Known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear cenotes, and sacred Mayan ruins — Tulum is one of the most popular travel destinations in the Riviera Maya. It’s also known as the ultimate yoga destination in Mexico, boasting numerous yoga, meditation, and wellness retreats throughout the year.

Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, swim in the cenotes, or explore ancient archeological wonders, Tulum is the perfect destination. When you’re ready to plan your trip, Travel Yucatan can help with hotels, tours, transfers, and all the expert advice and travel guides you’ll need to plan your Tulum getaway.

With plenty of sunshine and mild weather year-round, there’s never a bad time to visit Tulum, but each season does offer a different experience. Let’s dive into what each season is like to help you pick the best time to visit Tulum!

Tulum in the Spring

With plenty of sunshine, water activities, and some unique events, spring is a great time to visit Tulum. Spring is high season in the Yucatan Peninsula, so it can get crowded, but it is nowhere near as crowded as nearby party hotspots like Cancun, Cozumel, or Playa del Carmen. If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed spring break in Mexico, Tulum is the perfect spot.

Spring Weather

Spring in Tulum is full of sunshine and tropical breezes, with temperatures mostly staying in the 70s and 80s. There’s also very little rain, no threat of hurricanes, and lower levels of sargassum, making it one of the best times of year to enjoy the beaches.

Best Things to Do in Spring in Tulum

Springtime in Tulum is perfect for being outdoors, whether you want to soak up the sun on the beach, swim in the cenotes, or enjoy an outdoor yoga class.

• Beaches
• Snorkeling
• Outdoor yoga
• Visit the Tulum Ruins
• Explore the cenotes
• Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
  

Spring Events in Tulum

Between spring break festivities and the Easter holiday, spring is in full bloom in Tulum.

• Spring Break: While less chaotic than Cancun, there’s still plenty of nightlife and spring break fun in Tulum. From mid-March to early April, you’ll find special events at bars, restaurants, and beach clubs, plus pool parties and beach bashes at local hotels.
• Semana Santa: Like many towns across Mexico, you’ll find Semana Santa, or Holy Week, celebrations in Tulum leading up to Easter. These typically include parades, processionals, and other religious ceremonies and cultural events.
• Spring Equinox in Chichen Itza: A cultural celebration showcasing the unique light formations created by the equinox that makes a shadow serpent descend the steps of El Castillo Pyramid. Thousands gather at Chichen Itza to witness this phenomenon.

Tulum in the Summer

With warmer weather and more frequent rain, summer is the low season in Tulum, but it can be a great time to snag a deal on an all-inclusive resort and enjoy fewer crowds. It’s also the beginning of the whale shark migration, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those hoping to spot these gentle giants in the water.

Summer Weather

Summer weather in Tulum can be hot, humid, and rainy. Daytime temperatures tend to linger in the 80s and 90s, and nighttime temperatures drop into the upper 70s. While rain showers are common, it rarely rains all day, so don’t let the threat of rain dampen your summer vacation plans. Just pack a poncho or rain jacket.

This time of year also typically sees higher sargassum levels on Tulum beaches, which, combined with the heat and humidity, often make it a better time to cool off in the cenotes.

In addition to the rainy season, the summer months are also part of hurricane season. While direct hits are rare, visitors in the Yucatan Peninsula are advised to stay informed of local forecasts and heed any evacuation orders if a storm approaches.

Best Things to Do in Summer in Tulum

With the hot and rainy weather that Tulum experiences in the summer and higher sargassum levels on the beach, it’s a good time to visit the cenotes, water parks, and indoor attractions.

• Explore the cenotes
• Boat tours
• Snorkeling
• Water parks
• Museums
• Shopping
• Nighttime beach yoga and meditation

Summer Events in Tulum

While Tulum can be hot and rainy in the summer, there are some unique happenings you won’t find any other time of year, especially for nature lovers!

• Whale shark season: From late May to early September, the whale shark migration takes place off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants.
• Sea turtle nesting season: From late May to early October, sea turtles nest on the beaches of Tulum. Throughout the season you may get to observe sea turtle nests along Tulum beaches and hatchlings making their way into the ocean. Many local hotels host special educational events and nighttime “turtle walks.”
• Wellness events: Summer in Tulum is full of special wellness events, from nighttime beach yoga, breathwork, and meditation to sound healing experiences and grounding ceremonies.

