Tulum is a vibe and it’s everything you’d picture a bohemian wonderland to be.
In August 2019, I visited Tulum on a solo trip and fell in love with all of the dreamy cafés and restaurants, stores, décor, history, culture and friendly people. There was even a point during my trip where I was close to making a big move decision because I loved it so much. Even though I am still here in the New York City area, I will never stop dreaming about Tulum and my next adventure there.
Because Tulum is so dreamy, there are a plethora of wonderful Instagram spots that I am excited to share with you.
When you search Tulum Instagram spots on Pinterest, you are going to find endless articles on the best photography locations on the Beach Road.
Although it is common for travelers to stick around the Beach Road, which is also dreamy, I believe it is important to explore Tulum’s downtown town center because those are where local businesses are situation.
Most of the businesses on the Beach Road are run by celebrities and rich businessmen who aren’t from Tulum.
During my trip to Tulum, I did a fun Insta Tour with Madeline Lenor, who is a local photographer.
Madeline offers her own tours, but I found her services on Airbnb Experiences. Hiring a photographer to help you take photos during a solo (or a couple’s and/or family trip) is the best way to get batched professional content in the destination you are visiting and it saves you so much time!
I know I sure don’t like to spend my whole day trying to find the right photo spots when I’m traveling and with a photography experience, it usually takes around two hours and you end up with around 100 different photos for your social media channels, website and photo album.
Another reason why I love doing an Instagram experience with a professional photographer is because it allows you to connect with a local and have them show you some hidden gems in the area!
In addition to doing an Instagram experience in Tulum, I also did one in Holland as well as Edinburgh.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Best Tulum Instagram Spots
Instagrammable Hotel in Tulum Town Center – Casa Pueblo Tulum ( Geo Coordinates: 20.213041, -87.457429)
The most Instagrammable hotel in the town center of Tulum is Casa Pueblo.
This beautiful hacienda-inspired boutique hotel is a breath of fresh air as it features a tropical vibrancy with a clean, urban design all throughout.
One of my favorite parts of Casa Pueblo is the pool area. It is surrounded by nature and the water resembles what you usually see at a Mexican cenote in the area.
The rooftop bar is also stunning as it features a cool design, lush palm trees and tropical plants, views of Tulum itself and stringed lights everywhere.
*The best part about Casa Pueblo Hotels are that they are sustainable by using biodegradable products all throughout the property and they are also 99% plastic free.
Matcha Mama (Geo Coordinates: 20.211289, -87.459902)
You cannot go to Tulum and miss out on Matcha Mama! It is definitely one of the top Tulum Instagram spots!
This adorable location is the perfect place to grab a refreshing smoothie bowl or coco frio (coconut with water).
Throughout Match Mama are colorful walls with flamingoes, cute décor, pineapples, lush plants, bamboo and so much more!
Right next to Matcha Mama is also the bright yellow and Instagrammable Coco Mama stand where you could also grab refreshing treats that will help you cool off in Tulum’s heat.
Colorful Tulum Sign at Museo de la Cultura Maya Park (Geo Coordinates: 20.210708, -87.462961)
One of the most popular Instagram spots in Tulum is the colorful Tulum sign in the Museo de la Cultura Maya Park.
This stunning public space is where many events and organizations promote regional culture. I recommend walking around the park and admiring the different Mayan elements.
Last summer when I was at this wonderful park, there were great local food trucks to grab lunch or a snack.
Flor de Michoacan (Geo Coordinates: 20.210288, -87.464895)
Another beautiful Tulum Instagram spot is Flor de Michoacan, which is a lovely courtyard café that has stunning white furniture and ivy-filled walls.
During your time at this café, you could purchase breakfast, smoothies, ice cream, fresh ice pops and tropical fruit.
Local Shops Along Avenida Tulum
Located all throughout Tulum are artisan shops that sell beautiful Mexican artwork and handicrafts, jewelry, home décor, clothing, dream catchers and other wonderful items.
The dream catchers that hang around the store are so pretty and it is the perfect spot to get an Instagram photo in Tulum. My personal favorites were the shops along Avenida Tulum, which is the main road in the town center.
Please be respectful of the owners of these shops. Your vacation is their workday and they economically survive off of your travel purchases.
