What was announced?
Mayor Diego Castañón announced that 15 hotels and beach clubs have joined an initiative to allow people to access the beaches through their facilities without a cover or minimum consumption.
The measure aims to defend the population’s constitutional right to free access to the beaches.
The establishments that have joined include: Ana y José, Casa Gitano, Casa Violeta, Ahau, Delek, Alaya, Blue Venado, Coco Unlimited, Hotel Nest, Hotel Sana, Dos Ceibas, Villa Alquimia, Papaya Playa Project, La Eufemia, Fara Fara, among others.
When was it announced and why?
The announcement was made on September 29, 2025.
It arose in response to complaints from the public about the high fees charged at Jaguar Park, which effectively limited access to the beach.
Participating hotels
· ANA Y JOSÉ
· LA EUFEMIA
· CASA GITANO
· FARA FARA
· CASA VIOLETA
· BLUE VENADO
· AHAU
· DELEK
· ALAYA
. COCO UNLIMITED
· HOTEL NEST
· HOTEL SANA
. DOS CEIBAS
· VILLA ALQUIMIA
· PAPAYA PLAYA PROJECT
· HOTEL MAXANAB TULUM
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Free public access to Tulum beaches
1. Playa Conchitas
Description: One of two new public access points in the hotel zone, opened in November 2025. It is a free access, with no cover charge or minimum spend.
Address: Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, Km 4.5, Zona Costera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R. One outlet lists it at Km 4.4, and a state government release places it at Km 5.5. Sectur (the federal tourism ministry) says 4.5, so that is the figure to trust.
2. Playa del Pueblo
Description: A free-access beach in the heart of the hotel zone. Visitors can bring their own cooler and food if they don’t want to spend. Palapas and bars nearby are optional.
Address: Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, Km 5.5, Zona Costera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
3. Playa Santa Fe (Parque del Jaguar)
Description: A small public beach just south of the ruins, with views of the archaeological site. It is one of four beaches reachable through the free public entrances at Parque del Jaguar.
Address: Inside Parque del Jaguar, Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum, Q.R. Enter through the south entrance or the “traditional” pedestrian access. I couldn’t find an official kilometer marker.
4. Playa Pescadores (Parque del Jaguar)
Description: Known as “Fisherman’s Beach,” a small stretch of sand where local fishermen bring in their catch. It is also one of the four beaches covered by the free park access.
Address: Inside Parque del Jaguar, Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum, Q.R. (same entrances as Santa Fe).
5. Playa Maya (Parque del Jaguar)
Description: One of the four beaches inside the park that authorities toured and confirmed as free to enter. I found little detail beyond that.
Address: Inside Parque del Jaguar, Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
6. Playa del Mangle (Parque del Jaguar)
Description: The fourth beach in the park’s free-access group. It is the least documented of the four.
Address: Inside Parque del Jaguar, Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
7. Playa Paraíso
Description: Free to reach on foot, though its beach club charges for loungers and service. It is widely considered the prettiest public beach in Tulum, with fine sand and palm trees for shade.
Address: Inside or adjacent to Parque del Jaguar, Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, about 1.5 km from the ruins, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
8. Playa Las Palmas
Description: A public access point on the beach road, just past the Mezzanine hotel, with bikes and cars parked along the road. It is an open public stretch with informal parking and no services, so bring water and shade.
Address: Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, approximately Km 2.5, 77780 Tulum, Q.R. One source gives Km 2.5. A Tripadvisor review lists Km 7.5, so confirm on a map.
9. Playa Mirador (unofficial name)
Description: A rocky stretch around Km 6, popular for sunrise and sunset, with roadside parking. A large rock in the water calms the sea in one spot and works as a lookout. It is free, has no restrooms, and suits a quick stop.
Address: Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila, around Km 6, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
Left out on purpose
- Playa Ruinas: It is reached through the archaeological zone, which requires a ticket, so it isn’t free.
- The 15–16 hotels and clubs with free-access agreements (Papaya Playa Project, Casa Violeta, Ahau and others): They are private businesses, not public accesses. Reports say those agreements weren’t honored consistently.
- Sian Ka’an beaches: Sources disagree on whether entry to the reserve is free, and the beaches are unmarked.
Before you go
As of July 2026, the federal government announced that beach access through Parque del Jaguar is free again, with admission still charged for the ruins and museum. Some guides still report fees at the park, so confirm at the gate. Park rules list visiting hours of 8:00 to 17:00, with beach use until 19:00. It is sargassum season, so check current conditions first.
