2022 Complete Guide to the Best Beach Clubs in Tulum
Home to some of the prettiest turquoise waters and white sand beaches, it’s no wonder that Tulum has become a top destination in Mexico. If unfamiliar, Tulum is a trendy beach town in the Yucatan Peninsula about 2 hours south of Cancun and neighbors with Playa Del Carmen. One of the top things to do in Tulum is to soak up the sun and good food at one of the many Tulum Beach Clubs along the beach. With so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the perfect spot that gives you everything you’re looking for in a beach club. Look no further for the ultimate guide to the best beach clubs in Tulum.
Looking for more information on Tulum? Check out my complete guide to Tulum including the best time to visit and top things to do or this list of things I wish I knew before booking my trip to Tulum.
Visiting Tulum for the first time? Before I break down the best beach clubs in Tulum, it’s important to understand a few facts about Tulum’s best beaches.
First, the seaweed problem. It’s an unfortunate fact that Tulum’s beaches are not pristine year-round. Loads of seaweed fill the turquoise waters, changing its color, and wash up on the white sand beaches to rot. Also called sargassum, the seaweed is a major problem for Tulum tourism because it so badly affects the beach scene. The best time to visit Tulum in order to avoid the seaweed is October to March (which is also Tulum’s high season). Luckily, reducing and eliminately the seaweed has been a big focus for the Maritime leaders in Mexico and they’ve seen a reduction in 2021. Make sure to do a bit of research if you plan to visit Tulum in the off-season. It may become a nonissue or it may completely ruin any plans to swim in the ocean.
The Best Beaches in Tulum
Not all beaches are created equal in Tulum so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the area and decide what is most important to you in your beach experience. For example, the beaches further north, close to the Tulum Ruins are a bit rockier or have no sand at all. However, this is also the only area with free public beaches. Playa Ruinas, for example, is a beautiful free public beach just next to the Tulum Ruins although it is smaller than the beach further south.
The main beach road can be broken into two sections – north of Avenue Coba and south of Avenue Coba. The northern section of the beaches is also called the hotel zone. This is the quieter area of Tulum. There are still great beach clubs and restaurants but less options than further south, typically no live music, and some of the beach clubs are on rocky shores with no actual sandy beach. The best northern beaches that make up the hotel zone are Playa Ruinas, Playa Pescadoras, Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach), and Playa Las Palmas.
South of Coba Avenue is more so considered Tulum Beach (also Mirador Beach which is free but no facilities). This section of beach contains the majority of the beach clubs and is usually more lively. In fact, traffic can get pretty congested in this area depending on the time of day being that there is only one major road that goes in and out. If you plan to drive a car to the beach, it’s a good idea to get to the beach early (before 10am) to snag a decent parking spot (they are limited).
Best Tulum Beach Clubs:
Many of the beach clubs listed are actually beach resorts that open up their facilities to be used by outside guests sometimes for an entrance fee or day pass, sometimes for free. Typically, hotel guests at beach hotels will get first dibs on beach club access and be able to make reservations or skip entrance fees – this is a huge perk for the busiest beach clubs like La Zebra or Coco Beach Club.
Another important note is that some of the best hotels in Tulum are actually in Tulum Town, away from the beach but they will partner with beach clubs so that hotel guests get access to the amenities for no extra fee. For example, Casa Agape Boutique hotel in Tulum Town is partnered with Diamente K hotel and Casa Maria Beach club. You can get a beachfront breakfast and reserve a day bed for no extra fee!
Finally, credit cards are widely accepted in Tulum. However, it’s always a good idea to have some pesos available in case the credit card machines or wifi goes down – which definitely happens.
La Zebra
Location:
South of Coba Avenue, towards the end of the beach road is La Zebra hotel and beach club. Also next to Real Coconut Tulum – a beachfront restaurant with amazing breakfast.
Vibe:
La Zebra has a lively, family-friendly beach club complete with a full bar and menu plus multiple beach bed and beach chair options. They have great service, clean facilities, great food, and a parking lot that’s included in their minimum consumption fee. Some beach beds have shade from the sun and some do not – if you want to be protected from the sun, make sure to snag a bed early. Guests staying at the hotel can make reservations ahead of time. Day guests can arrive as early as 10am to snag a spot. Like most beach clubs in Tulum, there’s always some good music playing in the background.
Spend:
La Zebra has a minimum consumption fee of $25 which is very reasonable especially since parking at the hotel’s lot across the street is included.
Papaya Playa Project
Location:
One of the first beach clubs just south of Coba Avenue is Papaya Playa Project. This 4-star hotel covers about 900 meters of white-sand beach and prides itself on sustainability, creativity, and community.
