The 6 Best Bucket List Adventures in Tulum!
Article provided by Maggie’s One Way Ticket
What makes something a bucket list adventure? For me it is anything that makes me come alive, immerse in nature and feel connected to the world, and experience a state of flow that allows me to totally disconnect. Tulum is a paradise for just about any type of traveler. Whether you are an artist taking in the incredible street murals sprinkled across the city or a scuba diver trying to explore the breathtaking cenotes this city has to offer. During my week in Tulum, I discovered so many hidden gems that I can’t wait to dive into further.
Without further adieu, my top six best bucket list experiences in Tulum!
Admire the Ven a La Luz Sculpture
Address: Outside the Ahau Tulum hotel, (QROO 15, Tulum Beach, Q.R., Mexico).
This sculpture will quite literally take your breath away. The statue stands over 30 feet tall and was designed with steel, ropes, wood, rope, and greenery.
The statue’s purpose is to represent the connection between humanity and nature. It is a breathtaking sculpture that you have to add to your bucket list!
It was created by South African artist Daniel Popper, who is known for creating jaw-dropping figurative sculptures.
Cost: $3USD
Spend the day swinging away at Cenote Calavera!
Address: Carretera Tulum Coba Km 1.7, 77796 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Sometimes called the skull cenote, (when looking at it from above you will see the main hole and the two smaller ones that do look like eyes, neat!)
It is connected to the Sac Actun Cave. It is the perfect spot to explore for the day as you can take the ladder down or just jump right in!
It was interesting to learn that when limestone caves collapse a natural pool appears, creating a cenote!
The coolest part about this cenote is the tire swing attached to the top! As I swung and looked down at the crystal blue waters, I felt such a moment of serenity.
I recommend getting to this cenote early, as it is one of Tulum’s more popular ones! It is open 7 days a week, from 9-5!
I felt like quite the adventurer jumping right in. As I swam, I noticed bats were circling above me. This is very common in the cenotes. This normally would frighten me, but I felt like I was in an Indiana Jones movie jumping right in and exploring this unique cave.
Cost: $12 USD
Admire art in the jungle at Azulik’s SFER IK
Address: Azulik Hotel
Azulik is a breathtaking hotel located in the heart of the tropical jungle. The hotel offers an incredible and unique art experience through the development of their art exhibit SFER IK.
As I wandered around the exhibit barefoot, I felt one with nature as I admired the incredible integration of Tulum’s natural beauty and the designer’s vision for a dreamlike visit.
I have never experienced something so unique as the Azulik exhibit. I saw many people having a meditative experience while inside. I felt like I was inside a futuristic jungle treehouse!
Cost: $20 USD
Live your experiences and follow your dreams!
Be inspired by all the motivational street signs around Tulum. I couldn’t help but think, why can’t every street name have such an incredible mantra and evoke such positive vibes?
It takes visiting a city like Tulum to recognize in our modern world we are bombarded by so much negative messaging and advertising. I really enjoyed being immersed in a city that had encouraging mantras and messages everywhere.
When I think of Tulum, I think about dreams coming true. It sounds cliche, but the city is surrounded by the dreamers, the doers, the artists, and the overexcited backpackers. There is such an electric energy here. It is easy to be inspired in a place full of such beauty, adventure, and interesting people.
Tulum is a city best explored by bike, so for this one I recommend a biking scavenger hunt to find the most inspiring signs around town! Most are located in the Hotel Zone, near the beach. However, throughout the city you will see them scattered behind restaurant signs and on the curbs.
My two personal favorites are the Follow that Dream sign located outside the Lolita and Lolita Boutique. The easiest way to find that one is to put Suenos Tulum in your GPS, as it is directly across the street!
The one I visited was the Live your Experiences sign, located near the Turquoise Tulum Hotel.
A fitting sign for me I’d say. I try to make each day count and really try to experience all that this life has to offer! Live your experiences to me means taking the road less traveled every day. Why not try out a new coffee shop? Book that experience you have been constantly thinking about. Take a new way to work and find a hidden gem in your city. It doesn’t take traveling across the world to adopt this mindset!
Spend the day swimming through the cenotes in the small village of Chemuyil!
This experience was BY far one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. I can’t recommend it enough. My brother recommended this Airbnb experience, and I am so incredibly happy I booked it.
You can book it here. What makes this tour so incredible?
I loved living like a local and taking the colectivo bus to the small town of Chemuyil. It took about 20 minutes to reach Chemuyil. It was about a five minute walk to the meeting spot. The host, Einner, is a local that has such excitement and passion in showing you around this home. For five hours we explored the following cenotes: agua escondida, aqua que gira, la dama de aqua.
What is so unique about these cenotes is how unknown they are. Our Airbnb group were the only people at all three! The guides explain the importance of these cenotes and are eager to photograph you as you swim and explore these incredible underwater caves.
The guides made sure to emphasize the importance of learning about the local culture in addition to preserving the natural surroundings. Each cenote was different from the next, providing a very exciting and special experience.
As we biked to each cenote, I really took in the town of Chemuyil. It’s people are so proud and eager to share their town’s beauty with others! The tour ends with an authentic Mexican meal prepared by the villagers in the town.
Plan a trip to Matcha Mama and explore the Beach!
Head to the hotel zone via cab or colectivo and treat yourself to a delicious matcha drink! Matcha Mama is located right on the strip by the beach.
I got an Iced Matcha, and it was delicious! It was very hot, so I welcomed the swing resting spot.
I enjoyed some time on the swings before I made my way to the beach! The beaches in Tulum are beautiful. What more could you want on a hot day?
White sandy beaches, tranquil blue water, and possible adventures at every corner. I saw many surfers and travelers who dared to go parasailing!
Well there you have it, the six adventures I loved the most during my time in Tulum!
Is Tulum on your bucket list? If so, I hope you add these to your list of adventures!
Happy Traveling!