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Travel

Best Time to Visit Tulum

MexicoTulum › When to Go
Updated: March 23, 2022

See Also

When is the Best Time to Visit Tulum?

The best time to visit Tulum, Mexico, depends on your preferences for weather, activities, and crowd levels. Generally, the most popular time to visit Tulum is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. The weather during these months is typically sunny and warm, with temperatures ranging from 75°F (24°C) to 85°F (29°C).

The peak tourist season in Tulum is from December to March, coinciding with winter breaks and holidays in North America and Europe. During this time, you can expect higher prices for accommodations, more crowded beaches, and a lively atmosphere. If you don’t mind the crowds and are looking for the best weather conditions, this is a great time to visit.

The shoulder season from April to early June can also be an excellent time to visit Tulum. During this period, the weather remains warm and pleasant, but the crowds start to thin out, and accommodation prices are generally lower. This is a good time to enjoy the beaches, attractions, and activities without the peak-season crowds.

The low season, which runs from June to October, coincides with the rainy season and hurricane season in the region. Although there is a higher chance of rain and storms, you can still enjoy warm weather and fewer crowds. Prices for accommodations and activities are usually lower during this time, making it a more budget-friendly option.

Beach resort in Tulum.
Book Tulum hotels far in advance. Suenos beach resort is one of our favorite places to stay in Tulum.
  • The Best Time for Good Weather: Late November through April has the sunniest weather with the least amount of rain, along with warm daytime temperatures with comfortable, occasionally cool nights. Expect some rain for visits from May until October, with June, September, and October being the wettest months. Even during the rainy seasons, storms usually last only an hour or two, then the sunny skies return – it’s rare to have two or three days of continual rain without any sun. May and August are the hottest months, with August feeling especially hot due to high humidity. Ocean temperatures are comfortable for swimming all year long but are warmest from July through October. Hurricanes are not common, but if they’re going to hit, it will most likely happen in September and October.
  • The Best Time for Great Deals: Room rates will be at their lowest in the off-season, from June through October, especially during September and October, Tulum’s two rainiest months. Though humidity is high every day and rain is likely on half of the days, storms typically only last an hour or two, then it’s back to sun and warmth. October typically sees the biggest lull in tourism, so be advised that many shops and tour operators take advantage of this break and close for a few weeks during this time. April through June, post-high-season and pre-hurricane season, also sees occasional good deals, though prices tend to vary more widely. The best hotels in Tulum should be booked 4 to 6 months in advance.
  • The Best Time for Avoiding Crowds: Crowds are at their smallest in late summer/early fall, especially during September and October, when rain, heat, and humidity are at their peaks. June through August sees gradually thinning crowds, while October is the least crowded month, especially earlier in the first half. Though fewer tourists means less crowded attractions, this also means that many smaller tour operators and restaurants close for their own vacations. The major attractions will still be open, though, and the beaches will be quieter. Plan accordingly, and you can have a great, relaxing time.
  • The Best Time for Sightseeing (Ruins and Jungles): November to April are the best months to explore the area’s wonderful historical, cultural, and natural attractions. These months tend to be dry and warm, but not too hot in the day. Humidity and heat are highest during the rainy season from May to October, with May and August being the hottest months, and June through September the most humid. This isn’t a problem when you’re on the beach and refreshed by ocean breezes, but inland sightseeing at Coba, Chichen Itza, and Sian Ka’an can feel overwhelming in the sticky heat. If you visit during the summer months, bring plenty of water and plan an afternoon cenote swim to cool off.
  • The Best Time for Swimming, Snorkeling & Diving: Oceans, reefs, and cenotes are truly wonderful all year round, though there are some fluctuations in conditions. Water temperatures are at their lowest in January and February and at their highest from July through October. September and October tend to have more rainy days, though, so July and August are the better of these four months for swimming. For diving and snorkeling, visibility is not great in the warmer, rainier months but rather during the drier months from November through May, especially during the months of January through March. For snorkeling with whale sharks in particular, visit in late May; the water is warm, visibility is good, and the first whale sharks have arrived.
  • Best Time for Whale Sharks and Sea Turtles: Tulum is one of the most reliable spots for seeing these two endangered animals. Whale sharks begin to arrive in May and are plentiful by June. From June through August, whale shark tours have almost 100% chance of locating these gentle giants, usually several at a time in one location. Whale sharks begin to leave the area in September and are almost all gone by the end of the month. Adult sea turtles begin nesting on the beaches in May, especially toward the end of the month and finish laying in October. The baby sea turtles begin hatching and heading seaward in July, continuing their nightly treks through December. The best time to see all three groups (whale sharks, nesting turtles, and baby turtles) is in July and August when all are fully present and active.
  • The Best Time for Honeymoons: Tulum is most beautiful from November through May, with ideal beach conditions and clear skies throughout these drier months, the perfect honeymoon mix. Early November and May offer the best mix of good weather, low-ish crowds, and good room rates for honeymooners celebrating on a bit of a budget. January through March has the best weather, with the most number of sunny days, and near-perfect beach conditions, but rates are higher and crowds are thicker.
  • The Best Time for Nightlife: December and January land in the peak travel season and are the best months for nightlife. Bars and clubs are all hopping, some open as late as 4:00 a.m. Dancers and partiers are in a celebratory mood, but without the craziness that spring break brings in March.

Tulum Festivals and Events

The Best Recurring Parties in Tulum

  • Tuesdays and WednesdaysBatey Mojito and Guarapo Bar: Relaxed but trendy bar, serving their famous mojitos made with fresh, pressed sugarcane from a converted VW Beetle. Live music most nights. Located in Downtown in the main bar and restaurant strip, walking distance to plenty more nightlife.
  • ThursdaysCasa Jaguar: Intimate, contemporary, Mexican bar and restaurant, featuring a Jungle Party with live DJs every Thursday night in the garden backyard.
  • FridaysGitano: Upscale mezcal bar and restaurant in a jungle beach setting with a DJ and live music several nights a week. Popular on Thursday nights for getting a jump start on the weekend, though most of their official events are on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • SaturdaysPapaya Playa Project: This is the biggest, most stylish party of the week every Saturday, but their Full Moon Parties are totally over the top, held monthly on the Saturday closest to the full moon. Vibe is chic and beach-cool with top-name DJs and dancing until 3:00am or later.

Tulum in January

  • Zamna Festival: From late December through mid-January, this EDM music festival is actually a loose collection of different DJ sets every couple of nights, with a different lineup and venue each night. Tickets are sold individually for each set.
  • New Year’s Day – Año Nuevo, or New Year’s Day, is a national holiday in Mexico. January 1 tends to be very quiet in Tulum and throughout the country, with everyone resting and recovering from festivities the night before. While most businesses are closed, restaurants and other places that cater to tourists are usually open.
  • Comunité Festival: Daylong music festival with an eco, Mexican, and world-cultural focus, at a jungle ranch with three cenotes and three stages. Live bands and DJs share the bill, with a special focus on acoustic styles and folkloric traditions. A portion of ticket sales go to benefit social and environmental efforts.
  • El Día de Los Reyes (Kings’ Day): January 6 is the twelfth day of Christmas, which is the traditional gift-giving day in Mexico. Children receive their presents, and the family eats together, especially a wreath-shaped, sweet bread called Rosca de Reyes. A baby Jesus figure is baked into the bread, and whoever finds it in their slice will host El Día de Candelaria, the upcoming holiday, and make the tamales for the celebration.
  • Arena Festival Internacional: Weeklong LGBT dance music festival, with local and international DJs spinning at twelve different parties in various locations in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, including the cenote Dos Ojos. Dancing goes from 1:00pm until 5:00am. Attendees receive bracelets covering the admission for the duration of the event. Parties are biggest in the smaller pueblos.

Tulum in February

  • El Día de Candelaria/Tamale Day: Candlemas falls 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd, and is a celebration of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is also the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. On this day, people dress up figurines of the baby Jesus and take them to the church to be blessed, along with candles. This is followed by a meal of tamales, hence its other name, with family and friends. Celebrations in Veracruz and huge, with parades and more, but in Tulum, this is a more intimate holiday.
  • Carnaval: Exact dates vary, but celebrations take place the whole week before Ash Wednesday, with the biggest parties the night before. Carnaval is celebrated in different parts of the Riviera Maya on different days, with the biggest celebration on Cozumel and usually the final party in Tulum. Expect parades, live music, wild costumes, lots of food and booze, and dancing in the streets.

Tulum in March

  • Alborada Maya: A fusion of Maya and Catholic celebrations unique to Tulum. Events mostly take place at the Mayan Ceremonial Center as well as the Church of Tulum. Maya priests perform ceremonies of thanksgiving for harvests, while pilgrimages, prayers, ceremonies, and music all blend in honor of the saints.
  • Tres Cruces: March 7-14. This holiday is unique to the Cruzo’ob, the Cult of the Talking Cross, a small faction of indigenous Maya from Quintana Roo, who practice a religion that blends Maya and Catholic faiths and is rooted in the Caste War of the mid-1800s. The ceremonial center is near the Tulum Ruins, and its saints and entry are protected by a guard, who permits visitors to enter barefoot, with bare heads, in silence, and by candlelight. This holiday is in honor of the three original talking crosses, crosses being both pre-Hispanic and Catholic imagery, who spoke words of encouragement to the Maya people in their uprising against the Spanish.
  • Wine and Food Festival, Cancun-Riviera Maya: Five-day celebration of food and wine, with renowned chefs and sommeliers from Mexico and the U.S. Events include dinners, taco competitions, beach parties, golfing, and more.
  • Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza: Occurring annually on March 20, the first day of spring, when the afternoon light hits the pyramid temple of El Castillo just right, it reveals a representation of Kukulkan. The feathered serpent god seems to appear and climb down the side. This amazing event happens twice yearly at the spring and autumn equinoxes, amazing visitors with the astronomical and mathematical prowess of the ancient Maya peoples. It is usually very crowded on the equinoxes and tons of fun. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, you may still see the effect two days before or after the actual equinox.

Tulum in April

  • El Día del Niño (Children’s Day): A holiday filled with fun, gifts, and special activities just for kids. Though not an official holiday, many schools don’t hold classes this day. Zoos, amusement parks, and attractions often offer special discounts on April 30. Travelers can also participate by handing out toys or candy to street kids.

Tulum in May

  • Festival de Cultura del Caribe: Celebration of Maya, Mexican, and Caribbean culture through food, music, dance, literature, film, and more. The eight-day celebration takes place in a variety of venues throughout the city and features a variety of local and international acts.
  • Cinco de Mayo: Not actually a holiday here and only really celebrated in Puebla. Many bars will run drink specials, though!
  • Sacred Mayan Journey/Travesia Sagrada: Annual recreation of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage from Xcaret to Cozumel in worship of the fertility goddess Ixchel. Roughly 300 men and women row canoes across the ocean beginning at dawn and making their return journey the following dawn. Rituals, music, and dance begin and end the event. A feast awaits the rowers in Cozumel, but the biggest celebration is in Xcaret upon their return.

Tulum in June

  • Fête de la Musique: French-based music festival taking place in 100 countries at once. Taking place in Playa del Carmen, this event celebrates the first day of summer, June 21, with food, dance, cultural activities, and more. Proceeds benefit a local charity.

Tulum in July

  • Festival del Triciclo/Tricycle Festival: Playa del Carmen’s celebration of the tricycle, the crucially important vehicle traditionally used by fishermen to haul their catch, by street vendors to carry their wares, and by travelers transporting their luggage. The festival begins with a parade of wildly decorated tricycles down 5th Avenue to Parque Fundadores. Once at the park, prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated trikes, followed by live music and bites from food trucks and restaurants alike.

Tulum in August

  • ZoukMX: Ten-day music and dance festival in Playa del Carmen on the beach and in the jungle. This event begins with several teacher workshops, followed by days and nights on end of dancing to zouk, a fast tempo, Caribbean dance music.
  • Assumption of the Virgin Mary – Celebrated nationwide in mid-August, there are special masses held throughout the country, including Cancun. Though some cities will host processions, Cancun typically does not.

Tulum in September

  • El Grito and Independence Day: Celebrations begin in the afternoon on September 15 in the main square downtown with mariachi music, dancing, and carnival rides. Street vendors and restaurants serve all kinds of goodies, especially pozole and mole. Tequila and mezcal are the major drinks here. At 11 pm, the grito, or cry for independence, is called with bells ringing and fireworks. The country’s biggest party begins immediately after and goes well into the night.
  • Autumn Equinox at Chichen Itza: Occurring annually on September 22, the first day of fall, when the late afternoon light hits the pyramid temple of El Castillo just right, it reveals a shadow image of the feathered serpent god Kukulkan, just as it does in spring. However, September is the rainiest month of the year, and sometimes the cloud coverage prevents Kukulkan from making an appearance. Additionally, with daylight savings time, the event occurs after the park is closed for the evening. Some years, the park stays open late to accommodate the event, but other times, they close at the usual schedule. Check the weather and check the park’s officially posted hours before planning a trip out. It’s a long drive!

Tulum in October

  • Turtle Festival/Festival de la Tortuga Marina: A free, three-day event celebrating the sea turtle, with various events taking place in Tulum, Akumal, and Xcacel. The family-friendly festival centers on educating and encouraging sea turtle conservation. Activities include a turtle hatchling release, Maya ceremony, cookout, sandcastle competition, music, carnival, and more.
  • Día de las Brujas (Halloween): Though not traditionally celebrated in Mexico, Halloween has been catching on in the past few years. Smaller parties take place in Tulum and Puerto Morelos on October 31st, but Playa del Carmen has the biggest celebration, especially along 5th Avenue with costumes and trick or treating.

Tulum in November

  • Day of the Dead: November 1-2. Known as Hanal Pixan in Yucatan Maya. This is actually two holidays rolled into one, Día de Todos Santos (All Saints Day) and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, All Souls Day). On All Saints Day, Mexicans honor deceased children, leaving offerings to them on custom-designed altars in cemeteries or in their homes, with sugar skulls, toys, and treats. Day of the Dead is similar but for the souls of deceased adults. People decorate altars in their homes or in cemeteries, some keeping vigils and others leaving offerings, usually tequila, cigarettes, and the deceased’s favorite foods. Candles and trails of marigold petals are led from the altars to light the way for the spirit’s return. Unlike Oaxaca, Mexico City, and the tourist zone of Cancun, celebrations in Tulum are more low-key, without the big parades and fanfare. Though travelers can visit the cemeteries to see the altars, those are usually smaller and more intimate for families. The competition altars in Downtown are more elaborately designed, free to visit, and are usually more festive in the evening. For more of a family-friendly celebration, visit Xcaret Eco Park from October 30-November 2 for their special event with food, dancing, music, and performances.
  • Riviera Maya Jazz Festival: Free, three-day music festival, attracting major acts and anywhere from 9,000 to 15,000 attendees a night. The stage sets up on the beach near Mamita’s, with music beginning in the afternoon until late in the evening. Arrive early if you plan on sitting down; the area near the stage allows attendees to bring beach blankets and chairs. The back of the crowd is standing room only.
  • Tulum Food, Spirits, and Wine Festival: Four-day event featuring highly awarded local and international chefs and mixologists as they fuse their knowledge and talent with local spices, produce, and gastronomical traditions. Events range from street food to elegant dinner parties, along with tequila, wine, and mezcal tastings. Proceeds benefit a local charity.
  • Mayakoba Golf Championship: An official, PGA tour with over 100 pro-golfers competing for a huge prize in four rounds over the course of one week. The event takes place in Mayakoba at the El Camaleón golf course just north of Playa del Carmen. Some of the proceeds benefit local charities.

Tulum in December

  • Antorchas Guadalupanas and Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe: One of the most important Mexican Catholic holidays, December 12 celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an indigenous convert, Juan Diego. The holiday begins its celebration with a series of relay race pilgrimages, the Antorchas Guadalupanas, where runners take turns carrying a torch. The runners reach their destination in Downtown Tulum on December 12, and the main festival begins, with mass, food, music, dancing, and flowers. Though celebrated throughout the Riviera Maya, Tulum has the largest celebration.
  • Dos Equis Winter Beach: Three-day music, fashion, and entertainment festival, featuring internationally renowned DJs, beachfront catwalks debuting swimsuit and beachwear collections, and dance parties at Papaya Playa.
  • Christmas: Christmas Eve sees family and friends celebrating throughout town, often with a late night mass, followed by a midnight feast with mole, ham, and more. Christmas Day is much quieter, with most families celebrating at home.
  • Día de Los Santos Inocentes/Day of the Holy Innocents: December 28. This is basically a Mexican April Fool’s Day. Originally meant to commemorate the deaths of the Holy Innocents, the children slaughtered by King Herod in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus, the holiday has evolved into a day of pranks. Once someone is fooled, it is customary to say to them, “Innocent little dove that you let yourself be deceived.” This is also a day where people are known to borrow items and never return them.
  • Zamna Festival: From late December through mid-January, this EDM music festival is actually a loose collection of different DJ sets every couple of nights, with a different lineup and venue each night. Tickets are sold individually for each set.

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Categories
Travel

Best Time to Visit Cancun

Mexico › Cancun When to Go
Updated: March 23, 2023

See Also

When is the Best Time to Visit Cancun?

Pool and beach at Cancun resort.
The pool bar and beach at the fantastic Hyatt Ziva in the heart of Cancun.

The best time to visit Cancun depends on your preferences for weather, activities, and crowd levels. Generally, the most popular time to visit Cancun is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. The weather is typically sunny and warm, with temperatures ranging from 75°F (24°C) to 85°F (29°C).

