Digital Nomad Guide to Tulum, Mexico

It's no mystery why Tulum has become the hot spot that it is today. Travelers and digital nomads are flocking here for its prime location along the Yucatan Penninsula, gorgeous beaches, delicious food, and local culture. If you're a remote worker here, read on for the best places to live and stay for digital nomads, coffee shops with wifi, coworking spaces, and things to do in Tulum.

‍Most visitors base themselves either by the beach, or downtown. You'll see these being referred to as playa and pueblo in Tulum. There are also two up-and-coming towns, Aldea Zama and La Veleta, that more and more remote workers are finding themselves in.

Tulum Beach

Tulum Beach remains the ideal place to stay if you want to immerse yourself in the sun, sand, and sea. It offers a mix of luxurious accommodations and casual beachfront vibes. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, but keep in mind that the beach road is long and can get crowded, especially during high season. Walking isn’t always convenient, so renting a bike or scooter is recommended for easier access to town and other areas.

Tulum Town

Tulum Town, or Pueblo, is where most locals live, making it a great spot to experience authentic Mexican food and culture. It’s also a convenient base if you’re planning to visit Tulum’s cenotes or explore nearby nature spots. The town is full of restaurants, bars, and small boutiques, offering a vibrant yet affordable vibe. While Pueblo refers to the central part of town, neighborhoods like La Veleta and Aldea Zama are nearby and increasingly popular. Renting a bike or scooter is the easiest way to get around, but taxis are also available, though they can add up if you’re using them often.

Aldea Zama

Aldea Zama has grown into one of Tulum’s most modern neighborhoods, situated between downtown and the beach. It’s known for its stylish condos and apartments, making it a quieter area to stay. While the neighborhood is still building its sense of community, it’s ideal for visitors looking for a peaceful base close to amenities like shops and cafes. The location makes it easy to explore both the beach and town without feeling too far from either.

La Veleta

La Veleta has become a hub for digital nomads and expats in 2024. With new cafes, coworking spaces, and yoga studios popping up, it offers a more international vibe compared to the more local feel of Pueblo. Renting here can be a little more expensive, but it’s popular for its trendy spots and proximity to Tulum’s natural attractions, like the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. It’s further from the beach, so you’ll likely need a bike or scooter to get there, but it’s only about a kilometer from downtown Tulum.

Digital Jungle
This bright and natural lit coworking space is perfectly suited to Tulum with its jungle theme and abundance of greenery decorating the space. Their WiFi is reliable and it's a great spot to take your virtual meetings.

‍Los Amigos Cowork 
This space is newer, and built on sustainability. It's not as busy as other coworking locations, and there's less emphasis on community here. They offer day, weekly, and monthly passes.

WiFi is notoriously difficult in Tulum. This is a town built inside a jungle, and there is no cell reception on the beach. However, as Tulum develops, WiFi connections continue to improve. 

Note that it is helpful to purchase a local SIM card on arrival, in case you need a back up. Telcel is the most popular provider.‍
 

Here it the list of cafes you can try out as a digital nomad

Coffee shops with WiFi in Tulum on the beach

Ahau
Ahau is a resort on the beach, which happens to have great WiFi, food, and drinks. Access to their Wifi network will also get you access to the Wifi at Raw Love, a smoothie bowl bar just behind Ahau. There are better desk spaces inside Ahau, but the crowd can get a little rowdy after midday.

Papaya Playa Project
PPP is better known for DJ sets than a fast Wifi connection, but if you're looking for a beautiful place to call your 'office', this is it. It's a design hotel and venue for musicians from around the world. The Wifi is great, but plan your visit for earlier on in the day if you're really intent on working.

NEST Tulum
NEST is a boutique hotel with a beachfront restaurant, just across the street from Outsite Tulum. Their Wifi is reliable, but it's on the beach - so this is not an all-day spot either. 
 

Coffee shops with Wifi in Tulum in the town

Cafe Hunab Ku
‍Great coffee, lots of vegetarian, vegan options, and gluten-free options. There's free wifi and indoor and outdoor seating.

Matcha Mama 
There are two Matcha Mama locations - one on the beach road, and one in town. Both are outdoor cafes, and not ideal for a long day of work. However, if you need coffee, breakfast, and Wifi, their connection is very reliable.

Babel Cafe
This is one of the best places for digital nomads to work from in Tulum. It has great food and coffee, power outlets at every table, and its Wifi is reliable.

Cenotes close to Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is known for its vast underground caverns of water. These are a playground for divers (or even those who are just dipping their toe in - it's common to lounge around in these areas, soaking up the sun and taking photos). There are a lot around, but some of the best cenotes in Tulum are:

El Gran Cenote
This open-air cenote is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum, and for good reason. Surrounded by caves and caverns, it makes for a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Cenote Calavera
It's likely you've seen photos of it quite a few times in your Instagram feed, it's a popular cenote with a ladder on the side and a swing in the middle. Note that it can get crowded, so try to get here early.
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Cenote Carwash (also known as Aktun Ha)
This easily accessible open-air cenote is less busy than other cenotes nearby. It is, however, popular with snorkelers and sunbathers. In the summer months, algae collect on top of the water, trapping the heat and turning the cenote into a heated pool.

Cenote Zacil Ha
Slightly off the beaten path, but close to Cenote Carwash, this is another less crowded cenote. There's a zipline that runs to the center of the pool for those looking for a little thrill.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
If you drive to the end of the beach road, you'll enter the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Only a small community of locals live here, but it's one of the most beautiful places in Tulum. Crocodiles still live in the lakes, the water is pristine, and the beaches are white. Drive down, or book a trip with one of the local vendors.

Lake Bacalar  
Bacalar, 'the lake of 7 colors', is a few hours away from Tulum. This is best visited overnight so you can fully enjoy sunset and sunrise over the lake. There are a handful of bars, restaurants, and galleries, but the lake is the main focal feature here.

‍CrossFit Tulum
CrossFit Tulum is located in town, towards Veleta. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are available.‍

Evolve Fitness Tulum
Evolve is in the center of town. It's more of a 'traditional' style gym, with free weights and classes.‍

Tulum Jungle Gym
This is an Instagrammer's dream. All 'weights' are made with natural materials, and it's on the beach.

Grocery Stores:

Chedraui
Chedraui is a mini-Walmart where you can buy fruits, vegetables, meats, cereals, homewares, and more. Taxis wait outside, so you don't have to carry your bags home.

Super Aki 
Super Aki is similar to Chedraui, but it's a little smaller. There's a car park out front where you can find local street food vendors selling tacos and tamales.  

Health food stores:

Naturalmente Tulum 
Situated in the town center. Here, you can find snacks, whole grains, vegan skincare, sage, and palo santo.

Gypsy Market 
This is another great option for organic, vegan, keto, and gluten-free products. It's just a 6-minute bike ride from Outsite Tulum Centro.

Looking for a great place to work remotely in Mexico? Explore Outsite's spaces designed for digital nomads. Book Now.