Tulum, on the southern part Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, has long been a popular hang-out for the hip, active, and Bohemian-inspired travel set. And because it draws such a hodgepodge of travelers — from budget-conscious yogis looking for shared accommodations to luxury travelers seeking a beachfront escape — there are hundreds of hotels to choose from. But what the best hotels in Tulum all have in common is one thing: a tie to the land and a decor inspired by the jungle.
Architecture and art are interchangeable in Tulum, and some of the town’s best hotels feel like living art galleries. Many of the best hotels in Tulum are defined by a lack of boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, lush plants, and woven and wooden interior design elements. Creativity runs free when it comes to architecture in Tulum.
However, it can be hard to narrow down the list of where to stay when so many hotels are so beautiful. So to make trip planning a bit easier, check out the list below of the best jungle-themed hotels in Tulum, from a stunning treehouse resort to a romantic beach hotel with old-school ocean-view bungalows.
We hope you love the Tulum jungle hotels we recommend below! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Where to stay in Tulum
Tulum isn’t a large town, but there are basically three areas to choose from.
Recently, Tulum town has become a popular place to stay, and many of the best hotels in Tulum town offer free or very affordable bike rentals so guests can easily get to the beach. Hotels in Tulum town aren’t on the beach, but they’re more affordable, near more authentic local restaurants, and often partner with beach clubs for guests to get day access to the sand and surf.
The best hotels in Tulum Beach are on the shore, along the one main road. Tulum Beach is the center of the action in Tulum and most hotels will be within walking distance of the hip restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and outdoor beach lounges that made the town so popular. The downside is that it’s more expensive, traffic is often stand-still, and the roads and sidewalks are poorly maintained, so even biking through town can be hard.
The third area where you’ll find some of the best hotels in Tulum is the far north area of Tulum Beach (near the Tulum ruins). There’s one road that connects Tulum town to Tulum Beach (the very bikeable Ave. Coba). Head right when it hits the beach to go to Tulum Beach; head left, and you’re in the northern strip of beach. This area is less developed and has more of a focus on yoga, outdoor space and wellness, while Tulum Beach is a bit more hip and chic. The downside is that most restaurants will be in hotels, and depending on where you stay, it may be a bit of a walk to restaurants.
A quick note: Tulum has been in the news recently for two things: irresponsible tourism, and cartel violence related to the drug trade. The first one is easy to avoid: support sustainable business, try to avoid plastics and non-reusable materials, and avoid super-busy bars, especially if people aren’t wearing masks. The second issue is ongoing, and the best way to protect yourself is to not buy any drugs while in the area. We’re not here to tell you how to live your life, but the higher the demand is for “party drugs,” the more likely drug-related violence will continue to happen. Always do what you can to be a safe and sustainable traveler.
The best hotels in Tulum for soaking in the jungle vibes:
1. Aluna Tulum
- Location: Tulum Town
- Instagram: @KimptonAlunaTulum
This beautiful hotel is on the road that connects the town to the beach, making it easy to get into town or to the hotel’s partner day club. All public spaces in the hotel are outdoors, including the covered breakfast room, and local art from across Mexico adorns the walls. Rooms are clean and modern and look out on a pool surrounded by palm trees. It has exceptionally fast and reliable Wi-Fi, which is hard to find in Tulum Beach. There’s also a rooftop restaurant next to a second pool, a complimentary happy hour every day, and complimentary bikes — it’s about 15 minutes to the beach.
2. Hotel Bardo
- Location: Tulum Town
- Instagram: @BardoTulum
Hotel Bardo is in the center of town, and while that means you’re further from the beach, it also means you get a great price on a hotel that would be double the cost were it beachfront. In places, the hotel feels like a nature extension of the earth, with a bar supported by tree trunks and rooms with outdoor showers and walls that slide away to bring the outdoors in. It’s decorated in deep greens and earth tones, and hammocks hang between secluded and shaded pairs of palm trees throughout the property. It’s one of the best hotels in Tulum town for adults only as guests need to be over 18.