Vibe:
Papaya Playa Project is a beautiful hotel and part of Design Hotel group with a special focus on sustainability. The long stretch of beach adds an element of privacy and seclusion. You can make reservations for a day bed ahead of time on their website. The beach club has a bar and restaurant along with other useful amenities. Hotel guests can enjoy some of the many activities centered around wellness and creativity that the hotel offers. Papaya Playa Project also has a pool deck with day beds that can be reserved if you’re someone who’d rather take a dip in the pool instead of the actual beach. Finally, you can also find live music at Papaya Playa Project – their website shows a calendar of events that include DJs from around the world. This is a beach club that you can enjoy from morning well into the night.
Just next door to Papaya Playa Project is Sfer Ik, a gorgeous art center in Tulum. For $10USD, you can walk through the exhibit and observe the incredible woodwork and stone craftsmanship. Looking for more ideas on things to do in Tulum? Check out my post: The Complete Tulum Travel Guide.
Spend:
$$$ Papaya Playa Project is more expensive but it really does have it all. Plus, the hotel’s focus on sustainability can add some peace of mind that there is an investment in the local environment and community.
Diamente K
Location:
Diamente K is a boutique hotel on the northern end of Tulum which is considered the hotel zone. This end of the beach is also home to the Tulum Mayan Ruins which would make a great stop before relaxing at Diamente K.
Vibe:
Diamente K’s beach club is underrated. Although the “beach” is actually a rocky shoreline, there is more privacy and a tranquil feel. This beach club has a more mediterranean feel to it. The beds have covers for sun protection and the onsite restaurant has a full menu and bar. The blue waters crashing against the nearby rocks provide an entrancing soundtrack.
Diamente K works with Casa Maria restaurant to provide delicious food and drinks for its guests. Casa Maria also does a 2 for 1 Margherita happy hour which is hard to beat! Margherita’s are always a good idea, am I right? This beach club is the perfect spot for someone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tulum’s main beach road. Casa Maria is also open for breakfast which makes it one of the best places to have breakfast with an ocean view.
Spend:
Diamente K’s menu is about midrange for Tulum.
Gitano Beach Club
Location:
Next to Diamente K is Gitano Beach Club. This is Gitano’s second location and first beach club; the original location is further south on the beach road and is only a restaurant. The restaurant is very popular for its food, drinks, and the vibe – oftentimes there’s a line to get in!
Vibe:
Gitano Beach Club is tucked away in a little cove with an amazing aesthetic. The look and feel is everything you would expect from a beach club in Tulum. You can also expect great food, light music, and a private beach experience. Gitano Beach Club is a great spot for someone who appreciates good food.
Spend:
You can reserve beds ahead of time on Gitano’s website if you navigate to the Beach section. With a menu full of great flavors and so many options, plus an excellent aesthetic, Gitano is going to be on the more expensive end for beach clubs in Tulum.
Hip Hotel
Location:
South of Av Coba and right in the action of Tulum Beach road. In fact, Hip Hotel is right next to insta-famous Matcha Mama if you want to snag an acia bowl or matcha before hitting the beach club.
Vibe:
Hip Hotel’s vibe is chill and relaxed. You’ll find relaxed beach chairs and some beach beds with sun cover at Hip Hotel. They also have live music sometimes and of course a full menu and bar. The onsite restaurant also features local mayan flavors and cuisine.
Spend:
Hip Hotel is a little more budget friendly to midrange for Tulum.
Coco Tulum & Coco Limited Tulum
Location:
Coco Tulum and beach club actually has two locations: Coco Tulum and Coco Limited. Both are great options with beds, umbrellas, a beachfront bar with swings, great service and great food; Coco Limited is just smaller and little more tucked away. Both locations are south of Av Coba, in the heart of Tulum beaches.
Vibe:
Coco Limited is known for its bright white bar with the swinging seats that provide optimal wave watching with drink in hand. The subtle electronic music playing in the background, tasty drinks with chips and guacamole served to you on a platter, what more can you ask for? Coco’s service is great which is the cherry on top of a great food and drink menu. The beach bar is a great touch that gives the full “Tulum aesthetic”; they also make for a great photo opp.
Spend:
Prices are reasonable at Coco – about midrange for Tulum beachfront restaurants with a minimum spend of $25 per person. They also have a great happy hour! You can get 2 for 1 drinks around noon to 3pm. You’ll have to be careful with a deal like that!
