Gay Tulum
Tulum is a quiet beach town located on the Yucatán Peninsula of the Caribbean coastline, also known as the "Riviera Maya." To get there, most fly into Cancun International Airport and then ride (rental car, bus, transfer companies available) to Tulum, which takes about 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on how you choose to go.
It is roughly an hour's drive south of Playa del Carmen. Tulum is known for its quiet, low-key beach atmosphere, beautiful lush greenery, and well-preserved Mayan ruins. Located 3 miles from the beach, the town is home to roughly 20,000 residents.
While visiting Tulum, you can expect to see white sand beaches, turquoise waters, crystal clear cenotes (sinkholes), colorful and vibrant Tulum hotels, and a welcoming and relaxing environment.
NUBAH TULUM GAY-FRIENDLY APARTMENTS BY THE SEA
For those interested in investing in TULUM, GayTravel is pleased to introduce you to our partner, NUBAH TULUM. They are in the process of building apartments that you can purchase, profit from, and enjoy, thanks to their unique design and business model.
NUBAH TULUM selected the laid-back, tropical setting and relaxing surroundings of Tulum as the quintessential location to build their apartments which will be ready in 2022. Tulum has all the services for you to live well, including holistic shops, fabulous restaurants, and natural beauty. In addition, Tulum is host to several important LGBTQ events*, keeping you in touch with the community and nourishing your spirituality. To learn more about NUBAH Tulum, click here or the photo below:
What do you want to discover?
Top Things to See and Do in Tulum
MUST DO: Attractions & Activities
MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Gay Scene in Tulum
Though Tulum has no official gay scene, GayTravel's partner, NUBAH TULUM, is OUT to change that! They are in the process of developing apartments for adults only that will serve as an epicenter for Tulum's first "gayborhood." The people and visitors are already gay-friendly and inclusive. The goal is to make everyone feel welcome, included, comfortable, and most importantly, relaxed.
The bar and restaurant scene in Tulum has gone as far as to cater to the vegetarian/vegan crowd to make sure they have something to offer to everyone.
Best Time to Visit Tulum
The best time to visit Tulum would be between October through December. During this period, you would miss the rainy season and have a quieter beach experience. Tourism picks up between January and March, so it would be a great time to visit and avoid the crowds.
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Tulum
1. Visit El Castillo in the Mayan Architectural Zone
2. Head to the beautiful beaches: Playa Ruinas, Santa Fe, Playa Paraiso, South Beach, or Middle Beach
3. Visit some of the famous cenotes: El Gran Cenote, Cenote dos Ojos, and Cenote Narahon
4. Explore the ecological parks such as Sian Ka’an Biological reserve and Punta Laguna nature preserve
5. Indulge in local delicacies by trying out the street foods, national dishes, and local favorites
6. Sip some Mezcal and tequila at one of the many beach sidebars
7. Go on a cultural excursion and take in some of the local art, architecture, and culture Tulum has to offer
8. Support local merchants by checking out many of the locally owned shops
9. Go on a bike trip and explore nearby sceneries
10. Take your photo in front of the famous Tulum sign
MUST DO Tulum Attractions & Activities
We highly recommend visiting the well-preserved Mayan Ruins for a unique experience and a "Must Do" activity in Tulum. The renowned Mayan Ruins look out across the Caribbean Sea and a soft, sandy beach making you feel a part of ancient culture and connected to nature and the sea. El Castillo (The Castle) is the main building in the Mayan Archeological Zone.
After visiting the ruins, you can take a stroll on one of its many white-sand beaches and enjoy the cerulean waters that Tulum has to offer. If the beach isn't calling your name, you can visit one of Tulum's famous cenotes (water-filled sinkhole) and swim in its clear waters. You can also visit a cenote in a cave! Finally, you can visit the local nature reserve and appreciate the wildlife Tulum has to offer.
MUST EAT Tulum Gay-Friendly Dining
Mexico is known for its flavourful cuisine and plentiful Tequila and Mezcal. While visiting Tulum, it would be fun to immerse yourself in the local culture and food and try the local delicacies. Ceviche is a dish that's popular in Mexico and all over the beach cities. Cold cured fish and shellfish are popular foods to cool you off on a warm day on the beach. Slow roasted spit-roasted pork is also a popular dish that is served during special events.
Photo Credit: Ceviche by Laurentiu-Morariu
Finally, Nopales (prickly pear cactus) is a popular protein used as a meat substitute that people eat grilled and popular in tacos.
Photo Credit: Nopales, Jarritos Soda
MUST VISIT Tulum Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Though Tulum has no gay bars, it is still very gay-friendly and welcoming to the LGBTQ community. Most bars in Tulum offer outdoor seating so one can immerse themselves in the jungle atmosphere while having a few drinks. There is a gay bar called Fruity's, but it's currently closed. Check back for updates.
Travel Safety Tips
Tulum is a generally safe and welcoming tourist destination. Though crime is low, that doesn't mean that some petty theft can’t happen, just like it does almost everywhere. While visiting, it's always a good idea to lock up any valuables like passports and personal items and only carry around what you need for the day.
While swimming and exploring the ruins, it's always good to go with a group of people and be aware of your surroundings. Follow all guidelines while doing scuba diving and excursions will result in a relaxing and memorable experience.
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