Visiting Tulum in April: Weather Info & Travel Tips for 2024
Wondering, What’s the best time to visit Tulum?
You’ve landed on the right article, as I live in Mexico, and have been to Tulum MANY times! In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting Tulum in April.
April is at the tail-end of the Tulum busy season thanks to its nice weather.
As one of the busier months to visit Tulum, if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for late-April after the Spring Break crowds leave.
From the weather in Tulum in April, to the best things to do in Tulum in April and even some Tulum travel tips for April — it’s all here.
Ready to discover everything you need to know for your Tulum April trip? Let’s get to it!
Weather in Tulum in April
Wondering, How is the weather in Tulum in April? Of course you are — as every Tulum traveler wants to know the best time of year to visit!
Tulum weather in April can be sunny and warm, or overcast with rain showers. Though they’re usually short showers, you can still expect rain.
Either way, you shouldn’t let advanced weather predictions about traveling to Tulum Mexico in April deter you! Tulum’s tropical water is unpredictable, and predictions don’t always pan out as reported.
🚐💨 how to get from Cancun to Tulum
The easiest, safest, and best way is to book this private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation. Round trip service from Cancun Airport to your Tulum hotel is just $310 USD for up to 8 people.
April is during the dry season, however, there’s always some chance of rain in the tropics, no matter the month.
It is by no means the wettest month in Tulum; that’s actually June.
Remember that just because April is in the dry season in the Yucatan Peninsula, that doesn’t mean it won’t rain in Tulum during your trip.
If it does, it shouldn’t be much more than a quick shower.
Weather in Tulum in April
What are the average temperatures in Tulum in April?
You can expect average daily temperatures of 78-83°F (26-28°C) while visiting Tulum in April.
When the sun goes down, the temperatures in Tulum drop, but not by much.
Nighttime temperatures in Tulum average about 72-77°F (22-25°C), though the humidity also usually isn’t as bad as in the day.
This is the case year round, as there’s not much temperature fluctuation from daytime to nighttime in Tulum.
- Average high temperature in Tulum in April: 86°F (30°C)
- Average low temperature in Tulum in April: 75°F (24°C)
- What are the hottest months in Tulum Mexico? May-September, with an average max of about 90°F (32°C)
- What are the coldest months in Tulum Mexico? December-February, during the winter months
Weather in Tulum in April
Is there sunshine in Tulum in April?
April is one of the most sunny months in Tulum. It averages about 8.6 hours of sunshine per day, so you might get a bit of rain, but your April Tulum trip should still be sunny overall.
Wondering, How cloudy is Tulum in April? As you can see in the chart above, there are usually about 15.8 fully sunny days in April.
Just think — you could be the lucky one who’s traveling to Tulum on those exact days!
Even if not, as one of the sunniest months in Tulum, you should have a trip filled with lots of sunshine.
Weather in Tulum in April
Is there rain in Tulum in April?
Likely Not — April is outside the Tulum rainy season, and outside the Atlantic Hurricane Season. However, with its tropical climate, it can rain in Tulum at any time of year.
When is the rainy season in Tulum?
This is a question on anyone’s mind when traveling to Tulum, Mexico. The rainy season Tulum months go from about June to November.
It will likely not rain in Tulum in April, or maybe only a bit. You shouldn’t have much heavy cloud cover, but there’s always a chance of an afternoon shower or two.
- What’s the average rainfall in Tulum in April? 1.22 inches (3 cm)
- How many days does it rain in Tulum in April? 11.3 days — But don’t let this number deter you! April is one of the least rainy months in Tulum Mexico overall, and you’ll likely have nothing but sunny days ☀️
Note: No one can predict the weather with 100% accuracy. If you don’t mind taking a risk, April to October is the slow season in Tulum Mexico — which means lower price tags and smaller crowds.
Remember that even in the Tulum rainy season, there are always sunny days.
Weather in Tulum in April
Does it rain all day in Tulum in April?
If you do get some rain on your trip to Tulum Mexico — Don’t panic! Rain storms and even tropical storms tend to come in short bursts and pass quickly.
In fact, some people end up enjoying watching the rain and storms roll by.
