7 Things to Do When There’s Seaweed (sargassum) in Tulum
Tulum Ruins
Wander Tulum Ruins
A great place to start your trip and learn about the local history of the area. The ancient Tulum Ruins served as a major trading hub connecting the Yutucan Peninsula and The Gulf of Mexico with Central America. Tulum was considered to be a very important trading port for obsidian. Walls were erected around the city to protect the site from unwanted pirates and thieves.
Today many of the site's stone structures remain, paying homage to the great descending god of the ancient Mayan people. Located in the archeological zone at the end of Tulum beach, the site has spectacular views of the ocean and is surrounded by lush jungle palms.To get there, we suggest arriving early, around 8:30 am - 9:00 am before the heat and crowds become unmanageable. Park on the roadside before Playa Santa Fe and walk straight up the main beach road to enter the archeological zone. You will see a ticket booth at the entrance of the ruins, tickets are around $85 pesos per person. From here you will be able to do a self-guided tour and explore at your own pace.
To get the most out of your trip see our quick tips below:
Arrive early! We can’t stress this enough, large tour crowds will flood the area from 10 am onwards making it difficult to move around and take in the surroundings.
Bring cash and try to have small notes for change, when buying your ticket change is not often available.
Bring your own water and a hat
Download a self-guided tour before you go, and listen to it as you walk around. You can get one here for about $8USD
Leave room for lunch, we recommend heading down to Mi Amor 10 minutes down the road to fuel yourself after a big morning walking around the site. On Sundays Mi Amor does a Sunday Brunch with live Jazz, an oyster bar, and bottomless Mimosas.
Gran Cenote
2. Snorkel in a Cenote
Unique to the Yutucan, Cenotes are a must-see when visiting Tulum. These stunning natural wonders are filled with turquoise water that has been filtered by the surrounding limestone cliffs, making the water crystal clear year-round. Even with the seaweed season upon us you can still get on your swimsuit and enjoy a swim.
Each cenote offers something different, some open like large lagoons, others covered with cavernous systems running for miles underground. There are also cenotes providing premium “beach club” style services such as Vesica or Buuts Ha. These cenote clubs offer day beds, cocktail service, food prepared by high-end chefs, and an ever-evolving live entertainment schedule.
Our favorite cenote is still the classic Gran Cenote due to its cerulean waters, friendly turtles, and great picnic area. Gran Cenote can be found just 6 minutes from Downtown Tulum on QROO 109. It is 400 pesos to enter, and you can bring your own picnic lunch and snorkel gear to make a day of it. You can check out our guide to Gran Cenote here for all the information you need when planning your trip.
Ziplines over the seaweed free lagoon at Xel-Ha
3. Cliff Jump and Zipline at Xel-Ha water park
I know what you’re thinking. All-inclusive theme park? No thanks. You’ll need to trust us on this one, as Xel-ha is absolutely jaw-dropping. Set into the jungle and overlooking the beach this natural water park has been designed to impress with activities amongst mangroves, cenotes, caves, and waterways. Xel-ha even has a nursery of over 270 endangered native plant species that they preserve.
Here you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling without worrying about seaweed as they manage to keep it at bay using a large netted bridge. The cove where Xel-ha is located is also very protected and seems to suffer less than other locations. If you have any concerns about the seaweed before you go you can check Xel-Ha’s live weather cameras here.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities with overwater zip lines, a jungle bike track, cliff jumping, a lazy river, slides, and many marine creatures to see. And you can do all this, with never-ending cocktails in hand. Local Mexican food is also included in your all inclusive offer, across 4 different restaurants, and it is surprisingly good. After an action-packed day in the sun, there are plenty of shaded areas with hammocks to sit back and listen to the palms sway in the breeze.
Sunset over Kanan Rooftop bar while violinist plays
4. Watch a Live Show at a Rooftop Bar
When in Tulum, you just can’t miss seeing a sunset at the rooftop bar at Kanan. The good news is this will be absolutely spectacular regardless of the seaweed situation. It is the ultimate place to deliver that Tulum vibe, as you sit in extravagant bamboo nests structures perched above the jungle top. The sound of the waves crashing against the sand in the background.
If you want to arrive for the sunset it is usually between 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm during the seaweed season, keep an eye on the weather to watch out for clouds. Entry is a minimum spend of $100USD which can be spent on food and drink throughout the evening.
Entertainment changes throughout the week, we recommend heading there on a Thursday for a live performance by a violinist for spinetingling sounds amongst one of the world’s most romantic backdrops.
Holistika art walk art piece TIME GATE by AEC Interesni Kazki
5. Take in Some Art In The Jungle at Hotel Holistika
Holistika Hotel was the original hipster hangout of Tulum. Way before every alleyway had a co-working space, travelers looking for a sense of community came here. Famous for its free art walk in the jungle, Holistika is well worth a visit. Holistika is located in the quieter suburb of La Valeta and will take around 10 minutes to reach from Downtown Tulum or 15 minutes from the Hotel Zone.
The art walk is an interactive jungle experience with pieces commissioned by Holistika and Tulum Art Club. There is an array of artworks from large clay sculptures to surrealist-style paintings all set amongst the trees. It takes about 15-20 minutes to do the entire walk, however, you can take as long as you like. If you haven’t been in the area before we recommend taking a look around the boho-chic buildings of Holistika or booking into one of the many yoga classes on offer while you are there.
Afterward head to Calle Sur 7 to see the heart of La Valeta and pick up some tacos from the local street vendors.
Bikes parked up in front of the main restaurant area in Downtown Tulum
6. Do a Bike Tour of Aldea Zama & Downtown
It’s a right of passage to get lost in Aldea Zama, with a labyrinth of cobbled one-way streets and winding footpaths you’ll find yourself wondering “have I been here before?”. If you are on a bike, it’s a nice place to get lost. The streets are lined with cute new cafes and boutique shops sitting beneath aesthetic penthouse apartments. Cycle your way around to Norita for a delicious brunch menu and espresso poolside.
Once you’ve refreshed yourself and used the wifi for google maps, head out of Aldea Zama to Downtown Tulum and cycle down the main road. While the roads might seem chaotic, there is a dedicated pathway that should keep you safe, just make sure to keep an eye out for scooters and ATVs.
In Downtown Tulum we recommend stopping for a drink at Onyx, a cool respite from the hot summer sun. Their habanero margaritas will burn your lips off, but you’ll be ready for more.
Krei concept store entrance
7. Splash on Some Boho-Chic Shopping
Take in the eclectic scenery down the main road of Tulum Beach, where Bamboo design masterpieces line the jungle streets. The shop fitouts make the walk alone impressive, however we go to treat ourselves.
This is the place to hunt down your limited edition Tuluminati hats and By James sandals. We recommend Krei concept store for a refined designer collection that will have you turning heads at Bagatelle.
Read more of our guides to Tulum