Ziggy’s Beach Club
Location:
South of Avenue Coba, in the heart of Tulum Beach, Ziggy’s is right in the action. It has a restaurant onsite as well. Just south of Ziggy’s Beach Club is Tulum’s Jungle Gym – if you’re feeling up to it, you can get your work out in with an ocean view before lounging on the beach all day. A bit more south is the insta-famous sculpture “Ven A La Luz” which is a fun sight to see just how big and majestic it is in real life!
Vibe:
A larger sized beach club with lots of swaying palm trees, a pool table, and amenities, it’s no wonder why Ziggy’s Beach Club is one of the most popular beach clubs in Tulum. For this reason, you can expect a decent size crowd so make sure to get there early enough to reserve an ideal beach bed. Some of the front row beach beds do not have any sun covering. Ziggy’s Beach Club opens at 9am which is early for Tulum; most clubs do not open until 10 or 11am. They also have live music that starts every night at 7:30pm.
Spend:
The minimum consumption at Ziggy’s beach Club is $70USD – you can verify if this has changed by checking their website. This includes food and drink but the beach club also provides towels if needed.
Posada Margherita
Location:
Just south of av Coba, Posada Margherita is one of the first restaurant/beach clubs you’ll see.
Vibe:
Posada Margherita is actually an Italian Restaurant and hotel with great reviews all around. The vibe is more rustic Italian Villa meets tranquilo with wooden chairs, rustic decor and string lights. The open-air restaurant with hanging lights is a great spot for a date night. This is also a great spot for lunch – think pizza with ocean view and sand between your toes. They also have an onsite boutique to shop for resort wear – Daria Tulum.
Spend:
Menu prices are midrange for lunch and dinner.
Taboo Tulum
Location:
Taboo Beach Club is south of Av Coba near Coco and Ziggy beach clubs. It can’t be missed though. You’ll see the large TABOO signs inviting you into the restaurant which you can see through out to the ocean water.
Vibe:
Taboo Tulum is definitely where the party is. The beach club is one of the larger ones in Tulum and they have international DJs for nonstop live music. Complete with a pool, multiple lounge beds and chairs, Taboo is conducive for large groups and celebrations. The club prides itself on providing an ideal space to celebrate with friends. Basically, Taboo is the perfect spot for anyone looking to have a good time with good music.
The overall look of Taboo is eye-catching which is no surprise. The design was inspired by Jorge Borja, winner of Unesco’s Versaille prize. A way to describe Taboo would be “chic, rustic, and minimal”. Taboo is connected with Rosa Negra – another excellent restaurant in Tulum.
Spend:
Taboo Beach Club and Restaurant is definitely a $$$ establishment.
Mia Restaurant and Beach Club
Location:
South of Avenue Coba, next to Ziggy’s Beach Club, in the heart of Tulum’s beach road
Vibe:
Mia Restaurant and Beach Club prides itself on a fine dining experience with a casual, minimalist atmosphere. You’ll find beach beds covered by lush palm trees, a massive wine list featuring specialty wines from their cellar as well as an impressive craft beer list.
Spend:
The minimum consumption at Mia Restaurant and beach Club is about $60 USD per person which is slightly more than other options in Tulum but they are a great option for foodies and vino lovers who would appreciate the restaurant’s offerings.
Casa Malca
Location:
Casa Malca is one of the furtherest south beach clubs in Tulum, just before Sian Ka’an Biosphere which is a natural reserve in Tulum. The Biosphere Reserve is a great place for eco tours but I wouldn’t recommend driving past the visitor center without having a high clearance vehicle. The beach road past the biosphere reserve is not well maintained and pothole central.
Vibe
Casa Malca is known for its infamous original owner, Pablo Escobar. Once the notorious drug lord’s plush mansion, Casa Malca is now a gorgeous hotel and beach club with three onsite restaurants. This is laid-back luxury at its finest. The current owner, Lio Malca, is a renowned art collector from New York City. He converted the mansion and decorated with valuable art pieces. The beach club has everything you would need – food, drinks, beach day beds, etc while being surrounded by incredible art and design. Casa Malca is the perfect spot for art lovers and anyone wanting to get some fun photos.
Spend:
As one would expect for a former drug-lord mansion turned art collector masterpiece – prices are steep at Casa Malca. There is about $100 minimum consumption per person plus $50 entrance fee. But when else can you say you hung out at Pablo Escobar’s mansion?
And there you have it – the ultimate guide to the best beach clubs in Tulum. Although I am partial to Tulum, make sure to check out other hot spots in the Riveira Maya like Isla Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Playa Del Carmen. Furthermore, the entire Yucatan Pennisula has even more to offer like Unesco world heritage site, Chichen Itza, and hundreds of freshwater cenotes to explore so don’t just stop with Tulum!
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