The peak tourist season in Cancun is from mid-December to March, coinciding with winter breaks and holidays in North America and Europe. During this time, you can expect higher prices for accommodations, more crowded beaches, and a vibrant nightlife scene. If you don’t mind the crowds and are looking for the best weather conditions, this is a great time to visit.

The shoulder season from April to early June can also be an excellent time to visit Cancun. During this period, the weather remains warm and pleasant, but the crowds start to thin out, and accommodation prices are generally lower. This is a good time to enjoy the beaches, attractions, and activities without the peak-season crowds.

The low season, which runs from June to November, coincides with the rainy season and hurricane season in the region. Although there is a higher chance of rain and storms, you can still enjoy warm weather and fewer crowds. Prices for accommodations and activities are usually lower during this time, making it a more budget-friendly option.

  • Best Time to Visit Cancun for Good Weather: Cancun weather can be enjoyable year round, though it is particularly pleasant from the end of December through April, with January through March being the absolute peak time for fantastic weather. These months have the least amount of rain and humidity, the balmiest temperatures, and the sunniest skies. Expect gorgeous conditions on Cancun’s beaches nearly every day, and pleasant weather for exploring the ruins and jungles inland. Ocean temperatures are cooler than during the summer months, but still comfortable for swimming. Night and early morning temperatures are mostly warm during this time, but can get a little cool from December through February.
  • Best Time to Visit Cancun for Great Deals: The best time for great deal is during the summer rainy season, from July through October, with especially discounted prices in September, October, and November. This coincides with hurricane season, but hurricanes have only landed here twice in the past thirty years. The vast majority of days during the wet season are hot and humid, with rain in short bursts. For travelers who don’t mind the heat and occasional rain shower, this is a good time to visit. Hotel rates are supremely discounted, and deal-hunters will also find cheaper fares on flights and excursions. Travelers during these months can save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars versus any other time of the year.
  • Best Time to Visit Cancun for Avoiding Crowds: The best time for avoiding crowds is during the rainy season, from June through October, especially in September and October. As mentioned before, these months line up with hurricane season, though storms are very rare. Travelers during this time will find beaches blissfully empty and tours to the ruins almost private. Be advised that because there are fewer travelers at this time, many tour operators and restaurants close down for their own breaks, especially during the month of October.
  • Best Time to Visit Cancun for Swimming, Snorkeling, and Diving: Oceans, reefs, and cenotes are truly wonderful all year round, though there are some fluctuations in conditions. Water temperatures are at their lowest in February and March and at their highest from July through October. September and October tend to have more rainy days, though, so July and August are the better of these four months for swimming. For diving and snorkeling, Cancun is not the best spot. Though it’s fronted by a huge reef and filled with wildlife, the water is often rough enough to reduce visibility, plus the coral near the main Hotel Zone is mostly dead. Snorkeling and diving tours usually take visitors to nearby Isla Mujeres, MUSA, or Punta Nizuc at the south end of the Hotel Zone, where the water is calmer and clearer with active marine life. Visibility is best in the drier months, from November through May, especially during the months of January through March. For snorkeling, with whale sharks in particular, visit in late May; the water is warm, visibility is good, and the first whale sharks have arrived.
  • Best Time for to Visit Cancun Whale Sharks and Sea Turtles: Cancun is one of the most reliable spots for seeing these two endangered animals. Whale sharks begin to arrive in May and are plentiful by June. From June through August, whale shark tours have almost 100% chance of locating these gentle giants, usually several at a time in one location. Whale sharks begin to leave the area in September and are almost all gone by the end of the month. Adult sea turtles begin nesting on the beaches in May, especially toward the end of the month and finish laying in October. The baby sea turtles begin hatching and heading seaward in July, continuing their nightly treks through December. The best time to see all three groups (whale sharks, nesting turtles, and baby turtles) is in July and August when all are fully present and active.
  • Best Time to Visit Cancun for Honeymoon: Cancun is most beautiful from December through May, with ideal beach conditions and clear skies throughout these drier months, the perfect honeymoon mix. Early December, April, and May offer the best mix of good weather, low-ish crowds, and good room rates for honeymooners celebrating on a bit of a budget. January through March has the best weather, with the most number of sunny days, and near perfect beach conditions, but rates are higher and crowds are thicker.
  • Best Time to Visit Cancun for Nightlife: Cancun always has great nightlife, with parties going on continually at all of the uptown clubs and bars near Punta Cancun in the Hotel Zone. However, different times of the year attract different party crowds. Cancun is most legendary for its Spring Break, with wild parties all day and night, top international DJs, and bikini contests throughout the whole month of March. June through mid-July also see tons of partying, this time for high-school grads cutting loose before college begins. The legal drinking age is 18 in Mexico, but IDs are rarely checked. For amazing, grown-up nightlife, visit from December through February. Clubs and bars still get crazy, but the crowds’ average age is over 25, and they’re less likely to barf on your shoes.
  • A Note About Spring Break: While Cancun was once infamous for its huge, noisy crowds of spring breakers and a destination to avoid during the month of March, by staying outside of the main drag, not venturing into the clubs late at night and simply avoiding hotels that cater to that group, you’ll enjoy a relatively peaceful environment. Those who want to find a party can easily do so, while those who prefer a more subdued atmosphere can find that as well.

Cancun Events and Festivals

Cancun in January

  • New Year’s Day – Año Nuevo, or New Year’s Day, is a national holiday in Mexico. January 1 tends to be very quiet in Cancun and throughout the country, with everyone resting and recovering from festivities the night before. While most businesses are closed, restaurants and other places that cater to tourists are usually open.
  • Mayan Village Show – At Xcaret Park, located about an hour from Cancun, recreations of ancient Mayan festivals, including a jungle walk and celebration of the discovery of fire, take place throughout the month of January.
  • Día de los Tres Reyes (Kings’ Day): January 6 is the twelfth day of Christmas, which is the traditional gift-giving day in Mexico. Children receive their presents, and the family eats together, especially a wreath-shaped, sweet bread called Rosca de Reyes. A baby Jesus figure is baked into the bread, and whoever finds it in their slice will host El Día de Candelaria, the upcoming holiday, and make the tamales for the celebration.

Cancun in February

  • El Día de Candelaria/Tamale Day: February 2. Candlemas falls 40 days after Christmas and is a celebration of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is also the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. On this day, people dress up figurines of the baby Jesus and take them to the church to be blessed, along with candles. This is followed by a meal of tamales, hence its other name, with family and friends. Celebrations in Veracruz and huge, with parades and more, but in Cancun, this is a more intimate holiday.
  • Carnaval: Exact dates vary, but celebrations take place the whole week before Ash Wednesday, with the biggest parties the night before. Carnaval is celebrated in different parts of the Riviera Maya on different days, with the biggest celebration on Cozumel. Cancun’s Carnaval is surprisingly intimate, taking place in Downtown away from the main tourist zone. Expect parades, live music, wild costumes, lots of food and booze, and dancing in the streets. Street vendors will be selling amazing local specialties, while candies and other goodies will be raining down from the parade floats.
  • Island Time Music & Fishing Festival: Six-day festival in Isla Mujeres. Local and world-renowned musical acts play in small venues around the island, while fishermen chase sailfish through the local waters. Proceeds benefit the Little Yellow Schoolhouse, serving special needs children on the island.

Cancun in March

  • Inception Music Festival: The largest Spring Break party in the world, lasting 30 straight days and nights and featuring top-name musical acts and DJs. Events take place every night at the clubs in Punta Cancun, including The City, Dady’O, Mandala, and Palazzo. Day parties take place at Mandala Beach, while exclusive day parties also go on at the Oasis Resort.
  • Wine and Food Festival, Cancun-Riviera Maya: Five-day celebration of food and wine, with renowned chefs and sommeliers from Mexico and the U.S. Events include winemaker and celebrity chef dinners, taco competitions, beach parties, golfing, and more.
  • Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza: Occurring annually on March 20, the first day of spring, when the afternoon light hits the pyramid temple of El Castillo just right, it reveals a representation of Kukulkan. The feathered serpent god seems to appear and climb down the side. This amazing event happens twice yearly at the spring and autumn equinoxes, amazing visitors with the astronomical and mathematical prowess of the ancient Maya peoples. It is usually very crowded on the equinoxes and tons of fun. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, you may still see the effect two days before or after the actual equinox.
  • Laser Sailing Show: During the second half of March, this event attracts sailboat enthusiasts and merchants from around the world. The waters around Cancun are filled with sailing vessels of all types, big and small, that roam the coastline for two weeks.

Cancun in April

  • Anniversary of the Founding of Cancun: Cancun’s history is relatively new. A master-planned tourism community founded in 1970, the event is put on by families of the city’s founders. This month-long celebration is held at various locations in Downtown and features masses, music, exhibitions, and a parade down Avenue Tulum.
  • Holy Week – Holy Week is celebrated nationwide, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, which typically falls in early to mid-April. In Cancun, just about everything stays open during this period to cater to tourists, and it’s usually very busy. If you plan to travel to Cancun during Holy Week, make your reservations as early as you can as flights in and out of Mexico are typically filled months in advance. Easter services are held at churches of various dominations, though mostly Catholic.
  • El Día del Niño (Children’s Day): A holiday filled with fun, gifts, and special activities just for kids. Though not an official holiday, many schools don’t hold classes this day. Zoos, amusement parks, and attractions often offer special discounts on April 30. Travelers can also participate by handing out toys or candy to street kids.

Cancun in May

  • Cinco de Mayo: May 5th is a national holiday that commemorates the country’s defeat of the French in the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. Unlike in the States, it’s pretty much a regular day in Cancun, with not much in the way of celebrations. There are usually drink specials in the bars, and some of the resorts might do a small party, but it will be all for tourists. The only spot in Mexico that really celebrates Cinco de Mayo is in Puebla, more than a day’s drive away.
  • Festival de Cultura del Caribe: Celebration of Maya, Mexican, and Caribbean culture through food, music, dance, literature, film, and more. The eight-day celebration takes place in a variety of venues throughout the city and features a variety of local and international acts.
  • Cancun Jumpoff: This is like Spring Break for grown-ups. A four-day music festival, with live acts and DJs spinning the best in hip-hop, r&b, reggae, and soca. One water park day, plus beach parties, lingerie parties, and overnight after-parties keep the action going non-stop.
  • Regata del Sol a Sol: A 456-mile yacht race beginning in April in St. Petersburg, Florida and ending in early May in Isla Mujeres. Events include a basketball tournament and the Regata Amigos, post-race sail around the island.
  • Sacred Mayan Journey/Travesia Sagrada: Annual recreation of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage from Xcaret to Cozumel in worship of the fertility goddess Ixchel. Roughly 300 men and women row canoes across the ocean beginning at dawn and making their return journey the following dawn. Rituals, music, and dance begin and end the event. A feast awaits the rowers in Cozumel, but the biggest celebration is in Xcaret upon their return.

Cancun in June

  • Día de la Marina – Mexico’s Navy Day is celebrated on June 1 in all coastal towns, including Cancun, to acknowledge the country’s maritime service men and women. It’s commemorated with military parades and fireworks.
  • ExpHotel – The most recognized event in Mexico for the hospitality industry is an international affair open to the public showing the latest products and services as well as hosting seminars and workshops by leading experts, competitions among prestigious chefs and the Festival of Cheese, Bread and Wine.
  • Festival de los Oceanos: From mid-May through mid-June, this event is designed to encourage ocean conservation. Events include concerts, kids’ drawing competitions, beach cleanups, and competitive cooking, along with plenty of fun beach and ocean activities. Most events are free, though some require registration ahead of time.
  • Pride Cancun: Pride is a smaller celebration in Cancun, lasting just a weekend. Though there is no parade, there are beach parties, sunset cruises, parties in Downtown, events at the ruins, and special nights at all of the major clubs.

Cancun in July

  • El Día Fuera del Tiempo: According to the Maya calendar, July 26 is the first day of the new year. The more important day of celebration comes on the 25th, El Día Fuera del Tiempo, or The Day Out of Time. This is a day for reflecting on the past year and the lessons learned, while also being a day in which anything can happen. Festivities are scattered throughout the Riviera Maya, with the biggest ones held in Tulum, lasting as long as five days, and smaller ones at several Cancun resorts.
  • Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Festival: Week-long celebration of the whale shark, including family-friendly activities daily at the main fair, with sand sculpture and piñata contests, a parade, live music, and food competitions with local chefs. Water activities include a fishing tournament, diving and snorkel tours, and swimming with the whale sharks.
  • Destination X The Urban Summer Oasis: Wild five-day festival in the heart of Cancun’s nightlife district with DJs spinning hip-hop, r&b, and reggae. Events include bikini contests, late night hookah parties, a booze cruise, beach parties, and plenty of dancing.

Cancun in August

  • ZoukMX: Ten-day music and dance festival in Playa del Carmen on the beach and in the jungle. This event begins with several teacher workshops, followed by days and nights on end of dancing to zouk, a fast tempo, Caribbean dance music.
  • Assumption of the Virgin Mary – Celebrated nationwide in mid-August, there are special masses held throughout the country, including Cancun. Though some cities will host processions, Cancun typically does not.

Cancun in September

  • El Grito and Mexican Independence Day: Celebrations begin in the afternoon on September 15 in Downtown near City Hall with mariachi music, dancing, and amazing food, especially chiles en nogada, pozole, and mole. Tequila and mezcal are the major drinks here. At 11p, the grito, or cry for independence, is called with bells ringing and fireworks. The country’s biggest party begins immediately after and goes well into the night. Downtown has the most authentic celebrations, but the biggest parties for travelers take place at the nightclubs and bars in the Hotel Zone, especially at Carlos’n Charlie’s and Señor Frog. On Independence Day itself, September 16, a grand military parade winds through downtown, attracting thousands of spectators.
  • Salsa Casino Mayan Congress: Four-day celebration of salsa dance with live music, parties, and workshops. Classes expand from traditional salsa to include Afro-Cuban dance, Casino Wheel, Rumba, Folklore, and more.
  • Autumn Equinox at Chichen Itza: Occurring annually on September 22, the first day of fall, when the late afternoon light hits the pyramid temple of El Castillo just right, it reveals a shadow image of the feathered serpent god Kukulkan, just as it does in spring. However, September is the rainiest month of the year, and sometimes the cloud coverage prevents Kukulkan from making an appearance. Additionally, with daylight savings time, the event occurs after the park is closed for the evening. Some years, the park stays open late to accommodate the event, but other times, they close at the usual schedule. Check the weather and check the park’s officially posted hours before planning a trip out – It’s a long drive!

Cancun in October

  • Cancun Travel Mart – In mid-October, the Cancun Travel Agent Association and the Cancun Hotel Association hold this annual convention, part of which is open to the public, showcasing food, hotels and other services offered in the area.
  • Cancun Jazz Festival: Four-day music festival featuring some of the top names in contemporary jazz. This all-inclusive festival takes place at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, near Tulum. Pre-festival concerts will take place a few days ahead of the main event.
  • Día de la Raza (Columbus Day) – This holiday celebrated nationwide on October 12 commemorates the fusion of the Spanish and Mexican peoples. In Cancun and many other places throughout the country, colorful parades are often held.
  • Día de las Brujas (Halloween) – Traditionally on this day, residents bring flowers and candles to the graves of loved ones on the evening of October 31; however, in Cancun and many other popular tourist destinations, it’s celebrated similar to how it is in the U.S., with kids dressing up and trick-or-treating, and costume-wearing adults heading to bars and clubs. Dady’O consistently throws the best Halloween parties in the area. It’s a good idea to bring your own costume, as local shops will have a very limited selection.

Cancun in November

  • Day of the Dead: November 1-2. Known as Hanal Pixan in Yucatan Maya. This is actually two holidays rolled into one, Día de Todos Santos (All Saints Day) and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, All Souls Day). On All Saints Day, Mexicans honor deceased children, leaving offerings to them on custom-designed altars in cemeteries or in their homes, with sugar skulls, toys, and treats. Day of the Dead is similar but for the souls of deceased adults. People decorate altars in their homes or in cemeteries, some keeping vigils and others leaving offerings, usually tequila, cigarettes, and the deceased’s favorite foods. Candles and trails of marigold petals are led from the altars to light the way for the spirit’s return. There are usually parties in the nightclub area in the Hotel Zone, but travelers can also head Downtown for a more traditional experience in one of the many parks, including Parque las Palapas, Luum Pakul, or at the Centro Cultural de las Artes. Daily from October 31-November 2 there is a parade from Avenues Chichen Itza and Tulum to Parque las Palapas, plus performances, foods, and elaborate altars. The eco-tour group Alltournative usually offers a special Hanal Pixan event on November 2, an immersive Maya experience with altar decorating, a ceremony performed by a shaman at a cenote, and a traditional Maya dinner.
  • Golf Championship at Mayakoba: An official, PGA tour with over 100 pro-golfers competing for a huge prize in four rounds over the course of one week. The event takes place in Mayakoba at the El Camaleón golf course just north of Playa del Carmen. Some of the proceeds benefit local charities.
  • International Festival of Caribbean Culture: Six-day festival with events held throughout Quintana Roo and Cancun. The event is most popular for its amazing musical lineup featuring the top Caribbean salsa groups, along with poetry and lots of dancing.

