Where to Stay in Tulum? Habitas or Tiki Tiki

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Why choosing where to stay in Tulum is about more than just price

“How much do you pay per night?” – that was the first question I heard from a fellow traveler in Tulum.

When I said “Depends – sometimes 100 dollars, sometimes 300” – she looked at me like I was crazy.

But that’s exactly what Tulum is about. It’s not one place. It’s two completely different worlds, separated not just by price, but by an entirely different philosophy of spending time.

I spent eight nights in Tulum – four in a luxury glamping resort on the beach, and four in a boutique hotel in the center. Two different universes. Two different versions of “me.”

And you know what? I needed both.

In this article, I won’t show you a list of “best hotels in Tulum” (because how would I know about places I haven’t stayed?), but an honest, no-BS description of my two very different experiences.

Because sometimes the best travel advice isn’t “go there,” but “here’s what happens when you choose this place.” And then you decide for yourself.

Where to Stay in Tulum? My Honest Review of Our Habitas and Tiki Tiki

Tulum Isn’t One Town – It’s Three Different Worlds

My first night in Tulum I spent sitting on a terrace in the center, trying to figure out the map. And that’s when it hit me – Tulum isn’t one place.

It’s three different worlds in one:

Zona Hotelera (Beach Zone) – Instagram vs Reality

A long, narrow strip of coastline between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea. This is where all those photos come from – wooden platforms over turquoise water, restaurants with palm-thatched roofs, people in linen dresses holding coconuts.

What Instagram doesn’t show:

Sandy road full of potholes (after rain = puddles like small lakes)
Prices 2-3 times higher than in the center (coffee 150 instead of 50 pesos)
WiFi that works… when it wants to
Air conditioning? Many places don’t have it (“eco” philosophy)

But there’s also magic: You wake up to the sound of waves. You eat breakfast with your feet in the sand. You watch sunrises with a coffee in hand, not from a car.

This was my choice for Our Habitas – and I don’t regret a single one of those 300 dollars per night. But I had to know what I was getting into.

Woman in a tropical dress and straw hat relaxing in a hammock between two palm trees on a beach in Tulum, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. — Cradled in a hammock, between swaying palms. In Tulum, time stretches – if you let it.

Tulum Pueblo (Downtown) – Where the Real City Lives

Real Mexico. Local joints, street food for 40 pesos, bicycle taxis (bicitaxis), shops where you can buy toothpaste at 3 AM.

What guidebooks don’t tell you:

It’s loud in the evenings (music, conversations, life)
The beach is 10-15 minutes by car
But… it’s authentic, alive, NORMAL
And incomparably cheaper

This was my choice for Tiki Tiki – four nights when I needed to return to reality, stop paying 15 dollars for guacamole, and just… live.

La Veleta and Aldea Zama – The Golden Middle (Maybe)

New neighborhoods between the beach and downtown. I saw them while driving through – modern, clean, a bit sterile. Like Airbnb everywhere in the world.

I didn’t stay there, so I won’t pretend I know what it’s like. But they look like a good compromise if you have a car and don’t care about character.

Woman in a yellow top sipping a drink at a colorful café table in downtown Tulum. Blue doors, pink window frames, and tropical stillness in the air. — Morning coffee in downtown Tulum, with a colorful wall, palm shadows, and the laid-back rhythm of local life. Everything glows in mango and turquoise hues.

Our Habitas Tulum – Luxury Glamping Right by the Ocean

Location: Zona Hotelera (beach zone)

Price: ~280 USD per night

Duration: 4 nights

My verdict: 9/10 – An experience that stays with you for a long time

First Impression: A Bracelet and Sense of Belonging

I remember that moment exactly. I stood at reception, sweaty from the journey, a bit stressed about the price I’d just paid.

And the girl at reception smiled, put a cotton bracelet on my wrist and said: “Welcome to the tribe.”

And you see, at another place that would sound like corporate marketing. But at Our Habitas… it was real.

For the next four days, that bracelet wasn’t just decoration. It was a key to a community of people who wanted something more than just lying on a beach.

Interior of a glamping tent with a large bed, two black chairs, wooden floor, and ambient boho lighting at Our Habitas Tulum. — My glamping room at Our Habitas Tulum – soft light, soulful details, and a bed that felt like a cocoon. Barefoot luxury in sync with nature.

Tent in the Jungle – Where Luxury Meets Nature

They call them “cabanas” or “tents,” but don’t be fooled. These are spacious, beautifully designed rooms with real walls, windows, bathrooms, and – most importantly – air conditioning.

