Why Fall is the Best Time to Visit Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is a lush, remote, beautiful jungle paradise, so it’s no wonder this small Mexican town on the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula is experiencing a recent surge in tourism. Tulum is surprisingly easy to get to (it’s only a 4-hour flight from Atlanta), the food is out of this world, and every view is even more picturesque than the last. Imagine a swanky hotel zone—complete with yoga studios, high-end boutiques, and world-class restaurants—just a 5-minute taxi ride away from the actual town of Tulum. In Tulum Pueblo, grab the best street tacos you could possibly imagine and ride through town on a beach cruiser beneath the swaying palm trees to get a taste of what it’s like to be a local.

The best time to go to this tropical paradise is in the fall, especially November. Hurricane season is over and the temperatures drop to the low 80s, which is a much-anticipated respite from the 90-plus degree, 100% humidity summer days. There’s a direct flight from Atlanta to Cancun, and Tulum is about a 1.5-hour taxi ride from the airport in Cancun. (Do your research and reserve a ride beforehand, which will save you both time and money.) Once you’ve arrived at your hotel or hostel, settle in with an ice cold margarita.

After that, here are few of the best things to do in Tulum during the fall months.

Go Snorkeling in a Cenote

A cenote is a natural sinkhole filled with ice cold, crystal clear water that’s teeming with aquatic life and underwater features. Tulum is home to quite a few of these spots, and most of them have outfitters available to rent snorkeling gear and lockers to keep your belongings safe while you explore the magical underwater cave systems. Gran Cenote is among the most popular because it’s one of the biggest in the area and it’s super easy to get to. Fall is the perfect time to explore a cenote because it’s still hot enough to enjoy a cold dip, but the heat is not overwhelming.

Zen Out with a Yoga Class

The hotel zone is bisected by a long strip of pavement to separate the accommodations on the beach from the jungle. Lining the road you’ll find plenty of boutiques, restaurants, and tons of yoga studios. In fact, Tulum is becoming well-known as a special place for yoga retreats, which means there are classes to suit every style and every yogi (experienced or not). If your ideal yoga session involves sounds of the jungle and crashing waves in the background, Tulum won’t disappoint.

Explore Tulum Pueblo

Tulum Pueblo is the actual town of Tulum, about five miles inland and just a quick taxi ride away if you’re staying in the hotel zone. The palm trees that line the main street through town offer little shade, and you can pretty much forget about air conditioning anywhere in Tulum (including the hotel zone). Again, that’s why it’s better to go in the fall when there’s a cooler breeze in the air, and it’s easier to enjoy walking around town, eating the local fare, and exploring the streets.

For food, check out El Carboncito and El Pollo Bronco. The former is open for dinner and the latter is open for lunch, and these two hole-in-the-wall taquerias deliver an authentic Mexican food experience that is so, so good. There are also loads of other retail shops to visit throughout town, as well as shady patios to cool off if you need a break.

Paddle Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is part land and part sea. The tropical forest and mangroves on the shore are home to all sorts of birds and other wildlife, while the coral reefs protected on this reserve offer some of the best snorkeling in the area. In the fall, the mosquitos are less intense here and the same can be said for the sun, making conditions a little less extreme and allowing you to stay out longer (which you will most certainly want to do). Your best bet for paddling the reserve is to head out with a guide. You’re going to pay for it, but the convenience is absolutely worth it.

Experience a Full Moon Ceremony

If you’re fortunate enough to be in Tulum during a full moon, sign up for one of Yaan Wellness’s Open Moon Temazcal Ceremonies, described as a "prehispanic sweat lodge ceremony." It is generally described as a life-changing, “re-birth experience” by its biggest fans, and you’ll feel like a million bucks afterward. It is indoors, so seasonality is not an issue, but walking out into a cool autumn breeze under a full moon is way more enjoyable than walking into a temperature comparable to the sweat lodge you just came from.

Last but Not Least…visit the Mayan Ruins

While sites like this do draw tourists, you’re really missing out if you don’t visit the Mayan city of Tulum. It’s an incredible sight to behold, and fall is the best time to fully take in this experience without any distraction, since the summer months bring those large crowds (and extreme heat). The ruins are built by the ocean, so you can easily do a little sight-seeing and a little swimming, all in one day.

If you enjoy these ruins, plan for a longer trip out to Coba, a 30-minute ride from Tulum. Home to the highest pyramid in on the Yucatan Peninsula, climb to the top for views over the jungle. Chichen Itza is a world-famous site and worth the 2.5-3 hour trip each way.

Originally written by RootsRated for Craghoppers.

Featured image provided by Dennis Jarvis