The bohemian town of Tulum has emerged as a favorite tropical getaway among tourists who want to explore the Caribbean side of Mexico. Thanks to its thriving tourism, this once off-grid escape has become a popular tourist destination. The recent developments have caused a boom in boutique hotels and luxe resorts in the area. This makes it quite overwhelming for visitors to select a hotel. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to list down some of the best boutique hotels in Tulum, Mexico.
The Best Boutique Hotels in Tulum, Mexico
1. Be Tulum
First on our list is the adult-only luxury hotel, Be Tulum. Featured on Vogue, Condé Nast, Forbes, and other reputable lifestyle magazines, this hotel claims to be one of the most exclusive boutique hotels in Tulum. Nestled between Tulum’s lush jungle and pristine white sand beach, it sits on a prime location in the middle of the Hotel Zone. Although it’s one of the largest resorts, it doesn’t feel crowded because it’s very spacious.
Its homey yet sophisticated interior design complements its rustic-luxe aesthetic. Be Tulum offers a laid-back atmosphere, making you feel calm and comfortable. The relaxing experience begins as soon as you enter the hotel. Copal incense and candles are lit to guide you. Upon entering your room, you’ll feel even more relaxed with its spacious beds and luxurious bathrooms. Some suites even come with their own plunge pools and tubs.
Other amenities include an infinity pool, a beach club with shaded daybeds, a wood grill restaurant, and another restaurant with a menu planned by Michelin Star chef Mauricio Giovanini. Yäan Healing Sanctuary, one of the best spas in Tulum, is also right across the property.
Location: Km.10 Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum Beach, Zona Hotelera Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico | Website
2. The Beach Tulum
The Beach Tulum is a rustic-luxe boutique hotel on the southern end of the Tulum’s Hotel Zone. All rooms in this adult-only property are located right on the beach and have furnished terraces with hammocks and oceanfront views. Junior suites and deluxe rooms have their own private plunge pools, while rooftop rooms have private hot tubs facing the Caribbean Sea.
This beachfront hotel is lauded for its impeccable customer service and world-class amenities. They provide daily housekeeping and turndown service. Aside from that, the hotel also offers welcome drinks, complimentary breakfast, and free yoga sessions. You can have your breakfast at the famous Ziggy’s Beach Club or have it delivered to your room. Other amenities include a gym, a spa, and a yoga studio.
Location: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 7, Zona Hotelera, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Website
3. Cabañas Beach Hotel & Spa
Located adjoining The Beach Tulum, Cabañas Beach Hotel & Spa is a sister property of the previous hotel. Unlike The Beach, Cabañas accepts younger visitors. Guests who are at least 14 years old can check in the resort. The two hotels share a beach club, fitness center, and spa facilities. Treatments at their spa, Naj Naay, are a must-try. Considered as one of the best in Tulum, this spa offers a variety of treatments, from Mayan cleansing sessions to Swedish massages.
Its rooms all have air conditioning, furnished terraces, and bathrooms with rainfall showerheads. Rooms on the ground floor have private plunge pools, while the others have private hot tubs on their terraces. The hotel’s amenities include a pool, complimentary breakfast, and bike rentals.
Location: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 7, Zona Hotelera, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Website
4. Casa Malca
Casa Malca is a trendy beachfront estate along Tulum’s main drag. This is once home to the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. After being neglected for over a decade, New York-based art curator Lio Malco discovered the property in 2013. Naming the property after himself, he renovated and designed Casa. He incorporated contemporary design, ancient Mayan culture, and Tulum’s boho vibe. This boutique hotel looks like an upscale gallery with spectacular art installations and paintings. It’s not your typical Tulum boutique hotel designed with jungle-inspired furnishings. The rooms in Casa Malca have concrete floors, velvet drapes, and unique pieces of art.
Casa Malca has two restaurants, Philosophy and Ambrosia. Hotel guests are treated to free breakfast at Philosophy, which opens daily from 8 AM until 10 PM. Ambrosia is an Asian restaurant that serves lunch meals. It’s open on Tuesdays until Sundays from 12 PM to 6 PM. The interior of Ambrosia is adorned with works of art by American artist Keith Haring. The beach club Head of a Mad Man serves grilled seafood. It’s open on Mondays and Wednesdays to Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Location: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km. 9.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo 77780 | Website
5. El Pez Tulum: A Colibri Boutique Hotel
El Pez is a barefoot chic hotel along the rocky Tulum coastline. It’s one of the five properties of Colibri Boutique Hotels, a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Colibri named this rustic hotel the best boutique hotel in the Caribbean. As the oldest property of Colibri, El Pez exhibits the original simplicity of Tulum. It’s clear in their palm-thatched bungalows, indigenous textiles, and Mayan-inspired interior design.