What exactly do you get:

Huge bed with mosquito net (more for atmosphere than necessity)
Full bathroom with hot water
Outdoor shower (seriously – part of the shower is outside)
Air conditioning that works (not standard in all Zona Hotelera places)
Space – I felt comfortable, not like in a cramped hut

What amazed me: Sounds. At night you hear the jungle – birds, insects, rustling palms. In the morning you wake up to the ocean. I felt like in an adventure movie, just with a comfortable bed.

What was weird: Outdoor shower sounds romantic (and it is!), but on the first morning, when I didn’t know if it was rain or shower… I was confused. You have to really like nature. Really.

A woman in a floral kimono walks barefoot into a glamping tent in Tulum, framed by open curtains and the golden light of sunset. — After the ocean, I return to stillness. Bare feet on wooden floors, soft light inside the tent, and the hush of the jungle. Tulum, when it whispers, feels like mine.

Restaurant – Best Middle Eastern Cuisine I Had in Mexico

This beachfront restaurant in Tulum served exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine – truly the best I had during my entire trip through Mexico.

Breakfast (7:00-11:00): I’d walk in barefoot across the sand, sit at a wooden table with ocean view, and order:

Chocolate smoothie – thick, creamy, with dates and tahini. I had it every morning. Every single one. I can now admit I sometimes ordered two.
Shakshuka – eggs in spicy tomato sauce with pita bread
Fresh juices – beet, carrot, mixed
Fruit – mango, papaya, pineapple straight from the area

Breakfast wasn’t “quickly piling food on a cold plate.” It was an experience. People sat for an hour, two. Talked. Got to know each other.

A meal to remember. Raw fish in passion fruit sauce, with cilantro and a hint of chili – one of those dishes you savor slowly.

Candlelit dinners: This was magic. Tables set directly on the sand, hundreds of candles, sound of waves, stars overhead.

The menu changed daily, but I remember:

Hummus with roasted beets
Grilled steak with chimichurri
Whole fish in coconut sauce
Date cake for dessert

Prices? I won’t lie – it’s pricey. Dinner for two with a glass of wine was comparable to the best restaurant in a big city.

But the level was really high – and eating with your feet in the sand and ocean view is a priceless experience.

A pink hibiscus cocktail served over ice in a lowball glass, garnished with a slice of lime and a basil leaf, photographed in the evening on a wooden table at Our Habitas Tulum. — Our Habitas: here, every cocktail tastes like sunset. This one – with hibiscus and lime – was a small work of art.

Pool with Sunrise View – My Favorite Spot

The pool at Our Habitas isn’t a place for swimming laps. It’s a place for being.

Positioned so that at sunrise you see the sky change colors, and the ocean transforms from turquoise to gold, then pink, then purple.

What I did: I’d come before 6:30 AM, take a cabana (comfortable loungers with cushions under a canopy), order a coffee, and… watch. Talk. Read. Be.

Problem: There weren’t many spots by the pool. If you wanted a good cabana – you had to come early (before 4:00 PM). After 5:00 PM only loungers in the sun remained.

My tactic: I’d leave a towel in the morning (I know, I know, not elegant, but it worked).

A woman in a flowing yellow dress and straw hat watches the sunrise over the ocean in Tulum, standing barefoot on a wooden deck by the beach. — As the sun rises above the horizon and your dress dances with the wind – all that remains is stillness, warmth, and awe.

Free Yoga Every Morning – Spiritual Reset

Every morning at 7:00 AM there was a free yoga session on a platform overlooking the ocean.

I was never a big yoga fan before. But here… something changed.

Maybe it was the instructor (warm, no pretentious spirituality). Maybe it was the view (ocean right in front of you). Maybe it was the people (all different, no perfectionists).

I went three out of four mornings. The fourth morning I slept in because dinner was… long.

A woman in a yellow dress and straw hat sits on an oriental rug spread out on the beach in Tulum, under the shade of a tree, bathed in the warm light of the morning. — Morning under a tree. Golden light, sand beneath your feet, and quiet in your soul. Tulum can be a place where time truly slows down.

Beach – Private, Beautiful, Yours

As a guest of Our Habitas you have access to a private section of beach. Meaning – you’re not lying next to 500 tourists.

What you get:

Loungers on the sand
Umbrellas (important – the sun here doesn’t joke)
Beach towels
Service – you can order drinks or food straight to the beach

What it looks like: White sand, turquoise water, palms swaying in the wind. Yes, like in the photos. I’m not lying.

But: Seaweed. Not every day, but it happens. It’s natural – the ocean throws them out. The hotel tries to clean, but sometimes they’re there.

