So you’ve chosen the beach over downtown Tulum. Now the question is, what’s the best hotel on Tulum Beach? After reading loads of reviews and visiting Tulum a handful of times, I am now familiar with the beach scene and the best spots for different types of travel.

There are a lot of great options (those who’ve already visited Tulum can attest to this), but I’ve narrowed them down for you. Take note that most hotels listed here are Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice awardees. This recognition is only presented to accommodations that consistently receive excellent reviews. Being a recipient of this award also means that the hotel is within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. What made me select these choices are their superb amenities, stunning ocean views, and proximity to the beach.

In this post, I’ve listed some of Tulum’s best hotels on the beach. Every hotel has a detailed review with its pros and cons.

A Quick Guide on Tulum Beach Hotels:

The 5 Best Hotels in Tulum on the Beach

1. Best Overall: Hotel Encantada Tulum

Encantada Tulum is a laid-back hotel tucked away on a secluded stretch of white sand beach. The property has 8 spacious rooms, making it the perfect setting for a private getaway. All have gorgeous canopy beds, walk-in showers, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. You can choose between ocean view and garden view bungalows. 

Get a glimpse of the pristine Caribbean waters in one of their beachfront rooms. If you want to appreciate the surrounding lush greenery, you can opt to stay in the garden room.

Because the hotel can only accommodate a limited number of guests, the staff really gets to know you. Thus, the service feels more personal. 

Pros:

• Private beach area
• Well-maintained private sandy beach
• Complimentary yoga classes every Friday at 5 PM

Cons:

• No swimming pool
• No televisions in rooms
• The on-site restaurant is pricey

Address: Save Share Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila KM 8.7 Zona Hotelera, Tulum 77780 Mexico

2. Best Honeymoon Destination: The Beach Tulum Hotel 

The clean and uncrowded shore of The Beach Tulum Hotel is one of the best in Tulum’s hotel zone. The Beach Tulum is an adult-only boutique hotel with 28 upscale rooms. All of them have king-size beds, dreamy ocean views, and private pools or tubs. This is your best option if you want an intimate and romantic hideaway. Their Deluxe Rooms have private plunge pools facing the sea, while their Rooftop Rooms include open-air terraces with hot tubs. The Junior Suites offer private direct access to the gorgeous Tulum beach.

Speaking of privacy, this high-end hotel does not allow entry to outsiders. The use of beach beds and the beach area is exclusive for checked-in guests. They only accept guests who are at least 18 years old. This means no kids yelling and running around the premises. 

The hotel also offers free breakfast at their restaurants, Ziggy’s and Fresco’s.

Pros:

• Private pools
• Private beach area
• Daily complimentary yoga classes
• Complimentary use of bikes to tour Tulum

Cons:

• No televisions in rooms
• No telephones in rooms
• Location requires a drive to most sites
• Ziggy’s can be noisy at night

Address: Road Tulum Boca Paila Km 7 Zona Hotelera, Tulum 77780 Mexico

3. Best Eco-Friendly Hotel: Sueños Tulum

If you’re a nature-lover, you’ll love Sueños Tulum. Nestled between the jungle and the sea, Sueños is the place to be when you want to experience more of nature. The hotel’s pre-Hispanic Mayan-inspired aesthetic gives off a laid-back feel. Their breezy suites have balconies with ocean views. You can roam around barefoot, chill on a hammock by the poolside, and enjoy the warm sea breeze.

This eco-friendly beach resort runs on solar power. Thus, they encourage hotel guests to use electricity carefully. Although electricity is available 24/7, the air conditioning is only available from 8 PM to 8 AM. In line with their sustainability efforts, they also try to reduce food waste. Their free breakfast includes a fruit plate, yogurt, granola, and sourdough bread. You may request an additional menu with more options. But this comes at a cost.