Usually after the rain, the air temperature and humidity drop a bit, so some rain in Tulum isn’t all bad.
Weather in Tulum in April
Best Things to Do in Tulum When it Rains
When it rains in Tulum, you still have options for things to see in Tulum that are indoors.
💆♀️ Get a Massage in Tulum: If you’re staying at one of these best Tulum all-inclusive resorts or best Tulum resorts for couples, you can book a massage.
🛍 Go shopping in Tulum: There’s no mall in Tulum, but there are clusters of boutique shops on the Tulum Beach and in downtown.
🤿 Cenotes in Tulum: You can also swim in these best Tulum cenotes because you won’t mind the rain while you’re swimming.
🎨 Tulum Museum: Finally, you can visit the SFER IK Museum, one of the best Tulum Instagram spots, located next to the famous Azulik Tulum Hotel.
Weather in Tulum in April
Is it hot in Tulum in April?
When traveling to Tulum, you’ll need to know Is Tulum cold in April, or is it hot? It’s hot — In fact, it’s hot all year-long in Tulum Mexico as you can see from weather.com.
There might be a few cooler days in the high 60°Fs (about 20°C), usually in December to February.
However the overall weather in Tulum ranges from hot to very hot!
Want to know, Is it too hot to go to Tulum in April? This answer is a matter of preference, but in short, you can expect to sweat a bit.
If you don’t like tropical weather, Tulum in November through March are your best options.
These months are known for clear skies, pleasant weather and many hours of sunshine — but they aren’t super hot.
Weather in Tulum in April
Tulum Travel Tips to Beat the Heat
- To avoid the heat in Tulum, head indoors and soak up the air conditioning from 11am-2pm, the hottest parts of the day. One of my favorite places is Mystika Tulum, an interactive art exhibit that’s indoors.
- Also, plan for water activities like snorkeling in Tulum and swimming in the Tulum cenotes during these hours.
- Rent a cabana or beach bed at any of the Tulum beach clubs you visit so you have some shade from the sun — and don’t forget your sun hat and sunscreen.
Weather in Tulum in April
What is the average humidity in Tulum in April?
76% — So don’t forget to bring your Water-To-Go Bottle to help keep you hydrated, and also filter your drinking water so you don’t get sick in Tulum.
Tulum humidity is a fact of life, as it’s located in the Caribbean. This part of the world is basically a jungle, but it’s also surrounded by water so that helps a bit.
If you wanted to know, What’s the average relative humidity in Tulum in April?, and now see that it’s 76% — don’t panic!
Being right on the Caribbean Sea, as you are in Tulum, you will get a nice breeze and a respite from the humidity here and there. However, there’s no way to sugarcoat this: Tulum is humid for much of the year.
Since it’s humid in Tulum almost all the time, a better question to ask here would be: What month has the worst weather in Tulum?
The worst months in Tulum, weather-wise, are May to September. May tends to be the hottest month in the Yucatan Peninsula, and even Tulum locals dread it.
Weather in Tulum in April
Are there hurricanes in Tulum in April?
Want to know if there are Tulum hurricanes in April? Likely Not — The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs June 1-November 30 each year, so April is outside of the season.
However, hurricanes are rare in Tulum. In fact, there have only been two hurricanes in Tulum in the past few decades — Hurricane Grace on August 19, 2021 and Hurricane Emily on July 10, 2005.
- What’s the average wind speed in Tulum in April? 8.1 mph (13 km/h)
- What’s the windiest month in Tulum Mexico? There are actually two windiest months in Tulum, March and April
Weather in Tulum in April
When is Hurricane Season in Tulum?
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1-November 30. Based on historical data, the highest likelihood of storms is from August to early-October.
⛈️ When is Mexico hurricane season?
The answer is the same for all countries and cities, June 1-November 30. There’s no specific Tulum Hurricane Season.
Again, hurricanes are rare, but this is still something to be aware of when planning a Tulum trip in April (or really, any month of the year).
If it concerns you, visit from the end of Hurricane Season in late-November through early-May.
This way, you’ll miss both the rainiest months in Tulum and the entire Hurricane Season — but always be aware that tropical weather is unpredictable.
Weather in Tulum in April
Is Tulum safe during hurricane season?
