What is the best time of year to go to Tulum Mexico?
If you already researched this topic, you might have noticed that every online informational source brings up the same washed-up answers:
avoid September-October rains and Christmas crowds. That's just lazy writing.
When it comes to Tulum, there are no bad seasons. The magic of this little place spans the entire year, making every period unique and special. Different time intervals have different personalities, and each might attract its own traveler.
What type of traveler are you? Now, that's where we can start to give you the best possible advice. Assuming you know yourself, the better question for us to answer is: What is the best time of the year to go to Tulum for you personally.
Below we will break down how Tulum changes during the year so that you can identify period(s) that will fit your persona best.
Christmas Season.
Time for festivities, raves, and socializing.
As I write this article, it is mid-December, and despite Covid-19 raging through the entire world, Tulum lives through one of its busiest months.
Christmas spirit ignites people's hearts seeking a paradise to hide from the mundane life of this heavy year of 2020.
First, key characteristics of any busy season in Tulum:
The average price for a private place in Tulum Pueblo is about USD 150 per night and USD 400 per night in Zona Hotelera
If you delay booking a place for too long, you might end up having no place to stay at all.
Time of the Festivals and raves (2020 is an exception as major festivals were canceled due to Covid concerns and moved to April)
The air is celebratory and saturated with joy, energy, life, and sincere laughs.
What differentiates this particular period from other busy seasons is the weather. All the way into February, the sun is kind and doesn't have the torching passion of the Summer months. Nights can be relatively cool and fresh. In past years there were days when I found myself wearing a sweater for dinners - highly unusual for Tulum in general, but possible. During the day temperature is still high enough at about 27 degrees Celcius. If you cannot tolerate Carribian heat, this season might be your best time to experience Tulum.
Considering everything above, it becomes clear that if you are on a budget or prefer the tranquility of solitude, this particular season might not be your best option.
In contrast, if you are looking for an incredible time socializing, partying, and have no budget constraints - the Christmas season won't leave you unsatisfied.
February - March.
Rejuvenate and reflect.
Even Tulum takes time off, although each year it's shorter and shorter, for a brief moment of a few months, you can hear this small town breath freely.
As January comes to an end, so do high prices and festivals. Sun is soft, the Caribbean sea mostly quiet, and the rustle of palms fillis-in the vacuum of silence.
In Tulum Pueblo, you might find some bars and restaurants to be closed as their owners and staff take time off for themselves.
This period is entirely opposite from its gala predecessor except for one part: the weather.
This period provides a good opportunity to reflect, meditate, and enjoy details, visible only in the calmness of nature and spirit.
Mid-March - Mid-August.
Fluctuating between the highest of highs and normal highs, this is the longest and hottest (in all ways) period in Tulum.
This period feels like floating on the surface of an ocean while big and medium-sized waves change each other.
March slowly wakes Tulum from its February's power-nap and reignites festive and joyful mood, this time intensified by nature joining the celebration. Sun turns its heat switch back to "Blazingly hot", the sea breeze blows extra dearly, and the air is charged with love, spring energy, pheromones, and emotions.
Key characteristics of this season:
This period has its hights in April and July. During these tops, you might find prices being similar to Christmas time.
May, July, and the first half of August have no lesser energy than the top months but are much less packed, meaning you can find good prices for accommodation.
May, in particular, is my personal favorite. It's busy but not too full, and you can mix solitude with festivities all while nature is lively and on its pick.
August has the prettiest sunsets as the sun lights the skies with every shade of blue, pink, orange, purple, red, and magenta.
Insider Tip: if you are coming for longer than 5 days, take the first few days at the Zona Hotelera and allow yourself to rest fully, fall into the harmony between your body and the soul, then as you feel yourself being your greatest, take on nights at Pueblo. Each interaction and experience are much clearer and greatly more enjoyable when there is a perfect alignment of spirit with self-identity.
September to October, or, as locals call it, "dead season"
When the vibrancy of colors intensifies, beaches get empty, and the weather makes everything inspirational.
This is my second favorite season. Imagine this: smooth, as the surface of the mirror, sea reflecting the advancement of dark-blue skies, while every single color at the pick of its vibrancy and saturation.
Key characteristics of this season:
Lowest prices
Rains and hurricanes do happen, but 1) they do not last too long, and even if they are - you still can enjoy everything, just with the sun being off 2) There is a big chance they won't even occur. I had Septembers without a single drop and Julys with rain pouring every third day. 3) Rains are thick, and winds are warm. Even if you get caught, the experience is pleasurable. I personally look forward to moments like that.
Best season for romantics and dreamers who love to enjoy solitude.
Not much can be found in Pueblo. Bars and restaurants are open, but with very few people inside.
Insider Tip: I recommend staying at Zone Hotelera. Prices are meager, and you can find most of the places being at a discount.
November.
March 2.0 or a transitionary period.
Key characteristics:
Prices slowly start to go up
Pueblo gets back to life as more and more people come.
Nights get a bit longer.
Conclusion:
Just like with food - some like it spicy, some like it mild, some like tomatoes, some cant look at them - everyone has their own tastes and preferences. Tulum brings on a full kitchen of different seasons, and each has its own persona that can be enjoyed in its own unique way.
Thank you for your time. For any questions related to Tulum, you can contact me using the form bellow.
Best regards,
Alex, your personal Tulum insider.