Enjoy Clothing Optional Opportunities
On the Fabulous Mayan Riviera through Nude Tulum beach.
For nude friendly accommodations in or near Tulum beaches, your choices boil down to basically: 1) Renting a private villa with pool and beach access 2) Staying at small, simple resorts that invite clothing optional beaching and recreation near Tulum or 3) Trying a nice, upscale clothing optional condo project near downtown Tulum.
TRAVEL ALERT: HEALTH and TESTING
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- Mexico requires no Covid test to visit the country
- Visitors to Quintana Roo must pay a state tax locally before departing Cancun or Cozumel. The coast is subject to change Pay online or at the airport. See:visitax For English, click on the prompt in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Alerts subject to change without notice and are not guaranteed
Resort Overview • Getting There • Services • Ambiance • Group Trips
Sightseeing • Dining • Rates • Impressions • Photo Album • Trip Reports
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Current Travelers Alerts: Current Travelers Medical Alerts Current Travelers Alerts-Mexico
Resort Overview
We've been to all the resorts and villas described below and can advise you accordingly.
In addition, several other nude friendly resorts with more amenities in the Cancun area are already included in the Castaways website. See specific web pages for: Hidden Beach Resort, Desire Riviera Maya and Desire Pearl Resort (both Desires in Puerto Morelos) for other nude or adults only options such as Intima Resort a few blocks from downtown Tulum.
Nude sunbathing including resort or villa stays near Tulum, Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula are possible in a few areas that stretch from the Akumal resort zone to the beaches around the Tulum archeological site.
And then southward to the ecological zone near Tulum town, there are numerous small, simple beachside resorts located on the road leading from Tulum to the entrance to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve eco park. The local area described here is located about 1.3 to 1.5 hours south of the Cancun International Airport.
Historically, beaches in the Tulum area have been known for years for their informality and nudity but encroachment by new building, villas and resorts have begun to limit nude beach use in the area.
For nude friendly accommodations, your choices boil down to basically: 1) Renting a private villa with pool and beach access or 2) Staying at a few small resorts that provide clothing optional fun in or near Tulum.
Although it may be possible to drop your drawers in many spots in the Tulum area and get away with it, you run the risk of complaints from local residents or from other guests at villas or resorts nearby.
"Regarding the clothing optional policy.. nudism is prohibited in Mexico's Federal Zones, including the beaches. The practice of nudism in the beach may cause inconveniences with the authorities, even though many of the beaches in Tulum are clothing optional."
The facts, the resorts and websites are subject to change without notice...the status of beach use and the resorts are NOT guaranteed and we make no warranty or guarantee about them.
Traditionally for years, the eco zone near Tulum has been used for clothing optional beaches although it's not technically legal. You do so at your own risk.
Larger C/O and/or Nude Resorts in the Area
The closest is Intima Resort a few blocks from downtown Tulum. NOT on a beach.
Hidden Beach Resort, North of Akumal and about 20 miles north of Tulum ,
Desire Riviera Maya and Desire Pearl, both in Puerto Morelos about 50 miles North of Tulum
Villas
Many beachside villas from Akumal to Tulum are available for rent usually on a weekly basis (especially during high season…winter time) but plan to limit your nudity to the villa itself and its private pool.
If the villa is somewhat secluded, you may enjoy beach nudity but check it out first and you do so at your own risk. From Cancun to the Riviera Maya and on to Akumal, most commercial development on the beaches has been for hotels and resorts.
From Akumal south to Tulum, most development has been for villas, smaller hotels and a few large resorts. Most rental villas are located near Akumal to the south, then on several secluded beach areas including Soliman and Tankah Bays.
Getting There
By Air: The Cancun-Tulum area is a world-class vacation destination, served by many airlines from North America, South America and Europe. Both scheduled air carriers and charter flights fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) with frequent service from just about anywhere in the world.
By land: Taxis and shuttles are available outside the arrival terminals and rental cars are plentiful at the Cancun airport. Tulum also has rental cars available locally. An alternative is to rent a car for a couple of days while you're in the area to see the local sites and perhaps visit Playa del Carmen or Tulum town itself.
A super highway Mexico # 307 runs most of the length of the Yucatan Peninsula from north of Cancun down to Tulum and from there on to Chetumal, Mexico, near the Belize border.
This super highway between Cancun and Tulum is built similarly to most divided freeways you will find in developed countries such as in North America and Europe. A rental car is an option if you have the itch to go exploring on your on since the highways are so well developed.
By car: From the Cancun airport, head due south on Mexico highway # 307 to Tulum, a trip of about 1.5 hours. Turn left at the light near Tulum at the road to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve until it dead ends (about a mile). The Azul Blue family resort should be directly in front of you at the stop sign.
Turn right at the stop sign and drive south about a quarter mile to the entrance to the resorts located on the left side of the road.