Cancun in December

  • Cancun Marathon: aka The Most Beautiful Marathon in the World. The marathon path begins and ends in Downtown, with most of the course following Boulevard Kukulkan for the length of the Hotel Zone, passing the beach and lagoon. A live mariachi band awaits runners at the finish line.
  • Sunset Boat Parade: Annual, holiday event at Jardin del Arte, the sculpture park facing the Nichupte Lagoon. A parade of lit-up, decorated boats begins at sunset, with live music, food, and craft vendors. Family-friendly and always free.
  • Christmas Week – Christmas Week (December 16-25) is celebrated with processions and mass, and children go door-to-door singing Christmas songs in exchange for donations. The most important day isn’t December 25, however, it’s Holy Night, known as Nochebuena on December 24, a time when families gather to eat a traditional midnight dinner.
  • Día de los Santos Inocentes/Day of the Sainted Innocents: December 28. This is basically a Mexican April Fool’s Day. Originally meant to commemorate the deaths of the Holy Innocents, the children slaughtered by King Herod in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus, the holiday has evolved into a day of pranks. Once someone is fooled, it is customary to say to them, “Innocent little dove that you let yourself be deceived.” This is also a day where people are known to borrow items and never return them.
  • New Year’s Eve – On December 31, Cancun celebrates New Year’s Eve similar to much of the rest of the world, with big parties and fireworks. Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of downtown Cancun, is typically the place to be, where the party starting at dawn and lasts well into the New Year. There are plenty of parties to be found in Cancun as well, and fireworks are shot over the lagoon, visible from all hotels and resorts with rooms that face it, as well as from walkways.

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The Best Time to Visit Cabo

MexicoLos Cabos › When to Go
Updated: March 23, 2023

See Also

What is the best time of year to visit Los Cabos?

Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas.
Cabo is a great year-round destination. Check out my favorite towns, beaches, and places to stay in Cabo.

The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, depends on your preferences for weather, activities, and crowd levels. Generally, the most popular time to visit Cabo San Lucas is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. The weather during these months is typically sunny and warm, with temperatures ranging from 68°F (20°C) to 85°F (29°C).

The peak tourist season in Cabo San Lucas is from December to March, coinciding with winter breaks and holidays in North America. During this time, you can expect higher prices for accommodations, more crowded beaches, and a lively atmosphere. If you don’t mind the crowds and are looking for the best weather conditions, this is a great time to visit.

The shoulder season from April to June can also be an excellent time to visit Cabo San Lucas. During this period, the weather remains warm and pleasant, but the crowds start to thin out, and accommodation prices are generally lower. This is a good time to enjoy the beaches, attractions, and activities without the peak-season crowds. It’s also an ideal time for sport fishing, as various fishing tournaments take place during these months.

The low season, which runs from July to October, coincides with the rainy season and hurricane season in the region. Although there is a higher chance of rain and storms, you can still enjoy warm weather, and the crowds are thinner. Prices for accommodations and activities are usually lower during this time, making it a more budget-friendly option.

  • Best Time for Avoiding Crowds: The best time for avoiding crowds is during the rainy season in August and September. These two months see the most number of cloudy days and a slight chance of hurricanes. But with an average of only 18% chance of rain, there are still many sunny days to be had. Beaches will be nearly empty, bars and restaurants will be quieter, and hotels will often have discounts available. May and June are also good months will fewer people around, just after Spring Break and before the rainy season, but not quite as calm as during the August and September, as these are popular months for family travel. Do not visit during March or April, the height of Spring Break season, or during the winter months, December through February, which is the peak season for holidays and snowbirds.
  • Best Time for Good Deals: The best time to find travel deals in Cabo is from May through September, with the absolute best rates coming in May, August, and September. May through mid-July are the best weather months during the summer season, not as hot as late summer and just before the rain comes. August and September will offer the best discounts, even at the most luxe resorts, but there will be rain to consider and the rare possibility of a hurricane.
  • Best Time for Snorkeling and Diving: The best time for snorkeling and diving runs from early October and through early November. The water is warmest from late July through early November, visibility is highest from early October through the end of November, and waves are generally smaller September through November. October and November are some of the best months for encountering whale sharks that begin to flock to the area as winter approaches. Snorkeling and diving in Cabo is great any time of the year, if cooler temperatures are not a deterrent. Flying manta rays are here most in May; December through March is great for spotting whales, guitarfish, and octopuses. Colorful reef fish and sea turtles are here year-round.
  • Best Time for Whales and Whale Sharks: The best time to see whales and whale sharks is from early January through March. Whale Shark season runs from October through March. Most whale shark tour operators are based out of La Paz, around a two-hour drive from Los Cabos, so visitors will need to provide their own transportation there. Whale Shark tours offer freediving and snorkel opportunities to get very close to these huge fish, but scuba tanks are not allowed. Humpback whale season runs from mid-November through April, with most babies born from late December through January. The babies start getting more playful in February. Gray whales have the shortest season in Cabo, from early January through late March. They are less abundant than Humpbacks, though not uncommon. Schedule early morning tours for smaller waves and less chance of seasickness. Afternoon tours find whales at their most active, but the boat ride is usually choppy later in the day.
  • Best Time for Surfing:The best time for surfing in Los Cabos is from June through August. Thanks to Southern Hemisphere swells, waves are consistent at most beaches on both the Sea of Cortez and Pacific sides. Good surfing for Los Cabos’ Sea of Cortez beaches, including Old Man’s, Zippers, and The Rock, can be found anytime between April and October. On the Pacific beaches, such as Todos Santos or Cerritos, the best surf is found in the winter months, from December through February. Great winter surf here, but the water is definitely chilly.
  • Best Time for Sportfishing: Sportfishing is great all year long, with almost 100% chance of catching something, though different fish bite at different times. September through January is best for all types of marlin. Tuna is most common from June through January, while yellowtail bites from January through April. Grouper and snapper are most abundant from May through September. Several major competitions with huge cash prizes take place here, most notably Bisbee’s Black and Blue. Most tournaments take place in October and early November with a couple of smaller events in the summer months.

Los Cabos Events and Festivals

Los Cabos in January

  • Feast Day of San Antonio de Abad: San Antonio de Abad is the patron saint of animals. On this day animals are allowed into churches to receive a blessing. Hundreds of people participate, dressing their pets or working animals in ribbons and bows, for the priest to bless. Expect all types of animals to be in attendance, but especially dogs, cats, horses, and chickens.
  • La Ventana Classic: Five days of competitive kitesurfing, windsurfing, and SUP racing, plus a variety of clinics where participants learn from the pros. Proceeds benefit schools in La Ventana, El Sargento, and Los Planes.

Los Cabos in February

  • San Jose Jazz Weekend: Two evenings of live jazz, featuring local, national, and international artists. This popular and growing concert series takes place at Plaza del Pescador in the San Jose Hotel Zone from 5-11pm. Admission is free.
  • Todos Santos Open Studios Tour: Todos Santos, one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, is best known for its charming, boho style and art galleries. For two days every year, artists of all mediums open their studios to the public and invite them into their creative spaces. It is free to attend with any purchasing proceeds going to support Palapa Society’s Children’s Art Program.
  • Carnaval: This huge six-day celebration is traditionally the last hurrah before the fasting weeks of Lent. Unlike Brazil’s Carnaval or New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, this is a family-friendly event, featuring parade floats, dancing, food stalls, and cultural events. There is a small Carnaval event in downtown Cabo, but the largest celebration in the area is about two hours north in La Paz, attracting crowds in the hundreds of thousands.

Los Cabos in March

  • Festival of San Jose: An eleven day festival in honor of San José, the city’s patron saint. Festivities begin with parties and music, then increase to include parades, carnivals, and rodeos on weekends. Expect a fun street party with amazing food stalls, dancing, and rides.
  • Festival de Cine de Todos Santos: Since 2004, the Todos Santos Film Festival has screened the best new dramas, documentaries, and short films from Mexico and Latin America with a special focus on local, Baja filmmakers. Screening during this six-day event are held at Teatro Marquez de León.
  • Gala de Danza: This annual performing arts event brings together elite dancers, choreographers, and musicians from around the world. Artist collaborations showcase the best in classical ballet and ballroom styles, as well as contemporary Latin Dance. Get ticket early! Tickets have previously sold out in under an hour.

Los Cabos in April

  • Paws ‘n Claws Open Golf Tournament: Annual golf tournament and barbecue benefitting Los Cabos Humane Society. Teams may register to play 18-holes on the Palmilla Golf course, followed by barbecue at Acre, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant, or supporters may choose dining only.
  • Día de los Niños: Celebrated on April 30 every year, this holiday honors the importance of children in society. This is a fun day for kids, who get the day off from school, and are treated to special events, activities, and gifts. Events take place all over town, with music, shows, and magic. Many water parks and amusement parks offer discounts on this day.

Los Cabos in May

  • Cinco de Mayo: This is a celebration of Mexico’s victory over France during the Battle of Puebla – not Mexican Independence Day. Outside of Puebla itself, this holiday is not celebrated in Mexico. However, some hotels and bars in Cabo host fiestas aimed at American tourists with drink specials, music, and food.
  • GastroVino Food and Wine Festival: This annual, three-day festival in Todos Santos includes special events at the city’s best restaurants, working alongside Baja’s best wineries. Events include wine tastings, an elegant ball, tapas and wine pairing, and a silent auction benefitting a local charity.

Los Cabos in June

  • Los Cabos Open of Surf: The most prestigious men and women’s surfing competition in Mexico, drawing huge local and global crowds. The six-day event includes free concerts after sunset by major international bands, and an accompanying food festival.
  • Fiesta de la Música: This is a live music festival taking place every year on the solstice, June 21, in 120 countries worldwide. This free event takes place at various locations in San Jose’s Art District. All musical styles and experience levels are welcome to participate.
  • The Stars & Stripes Tournament: Annual deep sea fishing (striped marlin) and golfing tournament combined with music festival. Proceeds benefit seven chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Mexico and California.

Los Cabos in July

  • Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen: This day-long festival celebrates the Virgin Mary as protector of Mexico. The event begins with cultural craft vendors in the morning, followed by an afternoon parade of children, their mothers, and puppeteers. The Cabo San Lucas marina holds a fishing tournament, while bullfights are held near downtown (toned down versions, no animals harmed).
  • Festival of St. James: This festival celebrates St. James, the patron saint of Spain credited with bringing Catholicism to Mexico. The saint is often depicted in art riding a white horse. The festival begins with a parade, including riders on white horses, who reenact battles in the towns’ squares. Street parties continue late into the evening.

Los Cabos in August

  • Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament: A laid-back, five-day fishing competition out of Buenavista, an hour north of San Jose. The event includes three days of deep sea fishing for marlin, tuna, and dorado.
  • Los Cabos Open (Abierto Mexicano de Tenis): This is one of the most prestigious men’s tennis competitions in Mexico. It takes place over 6 days, on outdoor hard courts, with $800,000USD in prize money at stake.
  • Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This holiday celebrates the ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven, and is celebrated in both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose. Churches will be overflowing with flowers, and processions will wind through the downtown areas with floats and live music. There will be many street food stalls, plus buffet feasts at local restaurants. Festivities continue late into the evening.

Los Cabos in September

  • Charro Day: The morning begins with parades of charros, Mexican cowboys, wearing traditional clothing with their horses groomed and decked out, too. Festivities with great food continue throughout the day with rodeos, bullfighting, calf roping, and dancing into the night.
  • Mexican Independence Day: Beginning on September 15th at night, expect huge crowds in both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose. Cabo has a wilder party vibe, while San Jose has a more traditional fiesta. Celebrations at both locations will see the plazas decked out, mariachi, folk dancing, beer, fireworks, and street food. The “grito,” shout of independence, is called out around 11 that night. The following day is a national holiday with a giant parade and continuing celebrations.

Los Cabos in October

  • Los Cabos Billfish Tournament: A five-day event including three days of competitive deep sea fishing. Boats leave from both the Cabo San Lucas Marina and the Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San Jose.
  • Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament: This is the largest fishing tournament of the year with millions of dollars up for grabs and drawing huge crowds in Cabo San Lucas. Teams compete for three days, and spectators watching the enormous fish as they’re weighed in on the pier.
  • Fiesta de Cabo San Lucas: This holiday on October 18 celebrates St. Luke, patron saint of Cabo San Lucas. Downtown streets will be closed off to traffic to make way for the parade, food vendors, dancing, and musicians.

Los Cabos in November

  • Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Celebrations are scattered around the Los Cabos area on November 1-2 in remembrance of deceased family and friends. Expect gatherings in the main town squares and in cemeteries, where altars are set up, plus costumes, face painting, music, marigolds, and special candy sugar skulls. Los Cabos’ celebration is not as large as in most central and southern areas; San Jose has more traditional festivities than Cabo San Lucas.
  • Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament: Four-day event with two days of competitive fishing. Evenings include cocktail parties, mariachi, and festivities. Big money jackpots for the winning teams.
  • Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución): Festivities on November 20 celebrate the start of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Parades in the morning are followed by food, fiestas, and rodeos.

Los Cabos in December

  • Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe): This is an annual Mexican Catholic feast on December 12, celebrating an apparition of the Virgin Mary on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. The holiday is celebrated throughout Los Cabos with parades, masses, street fairs, and fireworks, and it marks the start of the Christmas Posadas.
  • Christmas Posadas: A nine-day period from December 16-24 commemorating the Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Candlelit processions and reenactments go from house to house each night with parties, food, and piñatas after guests are allowed entry to the “inn.” This culminates in the biggest celebration on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) with the birth of Christ celebrated at midnight, followed by mass, food, and presents. Many hotels and restaurants will offer special dinners and events for travelers.
  • Sabor a Cabo Restaurant and Food Festival: The area’s largest food festival with over 50 restaurants involved. The annual celebration features local and international chefs, food, wine, music, tequila, and mezcal. Proceeds benefit several local charities.

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Cabo San Lucas Hotels

MexicoLos Cabos › Best Hotels
Updated: March 3, 2023

See Also

Hotels in Cabo Area

Beach resorts in Cabo San Lucas.
The wonderful Hacienda Beach Club & Residences and Casa Dorada Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas.
  • I love the Cabo area. When visiting I usually split my time between the beaches near Cabo San Lucas and the downtown area of trendy San Jose del Cabo.
  • Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas: Hacienda Beach Club & ResidencesCasa Dorada Resort & SpaVilla La EstanciaBahia Hotel & Beach HouseSandos FinisterraMontecristo VillasPueblo Bonito PacificaPueblo Bonito Sunset Beach
  • Best Hotel for Families in Cabo San Lucas: Casa Dorada
  • Best Honeymoon Hotel in Cabo San Lucas: Esperanza Resort
  • Los Cabos means “the capes,” and is made up of two towns, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, along with the coral reef marine park, Cabo Pulmo. Most of the hotels and attractions are in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose, and the Corridor (the stretch of Highway 1 linking the two towns). Cabo and San Jose are close in distance, about 30 km apart, but each town has its own distinct feel. Cabo is the livelier town, known for its nightlife, while San Jose is a more tranquil area, known for its Arts District. The Corridor is home to several golf courses and many of the area’s swimmable beaches.
  • The Cabo area can be divided into 4 distinct areas: Cabo San Lucas (beaches and nightlife) • San Jose del Cabo (famous art district) • San Jose Puerto Los Cabos (private and tranquil with the only swimmable beach in San Jose) • The Corridor (golf, surfing, snorkeling)
  • Best Resorts in Cabo: Esperanza Resort (most romantic and best spa) • Cabo Surf Hotel (best family boutique) • Hilton Beach & Golf Resort (best family resort).
  • Los Cabos is known for beautiful beaches, all of which are public, but few of which are swimmable due to a dangerous undertow. Those beaches that are swimmable also have some of the best snorkeling in the world; Jacques Cousteau has called the Sea of Cortez “The Aquarium of the World”. The best beaches for swimming or snorkeling are: Medano Beach, Playa Empacadora, and Lovers & Divorce Beaches in Cabo; La Playita in San Jose; and Chileno Bay, Playa Monumentos, Old Man’s Beach (aka Playa Acupulquito), Tequila Cove, Santa Maria Beach, and Palmilla Beach in the Corridor.
  • Taxis are expensive in Los Cabos, costing around $50USD one-way from the airport to the hotels. Round trip fare from Cabo to San Jose is usually between $80 and $100USD. Car rentals are fairly cheap here, while tours and some hotels offer their own transportation.
  • Pay in pesos whenever possible. Many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators accept payment in U.S. dollars. However, travelers will almost always overpay if using dollars, as the exchange rate for tourists favors the peso.

