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If you’re been looking for the most Instagram worthy places in Mexico, then you already know Tulum is one of them. The next question is of course What are the most Instagrammable spots in Tulum? Don’t worry; this article is about to show you all the best Tulum photo spots!
Once a tiny fishing village no one cared to look at twice, in the last decade or so, Tulum has turned into one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the entire world.
It makes perfect sense, really. This tiny Mexican pueblo has the best of all worlds, especially for those looking for an incredible vacation in the Caribbean.
From perfect turquoise waters, soft white sand beaches, thrilling beach clubs, bohemian art displays, the beautiful Tulum cenotes (natural jungle pools), and ancient Mayan Ruins it’s plain to see why Tulum is the famous place it is now — not to mention why it has also turned into photographer’s favorite with plenty of eye candy on every corner.
The Top Most Instagrammable Spots in Tulum
From some of the most popular places you probably know well from scrolling through your IG or TikTok feed, to a few hidden gems and off the beaten path sites, here are the Top 22 most Instagrammable spots in Tulum Mexico you have to visit in order to get your influencer badge.
1. Ven a la Luz Tulum Statue
When it comes to the best Tulum Instagram spots, the Ven a La Luz sculpture at Ahau Tulum Hotel (which is one of the best Tulum beach hotels) is thee photo spot among photo spots.
In fact, Ven a La Luz Tulum is likely what put this Mexican town on the map of the most Instagrammable places in the world.
This famous Tulum statue’s name translates to “Come to the Light,” and it’s an art installation created out of steel, rope, wood, and other natural fibers by South African artist Daniel Popper.
It features a man or woman* with an open chest that symbolizes a portal between nature and ourselves. *Note: This part seems to be open for debate, as different viewers see it differently, and the artist never really specifies a gender.
Ven a la Luz was really only meant to be a temporary installation for an art festival, but people loved it so much that it became a permanent one and it is now located right on the beach near Raw Love Cafe and the Ahau Tulum Beach Resort.
Insider Tip: This statue was originally located right on the main road in the Tulum Hotel Zone. However, as it started attracting huge crowds, it had to be moved in 2023 for safety.
Ven a la Luz now lives at the Tulum Sculpture Park, which charges $3USD to enter, but this is where you have to go now to take photos with the sculpture.
2. Follow That Dream Sign
Taking a picture on your bike in front of the Tulum Follow That Dream sign is pretty much a non-negotiable when you’re visiting Tulum Mexico these days!
All the beautiful beaches, as well as most beach clubs, resorts and Instagram-worthy sites (including Follow That Dream) are all located on a jungly strip right next to the ocean called the Tulum Beach Road.
While getting a rental car and driving in order to get from point A to B is doable, the best way to navigate Tulum Beach is by renting a bike, scooter, ATV or golf cart in order to get around, as traffic can back up pretty bad on this one-lane road.
The entire road itself features plenty of pretty places to take quintessential Tulum photos, but the sign itself is one of the ultimate Instagram spots here.
You’ll be able to spot this famous sign when exploring Tulum on your bike, but if you want the exact location, just type in “Lolita & Lolita boutique” on Google Maps and you’ll see the Tulum Follow That Dream sign right in front of this shop.
3. Azulik Uh May
Azulik Uh May is an insanely unique contemporary museum and art center built in order to exhibit various works of art in a space that perfectly blends in with the Mayan jungle it is tucked away in.
The building the museum is housed in was inspired by Mayan culture and the jungle and was made to resemble an eco-friendly village where nature and art perfectly blend with each other.
At Azulik Uh May Tulum, you’ll find plenty of artisan workshops, traditional Mayan medicine and healing teaching technique classes, as well as a unique gastronomical experience if you decide to book a table at their restaurant.
This interactive art exhibit is located right in the middle of the jungle and about 20 miles northeast of Tulum. The drive there is definitely worth the effort for the ultimate Instagram pictures, not to mention you can turn it into a day trip and also visit nearby sites such as the Coba Ruins.
Please note that professional cameras are not allowed unless you get a permit, but you can still take plenty of pictures inside Azulik Uh May using your phone. The entrance fee is usually $20 USD, though prices can vary, so double check before visiting.
4. Tulum Archeological Site (Tulum Ruins)
Mexico is home to plenty of archaeological sites and Mayan Ruins, but no one really compares to the beauty Tulum Archaeological Site boasts.
What makes this Mayan site so special is the fact that it overlooks the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, a pretty rare sight in Mexico and the entire world for that matter!
El Castillo, the most prominent landmark at Tulum Mayan Ruins, was built in order to keep an eye out for ocean-dwelling enemies and for trading purposes but these days, it makes for a pretty epic Instagram location.
Some historians say it was likely also used for commerce, as ships could easily dock here to trade.
Aside from that, you can spend hours on end exploring the rest of the site, which contains various ruins of houses, buildings, and ceremonial centers. As a bonus, there’s a somewhat “secret beach” below the archaeological site which you can walk down to!
5. Azulik Tulum Resort
Instagrammable Azulik Tulum is one of the most sought-after hotels in Tulum, and one that is definitely worth splurging on if you’re into quirky accommodations that have the quintessential Tulum boho vibe.
