Remote Worker’s guide to Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is one of the latest booming hotspots for digital nomads. It has everything: stunning beaches, ancient ruins, vibrant nightlife, lots of expats, and tons of things to do, offering a great blend of work and play. Much like Bali and Koh Phangan, Tulum embodies that quirky mix of bohemian and chic lifestyle that pulls nomads from all over the world but mostly from America.

In this article, we will bring out the most important info you should know if you decide to choose Tulum as your next remote-work destination. There are two sides to Tulum. The town of Tulum and the beach area of Tulum. Both are completely different from each other and picking one over the other can make or break your experience. More on it later in the post!

1. Cost of Living

Life in Tulum can be as affordable or as luxurious as you want it to be. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to luxury villas, and dining options include both cheap local eateries and upscale restaurants. On average, digital nomads can expect to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 per month, depending on lifestyle choices.

Housing: Accommodation in the Tulum Beach area costs mostly around 100 dollars a night at a minimum unless you’re willing to stay in a dorm. Digital Nomads and remote workers are much better off staying in Town where the cost per room is many times cheaper and where you can get a much better WiFi connection in your accommodation.

Food: Eating out in Tulum can get expensive really quickly, especially if you frequent beach clubs or hotel zone restaurants. Simple local fare is still priced pretty reasonably. If you cook at home, grocery shopping at the local Mexican markets can save you lots of money. Again, if you live in Tulum Town then you will have many affordable options to choose from.

Co-working Spaces: If you require more reliable internet or a more focused working environment, there are a couple of co-working spaces around Tulum Town where you can get a very fast connection with a great work environment.

Renting a car or a scooter: Renting a car or a scooter isn’t cheap in Tulum, at least according to our budget. When we were there, renting a car for a day cost us around 50 dollars a day while a scooter was around 30 dollars.

Taxi: As the distance between Tulum Town and the Beach area is quite big, around 5km, you will find yourself taking a taxi quite often. Going one way mostly cost us around 12 dollars when we were there Spring 2022.

Visa: Most travelers visiting Tulum don’t need one but I recommend checking with the Mexican embassy or consulate in your home country for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa requirements.

2. Getting to Tulum

The easiest way to get to Tulum is by flying into Cancun Airport, which is about 90 minutes away by car. From there, you can take a taxi or shuttle to Tulum. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive yourself, but we chose the shuttle option since we didn’t need a car every day and didn’t want to spend so much. They are building an airport to Tulum as of now so soon you might have the option to fly there directly.

The ADO bus is a popular choice for public transportation from the Cancun Airport to Tulum. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach downtown Tulum.

If you prefer more flexibility and independence, you can also rent a car. The drive from Cancun Airport to Tulum is straightforward, taking approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours.

As for the costs, the ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Tulum typically costs around $15 to $20 per person, depending on the season and availability. Renting a car in Tulum can range from $30 to $70 per day, depending on the type of vehicle and rental duration.

3. Internet Connectivity

While the beauty of Tulum’s beaches is undeniable, its internet connectivity leaves much to be desired. The rapid growth of the beach area has outpaced its infrastructure, leading to inconsistent internet speeds. You will find it close to impossible to have video calls near the beach area and the general connectivity and reception are very poor. If you are trying to get any work done online, we’d definitely recommend not staying in the beach area. You will also save a lot of your budget by staying in the town instead.

While finding accommodation with decent internet isn’t too difficult in Tulum Town, there are several coworking spaces that offer reliable internet, such as Coworking Tulum and Digital Jungle. Some of the most popular options include:

Tulum Coworking: This coworking space offers a variety of membership options, including daily passes, weekly passes, and monthly passes. The space features high-speed internet, air conditioning, and comfortable workstations.

Outsite Tulum: Outsite offers coliving and coworking spaces in several locations around the world, including Tulum. Their Tulum location features private rooms, shared workspaces, and a community kitchen.

Selina Tulum: Selina is a popular coliving and coworking brand with locations around the world. Their Tulum location features private rooms, shared workspaces, and a variety of amenities such as a pool and yoga classes.

4. Which area to stay in

Tulum is divided into three main areas: Tulum Town, Aldea Zama, and the Beach Zone. Tulum Town offers affordable accommodations and a local vibe, while Aldea Zama is a modern development located halfway between the town and the beach. The Beach Zone is the most expensive area, but it offers immediate access to Tulum's stunning beaches.

We stayed in the Tulum center because the accommodations near the Tulum beach area were very expensive and there was little to no cell reception and wifi. We mostly took a taxi to the beach area from the town since it was so hot outside and we didn't want to bike for 30 minutes in the scorching heat.

The distance from Tulum town to the hotel area, specifically the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone), is approximately 5 kilometers or 3 miles

5. Getting Around Tulum

Tulum Town itself is relatively small but as mentioned the distance to the beach is around 3 miles. Taxis are readily available and can be found throughout the town but aren’t very cheap. They provide a convenient way to travel within Tulum and can take you to various attractions such as the beaches, the ruins, and Tulum Pueblo. Taxi fares within Tulum can vary depending on the distance traveled, but they are generally affordable. Renting a car in Tulum can range from $30 to $50 per day, depending on the type of vehicle and rental duration. Some people also use bikes to get around which is fine if you are commuting around the town.

6. Things to Do in Tulum

When you're not working, there's plenty to see and do in Tulum. Explore the ancient Mayan ruins, take a dip in a cenote, or enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Tulum is also known for its wellness scene, with numerous yoga studios and healthy eateries throughout the town.

Here are some of the top attractions:

Visit the Tulum Ruins: The ancient Mayan city overlooks the Caribbean Sea and is one of the most popular attractions in Tulum.

Explore the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to hundreds of species of birds and animals.
Relax on one of Tulum's many beautiful beaches: Some of the most popular beaches include Playa Paraiso, Playa Ruinas, and Playa Santa Fe.
Take a dip in a cenote: There are many cenotes in the area that offer a refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters. You do need a scooter or a car to reach most of the prettiest ones. Or you can go with a tour or hire a driver for a day. We rented a scooter but it wasn’t ideal since driving longer distances in the highways was a bit scary.

Visit the Tulum Art Walk: This monthly event showcases local artists' work in various galleries around town.

Discover your spiritual side: There are many retreat centers where you can take yoga and meditation classes or indulge in other spiritual practices like breathwork and sweat lodge (Temazcal). If you are into these kinds of experiences, we really recommend you check out Holistika. They offer plenty of different activities every day and have an amazing vegan restaurant. You are likely to meet many likeminded people and foster new connections during your meals. In addition, the accommodation itself is super nice and features a lovely and spacious garden.

Take a road trip to one of the seven world wonders: Chiczen Itza.

We loved our visit Chiczen Itza.. It was definitely worth a trip.

Final Thoughts

Tulum offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and a welcoming digital nomad community. Its overall charm and lifestyle make it a worthwhile destination for remote workers seeking a tropical paradise.