Have you ever followed one of those Instragram influencers that is always posting the most amazing pictures with a jungle backdrop and crystal clear waters in the back? I’d always wonder to myself, is that real? Is there really a place like this where every picture can look this cool?
Well guess what, Tulum was definitely that place. I am no Instragram influencer but Tulum was one of the most magical beach locations I have visited. I had never seen architecture so beautiful and picturesque before in one place.
Tulum beach is filled with hundreds of boutique hotels so it makes it very hard to pick exactly where to stay. First take a few things into consideration: How much do you want to spend? What end of the beach do you want to be on, the north or the south? Do you mind if your hotel plays loud music at the beach club all day and night? Do you want to be able to walk to everything?
Take a look at the list below at what I consider to be the best boutique hotels on Tulum beach:
Ahau Tulum
This was probably my favorite hotel that I looked at when planning my trip to Tulum. It was totally booked up at the time, so if you want to stay here make sure to book early! There is also a vegan restaurant Raw Love that has amazing acaí bowls on the hotel grounds. The famous statue “Escultura Ven a la Luz” is a popular photo destination for tourists as well and it is in close proximity to Ahau. The location was perfect, beach area was big, and water was clear. This would be my first choice pick if I could go back to Tulum.
La Zebra
La Zebra was where I stayed when I visited Tulum. Without realizing it, we picked one of the best hotels to stay at in the area. The rooms were stunning with 2 huge walk- in showers, a bed with a view of the ocean, and our room also included a private plunge pool. With our package, we had a private lounger on the beach. The restaurant, Chef’s Table, was a little expensive but served delicious food and could be brought to you anywhere on the hotel grounds upon request. We were able to set up transportation to and from the airport through them. I can not recommend La Zebra enough!
Mezzanine
This boutique hotel is a little farther north of the hotels listed above. Their restaurant offers authentic Thai food with an amazing view of the beach and crystal clear waters. It is very close to the public beach area and Mezzanine’s beach area is small due to the rocky coast-line in the north end of the Tulum beach. The views here are definitely insta worthy.
Jashita Hotel
Jashital hotel is considered a luxury boutique hotel. It is very far north on Tulum beach and Tulum central. The rooms have private plunge pools or beachfront properties. This location would be perfect for a honeymoon or a couple looking for a luxury getaway vacation.
Azulik Resort
Azulik is SO cool looking, and I mean SO COOL. It is a super popular destination for influencers because everything is so “Insta-worthy”. They have villas in various locations that offer beach front views, jungle views, pool views, and night sky views. This hotel emphasizes art, yoga, wellness, and healing in their sanctuary which may be what some people are looking for when visiting Tulum. I would recommend this hotel just for the atmosphere and the art you’ll see when you’re inside.
Alma Tulum
Alma Tulum has one of the best beach clubs on the Tulum beach coastline. Their beach area is beautiful and plenty of sands and clear water. The beach club Dodo during the day is always playing music which might not be what you’re looking for if you want quieter vibes. It is farther south than some of the other hotels listed. We stopped there for breakfast one morning and were able to enjoy the views of the ocean with some freshly squeezed orange juice in our mimosas.
NEST Tulum
Nest describes their rooms as “rusic-chic” vibes. Similar to Azulik, they have private villas and breakfast is included which is huge because some of the hotels do not offer this at their restaurants. They also offer different 5-day workshops for guests to either enjoy the Mexican culture or focus on their spirit including yoga & snorkeling sessions.
Cabanas Tulum
Cabanas was on my list of possible hotels to stay at when I was researching my trip to Tulum. Similar to some of the other boutique hotels, they offer private plunge pools, swim up rooms, and beach front rooms. The location is perfect in regards to being close to zona hotelera. Cabanas is in close proximity to Ziggy’s restaurant which is a popular spot for food, entertainment, and drinks. It was a little bit less expensive than some of the other hotels I looked at as well.
Kanan Tulum
Kanan Tulum is another one of my personal favorites that I explored when I was visiting. We went to Kanan after dinner one night for a drink. When you arrive from the street, they walk you all the way up above the trees to the rooftop nests. The views are amazing as well as the architect of the rooftop seating. Each seating area looks like a nest above the tree line overlooking the ocean and the jungle. It is adults only and they have a fairly popular beach club during the days. Kanan is in a great location and is in close proximity to other beach clubs and restaurants on the street below.
Hip Hotel
Hip Hotel was requested to me by a family member that lives in Tulum while exploring the beach clubs. After looking into it, I realized that this hotel was a more affordable option compared to some of the boutique hotels in the area. The beach in front of hip hotel is beautiful with private loungers that look like a birds nest. Their beachfront rooms do not have plunge pools but they do have private hammocks.
Zamas Tulum
Zamas Tulum is another affordable option for people not looking to spend as much on their accommodations. They offer a number of room styles such as beachfront or jungle bungalows, casas, coconut grove chicas, and studio rooms. The only negative is that some of the rooms do not have private bathrooms. Zamas might be a good option if you want to explore and check out some of the more luxurious beach clubs during the day.