The 18 Best Hotels in Los Cabos

1. Hacienda Beach Club & Residences – Cabo San Lucas

Best beach hotel in Cabo San Lucas.
Awesome location on Medano Beach and a short walk to downtown Cabo San Lucas. Two heated pools, three hot tubs, top notch fitness center, spa, pool bar, and one of the best restaurants in town. One-bedroom units are great for couples. Two and three-bedroom apartments are great for families. This is a fantastic place to stay.
Hotel phone: +52 624 163 3100
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hacienda

2. Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Cabo San Lucas

Best hotel pool in Cabo San Lucas.
On the beach just down from the Hacienda is the four-star Casa Dorada. Not quite as lux but still a super hotel and one of my favorites. Great value with a gorgeous beachfront pool. Swimming on the beach is wonderful and town is an easy walk along the sand or through the backstreets. One and two-bedroom suites are available.
Hotel phone: +52 624 163 5700
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Casa Dorada

3. Esperanza – Corridor, Cabo del Sol

Boutique beach resort near Cabo San Lucas.
Romantic, ocean view suites front a virgin beach in this luxury, boutique resort. Their award-winning spa features hand-made, indigenous treatments and is complemented by cascading infinity pools and a beachfront whirlpool. Breezy casitas, suites, and villas all feature local, artisanal furnishings, hammocks, and soaking tubs. Along with plenty of adults-only spaces (it’s a great honeymoon resort), amenities for children here include a kids’ club with cooking classes, mini-golf, and games. Though the beach here is rocky, the resort is only a short drive to several sandy, swimmable beaches. Located southeast of the Cabo del Sol complex in the Corridor.
Hotel phone: +52 624 145 6400
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Esperanza

4. Viceroy Los Cabos – San Jose, Hotel Zone

5-star hotel in Los Cabos.
The most visually striking hotel in Los Cabos, the Viceroy’s architecture resembles a futuristic pueblo on a gorgeous golden sand beach. Its interior courtyard paths are set amid reflecting pools, meeting up at a pod-like restaurant designed like an inverted bird nest, before continuing on toward a chic swimming pool and further to the beach club. Rooms are spacious with minimalist décor, electronic lighting, and shades, and all feature large terraces with oversized soaking tubs, daybeds, and a breakfast table. Dining is remarkable here, with organic produce and local seafood served daily in Nido (the bird nest) and Casero, their contemporary Mexican fine dining restaurant. Their spa offers massage and body treatments with a special focus on aromatherapy and music. Located in the San Jose Hotel Zone, a fifteen-minute bike ride (complimentary bikes) or short taxi to the Downtown Art District.
Hotel phone: +52 624 104 9999
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Viceroy

5. Cabo Surf Hotel – Corridor, Palmilla

Cabo Surf Hotel on Beach.
This upscale yet casual, family-friendly boutique sits on a long, sandy beach in a cove with the best surf break in Los Cabos. Ideal for families, the hotel offers connecting rooms, and the largest suite has three bedrooms and a full kitchen. The attached surf school offers classes for ages six and up; peak surf lasts from March through November, but there are gentle waves all year long for beginning surfers or swimmers. With a cozy spa, all-day dining, two pools and two hot tubs, there is something for everyone here. Located on Old Man’s Beach in the Corridor, just north of Palmilla Beach, about five minutes’ drive to dining, shopping, and art in downtown San Jose.
Hotel phone: +52 624 142 2666
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Cabo Surf Hotel

6. Marquis Los Cabos – Corridor, Tequila Cove

Great beach resort in Cabo area.
This five-star resort, a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World consortium, is one of the few adults-only, all-inclusive properties in Los Cabos. All suites offer sweeping ocean views, Jacuzzi tubs, and private balconies; master suites and casitas include private pools, some with rooftop terraces and gardens. Superb restaurants feature local, seasonal menus in a variety of cuisines, including French, pan-Asian, and Baja, alongside local tequilas and artful cocktails. Three divine pools, a holistic spa, and direct beach access ensure an unparalleled guest experience. Located in the Corridor on Tequila Cove, a short walk to a calmer beach, and near golf courses.
Hotel phone: +52 624 144 2000
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Marquis Los Cabos

7. Hotel El Ganzo – San Jose, Puerto Los Cabos

Boutique beach hotel in San Jose del Cabo.
Stylish, adults-only boutique with a rooftop pool, glass Jacuzzi, and a private beach club accessed by boat. With picturesque views of the marina and Sea of Cortez, along with chic décor, original murals, and live music by visiting artists and musicians-in-residence, El Ganzo offers a creative alternative to the usual beach getaway. Exceptional restaurants and bars feature ingredients grown onsite in the hotel’s culinary garden. Local elements feature heavily in their spa menu, with Baja flowers, mezcal, and agave incorporated into traditions from Bali, India, and Thailand. Located in Puerto Los Cabos near the San Jose Estuary, a fifteen-minute ride on one of their loaner bikes to the downtown arts district.
Hotel phone: +52 624 104 9000
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hotel El Ganzo

8. The Cape – Corridor, Cabo Bello

Boutique beach hotel near Cabo San Lucas.
Mexico Moderno architecture lends an urban vibe to this intimate hotel, featuring an infinity pool, saltwater pool, and Cabo San Lucas’ only rooftop lounge. Contemporary rooms all boast views of the ocean and El Arco, along with copper soaking tubs and craft cocktail bars. Spacious one- to three-bedroom villas add full kitchens, while penthouse villas include private, rooftop plunge pools. Its spa is carved into the stone cliffs with a signature massage matching the sound and intensity of the ocean waves in real time. Fantastic dining options include Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) and Baja-American cuisine, as well as poolside and beachfront bar service. Located in Cabo Bello on Monuments Beach, a popular surf break in the Corridor, just fifteen minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas.
Hotel phone: +52 624 163 0000
Hotel websiteCheck prices for The Cape

9. Montecristo Villas – Cabo San Lucas, Sunset Beach

Villa with pool in Los Cabos area.
A collection of spacious villas, each with its own private pool and hot tub, in a gated community overlooking the Sea of Cortez and Sunset Beach. Elegantly appointed units all have three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a full kitchen, two living rooms, and sleep up to ten people. Butler service and grocery shopping service are both complimentary. The common area features a free form infinity pool, tranquil spa, and a sports bar. Rates include shuttle service to Quivira Golf Club and all sister properties, offering access to twenty more restaurants and a private area on Sunset Beach. Located in the hills just above Downtown Cabo San Lucas.
Hotel phone: +52 624 142 9971
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Montecristo Villas

10. Hilton Beach & Golf Resort – Corridor, Tequila Cove

Beach resort in Cabo.
A contemporary, family-centric resort, the Hilton offers exceptional pools, rooms, and plenty of activities for kids, families, and adults. The kids’ club for ages 4-12 hosts piñata parties and Mexican craft activities, while adults can take up mixology and cooking classes. Two fantastic, 24-hour pools overlook the only swimmable beach in the area; swim-up bars in the pools, swing bar on the beach. Rooms are spacious, beginning at 50 square meters, all with private balconies and some with outdoor Jacuzzis. Located in the Corridor next to Tequila Cove, exactly in between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose.
Hotel phone: +52 624 145 6500
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hilton Beach & Golf Resort

11. Hyatt Ziva – San Jose, Hotel Zone

4-star beach resort in Los Cabos.
Luxury all-inclusive resort with four pools surrounded by shady cabanas, a kids’ splash playground, a teen game room, and nightly entertainment. Spacious rooms and suites all include a private balcony or terrace; connecting, swim up, or club level options available, the latter with access to an exclusive lounge and upgraded room amenities. Sixteen unique restaurants and bars offer flavors from around the world, including Mexican, French, and Japanese, along with a tequila bar and 24-hour cantina. Its Zen Spa features peaceful massage palapas surrounded by water. Located in the San Jose Hotel Zone, near an amazing swimming beach, Palmilla.
Hotel phone: +52 624 163 7730
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hyatt Ziva

12. Grand Fiesta Americana – Corridor, Cabo del Sol

Cabo San Lucas beach resort.
Family-friendly, all-inclusive resort, boasting six pools, four whirlpools, and fifteen bars and restaurants; truly something for everyone! Its unique spa specializes in “vinotherapy,” wine-based massage and therapeutic treatments. The resort offers a variety of rooms and suites, all with balconies, and some with private pools or gardens. Direct beach access fronted by a reef makes this an ideal spot for snorkeling. The Grand Fiesta sits in the Corridor, right next to the Cabo del Sol Ocean and Desert golf courses.
Hotel phone: +52 624 145 6200
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Grand Fiesta Americana

13. Hacienda del Mar – Corridor, Cabo del Sol

Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar in Corridor, Cabo del Sol
Elegant colonial-style resort with five pools, located between two golf courses in the Cabo del Sol complex. Its “Old Mexico” vibe is its most distinctive attribute, with ornamental cupolas, Catholic artwork, antique gold, red tile roof, and hand-painted tiles. Enormous suites from one to four bedrooms and two floors can sleep up to ten. Their amazing kids’ club features time in the kids’ pool with waterfalls and slides, Spanish lessons, and even camping. Spa days and romantic dining round out the experience.
Hotel phone: +52 624 145 8000
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hacienda del Mar

14. Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Cabo San Lucas, Sunset Beach

Beach hotel with pool.
Exquisite adults-only, all-inclusive resort with two dazzling pools, an award-winning spa, and a private golf course. Sophisticated rooms and suites all include private terraces, some with personal plunge pools. Tower rooms and suites add 24-hour butler service, upgraded amenities, and access to an exclusive lounge. Sumptuous dining here focuses on contemporary Baja flavors using local, organic produce, fresh seafood, and fine meat cuts. The Pacifica’s design and style celebrate its desert surroundings with sand-colored buildings, cactus gardens, and raked sand landscaping. Located on Sunset Beach on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, about ten minutes’ drive to the marina and downtown nightlife.
Hotel phone: +52 624 142 9696
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort

15. Bahia Hotel & Beach House – Cabo San Lucas, Downtown

Downtown Cabo San Lucas hotel near restaurants and nightlife.
Fashionable boutique hotel with a free-form pool and beach club on the edge of downtown Cabo San Lucas. This chic hotel is home to two of the top restaurants in Cabo San Lucas: Bar Esquina, known for its seasonal Mexican-Mediterranean menus, and SUR Beach House, with its craft cocktails and Asian-Peruvian-Mexican flavor fusions. Newly renovated rooms feature modern Mexican décor with rich woods, tree stump tables, and lots of natural light. Bahia Hotel is only one block from Medano Beach and walking distance to nearly every bar and restaurant in town.
Hotel phone: +52 624 143 1890
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Bahia Hotel & Beach House

16. Casa Natalia – San Jose, Downtown

Best hotel in downtown San Jose del Cabo.
This sunny boutique hotel with creative flair and a fountain-fed pool is home to one of the city’s best restaurants, Mi Cocina. Casa Natalia embodies the artistic vibe of San Jose, with colorful rooms featuring Mexican textiles, original artworks, and bold accent walls and furnishings. All rooms feature bright terraces with hammocks, while spa suites add outdoor whirlpools. Superior suites and above include complimentary, private breakfast delivered to your terrace. Complimentary transfer to the Beach Club at El Ganzo. Located in Downtown San Jose on the main square, walking distance to the town’s famous Art Walk, historic church, and restaurants.
Hotel phone: +52 624 146 7101
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Casa Natalia

17. Villa La Estancia – Cabo San Lucas, Downtown

Cabo San Lucas hotel with view.
Gorgeous resort on sandy, swimmable Medano Beach, with cascading, sea-facing pools and five Jacuzzis. This hacienda-style resort with Spanish colonial décor is home to well-appointed rooms and spacious suites that include up to three bedrooms. An oversized spa offers a wide menu: from romantic, couples massage and hydrotherapy packages to kids’ services in the Mini Spa. Guests may dine at the casual, poolside grill and upscale, Italian restaurant onsite, or choose one of the many restaurant options at the sister properties next door. Full meal plans are available here, or guest may take the short walk to Downtown Cabo San Lucas to check out the local gastronomy scene. Located on Cabo’s most popular beach, near nightlife, dining, and shops.
Hotel phone: +1 877-897-1951
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Villa la Estancia Beach Resort & Spa

18. Sandos Finisterra – Cabo San Lucas, Downtown

Hotel near downtown Cabo San Lucas hotel.
Gorgeous all-inclusive, family-friendly resort carved into a cliffside boasting three pools, a kids club with activities, a nightclub, and a spa with hydrotherapy. Rooms feature contemporary décor with balconies, some with private Jacuzzis. The common areas are decked out in a retro style, and take the rugged landscape into consideration, using the natural rocks as interior walls. Its high vantage point offers unsurpassed, panoramic views of the Pacific, Sea of Cortez, and Cabo. The resort is walking distance to the Cabo marina, bars, and restaurants, but guests will want to drive back up.
Hotel phone: +52 624 145 6700
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Sandos Finisterra

Staying in Cabo San Lucas, Downtown

Cabo San Lucas Beach.
The main beach in Cabo San Lucas, a short walk from the Marina and downtown.

Cabo San Lucas, usually shortened to Cabo, was a tiny fishing village only forty years ago. But this sleepy town has been experiencing a tourism boom since the late ’70s, fast becoming one of the top beach destinations in the world. Downtown Cabo is best known for its lively bars and nightclubs, golden sand beaches, and relaxed attitude. The town is laid out in a C-shape, following the contours of the coast, beginning with Medano Beach to the northeast, the marina in the center, and wrapping around to Land’s End and the famous El Arco rock formation at the southeastern tip. All of the beaches in this area front the Sea of Cortez and are swimmable, including Medano (the most popular), Playa Empacadora (mostly locals), and Lovers Beach (accessible by water taxi). Beaches on the south side face the Pacific, such as Sunset Beach; these are closed to swimming due to the deadly current.

Just inland from the beaches, Downtown Cabo is home to casual and fine dining restaurants, and wild nightclubs and bars. The marina area includes Puerto Paraíso mall, water taxis to Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach, tour and fishing boats, plus more bars and restaurants, some that will cook any fish that travelers catch. A small main plaza with a historic church, local natural history museum, and souvenir shops sits to the southwest of the Marina. Everything is close; in fact, you can walk the length of Madero Beach, all the way around the marina, and to Land’s End in about thirty minutes.

Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas, Downtown & Beach

Staying in Cabo San Lucas, Sunset Beach

Luxury resort on Sunset Beach in Cabo.
The beach at the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort.

The Sunset Beach area sits on the southern edge of Cabo, overlooking the Pacific. This is the latest area to be developed in Cabo, so the beach itself is fairly secluded and unspoiled. Though not swimmable, Sunset Beach is the perfect spot to unwind in the sun or hit the links; away from the raucous partying of downtown, but still accessible to its dining, marina, and conveniences. This area is home to a few luxury resorts, high-end residences, and Jack Nicklaus-designed Quivira Golf Club.

Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas, Sunset Beach

Staying in San Jose del Cabo, Downtown and Hotel Zone

5-star resort near San Jose del Cabo.
The great beach location and excellent dining options at the 5-star Viceroy Hotel.

San Jose is a relaxed town with a boho vibe. Romantic colonial architecture, fine restaurants, low-key cantinas, and its famous Art Walk are the town’s biggest draws. San Jose is greener than Cabo and the surrounding area because of an underwater river that flows through here, eventually surfacing to create a lush estuary. The wetlands here are home to a bird sanctuary with walking trails, a small beach, and observation platforms, and it’s a popular spot for bicycling or horseback riding. The nineteenth-century Spanish church, Parroquia San José del Cabo, is the historic heart of downtown, with the Art District’s main galleries just one block away on Alvaro Obregon.

Most of the activities are in downtown, but most hotels are just southwest in the Hotel Zone. This is a 3.5 km strip of beach beginning at Costa Azul beach to the southwest and ending at the far northeast of Playa Hotelera (Hotel Beach). This long stretch of golden sand is popular for sunning and beach sports, but is not swimmable. The only swimmable beach in San Jose is further northeast in Puerto Los Cabos.

Best Hotels in San Jose, Downtown and Hotel Zone

Staying in San Jose, Puerto Los Cabos

Hotel on water in San Jose del Cabo.
The waterfront pool at Hotel El Ganzo.

Puerto Los Cabos is on the opposite side of the estuary from Downtown and is home to the Marina, the swimmable beach La Playita, and some of the newest hotels in San Jose. This area is generally quieter than downtown, though there are a few attractions here, including the Dolphin Discovery at the marina and the Wirikuta Cactus Garden, filled with sculptures, local flora, and hosting a nightly theater show. Puerto Los Cabos is less than ten minutes from Downtown by bike or car.

Best Hotels in San Jose, Puerto Los Cabos

Staying in The Corridor

Beach resort in Los Cabos Corridor.
The Cabo Surf Hotel on the Los Cabos Corridor.

“The Corridor” is a roughly 30 km stretch of Highway 1, connecting Cabo and San Jose del Cabo. Many of the area’s largest resorts are here, alongside a few golf courses, swimmable beaches, and adventure parks. Resorts and attractions here are spread out, so those who plan on exploring much outside their resort grounds will need to rent a car or arrange for other transportation; there is nothing within walking distance of most hotels here.

The best surf breaks on the Corridor are at Old Man’s Beach and Playa Monumentos. The best snorkeling is at Santa Maria Beach and Chileno Bay. The best beaches for swimming are Palmilla and Tequila Cove.

Best Hotels in the Corridor

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Travel

Where to Stay in Cabo San Lucas & Los Cabos

MexicoLos Cabos › Best Places to Stay
Updated: March 3, 2023

See Also

Staying in Cabo San Lucas – Tips & Info

Best beach hotels in Cabo San Lucas.
Wonderful Medano beach in front of the Hacienda Beach Club & Residences and Casa Dorada Resort & Spa.
  • Best Places to Stay in Cabo San Lucas: Hacienda Beach Club & ResidencesCasa Dorada Resort & SpaVilla La EstanciaBahia Hotel & Beach HouseSandos FinisterraMontecristo VillasPueblo Bonito PacificaPueblo Bonito Sunset Beach
  • Best Hotel for Families in Cabo San Lucas: Casa Dorada
  • Best Honeymoon Hotel: Esperanza Resort (Los Cabos Corridor)
  • Stretching for 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo, the Los Cabos Corridor is a stretch of coastline that’s still spectacular in places, though much of it has now been built up with all-inclusive resorts and golf courses. This entire area (including both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo) is commonly referred to as Los Cabos.
  • At the east end of the Los Cabos Corridor, San José de Cabo is Cabo San Lucas’ quieter, classier twin, with an attractive historic center, fantastic dining scene, and some excellent hotels lining the white-sand beaches of the Zona Hotelera.
  • If heading north take the quieter coastal road. It’s some 60 miles from San José del Cabo to Cabo Pulmo, a tiny village that’s the gateway to the world-class marine park of the same name. The scuba diving and snorkeling is the best in Baja.
  • Northwest of Cabo Pulmo, the coastal road rejoins the Carretera Transpeninsular and passes through the appealing little town of Los Barriles, some 65 miles south of La Paz. It’s one of Baja Sur’s top spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
  • Rules of the road are similar to the U.S. Highways are well-maintained, and streets are well-mapped (though often not well-marked) and easy to follow via GPS. Two things that are different are topes and left turns. Topes (pronounced TOH-pays) are speed bumps, but there are no regulations on their height, steepness, or visibility; some are nearly impossible to see until it’s too late. Standard left turns are usually OK in downtown but not on highways. To make a left, drivers will often need to use a retorno, which is a U-turn overpass. To use a retorno, drive past the road you want to make a left onto, get into the far right lane to take the retorno exit, make the left onto the overpass, and finally merge with traffic going the opposite direction. You can then make a right at the desired street or destination.