Pros:

• Complimentary continental breakfast
• Only a 10-minute drive away from the Mayan Ruins

Cons:

• Air conditioning is not available 24/7
• Limited power outlets in each bungalow (except the Temple Suite)

Address: Carretera Tulum – Boca Paila, Hotel Zone Tulum Km 8.5, Tulum, Mexico 77780

4. Best Boutique Hotel: Mi Amor Boutique Hotel

Mi Amor is another adult-only hotel. Although it’s also a famous romantic getaway, this hotel can be a great place to fall in love with life itself. This hotel lets you relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. It blends luxury and privacy, perfect for savoring your tropical holiday.

Mi Amor’s stylish design and ultramodern layout make it the best boutique hotel on Tulum Beach. Fun bright colors adorn their rustic-chic spacious rooms. Each suite has a minibar, wireless Bluetooth Bose speaker, and overhead rain shower. The hotel also has a luxurious infinity pool. You can lounge on a shaded sunbed by the poolside while enjoying the view of the gorgeous beach. They have some rooms with private plunge pools, too. Their in-house spa services are a must-try.

The best boutique hotel of Tulum Beach also offers Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine by top chef Paul Bentley. While you’re at it, don’t forget to try their top-notch wines. The good news is that the hotel now offers complimentary breakfast.

Pros:

• Nespresso coffee machines in every room 
• Nightly turndown service with chocolate and tea 

Cons:

• Rocky beach, not very ideal for swimming
• Beach club next door can be loud at night

Address: Carretera Tulum Boca Paila Km 1 Zona Costera, Tulum 77780 Mexico

5. Best For Foodies: Mezzanine Colibri Boutique Hotel

Mezzanine Hotel is the perfect place for foodies. Tripadvisor has named it the Best Hotel with Restaurant in Tulum. Although it’s another adult-only hotel, children can dine at their famous restaurant. That’s how good and popular their food is!

Have a taste of authentic Thai cuisine planned and prepared by award-winning Thai chefs Garn Surasak and Dim Geefa. Make sure to try their pad thai and grilled lamb satay. In case you’re not in the mood for Thai, Mezzanine also offers a casual beach menu. Their bar serves locally inspired cocktails, too. Don’t miss their legendary happy hour.

You can either dine indoors overlooking the sea, on the open-air deck right above the gorgeous beach, or under a gazebo. There are plenty of other dining options within a kilometer away from the hotel, too.

Pros:

• Friendly and accommodating staff
• Small lagoon-style pool with a tiny waterfall

Cons:

• Rocky beach
• Weak water pressure of sink and shower

Address: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila km 4.1 Zona Hotelera, Tulum 77780 Mexico

Other Notable Boutique Hotels in Tulum

1. La Valise

La Valise is one of the newer boutique hotels in Tulum. Since it’s a fairly new beach hotel and has only 9 rooms, La Valise offers privacy and exclusivity. Its private beach strip is only a kilometer north of Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Aside from its prime location, La Valise also boasts of its sophisticated design. It captures the perfect mix of beach and jungle aesthetics, showcasing Mexican craftsmanship and charm. This could be one of the best luxury hotels in Tulum.

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Pros:

• Private beach area
• Close to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Cons:

• No pets allowed
• Smoking is not allowed (could be pro to others)

Address: Save Share Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila KM 8.7 Zona Hotelera, Tulum 77780 Mexico

2. Papaya Playa Project – Famous Beach Club

Papaya Playa Project is a beach hotel and beach club famous for its epic late-night dance parties. This beach club lies along a nearly 900-meter stretch of the Riviera Maya coast. Whether you’re seeking adventure or looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, Papaya Playa Project beach club has your back.

