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Le Travel Style

by Courtney Delfino • a San Diego based travel + lifestyle blog inspiring you to travel in style

Mexico, Photography · Last Updated: June 5, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Tulum Instagram Spots

Best Tulum Instagram Spots: Photography Guide

Looking for the best Tulum Instagram Spots? Well, you’re in luck because Tulum is the most photogenic place I’ve ever traveled to. Its sustainable hotels and beautiful art sculptures surrounding the small town will deliver you beautiful photography content for weeks! Not to mention the unique and great restaurant scene that has popped up in Tulum over the past few years. All of this is a great reason enough to visit Tulum and that’s why I’ve created the “Best Instagram Spots Tulum: a Photography Guide”. A guide to giving you tips and tricks in order to plan out your photography journey in the jungle and make your Tulum vacation picture perfect!

Follow That Dream Sign Tulum

follow that dream sign tulum

Located just north of Nomade & Casa Malca, this sign is in front of a cute little shop on the main beach road (you can’t miss it). During our stay in Tulum, we never noticed a queue of people waiting so it’s safe to say you can get the shot at any time during the day. But plan for golden hour, as that is the best time of the day to shoot!

Ven a La Luz Sculpture

ven a la luz tulum sculpture of a women with an open heart
girl standing in ven a la luz tulum sculpture of a women with an open heart

Located directly in front of the Ahau Tulum beach hotel, this 10-meter high sculpture is made out of wood, rope, steel, and greenery. If you’re visiting Tulum it’s an absolute must-see. The artist Daniel Popper is known for his mega sculptures. Make sure to get here before 10 am otherwise, you will be waiting a bit for your turn to photograph this beautiful public art piece. This was hands down my favorite sculpture in all of Tulum, Mexico!

Address: Carr. Tulum a Boca Paila Km. 7.5 Zona Costera, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Casa Malca

hanging couch surrounded by art
girl spinning in hanging couch surrounded by white curtains in a jungle setting

This famous hotel is located on the southern part of the beach road. It was by far the most Instagram-friendly place I have ever seen. Endless pieces of art scattered across the property (including an underground pool that Pablo Escobar used to chill in), wedding dresses as curtains cascading the lobby entrance, and a watchtower that gives you a birds-eye view of Tulum beach. If you’re visiting Tulum you can not miss this place!

Insider Tip: There is a spiral staircase across from the hanging wedding dress curtains. Make sure to head up there for a beautiful view.

Address: Carretera Fed, Av. Boca Paila km 9.5, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Azulik Tulum

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFFpVj1h9GW/

The Grand Cenote

girl sitting on a staircase in the grand cenote tulum
girl swimming in cenote in Tulum

The Gran Cenote is located 5-10 minutes inland from the Tulum Ruins so it’s easy to do both of those activities in one. This is one of the most beautiful cenotes Tulum has to offer. Make sure to get there early about 15-30 minutes before they open if you want the place all to yourselves. The below photos are of the second entrance on the right side of the property. Make sure to head here first! Finally, you will need to shower before entering either cenote on the property.

Address: Quintana Roo 109, 77796 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Nomade Tulum

art sculpture on beach with pillows surrounded by palm trees
girl standing on pyramid art sculpture on the beach

Located south on the beach road this hotel is one that can’t be missed! From the lush jungle-side beach views to the sunbeds with hanging macrame, every corner of this property is like a bohemian dream. There is a minimum for the beach club around $60 USD to enjoy the facilities or you can just get here before 9 am, take your photos, and then leave as we did. We entered on the beachside since our hotel was not far from the Nomade Tulum.

Address: Carretera Cancún – Tulum KM 10, 77880 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Chichen Itza, Yucatan

girl standing in front of Chichen Itza pyramid wearing a pink hat

Located two hours inland from Tulum, Mexico is this ancient Mayan city that is filled with pyramids and ruins dating back to 600 AD. Get here within one hour of opening times for somewhat empty shots, and a cooler temperature – it can get extremely crowded and hot mid-day.

Address: Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Tulum Ruins

Tulum Ruins in Mexico
girl standing on stairs surrounded by palm trees

Previously known as Zama, meaning “City of Dawn”, the Tulum ruins are another Mayan treasure located in Tulum. It’s a few miles north of the beach road and easy to find. Sometimes, depending on the seaweed levels, the beach is accessible for more photo opportunities, but unfortunately, it was closed when we went.

Insider Tip: get here just after opening or just before closing for an empty ruins ground.

Address: Carretera Federal, Cancun – Chetumal Km 230, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Matcha Mama

girl sitting on swing at matcha mama tulum
Matcha Mama Tulum

Located in front of La Zebra hotel this coffee and acai place is not only delicious but has swings that you can enjoy your smoothies on that make for the perfect Instagram shot. Try to visit during 10:30 am – 12 pm for an empty swing set.

Address: Quintana Roo 15 470 Zona Hotelera • 77780, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Coco Tulum

multiple swings overlooking tulum beach

Located on the north side of the beach road this hotel has a swing set facing the beach which is very insta-famous and a fun beach club if you’re into that sort of thing.

Insider Tip: Tell the lobby you are going to the beach club. They will likely tell you there is a minimum but just head to the back, get the shot, grab a drink if you’d like, and head out. We arrived at 10 am and there was no one else around.

Address: Carretera Tulum – Boca Paila Km 7.5, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

Hanging Hearts

girl standing in street underneath a hanging hearts sculpture

This is a newer installation located just north of Matcha Mama. You will have to stand in the street to get this shot so make sure you’re safe when shooting and watch out for those bicycles!