A woman in a colorful dress and straw hat walks barefoot along the white sand beach in Tulum, gazing toward the turquoise sea and a sky dotted with white clouds. — Tulum – where every step in the sand reminds you that life can be simple, wild, and beautiful.

Adults Only – Does It Matter?

Our Habitas is an adults-only hotel (18+). No children.

For me? It was bliss. Peace, mature conversations, relaxation atmosphere without screaming and running.

But I know it’s not for everyone. If you’re traveling with family – this isn’t your place.

Community – This Really Works

This was my biggest surprise. From the beginning I felt part of something bigger – that “tribe” they talked about at reception.

People at Our Habitas don’t come just to “lie on the beach.” They come to experience something, meet others, be part of something.

I saw honeymooning couples, solo travelers working remotely by the pool, groups of friends celebrating birthdays. Different people, but all with similar energy – openness to experiences.

Do you have to be “social”? No. I also saw people who were alone, reading books, not talking. And nobody forced them. But the opportunity to meet interesting people was there.

A woman in a red dress and straw hat sits on the veranda of a glamping tent surrounded by lush jungle palms in Tulum. — Morning in the jungle. A dress, a hat, and silence. When glamping becomes a ritual – and the hammock is waiting just outside.

Practical Things You Need to Know

WiFi: Works, but not super fast. If you have a Zoom call – choose reception. In the room it can be fickle.

Transport: You need a car or budget for taxis/golf carts. To downtown Tulum it’s 10-15 minutes and about 250-300 pesos one way.

No car? Hotel has a list of reliable drivers. You can arrange a fixed rate.

Electricity: Sometimes they turn it off briefly (generator), but it comes back quickly.

Mosquitoes: They’re there. Wear repellent. Hotel provides it, but good to have your own.

When Our Habitas Makes Sense?

Choose Our Habitas if:

You have the budget and want an experience, not just accommodation
You’re open to meeting people (or can be alone in a crowd)
You love design, nature, and spirituality without pretension
Food quality matters to you
You want to be ON the beach, not 15 minutes from it
You’re traveling as a couple or solo (adults only)

Skip Our Habitas if:

Budget is tight (this IS expensive)
You need stable WiFi for work
You don’t like “community atmosphere”
You’re planning to drive around a lot (far from downtown)
You’re traveling with children

A woman in a straw hat walks along a wild beach near Our Habitas in Tulum - raw landscape, waves, rocks, and silence. — Sometimes you just need to step onto the beach and hear nothing – except yourself. Our Habitas, Tulum.

My honest verdict: 300 USD per night is crazy? Objectively – yes. But do I regret it? Not one bit. These were four days of complete reset. Disconnection. Spiritual (and physical) renewal.

If I had to choose for a whole week in Tulum – I’d choose differently (too expensive). But for a few nights, to FEEL Tulum in its most magical version? Absolutely yes.

Book your stay at Our Habitas Tulum here!

A woman in a straw hat sits in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean at Our Habitas Tulum. Tropical greenery and gentle waves in the background. — Morning at Our Habitas Tulum. Infinity pool, ocean view, stillness. Time slows down when you’re closer to yourself.

Hotel Tiki Tiki – a Boutique Hotel in Tulum Town Offering Great Value for Money

Location: Tulum Pueblo (downtown)

Price: ~95 USD per night

Duration: 4 nights

My verdict: 8/10 – Best value for money in Tulum

Return to Reality (And That Was Good)

After four nights at Our Habitas, when I moved to Tiki Tiki, I felt like landing on earth after a week at a spa.

And you know what? That was exactly what I needed.

Less magic, more normalcy. Less ceremony, more chill. And definitely – DEFINITELY – less spending money on every breath.

Room with Terrace – Space I Didn’t Expect at This Price

The room at Tiki Tiki was surprisingly spacious. I expected a cramped cage (because hello, 100 USD in Tulum?), and I got:

Large bed (king size, really comfortable)
Terrace with two chairs and a small table
Air conditioning (that worked!)
Bathroom with hot water and good pressure
Fridge (small thing, but after Our Habitas where there wasn’t one – I appreciated it)
WiFi that. worked. stably.

Design: Boho minimalism. Wood, white, potted plants, wicker lamps. Instagrammable? Yes. Pretentious? No.

What surprised me: Silence. The hotel is downtown, but rooms are designed so you don’t hear the street. I slept great. Better than at Our Habitas (where the jungle is beautiful, but loud).

A bright, spacious hotel room with a large bed, green geometric floor tiles, air conditioning, and an octopus painting above the bed at Tiki Tiki Tulum. — Our room at Tiki Tiki was simple yet spacious, clean, and air-conditioned – perfect for actually living in Tulum, not just visiting.

