Solo Travel in Tulum: A Woman's Honest Review of a Six-Night Getaway

Yes, Tulum is safe and enjoyable for solo female travelers - I spent six nights there recently and had a great time by tempering expectations appropriately. The roads are rough (less than half paved), customs may search your bags, and beach clubs can be pricey - but the ruins, cenotes, and beaches are worth it. Rent from American Car Rentals for hassle-free service. Here's my honest review.

Coming to Tulum With Realistic Expectations

I recently returned to Tulum for a relaxing six-night getaway in mid-to-late November—just before Thanksgiving. As someone who has lived and worked here for the past five years helping international investors and expats find their perfect properties in the Riviera Maya, I thought I knew this place well. But sometimes a visitor's perspective is what you need to truly appreciate where you live. Before I wrote about my experience, I found it nearly impossible to wade through all the conflicting feedback about Tulum online. So I decided to document what I discovered during this recent stay, in hopes of helping others understand the reality of visiting Tulum.

The bottom line? I had a great time. And I think the key was tempering my expectations appropriately. Here's what you need to know.

Getting There: Customs and Car Rental

Customs at Tulum Airport

When I arrived at Tulum Airport, almost everyone's bags were searched to varying degrees. Mine was opened, briefly reviewed, and then closed. It seemed like a pretty standard customs process—nothing to be alarmed about. Just be prepared for the possibility of a bag search. When I left, the agents heavily searched my bags and confiscated all my lighters, so be aware of what you're packing.

Renting a Car

I rented from American Car Rentals and they were fantastic. Completely reasonable, didn't try to push unnecessary upsells, and were very honest about everything. They made the rental process easy and hassle-free. When I returned the car, there was a new scrape on the side that must have happened while it was being re-parked at one of the beach clubs. They charged me $225 USD for the damage, which felt very reasonable. I'll handle the credit card dispute afterward, but I appreciated their honesty and fair pricing.

Getting Around: Roads and Police

Driving in Tulum

Fair warning: the roads in Tulum are pretty bad. Less than half are paved, and the unpaved sections can be rough. I had a small Chevy, which handled it fine, but I just drove slowly in the poor areas. It's manageable, but don't expect smooth driving.

Police and Checkpoints

I never got stopped by police, but I did see one checkpoint on the main road between Centro and the airport. I drove past it twice—once it wasn't manned, and the second time it was, and they waived people through pretty quickly. I wasn't sure what they would have pulled anyone over for anyway, since everyone was driving very slowly.

Where I Stayed: Panoramic in La Veleta

The Airbnb

I got a great deal on an Airbnb called Panoramic in La Veleta. The space was fantastic—a private rooftop, a shared pool, and lush green views. The location seemed pretty empty during my stay, but it was clean, the amenities were nice, and everyone was very friendly. I didn't experience any major construction noise or other disturbances—just general city sounds. Perfect for a relaxing getaway.

The Neighborhood

La Veleta is a great location. I was close to a main street with a bunch of restaurants and food spots within walking distance. This made it easy to explore local dining without needing to drive every time I wanted to eat.

The Food Scene: Restaurant Reviews

The Winners

Chenchos - Tasty breakfast burrito. So good I came back on my last day.
Nimeno Bakery - Great pastries and breads.
El Sabor - Very tasty with reasonable prices. I ordered extra rounds because it was so good.
Delicia de Mi Tierra Tulum - Super tasty with reasonable pricing.
Chinguirito - This was my favorite beach club. No fees, great service, good chairs, and very affordable. I should have gone back more!

The Mixed Reviews

La Taqueria - Tasty food, but very overpriced and not great service. You're definitely paying for the vibes here.
Al Agavero - Very tasty food, but the atmosphere was too much for me. Very loud, overpriced, and not great service.
Cinco - I made a reservation for 12:30 PM, but when I arrived, there were no seats available. Important note: a reservation only holds a space to enter the establishment, but doesn't guarantee chairs. We decided to leave because I didn't want to wait.