Insider Tip: For the best angle have your photographer or tripod across the street.

Crooked Palm Tree

There are endless crooked palm trees on the beach when visiting Tulum. The one in the photograph above is located south of the beach from the Rosa Del Viento resort. It’s a quiet area so no need to get here early!

Selina

Selina is a new and noteworthy hotel located on beachfront property in Tulum. The entrance is most photogenic (pictured above) and there are other sculptures around the property to take your photography game to the next level.

Address: Carretera Boca Paila Km. 7.5, Zona Hotelera, Tulum, Q.R., 77780 Tulum, Mexico

Other Instagrammable Places in Tulum:

Tantra Tulum

Vagalume Tulum

Tulum Beach Club

Lolita Lolita Boutique

Roc Luxe Tulum

Papaya Playa Project

Kaan Luum lagoon

Sueños tulum hotel

What to pack for Tulum to make your photos stand out

While all opinions are always my own, my content on this blog post may contain affiliate links for products I use and love. This means I get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links. As always, I am so thankful for your support!

The entire city of Tulum has such a neutral background so you can either wear whites/neutrals to blend in or opt for bright colors to stand out. The choice is yours and yours alone but below I’m sharing some must-pack items for your trip:

  • Bathing suits! If you overpack anything in your suitcase let it be this. Being that Tulum is full of beautiful beaches, ocean activities, and multiple cenotes you’ll always want to have bathing suits handy. I always find great suits at Cupshe + Summersalt.
  • A sturdy pair of flip-flops. These Olukai Sandals are my go-to and have lasted me years!
  • Chic and comfortable slide sandals
  • Sunscreen: This GOOP FACE SUNSCREEN BRUSH is perfect for traveling because it adds SPF to your face all while not messing up your makeup. It’s my new holy grail product and you need to add this one to your packing list.
  • Flowy Dresses: These really come in handy when the temperatures are high in the spring/summer.
  • A wide brim sun hat: I love this hat from Brixton I have it in multiple colors.
  • Shorts: Abercrombie has the best shorts for all sizes and shapes. I also love my Levi cut-offs they’re so classic and never go out of style.
  • Basics: I always find the best basics at either Free People & Abercrombie. It’s nice to have some neutral tees and tanks handy during your stay.
  • Workout sets: I love getting mine from Lululemon because they last forever. If you’re on a budget, Amazon has some amazing Lululemon dupes.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading my “Best Tulum Instagram Spots: a Photography Guide”. If you take your own pictures make sure to tag me so I can see them! Finally, if you want to know more about what to do in Tulum when you’re visiting, make sure to check out my Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide by clicking the link.

If you’re in need of packing help, head here for my What to Pack for Mexico: A Packing Guide.

Adios,

Courtney

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Image gallery image
Image gallery image

In: Mexico, Photography · Tagged: instagram, photo guide

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Comments

  1. Taylor Deer says

    June 19, 2019 at 8:52 am

    Wow! You sold me on Tulum. Your photos look amazing and it seemed like you had a wonderful time!

  2. Courtney Delfino says

    June 19, 2019 at 9:33 am

    i hope you get there girl!

  3. Brittany says

    June 20, 2019 at 2:25 am

    Love your post + blog style! Happy to e-meet you. xo, Bri

  4. World of Lina says

    June 20, 2019 at 11:18 pm

    Tulum looks like a dream place! I really wanna go there so badly ?

  5. Maria says

    June 22, 2019 at 3:01 am

    Ahh I love these spots! I’ve seen most of them on IG already and I’m super excited to go there myself and explore beautiful Tulum!

  6. Marisa says

    June 22, 2019 at 9:43 am

    I’ve seen more and more people traveling to Tulum lately and I can totally see why! Your pictures are gorgeous and you just gave me so many good ideas!

  7. Zsuzsanna says

    June 27, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    Tulum is such a beautiful city! We have been there once but after seeing your photos I wanna go back to check all these beautiful spots you introduced! 🙂

  8. FastPam@thelifebus says

    July 9, 2019 at 11:06 am

    I love Tulum sooo much. It’s slowly changing over the years, but it is still dreamy!

  9. Courtney Delfino says

    July 9, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    I’m so happy you liked this! Hoping you get there soon!

  10. Courtney Delfino says

    July 9, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    I wish I was there before it was all popular but all in all a special place!

  11. Darlene Phan says

    April 27, 2024 at 4:45 pm

    Hi,

    Did you have to buy a day pass for the Casa malca picture or were you able to take it?

  12. Courtney Delfino says

    April 28, 2024 at 8:13 pm

    I did not but this was 2019 so I’m not sure how things are today my apologies

  13. Scribd Downloader Official says

    August 23, 2024 at 9:05 pm

    Wow, this guide is amazing! Tulum is so beautiful, and I can’t wait to visit these Instagram spots. The tips you provided for capturing the perfect shot are super helpful. Thanks for sharing!

  14. CAPCUT DOWNLOADER says

    November 26, 2024 at 6:11 pm

    This guide is amazing! I can’t wait to explore all these stunning spots in Tulum. The tips for the best times to visit each location are super helpful. Thanks for sharing these beautiful recommendations!

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The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide

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I'm Courtney. A 30 something San Diego travel + lifestyle blogger sharing travel resources, city guides, packing tips, hotel reviews, skincare advice, and style guides. All to inspire you to wander the world in style!

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