Everybody loves to go on vacations, and Mexico can be an interesting choice for travellers in search of excitement.
Tulum and Cancún are two famous cities that are close to the coastal areas of Mexico where fascinating beaches and delightful seas can be a treat to the eyes.
Key Takeaways
- Tulum is a small town in Quintana Roo, known for its ancient Mayan ruins, bohemian atmosphere, and eco-tourism opportunities. In contrast, Cancun is a popular resort city known for its white-sand beaches, nightlife, and luxury resorts.
- Tulum is a quieter and more laid-back destination, whereas Cancun is a more bustling and touristy destination.
- Tulum has a more relaxed and bohemian vibe, whereas Cancun is known for its glamorous and high-end atmosphere.
Tulum Mexico vs Cancún
Tulum is a tourist destination. It is a smaller and more relaxed coastal town. Tulum is known for its beautiful beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and well-preserved Mayan ruins. Cancun is a commercialized resort city. It is known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts.
Tulum is a port city near the Caribbean sea in Mexico, where the ruins are the most visited sites. It is the best place to enjoy long walks on the beaches, do yoga near the sea and ride a horse along the sea line.
This town is also full of surprises for food lovers as it offers a variety of seafood to its visitors.
Cancún, a coastal town near the Caribbean sea in Mexico, is called the ‘nest of snakes. Close to the river Maya, this city is a place of excitement for those who want to enjoy life.
It offers a lot of activities, a wide scope of partying, and enjoying scenic beauties as it is home to around 25 nightclubs. So if someone is bored with everyday life, he or she should soon arrange a trip to Cancún.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Tulum Mexico | Cancún |
|---|---|---|
| Activities | Tulum can be exciting in terms of activities like visiting the beaches, the Reserve, the ruins and enjoying the spa. | The downtown area in Cancun offers a variety of activities whether it is partying in a local bar or trying the local cuisine in a restaurant. |
| Beaches | Las Palmas and Playa Paraiso beaches are famous for their clear and turquoise colour. | North Beach is the most famous beach in Cancun, where one can go scuba diving, boating, swimming and many more. |
| Temperature | Tulum is hotter than Cancun. | Cancun’s temperature is comparatively less than Tulum’s. |
| Food | The food in Tulum is more standardized than in Cancun. | On the other hand, Cancun offers exquisite street foods. |
| Nightlife | Tulum is a place to relax, calm and soothe one’s self. Thus the nightlife is not very exciting. | Cancun is the best place where one can plan a party. |
What is Tulum, Mexico?
Tulum is the best tourist destination in Mexico that is extremely famous for its cenotes. In this coastal area, there are many beach clubs where one can go partying.
Though these clubs are expensive, one can go for one meal. Reclining by the side of the beach and ordering Mexican seafood are the two things one should go for on the first day.
Located near the beach is Clan Destino, which is a brand-new cenote that is a few miles away from the beach. The other attraction is the reserve of Sian Ka’an which is a flourishing ecosystem of wildlife.
Another place one can visit while in Tulum is the Coba Pyramid. There one can go for tours, boating, diving, watching water animals and also enjoy the pristine blue water. The other cenotes are Grand Cenote, Dos Ojos Cenote.
Catching a sunrise is a must to do if one is in Tulum. Tulum offers delicious seafood, and local restaurants are heaven for this. It is also a famous place for yoga sessions to make the visitors relax, comfortable and peaceful.
Since this place is not so crowded, one can go barefoot running along the beach line.
What is Cancún?
Cancun is an amazingly appealing tourist destination in Mexico with sparkling sandy beaches, clear and turquoise seawater and luxurious hotels.
It is a peninsula regarded as a gateway to lush green jungles with cenotes and ancient Mayan pyramids. It is also famous for giving its visitors an amazing scuba diving experience.
The best natural destination in Cancun is Playa Norte or North Beach, one of Mexico’s best beaches. It is known for its crystal-clear water, powder-like sand and unique landscapes.
The beautiful lines of palm trees, along with an amazing sunset, is the best view for anyone. There are many beach clubs with chill music, amazing settings and cocktail.
Xcaret Theme Park is the real picture of eco-tourism, with a wide range of fun and recreational activities. Swimming and snorkelling are allowed in this underground water.
The Cancun Underwater Museum has two underwater galleries with an art collection of over 5,000 sculptures.
Cancun is home to many beaches, islands, cenotes and luxurious hotels that would never disappoint a tourist.
Main Differences Between Tulum Mexico and Cancún
- Tulum is less crowded and more accessible than Cancun in Mexico.
- Tulum is the best destination for nature lovers in Mexico. But Cancun is more of a place for partying.
- Tulum has a perfect temperature as one can enjoy a holiday with bearable heat. But Cancun is much hotter than Tulum.
- Tulum is home to many cenotes. On the other hand, Cancun is filled with beaches and parks.
- The nightlife in Tulum is not so happening as it is in Cancun.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959683618798124
- https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10161/1030/HHausman_MP.pdf?sequence=1
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Tulum is a relaxing place, while Cancun is best for partying
Frequenting the beaches, discovering the Reserve, the ruins and enjoying the spa spells ultimate relaxation in Tulum.
Cancun is perfect for a good party and an exciting nightlife
The downtown area in Cancùn has a variety of activities, for all tastes
Tulum, offers the best in relaxation and enjoyable experiences
Tulum is hotter compared to Cancun
Tulum’s nightlife may not be very exciting, but one can expect a good party in Cancun
Tulum is lais-back spot with yoga and horse rides along the sea line