Yes — For the most part. For a hurricane to completely devastate Tulum, the city would have to take a direct hit, which is rare.
Hurricanes are usually quite large in physical size. It’s usually only the area close to the center (known as “the eye”) where large-scale damage occurs.
Weather in Tulum in April
Traveling to Tulum During Hurricane Season
The #1 reason you’d want to visit Tulum during Hurricane Season is because prices are low. ▶ Check Tulum hotel prices here.
Also, the Fall season in Tulum, which is within the Atlantic Hurricane Season, has the fewest number of tourists.
In short: Don’t skip Tulum in Hurricane Season. The odds are definitely in your favor that there won’t be any Tulum hurricanes when you visit.
Weather in Tulum in April
How warm is the water in Tulum in April?
The average water temperature in Tulum in April is 81°F (27°C).
When it comes to the water temperature in Tulum in April — it should feel warm and pleasant.
The Caribbean Sea is warm all year long, so you can comfortably swim, snorkel and go scuba diving in Tulum in April. The water temperature rises a bit in the warmer months, but it’s still comfortable.
⭐️ Best Tours in Tulum in April
If those warm water temperatures sound enticing, you’ll want to go on some of these Tulum tours to take advantage of all this Mexico beach town has to offer.
Below, you’ll find some of the best tours in Tulum Mexico.
Weather in Tulum in April
When is there seaweed in Tulum?
Tulum seaweed season is usually during the warmer months, from about April to August. However, the Tulum sargassum in Mexico is actually unpredictable, so it can occur year-round.
It’s no secret that in the last few years, large amounts of seaweed have arrived on the once-pristine Mexican Caribbean Coast.
This does include Tulum, which has some of the best beaches in Mexico.
When is the seaweed season in Tulum Mexico?
The seaweed season in Tulum is usually during the warmer months, from about April to August.
However, one of the worst parts of the Mexico seaweed problem is that it’s unpredictable — and sargassum can also show up in other months.
After seeing the image above, you’re likely wondering, Is there seaweed in Tulum in April? The answer is maybe, as the seaweed comes and goes.
The good news? The sargassum in Tulum often goes away very fast.
(🌿 Note: The actual name for the type of Tulum seaweed that washes ashore in this part of Mexico is called sargassum. You will see it spelled sargasso or sargazo in Spanish.)
What I mean here is that it can be very bad one day, and completely gone the next day, so don’t cancel your Tulum vacation over the sargassum.
⭐️ Best Things to do when there’s seaweed in Tulum
Besides the beaches, there’s so many more things to do in Tulum that you’ll want to check out the off-beach places as well.
For swimming, there’s the Tulum cenotes. These natural jungle pools have no seaweed in them ever!
There’s also the Tulum Mayan Ruins, and other ruins near Tulum to check out, like Coba Ruins, Ek-Balam Ruins, and Chichen Itza Pyramids.
You can also visit the nearby towns, like Valladolid and “The Yellow City” of Izamal — two of the best Mexico pueblos magicos (or, “magic towns.”)
Weather in Tulum in April
Tracking the Tulum Sargassum
If you’re uninterested in doing anything else on your Tulum trip besides hitting the beaches, you can use Facebook to get updates. The seaweed situation can change day to day, so you can get the best info here.
- Sargasso Seaweed Updates Riviera Maya is a great group to join before your trip to get updated info.
- There’s also Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo, which is a page, not a group, so you can just view it. Their page is in Spanish, but they use self-explanatory graphics, like the one seen above.
When you see a red dot 🔴, that means there’s a lot of sargassum on that beach; a yellow dot 🟡 means moderate sargassum levels; and a blue dot 🔵 means that beach is 100% free and clear of sargassum.
Note: Many of the best beach resorts in Tulum have crews that clear away the seaweed each morning.
For this reason, you might see a beach come up in the red, but crews might be working to clean it that very moment.
Unique Things Do to in Tulum in April
Explore Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins
As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and most recognizable landmarks in Mexico, does Chichen Itza even need an introduction?!
This ancient Mayan city is about 2.5 hours from Tulum (one way), so it requires a full day on your Tulum itinerary. However, for most travelers, it’s worth it to visit this Mexico bucket list site.