3. Jungle Keva Tulum
- Location: Tulum Town
- Instagram: @JungleKevaTulum
Jungle Keva describes itself as a “sublime jungle refuge,” and that’s a fairly accurate way of putting it. The hotel offers just five lodges, all with tall ceilings, natural materials, outdoor bathrooms, and outdoor living areas. The hotel is a low-impact hotel, so guests are encouraged to use re-usable bottles, offers organic bath products, and built the pool and common spaces around trees to avoid any vegetation removal. Guests can book just a room or sign up for on-site nature experiences, like outdoor cooking classes or lectures on the basics of Ayurveda.
4. Encantada Tulum
- Location: Tulum Beach
- Instagram: @EncantadaTulum
Many hotels in Tulum beach are hip, colorful, and have on-site beach clubs, but that’s not the case with Encantada — making it an ideal jungle-themed hotel for travelers looking for a more upscale, less-fist-pumping experience. The boutique hotel has only eight rooms, all of which have outdoor patios or balconies and most have ocean views. The small property is covered with palm trees, and breakfast is served on one of a few thatched-roof decks. However, Encantada’s main selling point may be something it doesn’t have: children. It’s one of the best hotels in Tulum Beach if you’re after an adults-only getaway.
5. Hotel Nueva Vida
One of the more affordable jungle-themed hotels in Tulum is Nueva Vida, in a central location along the beach road. The hotel has 32 rooms spread across a dozen bungalows, so guests can choose from affordable garden-view rooms or second-level oceanfront rooms with air conditioning. Staying at the solar-powered hotel is a great way to not just feel like you’re in the jungle, but protect the jungle: Nueva Vida runs a sea turtle conservation program, replants native plants around the large property, and has water fill-up stations around the property to minimize plastic use.
6. Nômade Tulum
- Location: Tulum Beach
- Instagram: @NomadeTulum
If being connected to the jungle means being as close as possible to nature, consider springing for a stay at Nômade Tulum. The jungle-view rooms have natural decor and materials, but its the safari tents and treehouses that truly make this one of the best hotels in Tulum. The safari-style tents have deep wood accents, outdoor bathrooms, and outdoor decks or patios. And while its small, the treehouse room is one of the most unique places to stay. It’s accessed by a raised walkway and looks out over the jungle. But regardless of what room you choose, you’ll have access to hotel amenities like a Moroccan-inspired open-air restaurant, a pool and beach beds, and access to programming like biodynamic breath classes, cacao ceremonies, or even stargazing classes.
7. Habitas Tulum
- Location: Tulum Beach
- Instagram:@Habitas_tulum
The jungle rooms at Habitas Tulum may be the least expensive on the property, but they’re ideal for travelers who want an elegant, jungle-themed stay that doesn’t compromise on sustainability. The hotel aims to be zero-impact, down to what materials they use for the rooms. And speak of rooms — they’re permanent safari tents, complete with raised decks, thatched roofs, and front flaps that open to the jungle or ocean beyond. Habitas’ decks, rooms, restaurant and pool are connected by lush jungle paths that truly feel secluded from the lively scene just outside its front gate.
8. Ikal Tulum
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- Location: North Tulum Beach
- Instagram: @ikal_tulum_hotel
Ikal is the place to stay if your dream Tulum getaway includes daily yoga, drum circles, and never, ever having to wear shoes. Guests can pick from small garden-view bungalows, canvas safari tents, or the crème de la crème of jungle-themed rooms: the jungle cabanas. The three different room types are inspired by bio-architecture (the blending of art, architecture and the natural environment) and have features like skylights, private jungle meditation circles, plunge pools, and outdoor bathrooms. Connection to the jungle is big here, so expect open windows, organic materials, and minimal divisions between indoors and out. 