Pool – Small Oasis in the Heart of the City

The pool at Tiki Tiki isn’t huge – long but fairly narrow. You can swim, sure, but it’s more of a place to unwind. It comfortably fits around 6-8 people.

But it looks like a dream – white-and-turquoise stripes, tropical greenery all around, and total chill vibes. Empty in the morning (heaven), a bit busier in the afternoon (still relaxed).

My ritual: Around 9:00 AM I’d come down with my laptop, take a lounger in the shade, work for an hour or two with a view of the pool and palms. Then – jump in the water. Reset. Continue working or go out to the city.

WiFi by the pool: Worked. This wasn’t obvious – I tested it. I could have a Zoom call. Rare in Tulum.

Tiki Tiki Tulum feels like a movie set – a white-and-turquoise pool, tropical leaves, and me, floating in silence. Part 60s dream scene, part me-time in my own rhythm.

Bartender by the Pool – Best Cocktails at Reasonable Prices

This was one of my favorite elements of Tiki Tiki.

Small bar by the pool, run by a guy who REALLY knew how to make drinks. There was no “cocktail menu with 15 items all the same.” There was “what do you like, what do you feel like, I’ll make something for you.”

My favorites:

Paloma with mezcal (instead of tequila – game changer)
Something he called “Jungle Breeze” – gin, cucumber, lime, mint
Classic Margarita (but really good, with fresh juice)

Prices: Reasonable – definitely cheaper than in Zona Hotelera. In the beach zone similar drinks would cost two-three times more.

I sat there every afternoon. Sometimes with my laptop, sometimes with a book, sometimes just… being.

A woman in a hat and colorful swimsuit sits at a bamboo bar in Tiki Tiki Tulum - surrounded by tropical retro vibes, bottles gleaming behind her, and exotic details that feel straight out of a vintage postcard. — Tiki Tiki is tropical ease and retro charm – like a movie scene, but with your own drink in hand.

Breakfast – Included in Price (But Not Revolutionary)

Breakfast at Tiki Tiki was… okay. Not wow, but okay.

What you get (continental breakfast):

Coffee (good!)
Fresh juices (orange, grapefruit)
Basket with bread (baguettes, croissants, bread)
Butter, jams
Fruit (mango, papaya, pineapple)
Yogurt
Granola

What was missing: Variety. After three days of the same thing… I started eating breakfast in the city.

And here’s the beauty of being downtown – you have tons of options right next door. Great breakfasts at local places for a fraction of hotel price (vege tacos, chilaquiles, quesadillas).

My tactic: I’d take coffee and fruit at the hotel (free), then go for “second breakfast” in the city.

Want to know what to do in Tulum besides lounging at the hotel? Check out my guide to the top 10 things to do in Tulum – cenotes, Mayan ruins, and hidden beaches await.

Location – Close to Life, Far from Beach

Tiki Tiki is ~5 minutes walk from the main street of downtown Tulum (Avenida Tulum). Meaning:

What’s close:

Restaurants (tons, different prices, different cuisines)
Stores, pharmacies, everything
Car/bike rentals
ATMs
Real Mexican life

What’s far:

Beach (15 minutes by car, 250-300 pesos by golf cart)
Zona Hotelera (all those Instagram places)
Cenotes (but you need to drive to any cenote anyway, so it doesn’t matter)

Do you need a car?

Technically – no. You can live downtown, take golf carts to the beach when you want.

Practically – it makes life much easier, especially if you plan to visit cenotes and the area. The hotel has a list of trusted drivers if you prefer not to drive.

A woman in a swimsuit and sunhat relaxes in a decorative rattan chair at Tiki Tiki Tulum - a bright, tropical space with colorful tile floors, palm leaves, and a white wall dotted with round cutouts framing the jungle greenery outside. — Tropical chill at Tiki Tiki – colorful tiles, rattan textures, and the jungle’s lush green just around the corner.

Atmosphere – Relaxed, International, No Pressure

This wasn’t “tribe” like at Our Habitas. Here everyone lived their own life.

But I saw:

European couples exploring the area
Digital nomads working by the pool
Groups of friends on vacation
Solo travelers (like me) doing their thing

Nobody forced anyone to integrate. But if you wanted to chat – someone was always there.

Staff: Nice, helpful, but not pushy. They spoke English and Spanish. Happily recommended places, restaurants, helped with reservations.

A woman in a colorful kimono and sunglasses stands by the intimate jungle pool at Tiki Tiki Tulum, surrounded by tropical greenery, a hammock, and turquoise chairs. — Tiki Tiki isn’t a luxury resort – but its jungle pool? Pure bliss. Intimate, peaceful, and soaked in sunlight.

