11 Best Hotels in Tulum, The Riviera Maya

Named after the Maya sun god, Kin Ahau, this beachfront property has rooms ranging from simple Balinese huts to palapa suites with 20-foot vaulted ceilings, enormous decks, and two-person hammocks that make you forget the day of the week. Suites are in two-story buildings, and top-level rooms have vaulted ceilings and sprawling ocean views, while those on the ground floor open onto the sand. The more affordable huts offer jungle views and portable air-conditioning units on request. Yoga and aerial dance classes are available for an extra fee. For a sunny nap with an ocean breeze, head to one of the beach beds or shaded hammocks dotting the sand.

This small, eco-friendly resort hotel caters to the yoga and meditation set, with three spacious, second-floor yoga studios—one with sweeping beachfront views. Rooms are small and simple, with large, firm, comfortable beds draped in gauzy mosquito nets, open bathrooms, and decks or balconies that open to the sand. A small pool, spacious deck set with sun beds and tables, and small, health-conscious restaurant overlook the beach.

At this upscale, adults-only boutique hotel, rooms are contemporary in design, with polished concrete floors, spacious living rooms, direct beach access, and sundecks; king beds that have mosquito net canopies face double French doors that open to unobstructed views. Backing the property is a meandering lazy-river-style pool and sandy pathways that lead to rooms via a wooden bridge. Although it has amenities like air-conditioning and (slow) Wi-Fi, the hotel remains eco-friendly. Breakfast is complimentary and guests have a choice of two restaurants—Ziggy's, where cuisine is a modern take on Mexican staples, or Fresco's, where everything is fresh, local, and made to order. Junior suites feature private garden-surrounded pools and sun beds. The Beach Tulum is attached to a more budget-friendly counterpart, Cabanas Tulum.

Designed by owner-architect Sebastian Sas, this chic beachfront hotel is like a beautifully executed canvas—each room is a pure work of art, with exteriors made from the wood of reclaimed train tracks, peaceful outdoor terraces or balconies, and interior features that might include wicker couches and Brazilian wood floors draped with cowhide rugs. Rooms 16 and 20 have rooftop pools, shady lounge areas, and sweeping views of the ocean and Sian Ka'an Reserve. Meandering through the property is a plank pathway that leads to two pools and a two-story beachfront restaurant with nightly live music. Void of TVs, this peaceful hideaway is all about relaxation. Private yoga lessons and massages at the (expensive) spa can be arranged upon request.

Slip through the nondescript entrance, and you'll find a charming property with a lush, sprawling garden with partly tiled pathways, lights strung up from palm trees, two inviting pools, and a spacious central palapa with whirring ceiling fans. Rooms encircle the garden, and all are large, clean, colorful, and decorated with furniture purchased secondhand from Mexican haciendas in neighboring states. Being in town instead of at the beachfront has its perks, more local color and much better prices chief among them. Plus, guests here can take advantage of a day at the beach at one of this property's sister hotels. If you're traveling with kids, ask about adjacent rooms. If you're feeling like a splurge, ask about rooms with whirlpool tubs. And if you're sensitive to noise, ask for something at the back of the property (away from the busy road out front).

A perfect spot for a romantic getaway, this lavish adults-only hotel is in the heart of Tulum's world-famous hotel zone. Although the Diksha Spa is considered its main asset, the two excellent on-site restaurants don't stray far behind. Rooms offer wide ample space and make smart use of wood furniture and floors, including the spectacular bathtubs carved out from a single piece of fine local wood. 

This jungle-chic, environmentally conscious hotel on a pristine beach is all about the details—say, colorful, traditional cotton robes made on a loom and handblown glasses from Jalisco. All rooms have king-size beds draped in 200-thread-count cotton sheets and duvets; spacious cabanas come with private plunge pools that can be heated or cooled. The pleasant restaurant serves traditional Mexican dishes made with fresh ingredients, but reserve a seat at the Chef's Table—a small, intimate space featuring a special eight-course tasting menu—for something truly memorable. On Sunday nights, locals gather for free salsa lessons and late-night dancing. And on Saturday, locals gather for a beach party and barbecue.

On the quieter side of Tulum's beachfront, this small, hip hotel is a 25-minute walk from the ruins along a powdery stretch of white sand. Stylish rooms have vaulted ceilings, dark-wood furnishings, and adobe floors inlaid with stones. Splashes of red brighten the cream-colored rooms, four of which have spacious lofts and ocean views. The two suites have balconies facing the Caribbean. Only three rooms on the property lack an ocean view. Minibars, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning are included in all rooms.

When you think of Tulum, you might have something in mind like this minimalist, beachfront, boutique hotel with luxurious, boho-chic rooms and a private villa. Accommodations are spacious, and amenities include all-natural toiletries, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi. The dining experience is superb at next-door sister restaurant Los Bowls de Guadalupe. 

What used to be a fishermen's village is now a hip hotel consisting of thatched-roof bungalows that make great use of local woods and offer rustic-but-classy luxury and an overall feeling of authenticity. A lively atmosphere around the beach and restaurant sets the tone for the rest of the place. 

On wild Punta Piedra (Rock Point), Zamas has small, rustic cabanas—with palapa roofs and ocean views as far as the eye can see—jungle-side rooms overlooking a garden, palapas facing a coconut grove strung with colorful hammocks, and two spacious private houses that sleep up to 11. Comfortable beds, tile bathrooms, beautiful murals, and bright Mexican colors make them a chic-bohemian alternative for budget travelers. Committed to sustainability, Zamas provides biodegradable bath products, runs on solar power, has a gray-water system, and employs local staff. The restaurant, known for its powerful margaritas, has an eclectic Italian-Mexican-Yucatecan menu, romantic views of the coast, live music five times a week during high season, and tasty portobello jerky. Ping-Pong, foosball, a selection of paperbacks, two small cenotes, several shops featuring local handicrafts and women's wear, and a dive shop round out the property. If you're looking for off-the-beaten-track activity suggestions, the owners are a wealth of information.