By airport shuttle van: A shuttle from the Cancun airport is an inexpensive way to reach Tulum. A nice treat is that a transfer company can provide you with a private car or limo to the resort to start your vacation in luxury and comfort. Castaways Travel can make the arrangements for you.
By bus: You may also use bus service and collectivos (shuttle vans) available on the main road, Mexico highway # 307. Just flag them down and tell them where you want to go. Most of the collectivos travel point to point up and down highway # 307 and are inexpensive.
Some scheduled Airlines and charters arriving at Cancun Intl. Airport include the following (subject to change and seasonality):
Aeromexico
Air Canada
Alaska Air
American Airlines
Southwest
Delta
Iberia
Latam
United Airlines
and numerous others as well as charters world wide
The list above is not completely inclusive of all air service to Cancun and is subject to change without notice.
Castaways Travel can assist you with travel packages that include airfare, accommodations, rental cars, airport transfers and other guest services.
Services
Resorts worthy of mention include Maya Tulum Resort and Ana y Jose's Resort, both nice properties a mile or two south on the Tulum beach road that include more full service amenities but with limited nude use (you may be the only one on the beach nude if you so choose so be careful).
Side note: The Maya Tulum Resort was voted the # 10 Best (beach) Resort in the world in a prior Travel & Leisure magazine. (Another resort nearby is El Paraiso, which arguably has one of the finest beaches in the entire Tulum area….but it's used primarily by local families so don't plan to go nude there).
Azulik is a unique property very near Tulum on the beach road that is somewhat secluded, features separate thatched cottages and feature no electricity....to really commune with nature if you prefer.
The more upscale property of the small resorts dotting the Tulum area and coastal beaches is: Intima Resort a few blocks from downtown Tulum. NOTE: Not on a beach.
NOTE: NONE of the resorts mentioned above are huge, sophisticated properties so don't go expecting the Ritz! They are get away from it all, simple resorts. They're are NOT party palaces so don't go there expecting a typical hotel-zone Cancun experience.
And don't expect to drop your drawers anywhere. Be mindful of local use.
We've visited a small, fence nude beach "club" on the main Tulum beach road but it was nothing fancy, although it did include a dusty little bar to wet your whistle. A few people were nude but not a party place. It may or may not still be there.
Villas:
Most villas for rent in the Tulum area are self-contained and may include a cook, gardener and caretaker. You and your party will be expected to supply food and drink for yourselves, although the caretaker or cook can assist you in advance with menus and purchases of supplies and food. Castaways Travel can assist you with making arrangements and reservations for a villa.
Ambiance
Expect lots of quiet at the smaller resorts…at the beach and in the resort. You may see a few other guests clothed or nude on the beaches so if you're looking to get away for some peace and quiet, Tulum may be the place for you.
The largest of the resorts that may be nude friendly is Intima Resort with about 36 separate accommodations with an on site restaurant, small swim up bar and a bit of entertainment at night.
Don't expect any big production...Intima does not have an entertainment staff of site. The smaller beach resorts may have a small, limited staff to conduct activities and exercises.
ALERT: Tulum beaches have historically been used for nude beaching and sunning on an informal basis. Since all beaches are public in Mexico, they are technically owned by the government so use your own discretion about when and where to drop your drawers.
Rule of thumb: The further you go south on the main Tulum beach road, there's less development where you may find more do-it-yourself nude beaches.
ALERT: Check around first before dropping your drawers.
Group Trips
Yes we have group trips to the Tulum area, especially the larger resorts. If you are unsure of a destination, or not sure if you will easily meet people when you get there, our group trips are the perfect answer.
Most of the time we have special contract rates for our Group Trips (but you have to contact us directly as contract prices do not show up in the online booking engines.
See our Scheduled Group Trips to the Tulum area at Hidden Beach Resort and Desire Resorts near Cancun. If you are interested in a group trip to one of the smaller resorts not listed above, let us know.
Many of them would be perfect for two, three or up to even a dozen couples and we can look into group rates and set it up for you
Sightseeing
Use this link from our parent company, Fox Travel/American Express rep. to pre-book your excursions, tours and sight seeing before you arrive at the resort. Typically, tours and sight seeing include pick up at your hotel. See: Pre-book Sight Seeing
Diving, Snorkeling & Fishing
Diving is spectacular along the Mayan reef nearby as well as wall diving close to shore. The great Mayan reef is the second largest reef system besides the Great Barrier Reef off Australia.
A nice benefit is that there has not been lots of development in this part of the Yucatan, so pressure on the reef system is light. Fishing is also great for deep sea as well as bill fishing.
Optional dive trips can be arranged at water sports shops nearby in Tulum for an extra charge. If you plan to dive, bring your "C" card. All SCUBA diving is an additional charge. Dive at your own risk. Just Google Scuba shops Tulum Mexico for a list of 15-20 dive operators in the area.