Practical Details That Make a Difference

WiFi: Works great. I worked remotely – no problem. Zoom calls – stable. Netflix in the evening – loads.

Air conditioning: In every room. Works. This isn’t obvious in Tulum.

Hot water: Always available. Good pressure.

Cleanliness: Room cleaned daily. Towels changed. Everything clean.

Safety: Felt safe. Lockable doors. Safe in room.

Laundry: Hotel has a list of laundries in the area. According to prices I saw – about 100 pesos per kilogram.

How do you want to experience Tulum?

🏝️ Discover more of Tulum → Top 10 Things to Do in Tulum – cenotes, Mayan ruins, hidden beaches

🗺️ All of Yucatan awaits → 3-Week Yucatan Travel Itinerary – Tulum is just the beginning

🍽️ Flavors of Mexico → 10 Yucatan Dishes You Must Try – guide to local cuisine

🏖️ Another island without crowds → Isla Holbox Guide – small island without cars

What attracts you most about Tulum – luxury or authenticity?

When Tiki Tiki Makes Sense?

Choose Tiki Tiki if:

You want to be in the center of life, not cut off on the beach
You work remotely (WiFi works!)
Budget matters, but you don’t want a hostel
You value balance – comfort without overpaying
You’re planning to explore the area (easy access to everything)
You want to be close to normal restaurants and shops

Skip Tiki Tiki if:

All you want is to lie on the beach (you’ll have to commute)
You’re looking for total silence (downtown lives in the evenings)
Olympic-size pool is a must (here it’s small)
You want “experience” like at Our Habitas (here it’s simple and functional)

A woman in a straw hat stands on the terrace of Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum, surrounded by lush tropical greenery, overlooking a serene patio with mirrors and jungle plants. — Tiki Tiki Tulum – a boutique hideaway with retro flair and tropical soul. The kind of place that made me feel like a local, not just a visitor.

My honest verdict: For 100 USD per night you get more than I expected. Spacious, clean room, working WiFi, air conditioning, breakfast, beautiful pool, and great location.

Was it as magical as Our Habitas? No. But was it practical, comfortable, and gave me the ability to LIVE in Tulum instead of just being on vacation? Absolutely yes.

If I were returning to Tulum for longer – I’d choose Tiki Tiki without hesitation.

Book your stay at Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum here!

A woman in a red swimsuit sits on the steps of a small pool at Tiki Tiki boutique hotel in Tulum, surrounded by tropical greenery and retro-style loungers. — The pool at boutique hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum – perfect for a peaceful escape surrounded by tropical greenery.

Where to Stay in Tulum? My Honest Review After 8 Nights

After eight nights in Tulum – four in luxury, four downtown – I understood one thing.

Tulum isn’t either-or. It’s “and.”

I needed those four days at Our Habitas. Reset, disconnection, ceremony of beach breakfasts and sunset cocktails. Spiritual cleansing (even if that sounds pretentious – that’s what it was).

But I also needed those four days at Tiki Tiki. Return to normalcy, working by the pool, eating tacos for 40 pesos instead of salad for 200. Living, not just being.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Tulum, my honest answer is: both. Split your stay between the two worlds.

A few days luxury (Our Habitas or similar), a few days normal (Tiki Tiki or similar). You’ll see two faces of Tulum and understand why this place attracts so many.

If budget is tight – choose downtown. Life is just as good there, and the beach is 15 minutes away. Spend saved money on cenotes, good food, excursions.

If money isn’t an issue – you can stay in luxury the whole time. But a warning – it’s easy to lose touch with real Mexico. Spend at least one evening downtown. Eat street food. Talk to locals. That’s also Tulum.

A woman in an orange dress relaxes in a beach hammock at sunrise in Tulum, framed by palm trees and soft morning light. — Morning in Tulum. Sunrise light, a hammock strung between palms, and a quiet moment to yourself before the city wakes up.

Ready for more honest reviews and guides about Mexico?

What to Do in Tulum – Top 10 Attractions – cenotes, Mayan ruins, and hidden beaches
3-Week Yucatan Travel Itinerary – complete route with Tulum, Holbox, Valladolid
Isla Holbox Travel Guide – small island without cars and the most beautiful sunsets
10 Yucatan Dishes – what you must try in Mexico

What about you? Would you choose luxury, downtown, or maybe both?

Leave a comment – I’d love to talk about what fits your travel style!

And if this honest guide helped you – share it with someone planning Tulum. Let them choose consciously.

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Where to Stay in Tulum? My Honest Review of Our Habitas and Tiki Tiki