Looking for a digital nomad Tulum guide? We’ve got you covered.
Mexico has a lot going for it. With its beautiful weather, rich culture, gorgeous beaches, and cheap cost of living, it’s a digital nomad’s paradise. And Tulum made it on the list of the best places to live in Mexico.
Of all of these places, Tulum stands out as the perfect place for nomads to live, work, and enjoy the slow-paced lifestyle between the arty town and the relaxing beach.
In this digital nomad Tulum guide, we’ll be covering the best months to visit, which neighborhood you should stay in, how to get around, and the best coworking spaces, to help you decide whether Tulum is the place for you.
Where To Stay In Tulum
Each neighborhood has its own feel, so there’s a place for everyone in this beach town. Wherever you stay, there are plenty of digital nomads in Tulum, so you can be sure to make friends in no time.
Tulum Pueblo
If you’re not sure where to stay in Tulum, you can’t go wrong with Tulum Pueblo, which is the center of town. Many digital nomads in Tulum choose to base themselves in the town as it’s close to lots of amenities as well as bars, clubs, and restaurants.
While this main area is obviously the busiest, it makes a great place to live. The town is artsy and trendy, meaning there are rooftop cocktails bars, artisanal markets, and health food stores galore.
La Veleta
La Veleta is growing in popularity with ex-pats and digital nomads and is located in the south of Tulum.
The area has a chilled-out feeling and is aimed at nomads, with a focus on well-being which you can see for yourself by its yoga classes and organic stores.
In La Veleta, there is also a dedicated co-working space, giving you everything you need in one neighborhood.
One downside of La Veleta is that it is further away from big grocery stores, but on the flip side, it’s closer to the main Tulum attractions such as the cenotes.
Expect to pay more for accommodation in La Veleta than you would in Tulum Pueblo.
Aldea Zama
Apartments are slightly on the higher end at Aldea Zama than at Tulum Pueblo, as the neighborhood has more of a luxurious feel to it.
You can expect to pay upwards of $1200 to live in the up-and-coming neighborhood, but most apartments come with amenities such as swimming pools, tropical outside working spaces, or in some cases, even hot tubs.
People choose to stay in Aldea Zama due to its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, as well as great proximity to both the town and the beach.
Bear in mind though that the neighborhood is still in its developmental stages, which means there is a lot of construction going on.
Tulum Beach
Tulum Beach is one of the pricier places to stay, because of its easy access to the beach.
The area is very trendy, with eco-hotels dotted about, and the opportunity to live in a beach hut.
You won’t find big conglomerates and high-rise hotels in the neighborhood, which means that the area has been able to maintain its jungle feel, and you can enjoy working to the sound of palm trees swishing in the breeze.
Living in Tulum might not encompass any deserted islands, but those who love the island vibes will be happiest staying in Tulum Beach.
In order to find apartments to rent in Tulum, check out local Facebook groups such as Rentals In Tulum, Tulum Rentals, and La Veleta Rentals Tulum.
Airbnb is also a great website to find apartment rentals, although you can often pay a premium for choosing to book through the site.
Saying that, it’s one of the most convenient ways to find a place to stay, and with starred reviews, you can read, you can be pretty confident that you know what you’re getting and won’t be disappointed.
A tip that most people don’t know, is that you can contact Airbnb owners privately to enquire about a discounted rate for long-term rentals.
Another option is to book a few nights in a neighborhood you want to stay in long-term and ask around when you get there.
Best Time To Be In Tulum
There is no bad time to visit Mexico. While there is a rainy season, showers come thick and fast and are over in the blink of an eye. Mexico experiences tropical climates with temperatures that reach a scorching 36°C.
The weather is the most dependable between February and May, during the dry season.
May is the hottest month of the year which sees the burning temperatures we mentioned above, and the temperature only lowers as far as 23°C.
If that sounds like your idea of hell, December is the coolest month, with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C, but expect some rain throughout the month.
How To Get Around Tulum
Walking is an excellent way to get around Tulum town. However, the area of Tulum, including the beach, is spread out over several kilometers and you might not want to walk for hours in the hot sun.
You can rent a car, but that’s not necessary for Tulum, as there are plenty of ways to get around without.
Bike
Bikes are one of the most popular ways to travel around town and are a great way to reduce your costs as a digital nomad living in Tulum.
The town is surprisingly small, meaning cycling through it is easy and quick, and there’s even a dedicated bike lane that covers the entirety of downtown.
The beaches are more spread out, but even that 10 kilometers can be covered in good time on two wheels.
Collectivo
Another way to get around Tulum is by collectivo, which is a shared van. It is essentially a small bus that only stops at particular points.
You can hail one down at any bus stop and the cost is very low as it’s intended for locals.
Collectivo drivers can be sneaky about letting foreigners on board, especially at the beach, where taxis are rife and the intended choice for tourists.
Taxi
The final way to get around Tulum is by taxi. While these are more expensive than a collectivo, charging a minimum of $6 USD to ferry you between the beach and the town, they are still an affordable way to travel in Tulum.
It’s convenient to grab a cab, with taxis situated in prime locations, such as the beach, around town, and outside hotels.
Best Coworking Places In Tulum
Tulum’s digital nomad community just keeps growing, which means coworking spaces pop up all the time in the town. There are plenty of spots to choose from for coworking in Tulum, where you can enjoy a coffee, get your work done for the day, and then head to the beach.
Los Amigos
Los Amigos is a dedicated co-working space in La Valeta. It costs $10 USD per day or $150 USD per month to use the space, and you get free coffee and water, as well as the use of the printer included in that.
It’s open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM for those with a daily pass, but monthly members can enjoy using the space 24 hours a day.
Digital Jungle
Digital Jungle is a coworking space that is big on encouraging nomads to make like-minded friends, with its regular events and movie nights.
The space is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday to Saturday.
A day pass costs around $20 USD and there’s also the option to use the space for just a half-day, which is $15 USD.
You get free coffee and fruit included in the price and you can choose to rent private meeting spaces too.
Digital Jungle also has weekly and monthly passes available.
Selina Hostel
The co-working space at Selina Hostel costs $16 USD a day and is known as a great place for meeting other digital nomads. There is access to coffee, and high-speed internet, and you can also use private booths for meetings.
The co-working space is open from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM which is great for nomads working in any time zone.
Selina also has its own ‘CoLive’ program which includes accommodation, access to the co-working space, wellness classes including yoga, and discounts. You can also move between its many destinations, including Costa Rica, Argentina, Israel, and Australia.
Ki’bok Coffee
Ki’bok Coffee is primarily a café, but upstairs it has its own dedicated coworking space. It’s open from 7:00 AM until 10:30 PM every day and has fast and reliable internet speed.
If you prefer an air-conditioned workspace, Ki’bok coffee won’t be for you, as it has an open-air design.
However, it’s a quiet coworking spot and you can order food from the café to be delivered to your desk.
Prices vary based on your needs, but you can expect to pay $12 USD for access or $200 USD for a monthly pass.
Final Thoughts On Tulum For Digital Nomads
Tulum is fast becoming one of the best digital nomad hotspots in the world, catering to remote workers’ every need with an amazing selection of apartments, an affordable lifestyle, and plenty of coworking spaces.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our digital nomad Tulum guide and found it helpful in deciding whether the beachy town of Tulum is the right place for you to set up camp for a while.
If you’re trying to decide where to head next, check out these posts:
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