You can go by rental car, on a Chichen Itza tour, or by ADO bus. The bus is the cheapest way to visit Chichen Itza from Tulum, but you’ll be adding another 2-3 hours total to the travel time.
Personally, I always recommend a tour guide for this important place, so you understand what you’re looking at.
This Chichen Itza Day Trip from Tulum is a great option because it includes lunch and a swim in beautiful Cenote Saamal.
Traveling to Tulum in April
Tulum Mayan Ruins
There are other Mayan Ruins in Tulum much closer than Chichen Itza, though they may not wow you the same as Chichen Itza (it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, after all 😃).
However, if you don’t want to commit a full day to visiting Chichen Itza from Tulum, which is a bit of a trek, head to these ancient ruins instead:
- Tulum Ruins on Tulum Beach
- Muyil Ruins in Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve
- Coba Ruins, which has the tallest pyramid in Yucatan
- Ek-Balam Ruins, located near Valladolid pueblo magico (magic town)
Traveling to Tulum in April
Laze on the Tulum Beaches
Tulum sits right on the bright blue Caribbean Sea, and has some of the best beaches in Mexico. You can’t go wrong with any beaches in Tulum, but don’t miss these visitor favorites:
- Playa Paraiso
- Playa las Palmas
- Playa Pescadores
- Playa Santa Fe
- Punta Allen: This so-called Tulum Secret Beach is located in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve
🏖 Best Tulum Beach CLubs
Famous for its boho beach clubs, you’ll want to check out at least one of them while on your Tulum vacay.
Most of them charge about $50-100 USD to get in, but often that will go towards your “minimum spend” for food and drinks. In other words, you pay $1,000-2,000 pesos (about $50-100 USD) to enter the beach club.
You’ll then have access to the pool and beach facilities, showers, bathrooms, etc., and then whatever you paid to get in will be credited to your food and drink tab.
For some of the best beach clubs in Tulum, check out:
Traveling to Tulum in April
Swim in the Cenotes in Tulum
No visit to Tulum Mexico is complete without swimming in the best Tulum cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays, or sen-no-tay for the word cenote in singular).
Cenotes are swimmable sinkholes with freshwater that comes from a river under the Yucatan Peninsula.
This river is part of the longest flooded cave system on Earth, Sistema Sac Actun, which is 164-miles-long (263 km).
There are about 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan, and some of the best cenotes in Mexico are right in Tulum.
Located only 10-20 minutes from Downtown Tulum, there’s Cenote Calavera, El Gran Cenote, Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Car Wash and Cenote Atik.
🤿 Not sure what to bring to the cenotes? Check out this Tulum cenotes packing list so you’re prepared to swim in the cenotes in Mexico.
🐠 Snorkeling in Yal Ku Lagoon
Want to do some snorkeling in Tulum? While there’s some great snorkeling accessible by boat not far from shore, the best snorkeling in the area is actually at nearby Laguna Yal-Ku.
Yal-Ku Lagoon has a mix of freshwater and saltwater, so you can see colorful tropical fish, rays and even sea turtles with great visibility.
It’s has long been known as one the best places for snorkeling in Yucatan.
The Yal-Ku Lagoon Cenote is located about 30 minutes from Tulum by rental car, or you can book this top-rated tour and let them handle the logistics.
Traveling to Tulum in April
Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka’an Tulum is one of the Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is the best place in Tulum to see wildlife like dolphins, manatees, turtles and birds — and all in the wild, right where they should be 🐬
Sian Ka’an is one of the largest protected areas in Mexico, at about one million acres (4,046 km²)!
The best way to visit Sian Ka’an is on a boat tour like this best Sian Ka’an Tour, one of the highest-rated tours in Tulum.
💧 Laguna Kaan Luum (Tulum Lagoon)
Kaan Luum Lagoon used to be one of the best kept secrets in Tulum.
However, it has gained in popularity thanks to social media and YouTube (and well, because it’s a great place in general).
Still, for most travelers it remains on the best off the beaten path Tulum hidden gems.
Kaan Luum Tulum is a shallow water lagoon, perfect for a swim and SUP in Laguna Kaan Luum, and it even has a cenote inside it.