Akumal also has dive operators, too. There's even a local private dive operation right on Soliman Bay. One of the neatest things to do is dive the cenotes, freshwater pools located in subterranean limestone formations, many of which are near Soliman Bay.
Some cenote dive operations are located out on highway 307. Just make sure the dive operators are licensed and authorized to dive the cenotes.
Sights
Here's just a partial list of things to do:
Shopping in Tulum, cruising the bars/discos/clubs in Playa del Carmen or shopping along the way, snorkeling and swimming in the natural lagoons at Xcaret to the north or Xel-ha nearby, visit the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza to the northwest or Tulum, fish or dive on the Mayan Reef, the second-longest barrier reef in the world, extending all the way to Belize.
Optional escorted tours with driver and guide can be arranged with transportation that will pick you up right at the villa for your guided tours. Deep sea/bill fishing and diving can be arranged, too.
Night club trips into Playa del Carmen, Folklorico ballet shows, sunset cruises and much more to see can be arranged, too.
Swim with the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin just off the beach or ride horseback in the nearby jungle. For a real treat, swim with the trained, captive dolphins at Puerto Aventuras which has about 6-7 programs you can sign up for from simply swimming among them to capturing it all on a personal video.
If you want to see more of the area, go to Playa del Carmen and catch a water taxi to cross the channel to Cozumel. Trip takes only 30-45 minutes and costs $10-15/person, one way (rate subject to change without notice).
Golf at two courses is nearby and a jungle tour in an all terrain vehicle is fun, too.
The chic Mezzanine club and restaurant in Tulum is self described more like Ibiza than Mexico…..it's about music, good drinks and great food at this "hip" spot. Should we be scared off? Well, there aren't many quality nightlife places spots around Tulum so it's a good bet. The clifftop complex includes a hotel, too, with four poolside suites.
Each suite has a loft with futon couch and jungle views in privacy away from clients visiting the restaurant or bar. Expect to pay $200+ per night, too. Rates not guaranteed and will change without notice. Nearby, massages and other treatments are available at the Maya Spa at EcoTulum Resort.
For a place to just chill out, have a beer, do a little beachcombing and hanging out on one of the beach lounges, Ana y Jose's offers a bit of relaxation among the palms. Just south on the beach road, the trail leads you to Sian Kaan biosphere reserve on the Boca Paila peninsula.
Sian Kaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting coral reefs, white sand beaches and lagoons. For details in Tulum, see: www.rivieramaya.com
Thanks to Travel Age West for the above references.
Dining
Prices are moderate at the small resorts so expect rates similar to U.S. or European fare for simple meals.
Only Intima Resort offers an "all inclusive" plan in addition to rooms with full kitchens if you're a do it yourself vacationer. Most women we know do not mix the words "kitchen" and "vacation" in the same sentence.
Try some of the other little restaurants along the beach road or make your way into Tulum town where you will find 10-15 more choices there.
Rates
Room rates range from as little as $150/night (room only) to $300+/apartment/night for a two-bedroom Jacuzzi penthouse at Intima in Tulum. Villas can range from $3,000-$5,000/week for 2-3 bedrooms up to $10,000+/week for 7-8 bedrooms. Food, drink and transportation are extra for villa rentals.
Room rates are seasonal and vary by date. Disclaimer: Rates above are not guaranteed, are samples only and are subject to change without notice.
Impressions
Uppers-Downers
▲ The smaller resorts are great places to get away from it all without a lot of activities....great for beaching, relaxing, reading a book and meeting new friends on the beach and at the bar.
▼ Services can be limited at some of the smaller resorts and hotels so don't expect the Ritz
▲ Some of the best beaches and tropical scenery in Mexico are located at the beaches near Tulum.
▼ Some of the small properties may not have air conditioning or a restaurant on site. Please check with us in advance so you know what to expect.
▲ That said, along the beach road from Tulum to Sian Kan, numerous small bars and restaurants line the road so pull over and enjoy a cold beer and ceviche with lime for a fine snack.
Age Ranges
At many small resorts along the coast, the occupants might be couples and singles or at times, families of all ages.
Best Time To Go
Just about anytime is a perfect time to go to Mexico and visit the Yucatan. Storm season is typically August-September. Plan to purchase Travel Protection Insurance to protect your travel investment.
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Wish List
● Wish Azulik had electricity
Photo Album
Click on this link to view our PHOTO ALBUM of these Tulum area properties. The photos were either shot by us, our clients or provided by the resort. If you have recently visited the Tulum area we invite you to send in your photos for us to display. To contribute you own photos (or trip reports), go to our Contribute Trip Report / Photographs page.
Trip Reports
If you have recently visited, we need your trip reports. You can contribute to this section buy using our Contribute Trip Report / Photographs page. In the meantime you can view our trip reports for:
Hidden Beach Resort, Desire Riviera Maya and Desire Pearl.