Before you take a photo in a local shop, either make a purchase (it doesn’t have to be a large purchase) or tip the store owner for allowing you to take a photo. (This also goes for all of the local shops and markets around the world.)
Farm to Table (Geo Coordinates: 20.210383, -87.465254)
One of the best Tulum Instagram spots is Farm to Table restaurant.
Not only is the food amazing at this seasonally-sourced restaurant, the back courtyard boasts colorful houses that are actually available for rent through Airbnb.
Cenote Angelita (Geo Coordinates: 20.137773, -87.577794)
One of the top local cenotes to visit where you will not be faced with over tourism is Cenote Angelita.
A local family owns this breathtaking cenote and for a few hundred Mexican pesos (a few U.S. dollars), you can park your car (or take a taxi) and walk down to the secluded and hidden cenote where you could enjoy scuba diving, swimming and relaxing in these natural pools.
(In case you do not know, cenotes are deep, water-filled limestone sinkholes that are formed when the roof of an underground cavern collapses. This creates a natural pool which is then filled with rainwater and underground rivers. Overall, there are over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula.)
No matter which cenote you decide to go to, it will definitely make for one of the top Instagram spots in Tulum, Mexico.
Getting to and Around Tulum:
You could get to Tulum by flying into Cancún.
In regards to getting from the airport to the Tulum town center, you could either rent a car, take the local bus or book a private car service.
Tulum is an hour and a half south of Cancún and if you are looking to save money, it is recommended to take the ADO bus that goes around the Riviera Maya.
Many fellow travelers have taken the ADO bus before and have reported that it is extremely safe and also the best way to get around affordably. An important thing to note is that if you are traveling from Cancún to Tulum with the ADO, you will need to transfer in Playa del Carmen.
During my time in Tulum, I took USA Transfers, which is a private car service that will transfer travelers from the airport in Cancún to their final destination/hotel. They were extremely professional and I couldn’t recommend them more!
One thing to note is that USA Transfers are on the pricier side. For me, it cost $175 USD round trip to get to and from Tulum town center and I tipped the driver around $20 USD on top of that. I know that is a lot of money, but personally, I felt more comfortable taking a private transfer as a solo female traveler. I personally believe that you pay for what you get and USA Transfers also tracked my flight and offered an airport meet and greet. They also are fully insured, include fees and parking and the drivers will always ensure you are comfortable.
When you arrive at the airport, drivers wear a USA Transfer uniform and they hold a sign with their logo on it. Please note that they do not display your name for safety reasons. You will receive an email prior to your arrival with specific directions on where to find USA Transfers when you arrive in Cancún.
**Please be aware that it is not unusual for pirates hang around at the airport saying and acting like they are from USA Transfers.
If you go up to them by accident, they will encourage you to call “the company” using their own phone while they dial the number themselves.
Please be mindful and don’t allow others to call on your behalf! Like I mention above, USA Transfers will send you detailed instructions on how to find them. It is also important to not look lost in the airport as well.
Click here to read about how to travel solo safely.
When it comes to getting around Tulum, I mainly walked everywhere and used taxi services.
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best Tulum Instagram spots that aren’t on the popular Beach Road.
If you have any questions about these great photography spots in Tulum town center or about my time in Tulum, Mexico in general, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Click here to take a cooking class in Mexico.
Make sure to pin this post if you find it useful!
Basic Facts of Mexico:
Currency: Mexican Peso (The United States Dollar is accepted everywhere!), Capital: Mexico City, Tulum Time Zone: Tulum does not follow Daylight Savings. During the summer months, Tulum is on Central Standard Time and then it is on Eastern Standard Time during the winter months.
Click here to join my private blog sharing Facebook group.
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my Tulum look:
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30 Comments
Leave a Comment
Tulum is a vibe and it’s everything you’d picture a bohemian wonderland to be.
In August 2019, I visited Tulum on a solo trip and fell in love with all of the dreamy cafés and restaurants, stores, décor, history, culture and friendly people. There was even a point during my trip where I was close to making a big move decision because I loved it so much. Even though I am still here in the New York City area, I will never stop dreaming about Tulum and my next adventure there.