It makes for a nice place to spend a few hours or the whole day, and it’s only 15 minutes from downtown.
Holidays & Festivals in Tulum in April
Spring Break in Tulum
Located about two hours north of Tulum, Cancun is the top Mexico destination for Spring Break — but Tulum also sees large amounts of Spring Breakers as well.
There’s no set dates for Spring Break, as the days depend on each individual school’s schedule. However, it’s usually in March or April, though most Tulum Spring Breakers are gone by late-April.
Traveling to Tulum in April
Día del Niño (Children’s Day)
El Día del Niño, literally meaning “The Day of the Child,” is celebrated on April 30. It is similar to Mother’s and Father’s Day, but as a way to celebrate kids instead of adults.
On this holiday, many kids will get a gift, a few toys, or even just a special treat like a cake or an ice cream.
Even if you don’t get your kiddo a gift, you can visit these kid-friendly Tulum things to do that they’re sure to love.
Tulum in April: Ultimate Travel Guide & FAQ
Is Tulum safe for travelers?
For the most part, yes. I say for the most part because no place on Earth is 100% safe.
For a deep dive into the topic of Tulum safety, check out Is Tulum Safe to Travel to Right Now? If you’re traveling Tulum alone, this Tulum solo travel guide will help you plan the best, safest trip to Tulum.
Tulum is safe for the majority of visitors, who go and simply enjoy their trip without incident.
However, make no mistake — this is a tourist town, and things like petty theft aren’t uncommon in these types of destinations in any country.
Millions of travelers go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small… When I’m asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes.
CARLOS BARRON, 25-YEAR FBI VETERAN (source)
While Mexico is portrayed as a totally unsafe country in the mainstream U.S. media, know that millions visit Tulum each year — with most coming from the United States, Canada and Europe.
If Mexico were as unsafe as it’s portrayed, people would just stop coming, wouldn’t they!? Well, they aren’t, so that should tell you something.
According to Mexico Secretary of Tourism statistics, an astounding 66 million international travelers visited Mexico in 2022 alone.
Even with all the sinister news reports, millions and millions of people still flock to Mexico each month.
Traveling to Tulum in April
Where is Tulum Mexico located?
Tulum is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico. It is about 1.5 hours south of Cancun, and 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.
🗺️ Tulum Map
WHAT STATE IS TULUM IN?
Tulum is located in Quintana Roo State. This is one of the three states in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, along with Yucatan State and Campeche State.
Of these three Mexico state in the Yucatan, Quintana Roo is the most visited, and Campeche is the least visited. The most-visited places in Yucatan State are Chichen Itza Ruins and the colorful colonial city of Merida.
🇲🇽 Quintana Roo, Mexico
Quintana Roo is a long, thin state, stretching the entire length of coastline along the Caribbean Sea.
Because of this, you may also hear this part of the Yucatan Peninsula called the Mexican Caribbean, where so many popular Mexico beach towns are located.
Quintana Roo has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, including Playa Paamul Beach, Playa Maroma Beach, which has the best overwater bungalows in Mexico, and Playa Xpu-Ha Beach.
Also in the state, you’ll find Playa del Carmen, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Isla Holbox Island, Puerto Morelos and Laguna Bacalar, AKA the “Maldives of Mexico.”
Traveling to Tulum in April
How to Get to Tulum Mexico
Is there an airport in Tulum Mexico?
Yes — Tulum Airport opened to international flights in 2024. It is officially called Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto, or Tulum International Airport (code: TQO).
TQO Airport is located in the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Municipality, about 25 miles (40 km) from Downtown Tulum. The drive takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
However, in year’s past you’d have to fly into Cancun International Airport, as this was the closest airport to Tulum.
Many still use this airport, as it’s one of the busiest airports in Mexico making it easy to find direct flights to Cancun.
HOW FAR IS CANCUN AIRPORT FROM TULUM?
The distance from Cancun Airport to Tulum is 73 miles (118 km). In normal traffic, the drive from Cancun from Tulum takes 1.5 hours.
Planning on renting a car in Cancun? The best place to get your Cancun car rentals is at Cancun Airport since you’re flying there anyway. Also, they have a much larger selection than Tulum.
