The Slow Traveler's Guide to Tulum: Living Like a Local

Picture of Tulum Town

After spending a year in Tulum while Alfonso was working at Arca, I am sharing with you everything I learned so you can be more cultured traveler with the inside scoop! These resources and recommendations are more tailored for those who are fluent in Spanish, have experience in other parts of Latin America or consider themselves seasons enough to travel like a local.

Safety in Tulum

Money: Let’s start here, because understanding the local currency quickly is a great foundation to have while traveling abroad for more than just a short trip to a resort. My trick for converting Pesos to Dollars on the fly is quite simple. Half it and remove a 0. For example. 1000 MP is 50 bucks. 12000 MP is 600 Bucks. Easy huh!

Safety: It is imperative to take certain precautions when living in Tulum. You do not need to be hyper aware or scared but at the same time, if you are an easy target people will take advantage. Pay attention. Lock up your things. Do not wander at night. Stay with a friend.

Drugs: Drugs are everywhere, especially at the Tulum Beach. Each establishment has their resident dealer who will offer you whatever you want. Do not buy drugs from them. Do not do other drugs in front of them. Whatever you came to do in Tulum if you must, just do it in private and make sure you all get back home together at night.

Police: Keep a min of 250 and max of 500 pesos on you at all times. This will just make your life easier. I had to pick up Alf from work at Tulum Beach after 12am every night. Between that and just being active around town in my car, I got pulled over at least once a week. For nothing. I made sure to only have max 500 pesos and my drivers license visible. The rest I keep hidden (at all times). When I got pulled over, I would just listen politely and then discreetly offer them a 200 [$10], they almost always accepted and I easily moved on. If I was alone, at night and they were pushing my boundaries, I would just immediately offer more to be safe. If I was driving the other local kitchen guys home from Arco and we got pulled over it was a whole another level of negotiation. DM if you’re curious. ✧ @alyssaya

Getting Around Tulum

Car Rental: Here are my tips for affordable and reliable car rentals in Tulum!

  • Avoid all of the corporate rental agencies like Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Alamo. They will advertise low prices then tack on hundreds of dollars in mandatory insurance.

  • Easy Way, Quick Car Rental and American are smaller local car rental agencies in Tulum that have budget car rentals options and good reviews.

  • Cap’s Car Rental is an independent car rental service in Tulum. His WhatsApp is +52 33 1665 6206

  • I used another that is 100% private so you will have to DM so I can vet you first ✧ @alyssaya

Taxis: You can hail a taxi just about anywhere in Tulum. Taxis are notorious for taking advantage of foreigners, and the respectable taxis don’t do that. So here are some basic Tulum Taxi prices you can use as a baseline.

  • An errand around Tulum Town = 50 /75 pesos.

  • Town to beach = 300 / 400 pesos.

  • Beach to town later at night = 500 / 600 pesos.

*These are approximate in 2023

Scooter Rental: There are tons of rental agencies just by walking around or googling. They will all have a standard tourist price ($25-$50/day). But utilize the local facebook groups to search for independent local options. Renting a scooter from someone you find in the facebook groups should be about $15-$20/day. Make sure they give you the registration card and double check its not expired. Helmets are required.

Bicycle Rental: Many condos and airbnbs include a bike with the rental, so ask first. If not, we bought one from a local facebook group. They are easy to sell again even, depending on the season. Be sure to keep it locked up.

ATV Rental: We rented an ATV to go from Tulum Central to Cenote Cristal and Escondido, which was a fun way to go exploring! So you know, using an ATV down by Tulum Beach is kinda frowned upon by the locals and makes you stick out like a sore thumb. Locals take public, taxis, bike, scooter or walk.

Become a Part of the Local Community in Tulum

Community: If you plan to stay a while like we did, facebook groups are a great way to keep your pulse on the scene. This includes events, parties, buying bikes, renting scooters, apartment hunting, updated taxi prices, safety issues etc.

  • Tulum Girl Gang

  • Tulum Community Group

  • Tulum Conscious Community

  • Mujeres Tulum

  • Rentals Tulum

  • Facebook Marketplace

Housing and Condo Rentals:

  • Most landlords and agents keep their rental listing up-to-date on the Facebook Marketplace.

  • Many airbnb renters will offer a discounted rate for a 1-month rental outside of Airbnb.

  • Most sublets are an amazing deal and happen local Facebook Groups such as Tulum Rentals and Tulum Community Group.

Lifestyle Essential for Tulum Living

Food Delivery: Tulum doesn’t have Uber Eats but they have Tomato for home food delivery “a domicilio” Just download the app Tomato and for 40 Pesos you can order from any restaurant in Tulum and have it delivered in under an hour to your house, condor, airbnb or hotel.  Usually you pay cash, but some restaurants also take card through the app.

Rapidito Errands: This local Tulum delivery service will run your errands for you starting at 50 pesos. They will pick up your groceries, medicine, food, friends, whatever! This is their WhatsApp +52 1 984 321 9554

Home Cooked Meals: Mali Healthy Food is a local woman who cooks 100% natural food with no additives. She promotes her menu weekly on local Tulum Facebook groups and takes special orders. Her WhatsApp is: +52 1 228 191 1715

Laundry: Lavanderia Agua y Mar is by far the best laundry service in Tulum. Quick turnaround and home delivery. Their WhatsApp is +52 984 287 4686.

Emergency Dentist: I ended up going to Eurodental for a dental emergency while in Tulum. They were very professional so, if you need a cleaning, whitening, or check-up while in Tulum pop on in and see them!

Emergency Doctor: In the event of an emergency DUMEDIC is a private clinic that is available 24/7 and does house calls.

Emergency Vet: We had a very emergency vet needs in Tulum for Ixi and The Pet Experience was attentive even very late at night.

Wellness in Tulum

Nail Salon: Younik Nails in Tulum does my acrylics and they do a pretty good job! Right next door is their partner barber shop which is also pretty cool for men haircuts in Tulum.

Wellness Classes: Holistika wellness center offers tons of daily classes from south bath to yoga to cold immersion therapy.

Wellness Spa: Naomi Art of Wellness is a highly recommended wellness spa offering a combination of traditional and state of the art services including acupuncture.

Massage Therapy: Kakuxtal offers at-home massage therapists and their masseurs are extremely professional.

Chiropractor: I was introduced to Michael Lande who is a certified chiropractor who integrates energy work to his practice. He is a miracle worker. If you are in any local Facebook groups you might come across his contact info.

Eye Exam: After much research I ended up visiting Opticenter Tulum for new glasses and was treated wonderfully. This local doctor is really caring and they gave me my new lenses in 20 minutes!

Get in Touch

What are some other things I might have missed that could be helpful when planning a trip Tulum, Mexico? Let me know on IG @alyssaya!

Be sure to read my Tulum Travel Guide and Tulum Restaurant Guide before traveling to Mexico and don’t hesitate to DM me on instagram if you have any other questions!

Thanks for reading. And as always . . . Be thoughtful. Stay kind.

♡ Alyssa

Alyssa Cate