Pros:

• Lively beach club
• Stunning view of the gorgeous beaches of Riviera Maya coast

Cons:

• Parties may be too loud
• Online reviews of service and staff are not excellent

3. Be Tulum Beach & Spa Resort

Be Tulum is a boutique hotel conveniently situated along the most happening strip of town in Tulum’s Hotel Zone. Frequented by luxury travelers and well-heeled bloggers, this adult-only hotel and beach club is one of the most well-designed properties in Tulum. It features a sexy, relaxed, boho-chic aesthetic that exudes style and elegance. With reclaimed wood surfaces, Persian rugs, rattan furnishings, and macrame accents, this trendy hotel gives you plenty of Instagram opportunities.

Its guest rooms are just as equally stylish with and 24-hour electricity and air conditioning, which is not a given in this area. Many of the rooms offer plunge pools or hot tubs. The hotel has an infinity pool that leads you to The Beach Bar. At night, live music, a fire pit, and weekend DJs bring life to the hotel’s outdoor areas.

Pros:

• Yäan Healing Sanctuary is just across
• Great on-site restaurants offering fresh seafood and wood-burning barbeques

Cons:

• Lacks family-friendly amenities
• Relatively small pool and lacks loungers

4. Nômade Tulum

Nômade is more than just an upscale beachfront hotel. Aside from its Morrocan-chic interior design, it’s also known for highlighting spiritual wellness. The hotel organizes Mayan-inspired wellness activities such as jungle and yoga meditation, sacred fire rituals, cacao ceremonies, and ancient Mayan healing treatments. It also promotes sustainable tourism, as it offsets its carbon emission through waste management and reforestation programs.

Inspired by the nomadic life, this bohemian hotel along Tulum’s Hotel Zone was a pioneer in introducing glamping tents. Aside from their 36 luxury tents, they also have 38 comfortable rooms, 20 spacious exclusive suites, and 5 stylish treehouses. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Macondo, is famed for its delicious vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options. Nômade also regularly hosts beach dances that showcase musicians and DJs from all over the world.

Pros:

• Quiet zone and gratitude tent for guests
• Rooms have 24-hour electricity and air conditioning

Cons:

• Spotty Wi-Fi
• No televisions inside the rooms

4. Casa Malca

Famous for its impeccable service and for being a former mansion of the infamous Pablo Escobar, Casa Malca is one of the most stylish beach hotels in Tulum. After being abandoned for over ten years, Colombian art dealer Lio Malca bought the property. Naming it after him, he renovated it and maintained the existing architecture and natural environment.

Staying in Casa Malca is like living in an art gallery. Unique and contemporary pieces of artwork adorn the hotel’s lobby, restaurants, hallways, and rooms. Their rooms offer views of either the property’s gardens or the pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. One notable thing about Casa Malca is the attentive service of its waitstaff.

This boutique hotel features 2 restaurants and a beach club. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast from Philosophy, which serves Mexican, American, and Continental breakfast. They also have another restaurant, Ambrosia, that serves Asian food. Its beach club, Head of a Madman, offers excellent grilled seafood.

Pros:

• Free parking
• Free breakfast

Cons:

• Some rooms are a bit dated
• A bit overpriced for its amenities

Some quick tips for your much-awaited tropical vacation

• Book as early as you can. Since these beach hotels are the best, they get booked fast and far out in advance. Try to book as early as 6-9 months ahead. You’ll find more deals and sometimes even cheaper rates.
• The best time to visit Tulum depends on what you’re going there for. Generally, peak season is from December through February. Low season is during the rainy months of June, September, and October. To get a detailed season-by-season guide to visiting Tulum, head on over to this post.
• Most places in Tulum prefer cash over credit card. Bring enough money to cover your basic expenses. ATMs on the beach area may run out of money.

Verdict: The Best Beachfront Hotels in Tulum

These Tulum hotels are the best in their own respective niche, but my favorite is Hotel Encantada Tulum. Its serene atmosphere and oceanfront villas won me over. No wonder why it’s Tripadvisor’s top-rated hotel. Since it’s on the south end of Tulum’s beach strip, it’s also close to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. 

I hope this list helped you decide on where to stay on Tulum Beach. Wherever you choose to stay, don’t forget to have fun!