🚐💨 Best Private shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum
The easiest, safest, and best way to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport is to book this private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation.
Round trip service is just $310 USD for 1-8 people, and they will pick you up curbside at the Cancun Airport and drop you off at your hotel in Tulum.
If you want the convenience of door-to-door service, and none of the Tulum transportation hassles, this is for you.
Best Places to Stay in Tulum in April
🏝️ Zona Hotelera: Tulum Hotel Zone (Tulum Beach)
Tulum Beach is the part of Tulum you’ve seen on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
This is where you’ll find all the best Tulum resorts, boutique hotels, Tulum beach houses, unique Tulum treehouses and rustic accommodations for Tulum glamping.
There’s also chic restaurants and bars, spas and yoga centers, shopping, and of course, the Tulum beaches.
Here are some of the best hotels on Tulum Beach:
- Casa Malca ($$$$): A mansion-turned resort once owned by Pablo Escobar. This is the most stylish and best hotel in Tulum, and home to the Tulum hanging couch.
- Libelula Tulum ($$$$): Luxurious eco-glamping under the stars, gourmet meals, and a near private beach — What more is there to say!?
- CoCo Tulum Beach ($$$): Home to the famous black and white swings in Tulum, CoCo is one of the best hotels on Tulum Beach that won’t break the bank.
- Selina Tulum Hostel ($$): The most famous hostel chain in the world, Selina has set a new bar as far as hostels go.
🏝️ Aldea Zama & Tulum Town (Downtown Tulum)
Tulum Town (AKA Downtown Tulum or Tulum Pueblo) and the Tulum Aldea Zama neighborhood are located about 2-3 miles (3-5 km) from Tulum Beach.
However, you can save a lot of money staying here, and still get an amazing place. In fact, if you’re looking for the best cheap hotels in Tulum, they are in downtown and Aldea Zama.
You can also find amazing options here in Downtown Tulum if you have a higher budget, like these places:
- Bardo Tulum ($$$$): Adults-only, 5 Star hotel with sexy vibes, luxurious rooms and gorgeous ambiance throughout the property.
- Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum ($$$): An adorable mix of retro tiki deco meets Tulum boho, and free breakfast. For my money, this is the best cheap hotel in Tulum!
- Holistika Tulum ($$-$$$): Part healing center, and part resort. Holistika has a hotel and hostel dorms, and obviously the hostel is the more affordable option.
- Meteora Hostel & Coffeeshop ($-$$): The best hostel in Tulum, and a favorite among digital nomads in Tulum Mexico.
Traveling to Tulum in April
Is there Uber in Tulum?
No — There’s no Uber in Tulum, no Lyft in Tulum, and no ride-shares in Tulum of any kind.
You will find plenty of taxis, day and night, though costs add up quickly. For more info, check out this guide to learn how to get around in Tulum.
IS THERE UBER IN CANCUN?
Yes — In 2023, Uber became fully legal in Cancun.
IS THERE UBER AT CANCUN AIRPORT?
No — Uber can not pick you up at Cancun Airport. For this reason, I recommend booking your private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation, which offers service from Cancun Airport to Tulum.
Round trip service is just $310 USD for 1-8 passengers — and it’s the safest, best way to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport.
🚗 Tulum Rental Cars
Considering renting a car in Tulum? In full disclosure, I only recommend this if you’re going to be taking a lot of Tulum day trips, as driving in Tulum can be annoying because of the traffic.
If you are planning for some day trips from Tulum, I always recommend and use Discover Cars for my rentals (and opt for their Full Coverage policy, which is the cheapest I’ve found).
For a deeper dive into this topic, head to Renting a Car in Tulum: Everything You Need to Know.
It explains the whole process so you don’t get scammed, which sadly isn’t uncommon with Tulum rentals cars (or car rentals anywhere, really).
Traveling to Tulum in April: FAQ
What’s the best time to travel to Tulum Mexico?
For the best weather in Tulum, and smaller crowds, opt for the months of November and February.
🤑 Best time to Visit For Great tulum travel Deals
Want to know what is the cheapest month to go to Tulum? For the best Tulum travel deals, you’ll have to visit in the slow season (AKA low season).