Because Tulum is so dreamy, there are a plethora of wonderful Instagram spots that I am excited to share with you.
When you search Tulum Instagram spots on Pinterest, you are going to find endless articles on the best photography locations on the Beach Road.
Although it is common for travelers to stick around the Beach Road, which is also dreamy, I believe it is important to explore Tulum’s downtown town center because those are where local businesses are situation.
Most of the businesses on the Beach Road are run by celebrities and rich businessmen who aren’t from Tulum.
During my trip to Tulum, I did a fun Insta Tour with Madeline Lenor, who is a local photographer.
Madeline offers her own tours, but I found her services on Airbnb Experiences. Hiring a photographer to help you take photos during a solo (or a couple’s and/or family trip) is the best way to get batched professional content in the destination you are visiting and it saves you so much time!
I know I sure don’t like to spend my whole day trying to find the right photo spots when I’m traveling and with a photography experience, it usually takes around two hours and you end up with around 100 different photos for your social media channels, website and photo album.
Another reason why I love doing an Instagram experience with a professional photographer is because it allows you to connect with a local and have them show you some hidden gems in the area!
In addition to doing an Instagram experience in Tulum, I also did one in Holland as well as Edinburgh.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Best Tulum Instagram Spots
Instagrammable Hotel in Tulum Town Center – Casa Pueblo Tulum ( Geo Coordinates: 20.213041, -87.457429)
The most Instagrammable hotel in the town center of Tulum is Casa Pueblo.
This beautiful hacienda-inspired boutique hotel is a breath of fresh air as it features a tropical vibrancy with a clean, urban design all throughout.
One of my favorite parts of Casa Pueblo is the pool area. It is surrounded by nature and the water resembles what you usually see at a Mexican cenote in the area.
The rooftop bar is also stunning as it features a cool design, lush palm trees and tropical plants, views of Tulum itself and stringed lights everywhere.
*The best part about Casa Pueblo Hotels are that they are sustainable by using biodegradable products all throughout the property and they are also 99% plastic free.
Matcha Mama (Geo Coordinates: 20.211289, -87.459902)
You cannot go to Tulum and miss out on Matcha Mama! It is definitely one of the top Tulum Instagram spots!
This adorable location is the perfect place to grab a refreshing smoothie bowl or coco frio (coconut with water).
Throughout Match Mama are colorful walls with flamingoes, cute décor, pineapples, lush plants, bamboo and so much more!
Right next to Matcha Mama is also the bright yellow and Instagrammable Coco Mama stand where you could also grab refreshing treats that will help you cool off in Tulum’s heat.
Colorful Tulum Sign at Museo de la Cultura Maya Park (Geo Coordinates: 20.210708, -87.462961)
One of the most popular Instagram spots in Tulum is the colorful Tulum sign in the Museo de la Cultura Maya Park.
This stunning public space is where many events and organizations promote regional culture. I recommend walking around the park and admiring the different Mayan elements.
Last summer when I was at this wonderful park, there were great local food trucks to grab lunch or a snack.
Flor de Michoacan (Geo Coordinates: 20.210288, -87.464895)
Another beautiful Tulum Instagram spot is Flor de Michoacan, which is a lovely courtyard café that has stunning white furniture and ivy-filled walls.
During your time at this café, you could purchase breakfast, smoothies, ice cream, fresh ice pops and tropical fruit.
Local Shops Along Avenida Tulum
Located all throughout Tulum are artisan shops that sell beautiful Mexican artwork and handicrafts, jewelry, home décor, clothing, dream catchers and other wonderful items.
The dream catchers that hang around the store are so pretty and it is the perfect spot to get an Instagram photo in Tulum. My personal favorites were the shops along Avenida Tulum, which is the main road in the town center.
Please be respectful of the owners of these shops. Your vacation is their workday and they economically survive off of your travel purchases.
Before you take a photo in a local shop, either make a purchase (it doesn’t have to be a large purchase) or tip the store owner for allowing you to take a photo. (This also goes for all of the local shops and markets around the world.)
Farm to Table (Geo Coordinates: 20.210383, -87.465254)
One of the best Tulum Instagram spots is Farm to Table restaurant.