Best Places to Stay in Los Cabos

Best place to stay in Cabo.
The fantastic Viceroy near San Jose del Cabo.

Best Places to Stay in Baja California

Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortéz, and dotted with cordon cacti and boojum trees, the southern tip of Baja California is a place of considerable natural beauty. Arid landscapes aside, it’s been well and truly discovered by winter sun seekers, water sports enthusiasts, and spring breakers: Cabo San Lucas is renowned throughout Mexico for its spring break but sports fishing, scuba diving, and wind surfing off Baja’s southern shores is also world-class. Add some spectacular white-sand beaches, old-world colonial towns, breezy fishing villages, popular resorts, and a generous collection of hotels to suit every budget, and it’s easy to see why Baja California Sur is an all-round superb destination.

If you’re driving south from California via the Carretera Transpeninsular – the scenic highway that stretches the length of Baja – you will invariably pass through La Paz, the largest town in Baja Sur. A former colonial settlement with a beautiful historic center, waterfront malecón, and some excellent bars and restaurants, it warrants more than just a pit stop to fill up on gas. It makes a good base for visiting attractions in the surrounding area, too.

Facing Isla Ceralvo, a short detour southeast of La Paz along Route 286, La Ventana is a one-street village that draws kitesurfers from around the world between November and March with its steady winds. Other draws include scuba diving and wildlife watching.

If you drive the clockwise loop south of La Paz along the Carretera Transpeninsular, the first place you reach along the west coast is Todos Santos, Baja Sur’s most picturesque little town, some 50 miles farther south. Its cobblestone streets are dotted with galleries, good restaurants, and appealing adobe architecture, while the beaches and the surf breaks appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.

Continue south along the Carretera Transpeninsular for another 47 miles and you’ll get to Baja Sur’s premier party town, Cabo San Lucas. Here you can party all night at the raucous bars and clubs, hop on a cruise to the arching stone cliffs at Land’s End, sun yourself on one of the white-sand beaches, or partake in a huge array of water sports: banana boating, parasailing, and diving. Just up the corridor is the hip and trendy town of San José del Cabo.

The Best of Los Cabos & Baja

Best Places for Sightseeing: Todos Santos, San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz
Let’s face it: few visitors come to Baja Sur primarily for sightseeing. But if you’re into colonial architecture, then the towns of San José del Cabo, Todos Santos, and La Paz all have plenty to offer: adobe houses, appealing centuries-old churches, and narrow cobbled streets that are a joy to wander. And while Cabo San Lucas may lack the colonial charm of its neighbor towns, it features Baja Sur’s biggest natural attraction: the natural stone arch at Land’s End, walkable from town and very popular at sunset.

Best Place for Nightlife: Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is Baja Sur’s undisputed party town, with bottomless margaritas fuelling the revelry all day (and all night) long. The nightlife kicks up a notch when the spring breakers get into town, with dancing on table tops, jello shooters, and tequila conga lines. Some of the most popular bars and nightspots include the legendary El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, The Giggling Marlin, and the Happy Ending Cantina, with many of the watering holes clustered near the marina.

Best hotel for Cabo San Lucas nightlife and party clubs.
The friendly and affordable Casa Bella Hotel in the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas.

Best Places for Food and Restaurants: Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, San José del Cabo
Baja Sur has come a long way as a foodie destination in recent years, with dining hotspots being Todos Santos, Cabo San Lucas, and San José del Cabo. In all 3 locations, you’ll find anything from Mexican standards and taco stands to superb fusion and international dining. Standout restaurants include Sur Beach House and Baja Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Flora’s Field Kitchen and La Lupita Taco & Mezcal in San José del Cabo, and Hierbabuena and Carnitas Machin Pescadero in Todos Santos.

Best Places for Families: Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos Corridor
Cabo San Lucas may be a party town, but it also has some excellent beaches on the its outskirts and a large number of family-friendly hotels. Hence, if traveling with kids, then all-inclusive options with kids’ clubs, plenty of water sports on offer, and other activities are an excellent bet. Los Cabos Corridor also features numerous high-end all-inclusive hotels, many with plenty to keep kids occupied and white-sand beaches out front.

Best Places to Stay for First Timers: Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, San José Los Cabos, Los Cabos Corridor
First-time visitors to Cabo can’t go wrong with these 3 destinations. If you wish to combine a raucous nightlife with some quality beach time, then Cabo San Lucas would naturally be your first choice. If you’re looking for a hassle-free location away from Cabo San Lucas’ crowds but close enough to enjoy the nightlife and with access to world-class golfing, then Los Cabo Corridor is a good bet. Finally, if you’re after a more local vibe and excellent dining while staying within easy driving distance from Land’s End, then either Todos Santos or San José del Cabo make excellent bases.

Best Honeymoon Destinations: Los Cabos Corridor, Todos Santos, Cabo Pulmo
It entirely depends on what you want from your honeymoon. If you’re looking for an exclusive, adults-only, high-end hotel with a world-class spa and private beach access, then there are several excellent options along the Los Cabos Corridor (Esperanza Resort and The Cape are particular standouts). If appealing colonial architecture and romantic dinners are more your thing, then Todos Santos is an excellent place to stay. And if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy sunset strolls along wind-swept beaches, then you could do worse than tiny Cabo Pulmo.

Best place to stay for couples and honeymoon.
The Cape Hotel on the Los Cabos Corridor.

Best Places for a Local Vibe: San José del Cabo, Todos Santos
Baja Sur has been well and truly discovered by visitors, and crowds of sun-seekers converge on the likes of Cabo San Lucas, particularly during the winter months and during spring break. However, both Todos Santos, and San José del Cabo have managed to retain a relatively low-key charm and feel like proper Mexican towns.

Best Places for Water Sports: La Ventana, Los Barriles, Todos Santos, Cabo Pulmo, Cabo San Lucas
Cabo Pulmo is a world-class diving destination, with excellent access to the only Pacific reef in the Sea of Cortez. Visibility is best in October and November, and sightings include whale sharks. La Ventana and Los Barriles both attract windsurfers and kitesurfers; conditions are best between November and March. El Pescadero, a small village just south of Todos Santos, is a surfing hotspot. As for sea kayaking, banana boating, parasailing, and other activities, hotels in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos Corridor, Todos Santos, and other vacation hotspots can organize those. Cabo San Lucas is also renowned for its deep-see fishing charters.

Best Places for Wildlife Watching: La Paz, Todos Santos, Cabo San Lucas
Baja California is particularly well-known for whale watching, with grey whales regularly sighted from December to April. While the 3 best spots to see whales – Laguna San Ignacio, Laguna Ojo de Liebre, and Bahía Magdalena – are all located farther north than Baja Sur’s holiday towns, numerous boat operators in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Todos Los Santos organize day trips to the whale watching hotspots. Sea lions and dolphins are frequently spotted en route.

Safest Areas: Baja California Sur is generally safe for visitors, particularly compared to other parts of Mexico. Tourist hotspots such as Todos Santos, San José del Cabo, La Paz, etc. are generally safe to walk around at any time of day, though standard precautions apply.

Unsafe Areas: There are no specifically unsafe places in Baja California Sur, though driving outside the towns at night is generally not recommended. Bag snatching and pickpocketing does occasionally happen in the likes of La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, so be on guard. Alcohol-related misbehavior is fairly common in Cabo San Lucas.

The Best Places in Baja California for Tourists

Staying in Cabo San Lucas

Best beach hotel near Cabo nightlife.
The Casa Dorada Resort & Spa is great for families, couples, and beach lovers.

Sitting between a desert hinterland and a rugged cape after which it takes its name, Cabo San Lucas was a sleepy tuna canning village until tourism exploded in the 1980s. Now it feels more like part of the United States, with ‘snowbirds’ spending the winter here in their second homes, a popular cruise ship port, and spring breakers flocking here for the tequila-fuelled nightlife. Besides the natural stone arch at Land’s End, Cabo San Lucas is known for its beaches lined with luxury resorts, lively bars, and pretty much all water sports, including some excellent scuba diving.

Best Hotels in Cabo San Lucas

Staying in Los Cabos Corridor

Best hotel for honeymoon on Cabo Beach.
The Cabo Surf Hotel in the Los Cabos Corridor.

The twenty-mile stretch of coastal highway between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is lined with exclusive luxury resorts and features several golf courses. The former natural beauty of the area has been rather blighted by the uncontrolled development, but there are still some wonderful beaches here (though access to many can be tricky unless you’re staying at one of the beachfront resorts), including Playa El Médano near Cabo San Lucas and Playa Palmilla near San José del Cabo. Of the beaches, Bahía Santa María is best for snorkeling and diving, Bahía Chileno is great for families, while Costa Azul is the best surfing beach in the area.

Best Hotels in Los Cabos Corridor

Staying in San José del Cabo

Best hotel in San Jose del Cabo.
The Hyatt Ziva is both luxurious and good value, and has a fantastic beachfront location.

The quieter antidote to Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo is a former Jesuit mission turned port and agricultural center, centered on the attractive Plaza Mijares and dotted with some eye-catching 19th-century buildings. From the main square, Bulevar Mijares leads to the Zona Hotelera, where the majority of the town’s beach resorts are located. San José’s highlights include high-end boutiques and art galleries, an excellent dining scene, and a more low-key vibe than Cabo.

Best Hotels in San José del Cabo

Staying in Todos Santos

Downtown Todos Santos.

Halfway between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a beautiful colonial town with sensitively restored, centuries-old architecture. Its population is a lively mix of Mexicans and artistically-inclined expats, reflected in the relatively low-key vibe and a clutch of offbeat art galleries. Palm-fringed Plaza Todos Santos aside, attractions include the local cultural center and the white-sand beaches, though they tend to be better for surfing than for swimming. Todos Santos also features an excellent dining scene and some fine boutique hotels.

Best Hotels in Todos Santos

Staying in Cabo Pulmo

One of the highlights of the East Cape – some 80 miles of wild coastline, including some stunning, unpeopled beaches – is Cabo Pulmo, an off-the-grid village that’s the gateway to the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, renowned for its Pacific reef and excellent scuba diving. There is good snorkeling at Playa Los Arbolites near the village, but for even better marine life, head for the Playa Los Frailes cove, some 20 minutes’ drive south of the village.

Best Hotel in Cabo Pulmo

Staying in Los Barriles

5-Star Beach Resort in Los Cabos.
The Four Seasons Resort looking out on the Sea of Cortez, about 15 km south of Los Barriles.

The East Cape’s largest town, Los Barriles is renowned in windsurfing and kitesurfing circles (conditions are best for experienced surfers rather than beginners). There’s a low-key hotel scene and some decent local dining, ranging from taco joints to gourmet restaurants. Sport-fishing is another big attraction here.

Best Hotels near Los Barriles

Staying in La Ventana

A worthwhile detour to the east coast from La Paz, La Ventana is a blink-and-you-miss-it village. One of several windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspots in Baja Sur, it attracts visitors from all over the world between November and March.

Best Hotels in La Ventana

Staying in La Paz

The largest town in Baja California, La Paz boasts an attractive colonial center and a particularly attractive malecón (seafront promenade). It’s a busy working town, but there are enough attractions to keep visitors busy for a few days, from the cultural center and Museum of Anthropology to the string of beaches stretching to the port of Pichilingue, the best of which is Playa de Balandra, with calm, shallow waters suitable for kids. La Paz is also a jumping-off point for wildlife watching trips, from all-day whale watching to half-day trips to the nearby Isla Espírutu Santo, where one can spot manta rays, sea lions, and occasional whale sharks.

Best Hotels in La Paz

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Where to Stay & What to Do in La Paz

Mexico › La Paz
Updated: February 28, 2023

Best Hotels in La Paz
Seven Crown
Posada De Las Flores
Hotel Catedral La Paz
Costa Baja Resort & Spa
Seven Crown Malecón

Laid-back La Paz is often overlooked by visitors in favor of the resorts of Los Cabos, but it’s one of our favorite small Mexican cities. Its waterfront malecón is one of the country’s most attractive, the surrounding beaches are sensational, nearby Isla Espíritu Santo is rich in marine life, and the local restaurants – especially the fish taco stalls – are surprisingly good.

playa balandra
Gorgeous Playa Balandra just north of La Paz.

Frequently Asked Questions about La Paz

Where is La Paz?

La Paz – not to be confused with the capital of Bolivia – is the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, facing the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). La Paz lies about 1470 km south of Tijuana and the US border, 150 km north of Cabo San Lucas, and over 1600 km northwest of Mexico City. Non-stop flights to La Paz take 1 hour 45 minutes from Tijuana, and 2 hours from Mexico City.

How big is La Paz?

La Paz has a greater metro population of just under 300,000 people. The city stretches for some 11km along the Bay of La Paz, part of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California).

What is the history of La Paz?

Originally the home of the indigenous Pericú people, the Spanish had little success colonizing the area around La Paz. Jesuit priests Juan de Ugarte and Jaime Bravo established a mission here in 1720, but it was abandoned 28 years later. La Paz didn’t really develop as a city until Mexico became independent, becoming the de facto capital of southern Baja in 1833. It grew rapidly thereafter, thanks to nearby silver mines, and a major pearl-fishing industry. American troops occupied the town in 1847 during the Mexican–American War, and in 1853 it was again invaded, this time by the US “filibuster” William Walker in one of his many attempts to create a Central American kingdom (he was quickly expelled by the Mexicans).

John Steinbeck sailed to La Paz in 1940, a trip he recorded in The Log from the Sea of Cortez (he also based his novel The Pearl here), but by this time the pearl trade had almost completely collapsed, most likely due to disease among the oysters. Since the 1960s La Paz has flourished again as capital of the Baja California Sur, and also because of recreational fishing, pioneered by the likes of John Wayne and Bing Crosby.

male con at sunset
Sunset on the waterfront malecon.

How do I get to La Paz?

La Paz has a small airport with flights to major cities in Mexico, as well as seasonal (winter) flights to Dallas and Phoenix. From southern California, it’s easiest to fly non-stop from Tijuana, just across the border – from Europe and the rest of the world most flights route through Mexico City. From the airport taxis charge around 300 pesos into the city center – there’s not much alternative to this.

La Paz is also a short (2hr 30 minutes) bus or car ride from the resorts of Los Cabos, making it a popular day-trip.

Because of its relatively remote location, getting here overland can be very time-consuming. First-class long-distance buses run down the Baja peninsula from Tijuana (at least 24 hours), though these can be infrequent. Car ferries from Mazatlán can save time if driving from central Mexico. See Baja Ferries.

Can I use Uber in La Paz?

Uber does operate in La Paz (assuming phones have roaming, and the app works), but drivers are usually reluctant to pick-up from the airport due to hostility from the airport taxi union. However, it’s possible to get an Uber back to the airport for as low as 100 pesos. Once in the city, getting an Uber should be no problem, and can be cheaper than regular taxis.

Can I drive to La Paz?

It is possible to drive to La Paz. Driving down from the US border is relatively straightforward, and plenty of Americans and Canadians take their own vehicles – the main highway is good, virtually empty outside the towns, and is fairly safe (though driving at night should be avoided). There are many Mexican army checkpoints along the way, but tourists are usually waved through without problems. It’s important to fill up whenever a gas station is seen however and plan accordingly. The drive from Tijuana is over 1480 km (920 miles) and takes around 21 hours non-stop – most folks break the journey into two or three days. Another plus: foreign vehicles do not need a Mexican “Temporary Importation of Vehicle Permit”, as long as they stay on the Baja peninsula.

If renting a vehicle, it’s much easier to do this once across the Mexican border, as taking US rental vehicles into Mexico comes with all sorts of restrictions.

waterfront promenade
Beautiful evening on the promenade in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Do I need a car in La Paz?

It is not necessary to rent a car in La Paz. It’s relatively easy and cheap to get around on foot, by bus or taxi. It can be useful to have a vehicle to explore the coastline beyond the city – to Playa Balandra and Playa Tecolote for example – but these beaches are also served by public bus and taxi/Uber. Rental cars are easily arranged through the hotel or at the rental company offices along the waterfront.

How do I get around La Paz without a vehicle?

Most of the center of La Paz can be explored on foot, or call an Uber or take a local taxi. There are taxi stands on the malecón (bayfront) in front of Seven Crown hotel and next to the cathedral on the plaza. Set the fee before getting in – most trips in the city should be 50 to 80 pesos. Local buses charge a flat fare of 10 pesos but are unlikely to be needed.

When is the best time to go to La Paz?