The Tulum slow season runs from about April to October, though you can often find deals and cheaper hotel rates from about mid-April to early-November.
☀️ Best time to Visit For Great Weather in tulum
November to March are the months you’ll get the best weather in Tulum Mexico.
This is the Tulum dry season, so you’ll have very little rain (if any), low humidity levels, and fewer mosquitoes and bugs.
🦟 Tulum Pro Tip: Do not forget your mosquito spray, no matter when you visit, even if it’s in the driest months.
This is also the busy season, so things will cost more, and the crowds will be bigger. However, many travelers find higher price tags and larger crowds an acceptable trade off for perfect weather.
If you’re planning to get married in Tulum, or honeymoon in Tulum, this would be the ideal time of year to do it.
👨👩👦👦 Best time to Visit For Families with Kids
Travelers visiting Tulum with kids tend to go the Summer months of June to August, when the kids are on summer break.
The best place to stay in Tulum with kids is the Dreams Tulum All Inclusive Resort & Spa, which is family-friendly.
🐢 Best time to Visit To Swim With turtles
The best place to swim with turtles in Tulum is the small town of Akumal, located about 30 minutes north of Tulum.
They are in Akumal Bay year-round, as they come here to feed on the abundant sea grass at the bottom.
While there are a few open areas you can try to see them, the main areas are roped off because this activity is regulated for the turtles’ safety. The only way to get in the main areas is to book an Akumal turtle tour to swim with them.
May to November is the nesting season for the sea turtles in Akumal Mexico.
This is when you’re most likely to see them near the beach, outside of the water. The baby sea turtles begin hatching in July.
🐳 Best time to Visit To Swim With Whale Sharks
The whale shark season in Mexico’s Caribbean runs from May 17 to September 17, but the peak months are July and August.
You must book a whale shark boat tour to swim with them, as you’ll venture deep into the Caribbean Sea.
😎 Best time to Visit For Avoiding the Crowds
The slow season in Tulum goes from about April to October.
December is the busiest month for Tulum travel, and all Mexico travel, as it has ideal weather for a tropical Christmas and New Year. The summer months tend to be slow in Tulum, and most of Mexico.
The Spring Break crowd is usually gone by late-March.
However, there will still be some Spring Breakers lingering around through early-April because there’s actually no official dates for Spring Break in Tulum (or anywhere).
🚨 A word of Warning: Semana Santa in Mexico
If you don’t like crowds, avoid Semana Santa (Holy Week or Easter Week). This is the week leading up to Easter, usually in late-March or early-April, though the dates fluctuate each year.
Semana Santa is the busiest week on all Mexico beaches — not just Tulum beaches or Yucatan beaches.
Traveling to Tulum in April
What are the travel seasons in Tulum?
🏝️ Tulum High Season: November to March
Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Tulum is from November to March. This is during the dry season, when you’ll see very little (if any) rain, low humidity, and few mosquitoes.
This is also the high or busy season in Tulum Mexico, when the most people will be visiting.
🏝️ Tulum Low Season: April to October
In October, flight prices usually aren’t too high, and should be able to snag a great deal at many Tulum hotels.
If you want to treat yourself to a fancy place, like these best Tulum all inclusive resorts, or these best 5-Star hotels in Tulum, prices are below average in October.
When travelers want to escape the crowds in Mexico, I usually recommend the summer months.
However, Tulum can be a bit different because nearby Cancun is so popular with families and kids on summer break, and many also visit Tulum.
For Tulum without the crowds in the low season, opt for May and late-August to October.
⭐️ Tulum Shoulder Season: Best Time to visit Tulum
The shoulder season is a magical time between seasons, when the weather is still nice, but the crowds have died down — and the prices have as well.
⭐️ In my opinion, the shoulder season is the best time to visit Tulum, Mexico.
It takes place just before the busy season is about to begin in early December, and then picks up again right after it ends in early April.
The shoulder season in Tulum includes the months of April, May, October, November and February. Now, May is the hottest month in Tulum so that’s generally a bad time to visit.
February is a shoulder season option, but it does have higher prices.
WHAT’S THE WORST TIME TO VISIT TULUM MEXICO?
In my opinion, April to September, as that’s the hottest time of the year.