Not only is the food amazing at this seasonally-sourced restaurant, the back courtyard boasts colorful houses that are actually available for rent through Airbnb.
Cenote Angelita (Geo Coordinates: 20.137773, -87.577794)
One of the top local cenotes to visit where you will not be faced with over tourism is Cenote Angelita.
A local family owns this breathtaking cenote and for a few hundred Mexican pesos (a few U.S. dollars), you can park your car (or take a taxi) and walk down to the secluded and hidden cenote where you could enjoy scuba diving, swimming and relaxing in these natural pools.
(In case you do not know, cenotes are deep, water-filled limestone sinkholes that are formed when the roof of an underground cavern collapses. This creates a natural pool which is then filled with rainwater and underground rivers. Overall, there are over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula.)
No matter which cenote you decide to go to, it will definitely make for one of the top Instagram spots in Tulum, Mexico.
Getting to and Around Tulum:
You could get to Tulum by flying into Cancún.
In regards to getting from the airport to the Tulum town center, you could either rent a car, take the local bus or book a private car service.
Tulum is an hour and a half south of Cancún and if you are looking to save money, it is recommended to take the ADO bus that goes around the Riviera Maya.
Many fellow travelers have taken the ADO bus before and have reported that it is extremely safe and also the best way to get around affordably. An important thing to note is that if you are traveling from Cancún to Tulum with the ADO, you will need to transfer in Playa del Carmen.
During my time in Tulum, I took USA Transfers, which is a private car service that will transfer travelers from the airport in Cancún to their final destination/hotel. They were extremely professional and I couldn’t recommend them more!
One thing to note is that USA Transfers are on the pricier side. For me, it cost $175 USD round trip to get to and from Tulum town center and I tipped the driver around $20 USD on top of that. I know that is a lot of money, but personally, I felt more comfortable taking a private transfer as a solo female traveler. I personally believe that you pay for what you get and USA Transfers also tracked my flight and offered an airport meet and greet. They also are fully insured, include fees and parking and the drivers will always ensure you are comfortable.
When you arrive at the airport, drivers wear a USA Transfer uniform and they hold a sign with their logo on it. Please note that they do not display your name for safety reasons. You will receive an email prior to your arrival with specific directions on where to find USA Transfers when you arrive in Cancún.
**Please be aware that it is not unusual for pirates hang around at the airport saying and acting like they are from USA Transfers.
If you go up to them by accident, they will encourage you to call “the company” using their own phone while they dial the number themselves.
Please be mindful and don’t allow others to call on your behalf! Like I mention above, USA Transfers will send you detailed instructions on how to find them. It is also important to not look lost in the airport as well.
Click here to read about how to travel solo safely.
When it comes to getting around Tulum, I mainly walked everywhere and used taxi services.
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best Tulum Instagram spots that aren’t on the popular Beach Road.
If you have any questions about these great photography spots in Tulum town center or about my time in Tulum, Mexico in general, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Click here to take a cooking class in Mexico.
Make sure to pin this post if you find it useful!
Basic Facts of Mexico:
Currency: Mexican Peso (The United States Dollar is accepted everywhere!), Capital: Mexico City, Tulum Time Zone: Tulum does not follow Daylight Savings. During the summer months, Tulum is on Central Standard Time and then it is on Eastern Standard Time during the winter months.
Click here to join my private blog sharing Facebook group.
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my Tulum look:
30 Comments
These Instagram spots are incredible! Also, I think it’s a brilliant idea to hire a local guide to show you the best spots because it saves you so much time. I cannot wait to visit Mexico and Tulum area. My boyfriend has been to Mexico before and he really wants to go back, so hopefully, I will visit it soon 🙂
These spots are beautiful! Each one makes it seem like a different city! Great idea adding the Geotags so people can easily locate it.
Oh my god Taylor, all your photos are STUNNING! I so wanna book a plane ticket to Tulum now 😍😍😍
I love this so much! Your photos all make Tulum look
so amazing!Great guide to Tulum, Mexico. Beautiful photos of you at beautiful places. The photographer took wonderful pictures. Love all the colorful places. Looks like a fun place to visit ~ Love you, Mom xoxo <3
Good job with this guide Taylor! I think it’s so cool to show people some other alternatives for Instagram spots than the mainstream Beach Road ones – also reminded me of my own stay there, now I want to go back so much!!
