Tulum isn’t the unknown destination it used to be, but it’s still a digital nomad hot spot.
More and more travelers are visiting this idyllic stretch of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, hoping to enjoy the white sand beaches, breathtaking cenotes, and ancient ruins. With its growing popularity, you may wonder if the cost of living in Tulum is still worth it.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how much you can expect to pay for housing, groceries, entertainment and more, to help you calculate your cost of living in Tulum.
Why move to Tulum?
People from all over the world are drawn to Tulum’s fun atmosphere and enchanting natural beauty. The warm climate makes it perfect for a beach getaway, while still offering plenty of history and culture to explore.
Even with the uptake in tourism, Tulum remains a spiritual destination, with the boho feel and laidback lifestyle often drawing comparisons to Bali. If you’re looking to relax and get away from it all, this is the destination for you.
Curious what it’s like to live in this tropical paradise? For an in-depth guide to living in Tulum, check out our Tulum Digital Nomad Guide!
Related Post: How Much Money Should You Save Before Moving Abroad?
Cost of Living in Tulum: Budget Overview
Like most digital nomad destinations, Tulum can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. The rapid influx of remote workers and digital nomads has caused property values to skyrocket in recent years. That said, compared to destinations in the US or Western Europe, Tulum is still very affordable.
Here’s what you can expect to pay per month as a digital nomad in Tulum (prices are per person in USD):
Let’s break down each of the expense categories above to give you a better idea of the cost of living in Tulum.
Curious how the cost of living in Tulum stacks up to other digital nomad hotspots? Check out our comparison guides:
- Cost of Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Cost of Living in Athens, Greece
- Cost of Living in Da Nang, Vietnam
Cost of Living in Tulum: Accommodation
$800/month
Your accommodation costs will depend on what neighborhood you choose to live in and how lavishly you spend, but expect to pay between $500-750/month for housing during the low season and $800-1200/month in the high season (January to March). If you’re trying to stick to a budget, plan your stay for the late fall or early winter.
The two main areas are Tulum Beach and Tulum Town. Beachfront rentals come with a higher price tag, but if you’re looking for ocean views and want your toes in the sand, you might find the price worth it!
Tulum Town is a more budget-friendly option, and it’s also closer to bars, restaurants, and shops. Pueblo, La Veleta, and Aldea Zama are the most popular neighborhoods for Tulum digital nomads.
Cost of Living in Tulum: Internet & Coworking
$50/month
Internet is included in most rental apartments. Unfortunately, Tulum’s wifi is less than reliable in most places. If you need to get work done, your best bet is a coworking membership, which will set you back around $50. Another option is to find a cafe with strong wifi and work from there.
Check out this post on the best cafes and coworking spaces for Tulum digital nomads!
Cost of Living in Tulum: Food
Eating Out
$250/month
Tulum has no shortage of incredible restaurants. From fine dining to taco shacks, you’ll find something for every budget. With so many great options, you’re likely to eat out most meals, making this a major expense category.
A meal out in Tulum Town will cost around $5-15, while a more upscale place might be upwards of $20 per person. Expect to pay extra for an Insta-worthy atmosphere. Prices are most expensive in the beachfront hotel zone, so if you’re trying to save money it’s best to stay in town or cook at home.
Groceries
$100/month
If you love to cook or are trying to stick to a budget, shopping the local markets is a great way to keep your Tulum cost of living down. Since you’ll probably still be eating out regularly, expect to pay around $100/month on groceries and snacks. Just remember to leave room in your budget for bottled water!
Coffee
$50/month
If you love coffee as much as we do, you’ll be glad to know Tulum has a thriving cafe culture. Depending on what you order, an average coffee costs around $1-3.
Related Post: 8 Best Cafes in Tulum, Mexico
Cost of Living in Tulum: Transportation
$25/month
Tulum is a pretty walkable town, but to get around faster you may want to rent a scooter. Scooter rentals cost about $25 a day and are a great option for day trips, or you can take a colectivo van. A monthly pass for the local bus costs around $25.
Cost of Living in Tulum: Gym Membership
$75/month
Gyms can be quite pricey in Tulum, but for good reason: They’re some of the nicest gyms you’ll find anywhere.
For a truly unique experience, try the beachfront Jungle Gym, which uses weights made from 100% natural materials–plus you can work out with an ocean view!
Cost of Living in Tulum: Entertainment and Extras
$250/month
Entertainment will be the biggest variable in your Tulum cost of living. You can choose to go out every night, drink fancy cocktails, and go on organized tours, or you could choose to only join free activities like local yoga classes.
With so many incredible entertainment options available, most Tulum digital nomads will end up spending at least a few hundred dollars in this category.
Mexico Visa Costs
The cost of our visas isn’t included in the final budget breakdown, because the price will vary based on your citizenship and how long you plan on staying in Mexico.
Mexico has a visa-free program for approximately 70 nationalities, including US citizens, who can stay in Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days. Click here for more detailed information.
Cost of Living in Tulum: Grand Total
Our grand total for the cost of living in Tulum comes to $1600/month per person. If you budget carefully, you could spend less, but Nomadlist calculates the average to be higher, at around $2000/month. Check out this post to calculate your specific budget!
Does living in Tulum still feel like an impossible dream? Take the first step to turning that dream into reality with the Laptop Lifestyle Blueprint, a free 30-day guide to starting an online business and building your own freedom lifestyle.
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