You can still find great travel deals in other months, but you likely won’t find low prices and small crowds anytime during the peak season (busy season).
Traveling to Tulum in April
Packing for Tulum in April: What to Bring?
Right off the bat, you can pack light for Tulum because it will be hot when you visit — because it’s always hot in Tulum Mexico.
We’ll get to what to wear in Tulum below, but just know you can get away with only a few outfits for Mexico if you’re strategic about it.
🧳 To help you pack light, these Space Saver Packing Cubes are everything!
Since Tulum is a party town, I always recommend Liquid IV because with the sun and booze, you can easily dehydrate. Liquid IV has 165,000+ reviews on Amazon, and it’s one of the best anti-hangover cures out there.
Need more info? Check out this Ultimate Tulum Packing List: What to Wear in Tulum, Mexico.
💃 What to wear in Tulum Mexico
In Tulum, anything goes. It can be a bit of a fashion show because the town’s so popular with influencers and social media personalities.
However, you can also just wear simple, boho sundresses or a casual romper, and no one will bat an eye. For inspo, check out this article — Cute Mexico Outfits: What to Wear in Mexico on Your Vacation.
🏖 For Cenotes and Beaches: Besides clothing and the basics, you’ll want water shoes if you’re visiting the cenotes and a ASAKO underwater camera (it’s basically a GoPro, but much cheaper).
To shield yourself from the sun, definitely bring a cute sun hat, but also consider a long sleeve bathing suit (AKA rash guard). You can’t wear sunscreen of any kind in the cenotes, so this will shield your skin.
🧗♀️ For Climbing Ruins and Outdoor Activities: If you’re visiting the Mayan Ruins and pyramids in Mexico, a sporty outfit, good sneakers and a sun hat.
You’ll want to use sunscreen each day, and likely, multiple times per day. I personally love this sunscreen/bug repellent combo from Bullfrog, one of the best natural sunscreen brands.
Traveling to Tulum in April
Can you drink the water in Tulum?
No — You can not drink unfiltered tap water in Tulum, or anywhere in Mexico. However, you will need to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
As single-use plastics are horrible for the planet, these Water-To-Go bottles have a three-stage filter that makes Tulum tap water safe to drink.
🤑 Use code SOLO15 to SAVE 15% on your purchase with Water-To-Go.
These bottles filter 99.9999% of bacteria, viruses, micro-plastics, waterborne pathogens, heavy metals and more. I have one, and swear by it for clean drinking whatever in Mexico, no matter where you go.
Final Thoughts: Visiting Tulum in April
I hope this article answered all of your Is April a good month to visit Mexico? and Is April a good time to go to Tulum? questions.
As you now know, April in Tulum usually means near-perfect weather, however there’s always at least some chance of rain — though that shouldn’t even make you think twice.
Located in the tropics, rain in Tulum will pass quickly.
🚨 Tulum Travel Tips: Don’t forget to purchase Travel Insurance for Mexico so you’re protected for whatever happens when you’re on vacation in Tulum in November.
Also, no one can predict weather in the tropics with 100% certainty. I grew up in Miami, and learned not to give much credence to weather reports, because they rarely pan out as reported.
Though April usually has great weather, it can also has larger crowds. In fact, this is one of the busier months in Tulum, especially for Spring Breakers.
However, if you don’t mind the crowds, you’ll enjoy Tulum Mexico in April.
If Tulum in April isn’t for you…
After reading this, you might not want to visit Tulum in April after all.
If so, check out the articles linked below about visiting Tulum during other months of the year, so you can determine the best time to go to Tulum for you!
Tulum Travel Planning Guide
1. Should I buy Mexico travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)
2. Can you drink the water in Tulum?
No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. (Read more)
3. Is it safe to rent a car in Tulum?
Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. (Read more)
4. Will my phone work in Tulum?
Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy this Telcel SIM Card. As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. (Read more)
5. What’s the best way to book my Tulum accommodations?
For Tulum hotels, Booking.com is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
6. What do I pack for Tulum?
Head to the Ultimate Tulum Packing List to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.
7. What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?
For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
8. Do I need a visa for Mexico?
Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you do a Mexico travel visa. The majority of travelers will receive a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa or passport stamp upon arrival.