This upscale hotel is designed with stone accent walls, concrete floors, and woven grass chandeliers. It has an outdoor pool, garden picnic area, and a lending library. The staff delivers complimentary coffee to your room every morning. At night, they also deliver tea to help you wind down after a long day.
Location: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 5.5, Zona Costera, Tulum, Quintana Roo 77780 | Website
6. Jashita Hotel
Jashita is a luxury boutique hotel situated in Soliman Bay, one of the most secluded and most protected parts of Tulum. This eco-friendly hotel has an interior design that looks like a cover of a travel magazine.
This Italian-owned exclusive property has 30 luxury suites. Its rooms have airy bathrooms, smart televisions with cable programming, and air conditioning. Its oceanfront suites feature white canopies framing its king-size beds. There is a shared kitchen for guests who want to prepare their own meals. The hotel has a beach bar, an adult pool bar, a children’s swimming pool, an adult pool area, a spa, and a yoga studio.
Location: Soliman Bay, 77780, Tulum, Mexico | Website
7. NEST Tulum
Founded by business executive and music industry veteran James Chippendale on lush tropical greenery, NEST Tulum is a homey boutique hotel in Tulum’s Hotel Zone. This hotel at the south end of the beach has been featured in Forbes and Travel+Leisure Mexico. It has only 12 minimalist rooms and a 4-bedroom private villa. The rooms have whitewashed walls and an interesting mix of furnishings, giving off a laid-back luxe vibe. Each room has its own entrance, bathroom, and air-conditioning.
Other facilities of NEST Tulum include a common luxury living room and a roof deck with scenic views. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast and complimentary happy hour treats from 5 to 6 PM.
Location: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 9.5, Tulum Beach, Zona Hotelera, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77760 | Website
8. Nomade
Nômade Tulum celebrates the beauty of nature and the rich heritage of the Mayan culture through its carefully thought interior design and wellness activities. This boutique hotel has a variety of programs that honor the traditions of the ancient Mayan civilization. They offer cacao ceremonies, sacred fire rituals, healing treatments, and an assortment of seasonal activities. The bohemian hotel owns 38 rooms, 20 exclusive suites, 5 treehouses, and 36 luxury tents. All of them include air conditioning, telephones, safe boxes, and Wi-Fi.
Their spa, Yäan Healing Sanctuary, is shared with their sister hotel Be Tulum. Nômade is also known for its Moroccan-inspired restaurant, Macondo. It’s a communal space designed with low tables, layers of rugs, vintage pillows, and tassels. The hotel also has an open-air beachfront restaurant for those who want to dine in front of the pristine Caribbean sea.
Location: Carretera Tulum – Boca Paila, K. 10.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780 | Website
Other Notable Boutique Hotels Away From Tulum Beach
9. Hotel Bardo
If you want more peace and less of the busy beach happenings, Hotel Bardo is the place to be. Secluded in a lush tropical jungle in Tulum town, this hotel offers both quiet and luxury. Its loft-style villas are meticulously designed that feature local handicrafts. They also have premium linens, spacious baths, and private plunge pools.
Hotel Bardo’s amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, a restaurant, and a bar. The hotel also organizes various wellness activities. Some of these include sound healing, guided meditations, yoga, temazcal rites, and daily sunset rituals.
Location: Rio Otate & Rio Basca, Tulum, Quintana Roo 77760 | Website
10. Hotel Esencia
Venture away from the popular sands of Tulum with the multi-awarded Hotel Esencia. This private getaway north of Tulum is nestled on the secluded Xhu-Pa Beach. Built initially as a private home of an Italian duchess, the hotel ensures privacy. In fact, this is where celebrities stay to avoid crowds.
Its sleek minimalist design is accented by hints of rustic Mayan decor. This hotel is luxury at its finest. All rooms have Nespresso machines, safety vaults, sound systems, fine European linens, and complimentary Havaianas sandals. Aside from that, the hotel also offers private trainers, massage therapists, packing and unpacking services, chauffeur-driven cars, and maid service twice daily.
The hotel has heated swimming pools, a romantic private beach, relaxed bars, and three restaurants. One is a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant led by international top chef Dimitris Katrivesis.
Location: Carretera Cancún-Tulum Km. 265, Xpu-Ha, Quintana Roo 77750 | Website