Tulum in the Fall

Fall in Tulum is a bit of a shoulder season. Early fall is akin to summer with heat, rain, and fewer crowds, while late fall gets cooler and drier and sees an increase in Tulum travelers. Just in time for some unique festivals!

Fall Weather

Early fall in Tulum is similar to summer. You’ll see high temperatures in the 80s and 90s, higher levels of sargassum on the beaches, and lots of rain. In fact, September is often the rainiest month of the year in the Yucatan Peninsula. But come October, temperatures begin to drop into the 70s and 80s, and the threat of rain, hurricanes, and sargassum recedes.

Best Things to Do in the Fall in Tulum

With fall weather fluctuations, it can be a great time to explore some of the adventure parks that have both indoor and outdoor activities, as well as the museums and archaeological sites. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beaches and water activities.

• Explore the cenotes
• Day trips to Xcaret
• Visit the Tulum Ruins
• Beaches
• Boat tours
• Snorkeling
• Museums
• Shopping

Fall Events in Tulum

Fall in Tulum is full of unique festivals and cultural events.

• Sea Turtle Festival: Typically held toward the end of October, the Sea Turtle Festival is a multi-day event that includes food, art, educational events, and turtle walks, to celebrate the end of nesting season.
• Hanal Pixan: A 3-day cultural festival from October 31st to November 2nd that honors the deceased, Hanan Pixan features food, costumed processionals, and cultural performances. Also referred to as the Food for the Souls Festival, Hanan Pixan is often compared to the Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) festival that is celebrated widely across Mexico, but this festival is unique to the Mayan culture of the Yucatan Peninsula.
• Halloween: A Tulum Halloween is full of music, food, fun, and of course, costumes. You’ll find numerous special events around town including costume parties, Halloween bar crawls, beach bonfires, themed yoga classes, and more.

Tulum in the Winter

With plenty of sunshine, cool ocean breezes, and holiday happenings, winter is the high season in Tulum. But don’t worry; there are still plenty of ways to find a peaceful retreat.

Winter Weather

Winter weather in Tulum is sunny, with temperatures mostly in the upper 70s or low 80s and plenty of cool ocean breezes. Nights can get a bit chillier, sometimes dropping down into the 60s, especially in January, but nothing more than a light jacket is typically needed.

Winter is also the dry season in Tulum, so there is little to no rain on most days, and hurricane season is over. Sargassum is also typically at its lowest during the winter, making it a great time to enjoy the beaches.

Best Things to Do in Winter in Tulum

With near-perfect weather, winter is a great time to enjoy all of the outdoor activities Tulum is known for.

• Beaches
• Snorkeling
• Explore the cenotes
• Visit the Tulum Ruins
• Boat tours
• Water parks
• Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
• Outdoor yoga

Winter Events in Tulum

Winter in Tulum is full of music, cultural celebrations, and festivities.

• Christmas & New Year’s Eve: The holidays in Tulum are full of festive fun. You’ll find special events and Christmas parties at most of the local hotels, bars, and nightclubs, plus NYE countdowns, block parties, parades, holiday yoga, and more.
• Day Zero Festival: The mother of all music festivals in Tulum, the Day Zero Festival combines music, Mayan culture, and vibrant costumes for an event like no other.
• Tulum Carnival: Reminiscent of other Caribbean Carnival festivals, Tulum Carnival is a days-long celebration that takes place towards the end of February. The event features elaborate costumes, music, Mexican food, parades, and cultural celebrations.

When Will You Visit Tulum?

With mild weather, gorgeous beaches, and fun things to do year-round, there’s never a bad time to travel to Tulum. Whether you want to soak up the sun, practice yoga under the moonlight, or swim in an otherworldly cenote, Tulum is a destination for the mind, body, and soul.

Ready to book? Travel Yucatan can help with all of your Tulum travel needs. Find great rates on hotels, transportation, tours, and more.