La Paz beaches are at their best from November through May when there’s great weather (and whale-shark watching). La Paz experiences broiling hot summers that are best avoided – also skip Christmas and Easter, to avoid the crowds of local tourists.

cactus grove in mountains
A cactus grove in the mountains surrounding La Paz.

What are the best beaches in La Paz?

The best beaches of La Paz are a short ride north of the city center but are definitely worth the effort. Our favorite is Playa de Balandra (27km north of La Paz). It’s a superb option for families, featuring a sheltered, shallow bay (no more than waist deep) and warm water for swimming and snorkeling. Rent kayaks and shelter under small palapas (palm shelters) set on the beach.

Playa de Tecolote, another 2km north from Balandra, offers fine sands and excellent snorkeling right off the beach. Unlike Balandra, this is a long, straight strip, facing Isla del Espíritu Santo and the open Sea of Cortez. There are also lots of places to eat and drink here, with a party atmosphere at weekends.

Take the bus to both beaches from the main terminal on La Paz bayfront; it costs around 50 pesos and departs on the hour between 10 am and 5 pm (on the way back the last bus leaves the beaches around 6:30 pm). Taxis also shuttle back and forth from the beaches, though Uber is a little cheaper – around 150 pesos each way to Baladra and a little more to Tecolote. The best beach within hiking (or at least biking) distance of the city center is Playa El Coromuel (4km north of the center). It’s a small but beautiful beach with a long pier, palapas, a few places to eat, and even a giant water slide.

Where should I stay in La Paz?

First timers to La Paz should aim for anywhere along the waterfront malecón, close to the action and well located to enjoy the city’s celebrated sunsets. There are hotels in all price ranges here. We like the modern Seven Crown, which has a fabulous rooftop bar and chic rooms. For something special try the Posada De Las Flores.

What are the best things to do in La Paz?

Other than checking out the nearby beaches, La Paz makes a good base for exploring the rich marine life in the Sea Cortez. We recommend taking a boat trip out to uninhabited Isla Espíritu Santo; snorkeling trips off the island usually encounter sea lions, dolphins, manta rays, and, depending on the time of year, fin whales – between November and March its possible to swim with whale sharks. Recommended operators include Baja Outdoor Activities, Funbaja, and the Cortez Club at La Concha Beach Resort, especially for diving.

On land, spend some time strolling the bayside malecón, one of the most attractive in Mexico, with sensational views of the mountains across the water, especially at sunset. The city’s simple cathedral, the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Paz, lies on Plaza Jardín Velasco (aka Plaza Constitución), three blocks inland. Nearby, the Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia is the best place to learn about the region’s history.

What are the restaurants like in La Paz?

Eating – especially seafood –is excellent in La Paz. Cheap Mexican street food and fresh fruit juice is sold at Mercado Francisco Madero on Revolución de 1910 (at Degollado), while the popular stand known as Taquería Hermanos González (Lerdo de Tejada, at Madero) serves some of the best fried fish and shrimp tacos in Baja California. Other favorites for fish tacos and seafood include Bismark-Cito on Obregón (at Hidalgo y Costilla), and Mc-Fisher at Morelos y Pavón 965. The best place for coffee is hip contemporary café Doce Cuarenta at Madero 1240, while La Fuente (on the bayfront) serves fabulous home-made ice cream.

What currency is used in La Paz?

The Mexican peso (often prefixed with a “$” sign) is the currency of Mexico and La Paz – most places will not accept US dollars. Most major shops and restaurants in La Paz accept credit cards, but it is a good idea to have some peso cash on hand for bus trips and small purchases like bottled water and snacks. Most banks and ATMs are on 16 de Septiembre near the waterfront and generally give better exchange rates than casas de cambio.

Is La Paz expensive?

La Paz in not really expensive. Hotels are generally good value, even near the waterfront – shop around to get bargain rates. There are plenty of cheap taco shops and Mexican diners along the bay also. All beaches are open to the public and free to visit, and transportation is relatively cheap.

Is La Paz safe?

Yes. La Paz has generally avoided the drug violence that has affected other parts of Mexico. Take the usual precautions, especially at night, and keep valuables in room safes. Theft of personal items from beaches does happen – never leave anything of value unattended, even on seemingly empty stretches of sand.

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Where to Stay in Isla Mujeres

Mexico › Isla Mujeres Best Places to Stay
Updated: February 26, 2023

Isla Mujeres – Best Places to Stay

Beach hotel in Isla Mujeres.
The idyllic stretch of sand on Playa Norte (North Beach) in Isla Mujeres. Directly in front of Ixchel Beach Hotel and Nautibeach Beach Front Condos. The Mia Reef is just visible in the distance.
  • Best hotels on Playa Norte (the best beach and swimming on Isla Mujeres): Ixchel Beach HotelNautibeach Beach Front Condos
  • The best areas of Isla Mujeres for visitors are the North End (busy and walkable, with stunning Playa Norte beach and plenty of restaurants, bars, and markets) and South End (great family attractions and quiet beaches). The middle of the island also has some nice areas, including Mar Caribe and Bahia (the western and eastern coasts, respectively, near the old airport and walking distance to downtown).
  • Getting to Isla Mujeres from Cancun takes only 25 minutes on the Ultramar ferry. If coming from the Cancun Airport, take a pre-paid shuttle or taxi to Puerto Juárez terminal (I’ve used Happy Shuttle and can recommend them. They also sell ferry tickets so you don’t have to queue at the terminal). Ferries depart from here every 30 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. There are also three ferry terminals in the Hotel Zone, though ferries here operate on a limited schedule, running hourly-ish from around 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. depending on the terminal. Fares are higher at all of the Hotel Zone ports. Children taller than 1.2 meters (3’11”) pay adult rates. Children under 1 year ride free.
  • Getting around Isla Mujeres: The easiest and most fun way to get around on Isla Mujeres is by golf cart. There are several golf cart rental shops directly across the street from the Ultramar terminal. Travelers staying in Sac Bajo or Punta Sur should consider renting a golf cart for the duration of their stay. For guests staying in Centro or Playa Norte, a golf cart is unnecessary for daily use; almost everything is within a 5 to 10-minute walk. Rent a cart for a day to do a circle island tour of the south end attractions like Garrafon Natural Reef Park, Tortugranja (the turtle farm!), and Ixchel Temple. Travelers staying in Mar Caribe or Bahia are 20 minutes walking distance from Centro and North Beach but a little too far to easily walk to the south end.
  • Taxis on Isla Mujeres are all red sedans. The main taxi stand is next to the ferry terminal on the same side of the street. Taxis are not metered here. Instead, there is a list of fixed rates to various island destinations posted on the inside wall of the taxi stand. Always verify the rate before entering the taxi itself! Taxis can also be flagged down from the side of the road just about anywhere on the island. In this case, the taxis operate as rideshares and will pick up and drop off other passengers along the way. If using the taxi as a rideshare (versus calling ahead to hire a private taxi), rates are about 20 pesos per person to anywhere on the island.
  • Pay in pesos whenever possible. Many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators accept payment in U.S. dollars. However, travelers will almost always overpay if using dollars, as the exchange rate for tourists favors the peso.

The 13 Best Hotels on Isla Mujeres

1. Zoëtry Villa Rolandi – Sac Bajo, South End

Zoëtry Villa Rolandi in Sac Bajo, Isla Mujeres
Luxurious, all-inclusive, family-friendly resort on a quiet beach. Zoëtry boasts two gorgeous pools and a huge saltwater Jacuzzi plus spacious, sea-facing suites with private whirlpools or direct pool access, the island’s best restaurant, and a soothing thalasso spa with free salt water-based therapy for all guests. Unique services and activities include sunset yacht cruises, cooking classes, ceramics painting, and wine tastings. Rates are always inclusive of round-trip yacht transfer from Cancun directly to their private pier. Located in Sac Bajo, near Tortugranja and next to Dolphin Discovery (guests get free admission here).
Hotel phone: +52 998 999 2000
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Zoëtry Villa Rolandi

2. Isla Mujeres Palace – Sac Bajo, South End

Isla Mujeres Palace in Sac Bajo, Isla Mujeres
Romantic, adults-only resort specifically designed for couples on a long stretch of sandy beach with an exceptional spa, top-notch service, fantastic dining, and a swim up bar in the pool. All suites come with double-sized whirlpool tubs and private balconies; services include couples’ massages, candlelit dinners on the beach, and in-room dining. Their generous resort credits program can be used toward offsite excursions, like dolphin swims, scuba or snorkel tours of MUSA, or for entry to their water park at The Grand in Cancun. Round-trip yacht transfer to and from Cancun is included in all room rates. Located at the base of Sac Bajo, a five minute walk to the turtle farm, a few local restaurants, and Hacienda Mundaca, the ruins of a retired pirate’s home.
Hotel phone: +52 998 999 2020
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Isla Mujeres Palace

3. Casa de los Sueños – Punta Sur, South End

Water park at Isla Mujeres hotel.
All-suite, family hotel with amazing kids’ amenities, including a zipline, an infinity pool, and a pint-sized water park with another pool. The hotel’s quiet suites sit on a little hill overlooking the ocean, most with private balconies or patios, some with Jacuzzis, and all with daily breakfast included. The water park offers a two-tiered pool with a swim up bar, slides that end in the ocean, a rock climbing wall, and a private pier, plus kayaks, snorkel gear, and paddleboards. The hotel sits at the south end of the island, near other family attractions including Garrafon Reef Park, the turtle farm and sanctuary at Tortugranja, and Dolphin Discovery.
Hotel phone: +52 998 888 0370
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Casa de los Sueños

4. Ixchel Beach Hotel – Playa Norte, North End

Best hotel on Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres.
Sweet, family-friendly hotel with twin pools, complimentary beach gear, and a fantastic bar and restaurant that also offers beachside service. Staff throughout the hotel is super friendly and attentive to guests’ needs. Rooms are comfortable, minimalistic, and sunny. Spring for a suite to add a balcony and kitchenette. Penthouse suites upgrade to full kitchens and private garden terraces or rooftop garden access. Situated right on Playa Norte, near Hidalgo Street shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Hotel phone: +52 998 999 2010
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Ixchel Beach Hotel

5. Hotel Secreto – Playa Norte, North End

Hotel Secreto in Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
This sleek, elegant, boutique hotel offers an infinity lap pool and an intimate spa. An all-suite property, each room features an enormous balcony with a queen-sized day bed, dramatic ocean view, and luxurious décor and amenities. Executive junior suites on the top floor include peekaboo glass showers, recommended especially for couples. Continental breakfast is included in the room rate and delivered daily to each room. Though children are allowed here, the vibe is more adult-oriented. Located on a tiny beach (not swimmable) at the northern edge of downtown, walking distance to Playa Norte and Hidalgo Street restaurants and shops.
Hotel phone: +52 998 877 1039
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hotel Secreto

6. Privilege Aluxes – North End

Privilege Aluxes in Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
This contemporary, adults-only hotel offers a stellar beach club, two pools, and a spa. Rooms and suites are spacious with up to two bedrooms. All have a private balcony or terrace, some with jetted tubs or outdoor Jacuzzis. This is the only hotel on the island boasting suites with private plunge pools. Though they offer all-inclusive packages, the hotel is walking distance to so many great restaurants and bars; it’s really best to book the room only to take advantage of the excellent local flavors nearby.
Hotel phone: +52 998 848 8470
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Privilege Aluxes

7. Casa Coco – Sac Bajo, South End

Casa Coco in Sac Bajo, Isla Mujeres
Upscale, family-friendly boutique hotel with an infinity pool and rooftop palapa for massage and yoga. This rustic-chic property overlooks a small, secluded beach accessible by a little pathway. Décor is all locally made Yucatan art inspired by Spanish and Italian design. All suites come with a private balcony, while the Family Suite adds a kitchenette and sofabed. This gorgeous spot is in the middle of Sac Bajo, near Tortugranja and Dolphin Discovery, but its lush grounds make it feel more remote than it is.
Hotel phone: +52 998 220 2571
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Casa Coco

8. Icaco Island Village – Mar Caribe, Middle

Icaco Island Village in Mar Caribe, Isla Mujeres
This stylish and cozy, adults-only boutique features a rooftop sun terrace with an infinity plunge pool, Bali beds, and stunning ocean views. Their four suites have bespoke, handmade décor, such as conch shell showerheads, salvaged wood doors, and artisanal textiles. The owners live on site and take pride in offering impeccable hospitality and presentation. Complimentary bicycles and daily Italian breakfast round out the experience. Fresh, contemporary, and tranquil ambiance, fifteen minutes walking to downtown and Playa Norte.
Hotel phone: +52 984 100 5070
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Icaco Island Village

9. Hotel Paradise Suites – Centro, North End

Hotel Paradise Suites in Centro, Isla Mujeres
This brand new, boutique hotel offers bright, boho suites and a fantastic restaurant, a couple hundred meters from Playa Norte and their beach club. Standard and junior suites are amply sized and decked out in colorful Mexican textiles, all with fully equipped kitchens, small dining areas, and private terraces. Other onsite amenities include a Jacuzzi, golf carts, and a boutique shop – with a pool and spa coming soon. In the heart of the North End, steps away from downtown shopping and dining, walking distance to several beaches.
Hotel phone: +52 998 688 4154
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Hotel Paradise Suites

10. Villa Encantada – Sac Bajo, South End

Villa Encantada in Sac Bajo, Isla Mujeres
Hacienda-style boutique hotel with an infinity pool, located on a small swimmable beach with a private dock. Suites are family friendly and most include balconies. The Encantada Suite adds a soaking tub, while the Penthouse Suite has a private rooftop terrace. Décor is breezy, fresh, and locally-made, with woven lanterns, custom Mediterranean-inspired tile, and a poolside palapa roof. Daily breakfast is included in the room rate, and a well-stocked honor bar is available to guests throughout the day. Surrounded by a lush, jungle garden, this gem in Sac Bajo feels very private, while still being very accessible. Walking distance to Dolphin Discovery and a few bars and restaurants and within ten minutes ride to all of the island’s attractions.
Hotel phone: +52 998 220 2571
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Villa Encantada

11. Nautibeach Beach Front Condos – Playa Norte, North End

Hotel with large pool on Playa Norte (North Beach) in Isla Mujeres.
Exceptional condos with a beachfront pool, direct beach access, and all day dining and drinks at their own beach club. Apartments can be studios, one to two bedrooms, or penthouse suites with three bedrooms. All come with a full kitchen and balcony; some of the two bedroom units have bunkbeds in the guest room. Nautibeach sits on the sunny southwestern edge of Playa Norte, near the downtown beach at Playa Sol, walking distance to great beach bars and Hidalgo Street shopping.
Hotel phone: +52 998 877 0606
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Nautibeach Beach Front Condos

12. El Milagro Beach Hotel and Marina – Bahia, Middle

El Milagro Beach Hotel and Marina in Bahia, Isla Mujeres
Eclectic, family-friendly boutique hotel with its own marina in a former fish processing facility. Its charming little beach has tables and chairs in the ocean, swings by the bar, a small pool, and a community kitchen with a grill for guest use. Studio, one, and two bedroom suites are decorated in a blend of authentic Mexican and hippie styles, with colorful mismatched tiles, bright textiles, and fully equipped kitchens; one (The Beach Cabana) even has a tin roof! Common areas are equally wild with rainbow colors everywhere, two shady palapas, and a jungle garden filled with local plants, iguanas, and singing birds. Located on the western coast, about twenty minutes’ walk to Centro, Playa Sol, and Playa Norte, near several local restaurants and a minimart.
Hotel phone: +52 998 877 1708
Hotel websiteCheck prices for El Milagro Beach Hotel and Marina

13. Mia Reef – Playa Norte, North End

Best all-inclusive resort in Isla Mujeres.
This all-inclusive, family-friendly resort boasts a supreme location, floating on its own little island off the coast of the main island and connected by a long wooden bridge. With almost 360° of powdery white beach and pale turquoise water, this is far and away the most breathtaking spot on Isla. Rooms and suites all offer ocean views and private balconies, some with outdoor Jacuzzis and hammocks. This is the only hotel on the island with a kids’ club. It also houses a pool, spa, salon, and several restaurants and bars.
Hotel phone: +52 998 999 2050
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Mia Reef

Staying in the North End: Centro and Playa Norte

Where to eat and stay in Isla Mujeres, Centro, and Playa Norte.
Centro (downtown) and its main beach Playa Norte make up the broad upper portion of Isla Mujeres. Renowned for its long stretch of soft white sand, gentle surf, and turquoise waters, Playa Norte was named one of the top ten beaches in the world by TripAdvisor in 2017. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for beginning swimmers, while tons of marine life and high visibility makes this an excellent spot for snorkeling. Several beach clubs, bars, and restaurants line the beach, interspersed with some of the island’s larger hotels and condos. Just inland, visitors will find even more dining options plus street vendors and markets, especially on Hidalgo Street. Though this is the liveliest part of the island, it is much more relaxed, safer, and friendlier than nearby Cancun. Most people get around on foot or bicycle here, though golf cart and moped rentals are everywhere, and taxis are easy to flag down.

The Best Hotels in Centro and North Beach

The Best Restaurants in Centro and North Beach

  • Rooster Café • $$-$$$ • The island’s best brunch spot, specializing in local spins on eggs benedict.
  • Ruben’s Restaurant • $ • Casual Mexican favorites all day. Known for their chimichangas, tacos, and lobster bennies.
  • Abuelos • $$-$$$ • Authentic, family-run seafood restaurant; amazing ceviche, whole red snapper, and fish tacos.

