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Yucatán, Mexico, Mexico · Trip plan

5 days in Cancún & Tulum

Caribbean beaches, Maya ruins and cenote swims.

Best time
Dec – Apr
Ideal length
5 days
A day, mid-range
$200 per person
Trip for two
about $2,000

Planning a 5-day trip to Cancún & Tulum? Here's a day-by-day Cancún & Tulum itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

December to April is dry, sunny and outside hurricane season: the Caribbean coast's peak.

Mexico's Riviera Maya pairs Caribbean beaches with ancient Maya cities and a jungle full of cenotes.

  1. Jan: a good time to go
  2. Feb: a good time to go
  3. Mar: a good time to go
  4. Apr: a good time to go
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec: a good time to go

December to April: 24–30°C, dry.

Create my Cancún trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Cancún & Tulum

  • 01

    Tulum ruins

    Maya ruins on a cliff over turquoise sea.

  • 02

    Chichén Itzá

    A wonder of the world.

  • 03

    Cenotes

    Swim in crystal-clear sinkholes.

  • 04

    Isla Mujeres

    A laid-back island off Cancún.

Day by day

Cancún & Tulum itinerary for 5 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: Cancún

    Morning
    Arrive at Cancún airport and settle into your hotel.
    Afternoon
    Swim on the white-sand beaches of the Hotel Zone, with water that shades from turquoise to deep blue.
    Evening
    Dinner of tacos al pastor in downtown Cancún, where locals eat.

    Agree taxi fares before getting in.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Isla Mujeres

    Morning
    Ferry to Isla Mujeres (about 20 minutes) and rent a golf cart to explore the island.
    Afternoon
    Swim at Playa Norte, one of Mexico's best beaches, and visit Punta Sur's cliffs.
    Evening
    Back to Cancún for dinner.

    Playa Norte is calm and shallow, great for children.

  3. D3

    Day 3: Chichén Itzá and cenotes

    Morning
    Leave early for Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders, before the tour buses arrive.
    Afternoon
    Swim in Cenote Ik Kil, a deep sinkhole draped with vines.
    Evening
    Dinner in Valladolid, a pastel colonial town.

    Arrive at opening (8 AM) to beat heat and crowds.

  4. D4

    Day 4: Tulum

    Morning
    Explore the Tulum ruins on a cliff above the Caribbean.
    Afternoon
    Snorkel in the Gran Cenote's clear water with turtles.
    Evening
    Sunset at a Tulum beach club.

    The ruins close in early afternoon.

  5. D5

    Day 5: Home

    Morning
    A final swim.
    Afternoon
    Lunch of ceviche.
    Evening
    Fly home from Cancún.

    Allow 2 hours to Cancún airport from Tulum.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Cancún & Tulum in 4, 5 or 7 days

4 days in Cancún & Tulum

Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

7 days in Cancún & Tulum

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering.

What it costs

Cancún & Tulum trip budget

StylePer person, a day5 days for two
Budget$90$900
Mid-range$200$2,000
Luxury$500+$5,000

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Cancún & Tulum is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Cancún & Tulum for every budget

  • Budget

    Hostels in Tulum town

    Tulum

    Bike to the beach.

    from $50 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Beach hotels in Tulum

    Hotel Zone

    Bungalows on the sand.

    from $250 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Nizuc Resort & Spa

    Cancún

    A secluded luxury resort.

    from $700 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Cancún & Tulum

  • Cochinita pibil

    Slow-roasted pork.

  • Tacos al pastor

    Spit-roasted pork tacos.

  • Ceviche

    Fresh, lime-cured seafood.

Getting there

How to reach Cancún & Tulum

Travel
Cancún airport; Tulum's new airport is also open.
Getting around
Rent a car or use ADO buses.
  • Use biodegradable sunscreen in cenotes.
  • Sargassum seaweed varies; check before booking.

Before you go

What to pack for Cancún & Tulum

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Swimwear and flip-flops
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Cancún & Tulum trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Cancún & Tulum?

5 days are enough to see the highlights: Tulum ruins, Chichén Itzá, Cenotes. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 5-day Cancún & Tulum trip cost?

Roughly $90 a day per person on a budget, $200 mid-range and $500+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $2,000 for 5 days.

What is the best time to visit Cancún & Tulum?

Dec – Apr. December to April is dry, sunny and outside hurricane season: the Caribbean coast's peak.

Where should I stay in Cancún & Tulum?

Budget: Hostels in Tulum town (Tulum), from about $50 a night. Mid-range: Beach hotels in Tulum (Hotel Zone), from about $250 a night. Luxury: Nizuc Resort & Spa (Cancún), from about $700 a night.

How do I reach Cancún & Tulum?

Cancún airport; Tulum's new airport is also open.

Is 4 days enough for Cancún & Tulum?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 5 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Cancún & Tulum?

December to April: 24–30°C, dry.

What food should I try in Cancún & Tulum?

Cochinita pibil: Slow-roasted pork. Tacos al pastor: Spit-roasted pork tacos. Ceviche: Fresh, lime-cured seafood.

How do I get around Cancún & Tulum?

Rent a car or use ADO buses.

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