. Hotel prices are lower by 32%, and the weather is excellent. You can enjoy the town’s natural landscapes and beauty in relative peace.

October is the least crowded month in Tulum. However, many tour operators close down for the month since there are such few tourists. Therefore, you may be limited on attractions while traveling during this time.

When is the Best Time to Visit Tulum’s Cenotes?

The best months for visiting the cenotes are from February to April and July. Visiting and diving at the cenotes is one of the main reasons travelers visit the Yucatan Peninsula. The underground caves are filled with freshwater and can extend for miles.

July is the least crowded month for visiting the cenotes. Tours of any of these natural limestone sinkholes will have very few people on them. The diving experience in July will be an intimate one, and you can enjoy exploring the cavern’s clear waters in peace.

Related Read: 20 Best Beaches in Mexico for Families

When is the Best Time for a Honeymoon in Tulum?

October is the best month to celebrate your honeymoon in Tulum. Tulum combines the perfect opportunity for a romantic getaway and exploring the mysteries of Mayan past. There will be little to no crowds in October, offering you and your partner the quiet, romantic atmosphere you desire.

While you savor your honeymoon, you can discover the magic of ancient Mayan temples such as El Castillo. You and your partner can scuba dive and explore the magnificent depths of Tulum’s enchanting cenotes. Get lost in love as you encounter 300 miles of underground passageways. Cenote Dos Ojos is the breathtaking, stunning experience you’d hope to have on your honeymoon.