The entire Azulik Tulum Resort building overlooks the ocean and the jungle, and features 48 stunning villas, all of which are pure eye candy. The entire structure is made out of bamboo, twigs, reclaimed wood, and other natural materials in order to look like a sprawling tree house!
Even if you don’t necessarily want to splurge on a villa at this pricey hotel, you can still visit Azulik and snap a few pictures at the many Instagram-perfect spots it features for day visitors.
A great example of this is Kin Toh Restaurant, which offers hammocks overlooking the ocean and tables hanging over the jungle that were designed to look like bird nests! If you want one of the famous bird’s nests, you’ll want to book well in advance.
6. Matcha Mamma Cafe
What looks like just another street stall is actually one of the most popular Instagram spots out there!
Match Mama Tulum is a little roadside kiosk that offers healthy food such as matcha smoothies, acai bowls, cold-pressed juice elixirs, locally-sourced coffee, and plenty of other dishes that are perfect for a quick and hearty breakfast.
Insider Tip: The original Match Mama location on Tulum Beach in the Hotel Zone got so popular that they opened another location in Tulum Town (AKA Downtown Tulum). For the more IG famous one, head to the beach location on the main Tulum Strip.
However, what has made it a favorite spot for visitors is the lovely art decorations it features, its picture-perfect rope swing chairs, and the famous I Love Tulum So Matcha surfboard sign. If you want a photo here, arrive early, as this place gets busy by mid-morning.
7. Casa Malca Pablo Escobar House
Back in the 1980s, Casa Malca was one of the many vacation homes of infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar — and while we can all agree he wasn’t exactly a good person, we can’t deny he definitely had a great eye for architecture.
These days, Casa Malca has been turned into a luxury hotel, which is owned by NYC art dealer, Lio Malco.
The whole place is a work of art, but the most photo-friendly spot is the lobby which features a gigantic couch swing that hangs from the ceiling and is lined with wedding dresses. It definitely makes for a pretty unique Instagram picture.
Even if you don’t book a room here, you can still visit the restaurant and spend at least $500 MXN pesos (about $30 USD) in order to get permission to snap a photo. The restaurant itself is pretty cool and offers great drinks, too, so it’s worth lingering a while here and not just visiting to take a picture.
8. Cenote Manatí
Located about 15 minutes from downtown Tulum, Cenote Manatí is one of the most instagrammable cenotes in Tulum because it is larger than most of its kind in the area and it is located in the middle of the jungle and close to a secluded little beach.
This cenote, also sometimes called “Casa Cenote,” looks like a river with lots of mangroves wrapped around it. Snorkeling here is an absolute treat thanks to its location close to the ocean and incredibly clear waters — you’ll get to see plenty of tropical fish and even sea turtles gliding by!
Even though this cenote is gaining popularity, it is not nearly as visited as others in the Tulum area, making it great for taking photos without hoards around.
There are also a few spots inside the cenote that aren’t open to the general public, but you can hire special tours in order to get to them. You can also rent a kayak at the entrance to access some of the deeper parts of the cenote, away from the crowds.
9. Coba Mayan Ruins
Coba Ruins is a massive archeological site that’s hidden away deep in the jungle. Given its location, Coba is a bit more low-key than other Mayan sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Even though they’re getting more popular as Tulum sees more visitors, it still receives way fewer visitors at Coba than the likes of Chichen Itza or Tulum Ruins. Plus, thanks to its humongous size, finding a quiet spot to shoot pictures is an incredibly easy task!
Coba is home to the largest network of white stone roads in the Mayan world (called scabes), with 16 of them open to the public. In order to explore, you can rent a bike or hire a bici-taxi (taxi bicycle) if you aren’t in the mood to walk long distances.
As a bonus, Coba is one of the few sites left where visitors can still climb up pyramids, including the largest one on the site, which stands tall at 137 feet and provides glorious views of the ruins and jungle around it!
While it is a steep climb to the top of Coba Pyramid, and this is definitely not for the faint of heart, the views of the Yucatan Jungle at the top are worth it. Since this whole blog is all about Instagrammable places in Tulum, you really won’t find a more unique vantage point.
10. Playa Xcacel Beach
Quiet beaches around Tulum are pretty hard to find, but Xcacel is probably one of the last of them that still provides a secluded experience.
Xcacel is an almost unspoiled beach that provides the perfect setting to take that Caribbean-perfect picture thanks to its soft white sand and incredibly blue waters. As a bonus, it rarely sees crowds, so you won’t have to bother Photoshopping people out of your images.
Insider Tip: If you’re visiting Tulum between May and October, you’ll also be treated to views of white turtles (known as caguamas by locals). This is the time when they visit Xcacel to lay their eggs, so you might even get to see a turtle laying eggs on the beach.
11. Roc Luxe Tulum
Another gorgeous Tulum resort, Roc Luxe Tulum is a pretty quirky boutique hotel that features a very unique design.
The star at Roc Luxe is its entrance, which is marked by an enormous white dome with holes allowing light in. This Instagram spot in Tulum is not as popular, and it definitely allows for plenty of creativity in your photos!
