Car Rental in Tulum — Cenotes, Ruins and Beaches on Your Schedule
Car Rental in Tulum — Cenotes, Ruins and Beaches on Your Schedule
Three day plans by car, with unlimited mileage and insurance included.
Tulum is more than the ruins: the best of the area is spread along jungle roads, cenote entrances and quiet beaches that you reach faster, and on your own schedule, with a car. Rent with our Tulum office, with unlimited mileage, insurance and 24/7 assistance included, and plan the day around the places you want, not around a tour timetable.
Three plans for a day in Tulum by car
1. Cenotes route (half a day)
Start early at Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera, both a few minutes from town, and continue to Dos Ojos on Highway 307. Carry a swimsuit, a towel and cash: entrances and parking are usually paid in pesos.
2. Ruins and beach road (one day)
Visit the Tulum ruins before 9:00 AM, when the tour buses have not arrived and the heat is milder. Then take the beach road to a beach club or a public beach. The road is paved but narrow and gets busy between noon and sunset.
3. Cobá and the jungle (one day)
Cobá is about 45 minutes from Tulum. Rent a bike at the entrance to move between the ruins and climb the main pyramid if it is open. On the way back, stop at a cenote on the Cobá road.
Farther away: Sian Ka'an, Akumal and Bacalar
- Sian Ka'an: the Boca Paila road is unpaved and rough after rain. An SUV is the better choice.
- Akumal and Xel-Há (20 to 30 minutes north): snorkeling with sea turtles.
- Bacalar (about 2.5 hours south): the seven-color lagoon, worth an overnight stay.
Choosing your car
- Compact or midsize: enough for most plans, cheaper on fuel.
- SUV: for four or more people with luggage and for the Sian Ka'an road. See the SUV rental in Tulum page on easywayrentacar.com for the details.
- Minivan: for groups traveling together.
Pickup in Tulum
- Tulum office: Avenida Tulum, in the town center, open daily 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Hotel delivery: in Tulum town, Aldea Zamá or the hotel zone, subject to availability.
- Tulum International Airport (TQO): about 25 km south of town; contact us before your flight and we will coordinate your pickup.
- From Cancun Airport: read how to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum.
Driving tips
- Street parking is free on most blocks of the center; look for the white "E" signs and avoid yellow curbs.
- The ruins have paid parking at the entrance on Highway 307.
- Speed bumps (topes) appear at the entrance of every town and near hotels on the beach road.
- Avoid long stretches after dark; the highway is unlit between towns.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an SUV in Tulum?
Only for the unpaved road into Sian Ka'an or if you want more ground clearance. The ruins, cenotes and beach road are all reachable with a standard car.
Is it easy to park at the ruins and cenotes?
Yes. The ruins and most cenotes have paid parking; arrive early in high season.
Can I rent in Tulum and return in Cancun?
Yes. A fixed one-way fee applies by category and is shown before you book.
What do I need to rent a car?
A valid driver's license, your passport or ID, and a credit card in the driver's name for the deposit.
Midsize
Full size
SUV
