Tulum Party Season: Best Festivals, Local Tips & What to Do Beyond the Dance Floor
Tulum festivals have become a magnet for party lovers, spiritual seekers, and—yes—plenty of influencers. You get the vibe as soon as you land at the lush jungle airport. Even the immigration queue is dotted with designer sunglasses and dangling crystal necklaces.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best of Tulum’s music festivals after peak season, how to avoid tourist traps, and the hidden gems worth exploring once you’ve danced your heart out, having stayed in Tulum for almost a month.
If you are only interested in parties, then check out my full guide which compares the best and worst.
🎯 When to Visit Tulum Festivals for Party Season
I arrived for the New Year/early January madness—aka “peak party season.” Think: eye-watering accommodation prices, crowds at the cenotes, and shoulder-to-shoulder dance floors. But here’s the insider tip: January 10th onwards is the sweet spot.
Why?
- Cheaper accommodation
- Smaller crowds
- Top-tier DJs still playing
- More room to dance (and breathe)
🎧 Best Festivals to Catch (After January 10th)
Zamna Festival
Arguably Tulum’s most iconic party. Hosted in a jungle cenote, it’s a sensory overload of lasers, mist, and global electronic headliners. Expect a boutique-meets-big-room energy. And after January 10th, you actually have space to dance!
🎟️ Book Zamna tickets.
Day Zero Festival
Curated by Damian Lazarus, Day Zero is like Burning Man meets the Yucatán jungle. Afro house, tribal vibes, and world-class sound in a magical setting.
🎟️ Get Day Zero tickets.
🛏 Where to stay? (The Full Range)
Tulum is split into 4 key areas, in rough price order:
- Tulum Pueblo – Budget-friendly, authentic local vibe.
- La Veleta – My personal pick. Quieter, great food spots.
- Aldea Zama – More modern, mid-range option.
- Tulum Beachfront – Gorgeous, but expensive.
📝 Pro Tip: Accommodation prices drop drastically after Jan 10th.
Tulum was not what I was expecting based on the Instagram stories, unlike Cancun and Playa del Carmen is not that built up however this is changing fast to be sure to visit before it becomes too commercial. Check out my full guide of where to stay in Tulum.
💳Budget
- Mayan Monkey Tulum – Social, fun hostel with great vibes.
🛎 Budget (but Stylish)
- Hotelito Azul – Social, clean, close to the beach.
- Hotel Gafsacomm Tulum – Great for digital nomads with a chill pool area.
🧘♂️ Mid-Range Jungle Luxe:
- Holistika Tulum – Yoga, art, jungle calm.
💎 High-End Escape:
- Azulik – Candlelit treehouses for the ‘gram and a digital detox.
- Be Tulum – The crème de la crème. Arguably the ultimate boutique beach experience.
🧭 Things to Do in Tulum (Besides Festivals)
🛕 Visit Chichen Itza
An easy day trip and a UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient city is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Trust me—it’s worth the hype. You can do a tour which covers a lot, including cenotes if under time constraint.
📍 Get your ticket here
🐠 Swim in dolphins (and cenotes)
Don’t leave without floating in one of Tulum’s crystal-clear limestone sinkholes, amongst Dolphins!! An unforgettable experience. If you are travelling with kids this tour is the perfect mix. Top cenote I’d choose (there are a lot!): Gran Cenote, Cenote Calavera, and Cenote Dos Ojos.
Cenote (with dolphins) | Cenote only
🛕 Local Mayana Ruins
You don’t need to feel the pressure of going on a go on a 2-hour bus journey to chicken Itza, there are some local Mayan ruins located at Parque Nacional.
🏍 Rent a Scooter
The ultimate freedom machine. Cheap, easy, and fun. Zip through the districts and grab a michelada or two along the way. You’ll find rental spots on nearly every corner—no need to book ahead.
🌱 Visit SFER IK Museion at Francisco Uh May
Part art gallery, part eco-architectural wonder, this place will make your jaw drop. About 25–30 minutes inland (on your rented scooter), this creative eco-village hosts installations, artist residencies, and serene jungle walks. Bonus: the food is phenomenal.
🥗 Where to Eat & Drink
Want a break from the €40 quinoa bowls at the beach? Try:
- Le Vuelta – Relaxed, local vibe. Good prices and people. Great to go for a reasonably price (and good) brunch.
- Taqueria Honorio – Tacos that locals actually eat.
Getting Around
My advice would be to hire a car from the airport with GetRentACar and will save you a lot in taxi fares over the course of the trip. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to drive. Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi Welcome Pickups or Kiwitaxi.
📝 Pro Tip: Get a taxi from the airport and rent a car in the town. They will be a lot cheaper.
✅ Final Tips for Tulum Festivals in Party Season
- Book early – Tickets and hotels still sell out fast.
- Pack smart – Don’t forget earplugs (trust me!)
- eSim – save your money for cool trips not mobile phones – visit Airalo to find a suitable deal for your travel needs.
- Stay flexible – Leave room for spontaneous adventures (or naps).
- Don’t skip the non-party side – There’s magic in the ruins and jungle too.
- Travel insurance – I know its boring but worth it especially if you are taking a scooter out. I used EKTA for peace of mind.