Best Beach Clubs in Tulum for Families
Tulum is famous for its ivory sand beaches, turquoise and crystal clear waters, towering Mayan ruins, fascinating and mysterious cenotes, luxurious hotels, fine dining and posh nightlife.
Tulum might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you are thinking of a classic Mexican family holiday, as the town draws a younger, hip, stylish, and affluent crowd. But the reality is that Tulum happens to be an excellent family getaway with plenty of fun activities for both the adults and the kids in your group.
How do we know? We have been traveling to Tulum for more than 6 years now, first as a couple and now as a family of four.
Now…yes, Tulum can feel overcrowded at times … and yes, it lacks typical activities for kids like water parks …. and yes, the streets can be dangerous for kids as there are no pathways for strollers and bikes. Still, this is an epic destination and a tropical paradise, and you are guaranteed to have an amazing time for the whole group.
Expert Tip: If you are looking for a vacation spot in Yucatan for a family vacation, then you should probably choose Playa del Carmen over Tulum, as it is most ideal for families! It is also closer to Cancun Airport.
.
.
Read Next:
We always use Tulum as the base for our Yucatan adventures, so we compiled this list of the best 5 beaches and beach clubs in Tulum for families and kids. We hope you and your family and kids have as much fun exploring Tulum as we always do!
Minimum Spend: No entrance fee. Beach beds range from 100-500 pesos ($5-$25 USD).
The minimum consumption at the restaurant ranges from 1,000 – 3,000 pesos ($50- $150 USD) per bed.
Atmosphere: Relaxing, comfortable
Things to do with kids: Relaxing in comfy sunbeds, Swimming, Snorkeling, Great food and drinks
Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach) is the most picture-perfect beach in Tulum, with its turquoise waters and soft ivory sand. It really feels like you just stepped into a postcard. It also happens to be our favorite beach to spend our day sunbathing and relaxing.
Playa Paraíso is best known for its namesake beach club, offering rows and rows of palapas and comfy beach beds. The beach area is also home to several luxury hotels and restaurants. One of the many reasons our family loves this beach so much is the friendly servers weaving the ivory sands, bringing you delicious fresh food, tacos and cold refreshing drinks.
Playa Paraiso is also ideal for swimming and snorkeling in the nearby coral reef that is just off-shore and is home to a large variety of tropical fish and marine life. The waters are shallow, and there are lifeguards on duty, so you can enjoy some quality time with the whole family at the beach.
The Beach Club does not take reservations, it is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we highly recommend coming early to secure a spot.
Expert Tip: Now Play Paraiso might be perfect for families, but it can also get very crowded as the day progresses. If you prefer a quieter alternative, try Sante Fe Beach, located just north of Playa Paraiso.
Minimum spend: 600 Pesos ($30 USD) per person
Atmosphere: Relaxing yet vibrant, safe for kids and lively
Things to do with kids: Relaxing under the palm trees, Swimming, Snorkeling, Great food, drinks, and smoothies
Most Beach resorts in Tulum will offer day access to their private beach clubs. This way, you can visit the beach and use the beach beds and parasols for a fee that you can offset with food and drinks purchased or by meeting a minimum spend.
La Zebra Tulum is a fantastic boutique hotel that faces the beach. It offers some of the most beautiful rooms in Tulum and one of the best restaurants in town. It is also the best choice for families and our personal favorite beach club.
The minimum consumption in La Zebra is a reasonable $30 per adult. And we say reasonable cause minimum consumption prices in some of the other beach clubs in Tulum are north of $1,000, making La Zebra a steal.
What is also cool is that the palapas have power built-in, so you can charge your phone or tablet. The food here is just epic, and everyone in your group will find something on the menu to love.
The cherry on top is a small wooden playground on the beach. My kids, 4 and 2, really enjoy it.
Minimum spend: 1,000 Pesos ($50 USD) per adult for adults, no minimum spend for kids under 12
Atmosphere: Laidback and lively
Things to do with kids: Relax in comfy sunbeds, Swimming, Snorkeling, Great food, and drinks …try the smoothies…they are epic
Ziggy’s is one of our favorite beach clubs for all ages and one that our kids love the most. The setting is just magical, and the Beach Club offers incredible food and delicious smoothies. When the sun goes down, you can enjoy Mariachi Bands and other live musicians.
Ziggy’s is very luxurious but also far less pretentious than some of the other beach clubs in the neighborhood. The minimum spend is $50 per adult and includes the rent for the sun beds and access to the restaurant’s food and drinks. Also, Ziggy’s has one of the best services and, hands down, the most friendly waiters and staff.
Minimum Spend: 2,000 Pesos ($100 USD) for adults, free access for kids under 12
Atmosphere: Boho, artistic and laidback
Ahau Beach Club is one of the most photographed places in Tulum thanks to the massive and very impressive 30 feet tall (10m) wooden sculpture at the Beach Clubs’ entrance. Ahau is also very kids friendly and open to families.
The restaurant offers delicious food that you can enjoy while relaxing in your beach bed next to the waves and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The ambiance is very relaxing and artistic.
Minimum spend: 400-500 Pesos ($20-$25 USD) per adult
Atmosphere: High-end and chill with excellent music
If this is your first time in Tulum, Coco Tulum is one of the most famous and glamorous clubs in Tulum, and it is also a favorite destination for celebrities.
The surroundings are simply stunning and surreal. The atmosphere is luxurious and relaxed, the beach chairs are super comfy, and the food and tacos are simply amazing.
Kids and families are also very welcome, and there are plenty of activities here for everyone, from swimming and snorkeling to yoga, spa, massage, and guided tours.
After dark, everything changes, and the club transforms into a fueled party scene with visiting DJs from all over the world.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
© SmartXpat All Rights Reserved 2022