If you don’t want to stay here, you can simply get yourself a day pass in order to be able to take a picture. There are plenty of more photogenic spots inside the hotel, and you can spend the day cooling off at the pool and enjoying DJ entertainment and drinks while you’re at it!
12. Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera is a unique cenote in the sense that it features an opening on the ground that resembles a calavera, or “human skull” in English. It was actually pretty under the radar for a long time until 2020 when it became a viral Instagram sensation.
What made it so popular was that visitors are able to jump right into the water from the opening, making it not just a cool place to snap photos, but also to take videos. It almost looks as if you’re jumping into the abyss or the unknown, making for a unique effect.
Inside the cenote, you’ll also find a rope you can hang from in order to jump into the water Tarzan-style, which also allows for pretty cool videos and photos! Arriving early to this spot is recommended, as it gets pretty crowded nowadays.
Insider Tip: Since Cenote Calavera is a relatively small cenote and a very popular one, it fills up fast! If you want those coveted IG Tulum photos with no other people in them, arrive early and visit on a weekday.
Looking for other centos to post on your Instagram feed?
Some of the ones you won’t want to miss include Gran Cenote (sometimes mislabeled as Grand Cenote), Kaan Luum Lagoon Cenote, Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen, and Cenote Suytun, which you can check out when you visit Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins.
13. Nomade Tulum Resort and Beach Club
A boutique hotel and beach club, Nomade Tulum is a dream come true for those looking to get bohemian-style photos for their IG feed.
The entire beach club at the Nomade Tulum Resort is made up of macrame-woven decorations, sunbeds overlooking the ocean and wrapped up by palm trees, and details so perfect that you may just feel as though you’re inside a hippy paradise!
In order to access the beach club, reservations are highly recommended and there is a minimum spend. It’s very much worth it, however, as you’ll spend several hours taking photos while also being able to enjoy their drinks, food, beach beds, and atmosphere.
If your list of Instagrammable Tulum must-sees includes a beach club, then Nomade is among the best options of them all.
14. Tulum Crooked Palm Trees
As funny as this may sound, sometimes the best Instagram spots in Tulum can be found serendipitously!
Crooked palm trees are all over the beach from Tulum and they make for some pretty creative pictures. You can snap photos of yourself hanging from them, laying down across one, or get creative with those angels if you’re traveling with a partner or a group of friends who can assist with getting that perfect Instagram shot.
Perhaps the most famous of all the slanted Tulum palm trees is the one located outside the Playa Paraiso Beach Club. Note: The easiest beach access to Paradise Beach is through this resort, but you will have to pay to enter.
The Best Photo Spots In Tulum
We’ve almost reached the end of the list! Did you see some places you recognize on it? Which places caught your eye? What are some other incredibly instagrammable spots in Tulum Mexico that didn’t make it to the list?
While this was a pretty big list of favorites, there are of course many other famous Tulum Instagram spots you can add to it. To check out a few more head to:
15. Colorful TULUM
This colorful TULUM tourism destination sign is similar to others that you see all throughout Mexico.
16. Swings
The white swings at Coco Tulum Beach Club & Hotel. In fact, you will find beach swings everywhere!
17. Here is the Dream Sign
Remember our mention on this list of the Follow That Dream sign? The Here is the Dream sign is a newer sign that was installed as a follow up to that one. This sign is installed right outside of Santo Mercado Tulum, so you can also visit a local spot in order to grab a bite or sample a few beverages, like a fresh coconut.
18. The Hands Bridge and Vaglume Entrance
Vagalume Beach Club has a unique entrance with a hand sculpture and instagrammable design and decor throughout. At the Vagalume Beach Club the hands bridge is a perfect spot for photos with an ocean view in the background.
19. Entrance to Selina
The entrance to Selina Tulum Hostel & Mia Beach Club, which is one of the best beach club entrances in Tulum.
20. I Scream Bar
The I Scream Bar with vintage turquoise Tuk Tuks is a notable IG photo spot in Tulum. It is across from Vagalume.
21. Dear Tulum, I’m not over you.
Don’t miss the “Dear Tulum, I’m not over you.” pink wall at Hashtag Poke. Your Instagram feed thanks you for stopping by this aesthetic poke bar.
22. Papaya Playa Project Beach Club & Resort
The Papaya Playa Project Beach Club & Resort is a luxury boutique hotel famed for its beachfront bungalows, though there are plenty of Instagrammable places here!
Oh, and don’t forget to snap a few photos at the Cancun Airport!
Insider Tip: When you visit Tulum, please make sure you add “get a fresh coconut” somewhere on your Tulum itinerary!
Also, we’d love to hear from you so that we can keep adding more places to it — so please let us know in the comments what you think there’s something that needs to be on the list of most Instagram worthy Tulum spots.
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Shelley Marmor
Shelley has been living in Mexico since 2018, and runs four Mexico blogs including Travel Mexico Solo and Tulum Travel Secrets. A self-proclaimed Mexpert(Mexico expert), she has lived in several places in Mexico (including Tulum), and hopes her content will help others plan that dream trip and finally cross Mexico off their bucket list.
