Tulum’s Best Hotels: Where Jungle Meets Caribbean Cool
Tulum has come a long way from its days as a quiet fishing village with a handful of simple cabanas. Today, this stretch of the Riviera Maya draws travelers from everywhere, thanks to its mix of barefoot luxury, wellness retreats, and striking design hotels. The airport that opened last year makes getting here easier than ever, with direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Whether you want a sprawling resort with five pools and eleven restaurants, or a tiny, 12-room hideaway with an open-air living room and sunset cocktails on the roof, Tulum delivers. I’ve watched this place evolve into a design-forward destination where buildings blend into the jungle, and the energy is unlike anything you’ll find in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Here are the hotels worth checking into.
How we picked them: Every review on this list comes from a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows Tulum inside out. We looked at properties across price points, focusing on design, location, service, and sustainability.
Xela, a Member of Design Hotels – Mexican modernism meets Moroccan kasbah at this beachfront stunner. Clean lines, natural materials, and warm clay tones make it feel both contemporary and grounded. Rooms are open-plan, with water views and adobe-style bathrooms with soaking tubs.
La Valise Tulum – A laid-back, boho-chic mini-resort that blends castaway charm with attentive service. Handmade furnishings from local artisans include four-poster beds draped in mosquito netting and rattan pieces. Sliding walls open wide to sea views.
Mezzanine Tulum – Perched on a rocky bluff inside Parque del Jaguar, this adults-only spot feels like a secret. Nine rooms, a cliffside pool, and bean bags for sunset cocktails. The Thai restaurant serves fragrant curries.
Siwa Tulum – Behind a massive carved wooden door lies a hidden world of private villas and plunge pools. The apartment-meets-hotel concept includes full kitchens and a cenote-style restaurant with a subterranean bar. Wellness is woven in, from the spa to rooftop yoga.
Radhoo Tulum – A jungle camp vibe with 14 rooms, mosquito-netted canopy beds, and thatched palapa ceilings. The Michelin-recognized sister restaurant Nü Tulum serves modern Mexican dishes rooted in local seasonality.
The Beach Tulum – An adults-only oasis with 28 rooms, private plunge pools, and hot tubs. It’s a calm escape from the party-heavy neighbors, with the beach and main strip on either side.
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya – A sprawling luxury resort 13 miles north of town, with 349 rooms, five pools, and 11 restaurants and bars. The cenote-inspired spa is a highlight.
Be Tulum – A smaller property with outdoor showers, a jungle-nestled feel, and direct beach access. Popular with honeymooners and foodies, it also has a villa in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere.
Hotel Bardo – Jungle luxury with wellness rituals, sound healing, and yoga. Each loft-style villa has a private plunge pool, an outdoor garden with a hammock, and artisan decor.
Olas Tulum – A tucked-away beach bungalow at the end of Beach Road, bordering the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Eight suites, no pool, no flashy beach club—just organic meals at a communal table and genuine connections.
Our Habitas – Ultra-luxe canvas-walled rooms on wooden platforms, with king beds, midcentury furniture, and outdoor showers. The vibe is for those who dance until 3 a.m. and wake up for yoga.
Casa Maya Kaan – A secluded paradise inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, with four suites and seven bell tents. All bookings include a bespoke organic menu and a menu of spa treatments and excursions.
Nômade – Nearly 100 rooms, but still intimate, with bungalows, treehouses, and private pools. Wellness classes, a Japanese omakase, and a Mediterranean eatery round out the experience.
Holistika – A boutique hotel and holistic center in the jungle, offering kundalini yoga, breathwork, cacao ceremonies, and sound baths. The vegetarian restaurant and evening firepit gatherings are a draw.
Hotel Panamera – A rebranded oceanfront property with a terra-cotta-and-cream-checkered pool and a rooftop sunset bar. Rooms are minimalist, with polished floors and sea views.
Hotel Esencia – Thirty minutes north of Tulum, this former home of an Italian duchess sits on a 50-acre estate with three restaurants, two pools, and a spa overlooking a cenote. Sea turtles visit the nearby cove.
Hotel Muaré – An adults-only retreat in the La Veleta neighborhood, with 26 thatch-roofed villas, private gardens, and plunge pools. The open-air restaurant serves wood-fired dishes and octopus ceviche.
Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel – A reimagined former Sanara Tulum, with 19 keys, whitewashed façades, and cobalt accents. Suites open onto private terraces, and the vibe is refined but unpretentious. Families and pets welcome.