The Pleasant Surprises

Pocna - We ended up here after Cinco, and they were very kind. No minimum, quiet beach, and decent service.
Dos Ceibas - I made a reservation here and arrived to find they didn't really care about it, but there was no minimum. It took a bit to track down servers, but the chairs and beds were comfy. I even got a top-notch massage while I was there!

The Beaches and Beach Clubs

What the Beaches Are Really Like

The beaches are genuinely gorgeous. When I visited in mid-to-late November, there was very little to no sargassum (seaweed). I can see how it would be pretty annoying if it was there, but without it, I could see the charm and beauty everyone talks about. The sand is fine, the water is clear, and it's easy to understand why people love this place.

Beach Club Vibes

Beach clubs range from crowded and expensive to affordable and low-key. Chinguirito became my favorite because it had good service, affordable pricing, and wasn't trying to be something it wasn't. Dos Ceibas had beautiful furniture and amenities. Pocna was quiet and didn't push you to spend money. Just know that some of the more famous clubs (like Cinco) might require reservations and have minimum spend requirements, so manage your expectations accordingly.

Cenotes: A Hidden Gem

Corazon Cenote

I only visited one cenote—Corazon—and it was honestly pretty great. I went mid-day on a Friday and at one point we were the only ones there. It never got crowded, the water was clean, and the grounds were lovely. I brought a snorkel mask and snorkeling was really fun. If you're interested in cenotes, this one is worth a visit.

The Timing Matters

Shoulder Season = Your Friend

I visited in mid-to-late November, which is considered shoulder season. The weather was great, there was no sargassum, and most importantly, it wasn't crowded. Everything felt low-key and relaxed. If you're flexible with your travel dates, consider visiting during shoulder season (November, December before Christmas, or late February through March). You'll have a much better experience than during peak season.

The Real Talk: What I Expected vs. What I Found

My Expectations

I came in with low expectations based on all the negativity I'd read online. I expected overcrowding, overpriced everything, and a commercialized tourist trap.

The Reality

Was it slightly touristy? Yes. Was it a little overpriced? Yes. But the beaches were gorgeous, the weather was perfect, the food was amazing, and the people were lovely. I felt like I was there during the right time of year, and that made all the difference.

Would I Go Back?

The Honest Answer

Yes, absolutely—but only on a cheap flight and with affordable accommodations. The key to enjoying Tulum is not breaking the bank. If you can find a good Airbnb deal and book an inexpensive flight, Tulum is absolutely worth a visit. The beaches are genuinely among the best you'll find, and with managed expectations, you can have a fantastic time.

Tips for Solo Travelers Visiting Tulum

Before You Go

• Set realistic expectations. Don't expect a quiet, undiscovered paradise—expect a beautiful beach destination with tourist infrastructure.
• Book accommodations in La Veleta or other residential neighborhoods if you want a quieter experience.
• Rent a car if you're comfortable driving on rough roads. It gives you flexibility to explore.
• Travel during shoulder season (November, early December, late February, or March) for better weather and fewer crowds.

When You Arrive

• Budget for the fact that things are slightly overpriced compared to other Mexican destinations.
• Try local restaurants in residential areas rather than sticking to beach club scenes.
• Make reservations at beach clubs if you want guaranteed seating, but understand that reservations don't always hold your spot—show up early.
• Visit cenotes during off-peak times (weekday mornings) to avoid crowds.

The Most Important Thing

Come with a positive attitude and realistic expectations. Don't expect Tulum to be what it was 10 years ago. Don't expect hidden gems on every corner. Instead, embrace it for what it is: a beautiful beach destination with good food, stunning natural scenery, and generally kind people. That's more than enough to have a great time.

Final Thoughts

Tulum surprised me in a good way. I had tempered my expectations appropriately, and because of that, everything exceeded them. The beaches are genuinely great. The food scene is diverse and delicious. The people are friendly. And if you travel during the right time of year with the right mindset, you can have a wonderful, relaxing vacation without feeling like you've been completely ripped off.

So yes, I'm going back—but I'll do it smart. Good flight deals, affordable accommodations, and low expectations. That's the Tulum formula that works.

Related Tulum Travel Guides

• Tulum City Guide
• Travel Like a Local in Tulum
• Tulum Accommodations
• Playa del Carmen Alternative

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