These places are so pretty! I would love to visit Tulum as well once. I have been dreaming of going there with a few bloggers once COVID is over!
Love your photos – I have to say I never heard of Tulum but it looks amazing. Thank you for sharing!
You definitely found some beautiful spots. The colour of the water at the cenote is amazing.
So many gorgeous spots and especially love your photos. You captured Tulum beautifully. I visited Tulum years ago in 2010 before Instagram was popular. It looks like the sleepy beach town I visited has definitely added many adorable and colorful places!
I spent a few months near Tulum in 2006 and it’s crazy to see how much this sleepy little town has changed. It looks so beautiful though and I’d love to go back to see all these gorgeous Instagram spots for myself!
These photos are gorgeous, and what a great idea having someone take you to these spots. I’d love to do something like that on my next trip
All these shots are so so beautiful Taylor! Tulum is one of my absolute favourite places in the world! xx
Aw, I miss Tulum! Thank you for sharing all of the colorful photos 🙂
These are great recommendations! Such pretty alternatives.
Leave a Comment
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These Instagram spots are incredible! Also, I think it’s a brilliant idea to hire a local guide to show you the best spots because it saves you so much time. I cannot wait to visit Mexico and Tulum area. My boyfriend has been to Mexico before and he really wants to go back, so hopefully, I will visit it soon 🙂
Thank you Cristina! I loved it there so much. I know you would too! 🙂
These spots are beautiful! Each one makes it seem like a different city! Great idea adding the Geotags so people can easily locate it.
I loved it there so much and there really are so many hidden gems! 🙂
Oh my god Taylor, all your photos are STUNNING! I so wanna book a plane ticket to Tulum now 😍😍😍
Thank you so much Alina! You totally have to go. I am definitely going to get back there in the near future. 🙂
I love this so much! Your photos all make Tulum look
so amazing!
Thank you so much Katie! 🙂
Great guide to Tulum, Mexico. Beautiful photos of you at beautiful places. The photographer took wonderful pictures. Love all the colorful places. Looks like a fun place to visit ~ Love you, Mom xoxo <3
Thank you mom! It really was a fun visit <3
Good job with this guide Taylor! I think it’s so cool to show people some other alternatives for Instagram spots than the mainstream Beach Road ones – also reminded me of my own stay there, now I want to go back so much!!
Thank you so much Lea! I loved everything about Tulum. I hope to go back in the near future. 🙂
These places are so pretty! I would love to visit Tulum as well once. I have been dreaming of going there with a few bloggers once COVID is over!
It is so beautiful there and I know you would love it Bettina! 🙂
Love your photos – I have to say I never heard of Tulum but it looks amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Ilene and it’s on the Yucatan Peninsula, just south of Cancun. 🙂
You definitely found some beautiful spots. The colour of the water at the cenote is amazing.
Yes, it was amazing there. I loved doing the photography experience. 🙂
So many gorgeous spots and especially love your photos. You captured Tulum beautifully. I visited Tulum years ago in 2010 before Instagram was popular. It looks like the sleepy beach town I visited has definitely added many adorable and colorful places!
Thank you so much Vanessa! It was so beautiful there, I’d love to go back in the future. 🙂
I spent a few months near Tulum in 2006 and it’s crazy to see how much this sleepy little town has changed. It looks so beautiful though and I’d love to go back to see all these gorgeous Instagram spots for myself!
Yes, Instagram definitely made it popular. A lot of people say it could be touristy, but it’s still very nice to visit. 🙂
These photos are gorgeous, and what a great idea having someone take you to these spots. I’d love to do something like that on my next trip
Thank you Emma! I highly recommend doing an Airbnb photography experience. It’s so worth it! 🙂
All these shots are so so beautiful Taylor! Tulum is one of my absolute favourite places in the world! xx
Thank you so much Sarah! It is mine as well 🙂
Aw, I miss Tulum! Thank you for sharing all of the colorful photos 🙂
Thank you so much! I miss it too! 🙂
These are great recommendations! Such pretty alternatives.
Thank you so much! 🙂