Staying in the South End: Sac Bajo and Punta Sur

Where to eat and stay in Isla Mujeres, Punta Sur, and Sac Bajo.
The South End is made up of two segments: Punta Sur, the general name for the southern one third of the island, and Sac Bajo, the small strip of beach jutting upward alongside the middle portion of the island. This area is less densely populated than the North End but has most of the island’s attractions. Punta Sur, at the southernmost tip of the island, is also the easternmost point in all of Mexico, the first place in the nation to see the sunrise. The park grounds also house the ruins of Ixchel’s Temple and a metal sculpture garden. Right next door to Punta Sur is Garrafon Natural Reef Park, with snorkeling, kayaking, ziplining, and more. Dolphin Discovery interactive water park and the turtle sanctuary at Tortugranja are both located just north in Sac Bajo.

Beaches in the South End tend to be quieter and smaller than those in the North End. Several hotels and restaurants can be found here, but things are a little more spread out. A golf cart or moped is recommended for getting around to each of the attractions, though taxis are fairly easy to come by in the daytime.

The Best Hotels in Sac Bajo and Punta Sur

The Best Restaurants in Sac Bajo and Punta Sur

  • Casa Rolandi • $$$$ • Northern Italian and Yucatan fusion fine dining with gorgeous ocean views.
  • Zama Beach Club • $$-$$$ • Upscale, unique seafood menu featuring local ingredients like conch and chaya, alongside more familiar flavors.

Staying in the Middle of the Island: Bahia and Mar Caribe

Where to eat and stay in Isla Mujeres, Bahia, and Mar Caribe.
The middle of island is made up of one narrow strip of land, divided in half by the old airport and a lagoon. On the western side is Bahia, with a gentle coastline and secluded beaches. On the eastern half is Mar Caribe, with dramatic rocky beaches – beautiful to look at but too rough to swim. Both Bahia and Mar Caribe areas are about twenty minutes walking distance to downtown, making them very accessible to dining, beach clubs, and shopping but calm and quiet for a restful sleep. Visitors here can completely get by without renting a golf cart. Walking or cycling is easy in the day, and taxis are cheap for night travel. Staying in the middle of the island offers visitors a more authentic experience, as the island’s residential neighborhoods are nearby, with several local-style restaurants and markets in its southern edge.

The Best Hotels in Bahia and Mar Caribe

The Best Restaurants in Bahia and Mar Caribe

  • Polo’s Mango Café • $$-$$$ • Insanely great food with Mexican and American flavors. Don’t miss their watermelon mimosas and stuffed poblano pepper for breakfast!
  • GreenVerde • $$-$$$ • Amazing and simple local food all day at this family-run restaurant.
  • Caribbean Brisas • $$-$$$ • Best spot for the local fish specialty tikin xic.

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Tulum Family Hotels

MexicoTulum › Kid-Friendly Hotels
Updated: February 8, 2023

See Also

Tulum Family Hotels – Tips & Info

Tulum for kids and families.
My boys at the Gran Cenote near Tulum.
  • Tulum is a good year-round destination but the best months to visit are from December to April.
  • A note about Tulum hotels: Tulum’s hotels are simple and laid back. Don’t be expecting luxury amenities even if the price suggests that that’s what you’re getting. Service is on “Mexican Time” and might leave you disappointed if you’re expecting the sharp service of Cancun’s best resorts. That said, Tulum is my favorite beach spot along the coast (and has way better restaurants than Cancun or Playa del Carmen). Just be prepared for laid back, relaxed, and easy-going service and hotel staff.

The 12 Best Hotels for Families in Tulum, Mexico

Tulum hotel for family of 4 or 5.
Rooms for families – like this one at Sueños Tulum – get booked-up much sooner than regular rooms. Book early.

1. Cabañas La Luna

Tulum Family Hotels: Cabanas Luna

Rustic boutique hotel with spacious, family-friendly suites and a fantastic Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant on a wide stretch of white sand beach. Spacious rooms offer up to 2 bedrooms and sleep 4 to 6 guests, while the villa features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a private pool.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 146 7737
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

2. Sueños Tulum

Tulum Family Hotels: Suenos

Located near the far end of the beach road. It’s quieter here but you can still walk to a few restaurants. Presidential suite is luxurious and perfect for family of 4. Small pool just back from the beach.
Hotel phone: +52 984 119 3484
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

3. Jashita Tulum Hotel

Tulum Family Hotels: Jashita

Boutique, luxury hotel with 3 pools, beachfront service, and an exceptional restaurant. Their 2-bedroom Jasmine Penthouse sleeps up to 4 with 2 king beds, 2 bathrooms, an outdoor jacuzzi, ocean view terrace, and exclusive access to the hotel’s rooftop pool and bar. Located on an absolutely stunning, semi-private beach in Soliman Bay, about 10 km north of the Tulum ruins.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 875 4158
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

4. Alaya Tulum

Tulum Family Hotels: Alaya

A beachfront hotel that is beautifully decorated and centrally located. Family villa has 2 bunkbeds and a queen bed (in separate rooms). Beach here is beautiful. Good restaurants nearby.
Hotel phone: +52 984 159 1696
Hotel website Check prices on Booking.com

5. Una Vida Tulum

Tulum Family Hotels: Una Vida

Luxury, all-villa hotel in the Pueblo offering 1 to 3-bedroom suites sleeping 4 to 8, all with stocked kitchenettes and outdoor showers, some with outdoor bathtubs. Facilities and amenities include a gorgeous pool, in-room yoga and massage, free bicycles, and a cozy breakfast and lunch restaurant. Private dinners and tequila and mezcal tastings are available on request.
Hotel phone: +52 984 240 5231
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

6. Las Palmas Maya

Tulum Family Hotels: Las Palmas Maya

The best budget hotel in the beach zone, offering air-conditioned, open-plan family suites with 2 king beds and 1 sofa bed or 1 king and 1 queen, sleeping up to 5 guests. Their tiny restaurant serves breakfast until 3:00 p.m., plus they have a large communal kitchen for guests’ use. The hotel is on the jungle side of the road, a 30-second walk to the beach with free beach access at partner beach clubs.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 214 8914
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

7. Coco Village

Tulum Family Hotels: Coco Village

Amazing, condo-style, boutique hotel with spacious 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens and in-unit washers and dryers. There is a shared pool in the garden area, and guest have free access to the famous beach club at their sister property Coco Tulum. Located in the Pueblo (downtown), within walking or biking distance to several of Tulum’s best restaurants.
Hotel phone: +55 4169 2072
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

8. La Zebra Hotel

Tulum Family Hotels: La Zebra

Beach-chic, luxury hotel on a wide stretch of white, sandy beach with a rooftop infinity pool, playground, and free, weekly salsa dancing lessons. All open-plan suites are designed for 4 with a king-sized bed and a double twin trundle bed, a dual shower, and dual vanities; many suites include private plunge pools. Amazing food and drinks, a small spa, and friendly, attentive service round out the experience here.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 115 4726
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

9. Villas Geminis Boutique Condo Hotel

Tulum Family Hotels: Village Geminis

Affordable, upscale, pet-friendly studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom condos, most with full kitchens, some with outdoor soaking tubs. This gated hotel in the Pueblo offers a pool, garden, free bicycles, complimentary breakfasts, and discounts at nearby beach clubs. The hotel partners with a Mayan collective to arrange jungle retreats with Mayan healing rituals, cooking classes, tours of Sian Ka’an, and more.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 115 4726
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

10. Villa Las Estrellas

Tulum Family Hotels: Villa Las Estrellas

Rooms and suites are large, great for families, and steps from the sea. Centrally located on the beach road and an easy walk to several restaurants.
Hotel phone: +52 984 879 0772
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

11. Zamas

Tulum Family Hotels: Zamas

Large bungalows sleep a family of 5. Great location (closer to town than most hotels) with restaurants and ice cream shop steps away. The beach here is not great but it’s an easy bike ride to great sand.
Hotel phone: +52 984 145 2602
Hotel websiteCheck prices on Booking.com

12. Naay Boutique Hotel

Naay Boutique Hotel in Tulum

Stylish boutique hotel in the brand new Aldea Zama neighborhood, halfway between the Pueblo and the beach. Spacious 1 and 2-bedroom suites sleep up to 6 guests. The main highlight is the hotel’s rooftop, which boasts an infinity pool, kids’ pool, infinity jacuzzi, and an outstanding bar and restaurant with jungle sunset views.
Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241
Hotel website Check prices on Booking.com

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Tulum Hotels

MexicoTulum › Best Hotels
Updated: February 8, 2023, 2022

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Tulum Hotels – Tips & Info

  • Tulum is my favorite beach town in Mexico. Great beach, food, nightlife, local vibe, and wonderful nearby sights.
  • There are two main areas to stay in Tulum: The pueblo (the town center with a local vibe, great restaurants, boutique and budget hotels; located about a 15-minute bike ride to the start of the beaches). And the beach (a long strip of luxury boutique beach hotels, trendy restaurants, and a relaxed touristy vibe).
  • Booking.com – The best site (and best prices) for booking hotels in Tulum.
  • Best Hotels on Tulum Beach: La Valise (pictured above) • MezzanineJashitaCasa Malca – all of these are absolutely wonderful places to stay.
  • Best Boutique Hotel in Tulum: pretty much all hotels in Tulum are boutiques (there aren’t any large resorts) but if I had to pick one as the best it would be Mezzanine.
  • The best cheap hotel in the Tulum Beach area Las Palmas Maya, but it is located across the road from the water.
  • Tulum has the best beaches along the Yucatan coast. Great sand and swimmable surf.
  • December to April is the best time of the year to visit Tulum – but Tulum is a year-round destination and you can have a great visit any month of the year. September and October are the rainiest months but otherwise, I wouldn’t let the time of year dictate if you should come.
  • Book very early for the best hotels on the Tulum beach. Six months in advance is good, nine months is better.
  • High season is January, February, July, August, and late December, when it’s even more important to find hotels early.
  • Tulum does not have any mega-resorts or all-inclusives. The places listed below are small to medium-sized boutique-style hotels with lots of character.
  • My top tips for visiting Tulum are to eat some tacos al pastor, swim in a cenote, and rent a bike for geting around.
  • The food in and around Tulum is amazing and one of the highlights of the town. These are my favorite restaurants in Tulum.
  • Tulum is great for families. These are the best hotels for families in Tulum.

The 25 Best Hotels in Tulum

Most of these hotels are walking distance to several restaurants and biking distance to town.

1. Mezzanine – luxury

The best luxury hotel on Tulum beach.
Superb, oceanfront, boutique hotel with refined, economical ‘non-view’ rooms, sea view rooms, and master suites, all with mini bars, yoga mats, and coffee/tea baskets (delivered daily). The 2 master suites add coffee makers, soaking tubs, bluetooth speakers, lounge areas and large private terraces overlooking the beach. Mezzanine has a pool, Thai restaurant, bar, lovely long beach (steps from the hotel), and is a short bike ride from the Tulum ruins.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 131 1596
ReviewCheck prices for Mezzanine

2. Jashita – luxury

Jashita Hotel in Tulum
Family-friendly, luxury boutique hotel with 3 pools (kids’, adults’, and rooftop adults’ pools), beachfront service, daily yoga, and a spa with shaman ceremonies. Their wide range of rooms and suites all include king-sized beds, welcome wine and chocolates, and private terraces; honeymoon suites and the penthouse suite add private pools. Their all-day restaurant Pandano offers a delicious Mexican-Italian menu with especially great lobster and handmade pasta along with creative and classic cocktails. Located on an absolutely stunning, semi-private beach in Soliman Bay near Casa Cenote and about 10 km north of the Tulum ruins.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 875 4158
ReviewCheck prices for Jashita

3. Casa Malca – luxury

Casa Malca Hotel in Tulum
Stylish, art-focused hotel with 3 outstanding restaurants, a creative bar, a beach club, 2 pools (1 is underground), complimentary bicycles, and free sunset yoga on the rooftop terrace. Each design-forward suite features an eclectic mix of antique and contemporary décor and original artwork from owner Lio Malca’s extensive private collection. The hotel is kid-friendly all year long, except for the weeks surrounding New Year’s Eve when it becomes an adults-only spot during Tulum’s EDM festivals. Located on a white, sandy beach within a 10-minute walk of Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve and several of Tulum’s best restaurants and bars.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 167 7154
ReviewCheck prices for Casa Malca

4. La Valise – luxury

La Valise Hotel in Tulum
Luxurious, boutique hotel with spacious rooms and a suite, 24 hour air conditioning, 2 heated plunge pools, and a gorgeous stretch of beach. Service is impeccable and highly personalized. Their onsite restaurant serves breakfast and lunch indoors or on the beach, while their sister restaurant Nü serves creative Mexican fine dining under the stars. Located on the southern end of Tulum’s hotel zone in a quiet beach stretch within walking distance of several fantastic restaurants.
Hotel phone: +1 305 999 1540
ReviewCheck prices for La Valise

5. La Zebra – luxury

La Zebra Hotel in Tulum
Beach-chic, luxury hotel on a wide stretch of white, sandy beach with a long rooftop pool, playground, and free, weekly salsa dancing lessons. All family-friendly, open-plan suites are designed for up to 4 with a king-sized bed and a double twin trundle bed, a dual shower, and dual vanities; many suites include private plunge pools. Amazing food and drinks, a small spa, and friendly, attentive service round out the experience here.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 115 4726
ReviewCheck prices for La Zebra

6. Ahau – luxury

Beach hotel in Tulum.
Wellness-focused, pet-friendly, beachfront hotel with outstanding food, eclectic rooms, and an extensive program of yoga, meditation, and healing rituals. Their onsite restaurants use fresh, organic, local ingredients in partnership with Mayan farmers and offer top-notch menus for vegans and meat-eaters alike. The beach here is amazing: sandy and swimmable, well-organized with beach beds and hammocks, well-served by the beach bar and grill, and with their own kite surfing school. Ahau is in the heart of Tulum’s beach zone, walking distance to amazing restaurants and nightlife.
Hotel phone: +52 984 147 5225
ReviewCheck prices for Ahau

7. Nômade – luxury

Nomâde Hotel in Tulum
Family-friendly, wellness-centered hotel with a gorgeous pool, free daily yoga, and a well-kept beach about a 10-minute walk from Sian Ka’an biosphere. Luxury tents, suites, and villas fuse boho style with modern perks, including air conditioning in all units (even the tents), private pools, and outdoor showers. Dining is fantastic at their vegan/vegetarian restaurant Macondo and at their super fresh seafood restaurant La Popular. What sets this hotel apart, though, is its focus on incorporating Mayan culture into all aspects of the hotel, including the menus, healing rituals, ceremonies, and ever-changing events program.
Hotel phone: +52 984 803 2243
ReviewCheck prices for Nômade

8. Cabañas La Luna – luxury

Cabañas La Luna Hotel in Tulum
Rustic boutique hotel with spacious, family-friendly suites and a fantastic Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant on a wide stretch of white sand beach. Spacious rooms offer up to 2 bedrooms and sleep 4 to 6 guests, while the villa features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a private pool.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 146 7737
ReviewCheck prices for Cabañas La Luna

9. Una Vida – luxury

Una Vida Hotel in Tulum
Family-friendly, luxury hotel in the Pueblo (downtown) offering studios and 1- to 3- bedroom suites sleeping up to 8, all with stocked kitchenettes and outdoor showers, some with outdoor bathtubs. Facilities and amenities include a gorgeous pool, in-room yoga and massage, free bicycles, and a cozy breakfast and lunch restaurant. Private dinners and tequila and mezcal tastings are available on request.
Hotel phone: +52 984 240 5231
ReviewCheck prices for Una Vida

10. Mi Amor – luxury

Mi Amor Hotel in Tulum
Adults-only, luxury boutique hotel with an infinity pool, upscale restaurant and bar, and a cozy 2-room spa. Rooms and suites are designed with couples in mind, all with king-sized beds, 24-hour air conditioning, and private terraces; ground floor rooms feature private plunge pools. Mi Amor is located in the Tulum Ruins national park at the north end of the hotel zone, walking distance to the ruins, a beach club, and a handful of restaurants. The beach here is rocky, but it’s just a 5 minute walk to sandy Playa Paraiso at their sister property Mezzanine.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 188 4273
ReviewCheck prices for Mi Amor

11. Encantada – luxury

Encantada Hotel in Tulum
Romantic hotel with 8 spacious rooms, all with king-sized canopy beds and private terraces with hammocks. Dining is exceptional at their onsite restaurant and bar and at their sister restaurant Nü across the street (they share the restaurant with La Valise). Encantada is located on a wide stretch of white sandy beach at the quiet, south end of the hotel zone within walking distance of several amazing restaurants and bars.
Hotel phone: +1 650 212 6782
ReviewCheck prices for Encantada

12. Sueños – luxury

Sueños Hotel in Tulum
Chilled-out, beachfront, artsy eco-hotel with Mayan-themed, beautifully decorated suites featuring hand-painted tiles, outdoor sitting decks, hammocks, porthole windows, and solar powered electricity. The lone penthouse has sofa beds, a stone hydromassage jacuzzi, a terrace, and 360˚ views of the ocean, jungle and lagoon of the Sian Kaan Biosphere. Sueños Tulum also offers complimentary breakfast, a yoga studio, fire pit, pool, and restaurant.
Hotel phone: +52 984 119 3484
ReviewCheck prices for Sueños

13. Dune – luxury

Dune Hotel in Tulum
Adults-only, boutique hotel with an amazing Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant, beach club, a pampering spa, and daily yoga. Romantic rooms and suites include 24-hour air conditioning and private terraces, some with private plunge pools. The beach here is one of the best in Tulum: sandy, swimmable, and protected by a reef, which makes for gentle waves.
Hotel phone: +52 984 238 9529
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Dune

14. Be Tulum – luxury

Be Tulum Hotel in Tulum
Super-stylish, beachfront, spa resort with 2 pools having a lineup of fantastic designer suites with cowhide rugs, leather chairs, and private balconies. Depending on the type, suites may have private plunge pools, indoor copper tubs, roof top solariums/terraces with pools, private gardens/pools, and small kitchens. Be Tulum also boasts two restaurants, a raw food bar, beach bar, yoga studio, meditation classes, and a spa.
Hotel phone: +521 984 132 6215
Review Check prices for Be Tulum

15. Coco Tulum – luxury

Coco Tulum Hotel in Tulum
Cozy cabanas, rooms/tower rooms with ocean/garden views in a laid-back, beachfront, eco-hotel. Has budget cabanas with shared bathrooms, high-end tower rooms with splendid views with terraces, and a lone suite with jacuzzi. Has a beach bar, temazcal, yoga classes, Mexican-Italian restaurant and many good restaurants within walking distance.
Hotel phone: +52 984 688 8592
ReviewCheck prices for Coco Tulum

16. The Beach Tulum – moderate

The Beach Hotel in Tulum
Adults-only hotel with a river pool, jacuzzi, full-service spa, and 2 restaurants, including the well-loved Ziggy’s Restaurant and Beach Club. Rooms are minimalistic yet elegant, and all include a private jacuzzi or plunge pool. Perks include 24-hour air conditioning, free bikes, free yoga, live music nightly, and tequila, mezcal, and wine tastings throughout the week. The beach here boasts powdery, soft, white sand, and there is a little cenote onsite, too.
Hotel phone: +52 984 157 9645
Review Check prices for The Beach Tulum

17. Cabañas Tulum – moderate

Cabañas Hotel in Tulum
Beachfront hotel offering a pool and a holistic spa. Its spacious rooms and suites feature up to 3 bedrooms; many include private jacuzzis. The sister property of The Beach Tulum, Cabañas Tulum shares the same fantastic swimming beach and Ziggy’s Restaurant and Beach Club, along with its own restaurant and beach bar Frescoes. Minimum age for hotel guests is 14.
Hotel phone: +52 984 871 1132
Review Check prices for Cabañas Tulum

18. Alaya – luxury

Alaya Hotel in Tulum
Beautiful, beachfront boutique hotel with airy, light-filled beach cabanas/apartments, villas and suites having wooden floors, floor-to-ceiling windows with bi-folding doors and terraces. Apartments add small kitchens. Has a Latin American restaurant, outdoor eco gym, yoga lessons, kitesurfing and paddle surfing. The beach is a hotspot for sea turtles/nesting sites (during the season).
Hotel phone: +52 984 159 1696
Review Check prices for Alaya

19. Naay – luxury

Naay Boutique Hotel in Tulum
Stylish boutique hotel in the brand new Aldea Zama neighborhood, halfway between the Pueblo and the beach. Family-friendly 1 and 2-bedroom suites sleep up to 6 guests. The main highlight is the hotel’s rooftop, which boasts an infinity pool, kids’ pool, infinity jacuzzi, and an outstanding bar and restaurant with sunset views over the jungle.
Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241
Review Check prices for Naay

20. O’ Tulum – luxury

O'Tulum Hotel in Tulum
Adults-only hideaway north of Tulum with only 12 rooms sharing 3 pools, rooftop yoga, and a wonderful restaurant overlooking the beach. All rooms include king-size beds, 24-hour air conditioning, private terraces, and swim outs or jetted plunge pools; half of the rooms add indoor soaking tubs. The beach here is rocky, but the hotel is just a 10-minute walk (or a 2-minute ride on one of their free bikes) to the gorgeous, sandy, swimmable beach at Soliman Bay and about a 20-minute walk (5-minute bike ride) to Casa Cenote, one of the best cenotes in the Tulum area.
Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241
Review Check prices for O’ Tulum

21. Coco Hacienda – luxury

Coco Hacienda Hotel in Tulum
Charming boutique hotel in the Pueblo with 2 pools, a jacuzzi, a small spa, and a wonderful all-day Mexican restaurant serving an especially great brunch. Rooms all include 24-hour air conditioning and king-sized beds; Casitas add jetted baths and private patios with hammocks. Guests here have access to free bikes and discounted entrance to the beach club at their sister property Coco Tulum.
Hotel phone: +52 884 688 8592
Review Check prices for Coco Hacienda

22. Tago – luxury

Tago Hotel in Tulum
Stunning, beachfront luxury hotel. Rooms are huge with large glass sliding doors opening to their own private plunge pools. The onsite restaurant offers a Mexican-Mediterranean fusion menu with indoor or outdoor, beachfront dining. The beach is well-maintained with an abundance of sun chairs and fantastic beach service.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 871 1310
Hotel websiteCheck prices for Tago

23. Hotel Tiki Tiki – luxury

Hotel Tiki Tiki in Tulum
Trendy boutique hotel with a pool, bar, and in-room massage. Tiki Tiki is located in the Pueblo, walking distance to Tulum’s vibrant restaurant and bar scene. A design-forward hotel, the decor blends Art Deco, retro ’60s, and beach-chic styles in its 15 unique rooms. This hotel tends to attract a younger crowd, especially honeymooners, couples, and bachelorette parties.
Hotel phone: +52 884 688 5005
Review Check prices for Hotel Tiki Tiki

24. El Pez – luxury

El Pez Hotel in Tulum
Family-friendly, luxury hotel with a pool, an excellent bar and restaurant, a shared kitchen area for guest use, and well-appointed rooms and suites on a small beach in a quiet bay. Most suites are 1-bedroom units that sleep up to 4 with a king-sized bed and a separate living area with a sofa bed and private pool. The beach itself is rocky, more popular for sunbathing and fishing than for swimming, but guests of El Pez have access to the beach at their sister property La Zebra.
Hotel phone: +52 1 984 116 3357
ReviewCheck prices for El Pez

25. Bardo – luxury

Bardo Hotel in Tulum
Elegant boutique hotel of contemporary luxury surrounded by lush greenery on the outskirts of the Tulum Pueblo. A large pool, excellent Milum restaurant and Kinky Room bar with lounge, temazcal and large yoga and meditation practice space. Villas are large and private, with semi-outdoor showers and splash pools.
Hotel phone: +52 984 807 1433
Review Check prices for Bardo

Tulum Hotel Map

Map of Tulum Best Hotels.
Hotels on Map: JashitaO’ TulumBardo • Una VidaCoco HaciendaHotel Tiki TikiNaayMezzanineMi AmorEl PezTagoCoco TulumDuneCabañas La LunaThe Beach TulumCabañas TulumAhauLa ZebraAlayaSueñosEncantadaLa ValiseBe TulumNômadeCasa Malca

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Where to Stay in Tulum

MexicoTulum › Best Places to Stay
Updated: February 8, 2023

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Best Places to Stay in Tulum

  • Best new hotel in Tulum is the fabulous La Valise (incredible, luxury hotel at the south end of the beach, pictured above).
  • Best luxury hotel on the beach is the Mezzanine hotel (romantic boutique hotel on the beach near the Tulum ruins).
  • Best luxury hotel in the Pueblo is Una Vida (urban oasis with a wonderful pool, spacious rooms).
  • Best cheap/midrange hotel in Tulum is Casa Don Diego (amazing, small hotel with a jungle garden, pool, and great food).
Best 5-star hotel on Tulum beach.
The fantastic Mezzanine hotel. Great setting and steps from the best swimming beach in Tulum.

Best Areas to Stay in Tulum

The big decision first-time visitors need to make is whether to stay in the Pueblo (affordable hotels, delicious restaurants, fun bars, and dance clubs) or on the beach (posh hotels, stylish party scene, fine dining restaurants, and boutique shopping). The beach itself is made up of 4 areas all with unique feels: the Beach Town and the North, Middle, and South Beach Zones. It takes about 15 to 45 minutes to cycle from the heart of the Pueblo to the Beach, depending on your destination (if walking, this can take an hour or 2). Most hotels offer free or cheap bicycles to guests, making it simple to stay in one spot and enjoy the other (about a 10-minute bike ride from the Pueblo to the beach). There are no street lights or bike lanes on the road that runs alongside the beach, so cycling there is best during the day.

The best places to stay in Tulum for partying are the Pueblo, Beach Town, or the Middle Beach Zone, for families, it’s the South Beach Zone or Aldea Zama, and for romance and honeymoons stay in the North or South Beach Zone (though pretty much every part of Tulum is perfect for a honeymoon holiday).

Where to stay in Tulum? Beach or town?

  • Most travelers to Tulum stay in one of two main areas: the Pueblo (downtown or the town) or the beach. It’s about 5 km from the Pueblo to the nearest stretch of beach.
  • The best luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, outdoor nightlife (beach and jungle parties), and boutique shops are on the beach. Most hotels on the beach have limited air conditioning.
  • The beach is wide and mostly sandy, though there are a few rocky patches here and there. The beach hotel zone is roughly divided into 4 areas: the North (quiet, romantic, near the ruins), the Beach Town (the most affordable beach area), the Middle (restaurants, beach clubs, and nightlife), and the South (family-friendly, lots of yoga, wide sandy beach, near Sian Ka’an bio-reserve)
  • The Pueblo offers a mix of midrange and affordable hotels with a walkable center, offering authentic Mexican restaurants and fantastic nightlife (all-night dance clubs, fun bars, and street parties). All hotels in the Pueblo have 24-hour air conditioning.
  • Just south of the Pueblo is a new luxury development called Aldea Zama (about halfway between the heart of the Pueblo and the beach). This is a quiet neighborhood with a suburban feel and a couple of boutique hotels and restaurants. Much of Aldea Zama is still under construction.

Staying in the North Beach Zone

Best beach for first-timers to Tulum.
The beach just north of Mezzanine hotel.

The North Beach Zone is the strip of beach running along the edge of Tulum National Park, where the Mayan ruins are. This generally means from the ruins in the north down 4 km south along Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila (the beach road) to its intersection with Avenida Coba (the road to the Pueblo) at the tourist police station. Unofficially, the North Beach Zone extends a little farther north to the Tankah neighborhood. This is the quietest area in Tulum, with just a few boutique hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs. Most hotels are on white sandy beaches, though there are a few areas of rocky coastline. Among the best beaches here are Playa Paraiso and Playa Pescadores (picturesque, soft, sandy beaches), Playa Maya (lots of cheap snorkeling trips here), Santa Fe (Tulum’s original hippie hangout – strong swimmers can swim the 500 meters to the ruins from here), and Ruins Beach (the beach right underneath the Tulum ruins). Just north of the beach zone, there are several gorgeous cenotes (natural swimming holes connected to underground river systems) with especially great swimming at Casa Cenote and Dos Ojos.

The Best Hotels in the North Beach Zone

  • Mezzanine(Hotel phone: +52 984 115 4728)
  • Jashita (In Soliman Bay, north of the North Hotel Zone) • (Hotel phone: +52 984 875 4158)
  • Mi Amor(Hotel phone: +52 984 188 4273)
  • O’ Tulum(Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241)

Staying in Beach Town

Hotel near bars and restaurants in Tulum
The Punta Piedra Beach Posada hotel.

Beach Town is a cluster of hotels, restaurants, and shops from kilometer 4 to about kilometer 5.5 between the North and Middle Beach Zones. The beach is sandy and swimmable in the north end, with rocky patches for the southern 500 or so meters. In general, dining, drinking, and shopping are more affordable here than in the other beach areas. Most of the restaurants and shops are on the jungle side of the road, including Mateos, a fun 3-story restaurant with hammocks, and Tunich, a fantastic breakfast spot. Beachside dining is best at Zamas and Mina. Across from Zamas are 3 boutiques featuring Mexican clothing, crafts, and gifts: Mixik, Hilo Rojo, and Shalom. A little bit north of the Beach Town, you’ll find Kin Toh (a treetop restaurant/lounge) and Zak Ik (fashion boutique), both at stylish Azulik Resort. North of Azulik is Papaya Playa Project, the which hosts the wildest late night beach parties.

The Best Hotels in Beach Town

Staying in the Middle Beach Zone

Beach club in Tulum.
The beach bar and restaurant at Ahau Hotel.

The Middle Beach Zone is the heart of Tulum’s beach area, with upscale dining, high-end boutiques, and stylish open-air nightclubs, especially chic Casa Jaguar and Gitano. Outside of the party scene, there is a plethora of ambitious restaurants serving fine-dining and creative menus. Among the best restaurants here are Hartwood, Arca, and Safari. Plenty of yoga studios and casual beach clubs also dot the strip. The Middle Beach Zone sits roughly between kilometers 5.5 and 8 on Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, from the narrow, rocky Sunset Beach at the north end to just past Arca restaurant in the south end. The beach is long, wide, and mostly sandy though there are some rocky patches between km 5.5 and 6. There are no street lights, sidewalks, or bike paths, but even still most people get around this area by walking or cycling, and it’s fairly easy to flag down a taxi here.

The Best Hotels in the Middle Beach Zone

  • Tago(Hotel phone: +52 984 871 1310)
  • Ahau(Hotel phone: +52 984 147 5225)
  • Dune(Hotel phone: +52 984 238 9529)
  • Cabanas La Luna(Hotel phone: +52 984 146 7737)
  • Coco Zen Zone(Hotel phone: +52 984 688 8592)
  • The Beach Hotel(Hotel phone: +52 984 157 9645)
  • El Pez(Hotel phone: +52 984 116 3357)
  • Cabanas(Hotel phone: +52 984 871 1132)

Staying in the South Beach Zone

Luxury beach hotel in Tulum.
The luxurious Sueños hotel in the quieter South Beach area of Tulum – though still walking distance to many bars and restaurants.

The South Beach Zone is great for kids with a long, wide stretch of sandy beach with no rocky parts. Located near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, hotels in the south end tend to be more eco-conscious than hotels to the north, which is reflected in the bohemian vibe and abundance of yoga and wellness studios here. The South Beach Zone tends to be quiet, away from the central party zone but still within walking/cycling distance to fantastic restaurants and nightlife. This is a great place to stay for active families and couples who want to explore more of Tulum’s natural wonders, from beaches to jungles to cenotes. Amazing restaurants in the South Beach Zone include Nü, Charly’s Vegan Tacos, and Taqueria La Eufemia. The best yoga studios here are at Yäan Wellness, Sanara (beachfront yoga), Alaya, and SUP Yoga Tulum, with classes held in various locations in and near Sian Ka’an.

The Best Hotels in the South Beach Zone

Staying in the Pueblo

Best hotel in Tulum town.
Una Vida is the best hotel in the Pueblo.

The Pueblo is the lively downtown area of Tulum, brimming with wonderful restaurants, bars, and clubs. Hotels tend to be in the budget or moderate range, though there are a handful of luxury hotels at a fraction of the cost of the beach resorts. The Pueblo is easily walkable and bikable with a grid layout, sidewalks, and street lamps in most parts. Food in the Pueblo is more authentic and affordable than what you’ll find at the beach; among the best are Taqueria El Carboncito, Antojitos la Chiapaneca, and La Gloria de Don Pepe, though there are many amazing spots to try. The nightlife is anchored by Batey Mojito Bar, with several great bars and clubs on that same block or along the main street, including Pasito Tun Tun and Kiki. Two of Tulum’s best yoga studios are here: Yoga Dicha (yoga with puppies every Monday morning) and Tribal Tulum (a yoga studio/dive shop). Though the Pueblo is a vibrant, urban area, it is completely surrounded by jungle, with lots of nature to explore just a short bike ride away. Several amazing cenotes are within a 5 to 25-minute bike ride north along Avenida Coba, including Cenote Calavera, Gran Cenote, Cenote Santa Cruz, and Cenote Zacil-Ha (with a zip line).

The Best Hotels in the Pueblo

Staying in Aldea Zama

Aldea Zama in Tulum
Aldea Zama is a new luxury development in between the Pueblo and the Beach Zone. This neighborhood is primarily high-end homes, condos and Airbnbs, though there are a couple of boutique hotels, restaurants, and a playground – all connected by walking and cycling paths. Much of the development is still under construction, but there are plans to add luxury boutiques, restaurants, and bars. At the moment, this area has a bit of a sterile feel and hasn’t found its own personality yet. However, the location is perfect, offering easy access to the Pueblo and beach, while remaining calm and quiet at night.

The Best Hotel in Aldea Zama

  • Naay(Hotel phone: +52 984 231 1241)

Tulum Map

Tulum Where To Stay Map and Where To Stay on Tulum Beach
Hotels on Map: 1. Jashita 2. O’ Tulum 3. Bardo 4. Una Vida 5. Casa Don Diego 6. Coco Hacienda 7. Hotel Tiki Tiki 8. Naay 9. Mezzanine 10. Mi Amor 11. Papaya Playa Project 12. Azulik 13. Punta Piedra Beach Posada Hotel 14. Zamas 15. El Pez 16. Tago 17. Coco Tulum 18. Dune 19. Cabañas La Luna 20. Cabañas Tulum 20. The Beach Tulum 21. Ahau 22. La Zebra 23. Alaya 23. Playa Mambo Eco Cabanas 24. Las Palmas Maya 25. Sueños 26. Encantada 27. La Valise 28. Be Tulum 29. Nômade 30. Casa Malca

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