When I visited Tulum, I stayed at Hotel Bardo Tulum, one of my favorite hotels EVER. This dreamy adults-only hotel feels like it’s in the middle of the jungle, but it’s in the center of town. While Tulum has become very touristy, this boutique hotel provides a local stay that’s blissfully off the beaten path.

Tulum Travel Guide

One of my favorite things about Hotel Bardo Tulum is its eco-initiatives. The property is free of single-use plastics, has an advanced trash-separating system, and utilizes earth water with a specialized treatment plant.

If you’re looking for more Tulum accommodation options, check out these adults-only hotels, romantic retreats, eco-hotels, vacation homes, and glamping sites.

Here’s my review of Hotel Bardo Tulum to inspire your next trip!

The Location

Tulum is split into two areas – the trendy, high-end Tulum Beach (a more traditional tourist area with multiple hotel zones offering direct beach access at a premium price) and the laid-back bohemian Tulum Town (also called Tulum Pueblo, a more authentic local experience with traditional food stalls, more affordable hotels, and easy access to nightlife).

Hotel Bardo is in Tulum Town, just a short walk or bike ride from clubs, restaurants, and shops. But this hotel feels like it’s in the middle of the jungle. The property was specifically designed for privacy and seclusion.

This hotel is connected to its sister property, Una Vida. Guests of both properties have full access to both hotels’ pools, restaurants, bars, activities, and common areas. Hotel Bardo has complimentary bikes for guests, which are great for cruising around town, especially since they come with baskets and locks.

Hotel Bardo is about a 30-minute bike ride to the beach, around 45 minutes to the Tulum Ruins, and 30-45 minutes from Gran Cenote and Cenote Calavera (the two best cenotes near Tulum). I couldn’t have biked to these on Hotel Bardo’s regular bikes, but taxis to these places are expensive and can be difficult to book when you’re at the cenotes. So I rented an e-bike to explore these places, which is what I’d recommend.

It’s also easy to book your airport shuttle directly with Hotel Bardo.

The Rooms

Every room at Hotel Bardo is a stand-alone villa. Outside, each villa has a privacy fence, plunge pool, courtyard, and al fresco dining. Inside, there’s a sunken living area, a raised sleeping area, and a large bathroom, outdoor shower, and closet behind a divider wall.

The only downside to these rooms is that some of them are a long walk on a dirt path with uneven pavers from the main hotel areas. So if you have accessibility needs, request a villa near the front of the property.

You can order room service for your villa, which I highly recommend doing at least once!

Pool & Common Areas

Hotel Bardo’s pool is designed to look and feel like a lagoon or a cenote instead of a hotel pool. It’s asymmetrical, surrounded by lush foliage, and has in-water seating and private alcoves with sun loungers.

The property also has shared fire pits, hammocks, a pool table, a TV area, and lots of open-air and covered seating areas. There are some designated smoking rooms and areas.

Food & Drinks

There’s an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu stays the same from day to day, and it’s a mix of traditional Mexican dishes and American food. You should definitely eat at Hotel Bardo at least once or twice, but I recommend heading into town or to the beach for most of your meals.

Hotel Bardo also has a bar that’s built into and around live-growth trees. The cocktail menu here is incredible, with constantly rotating, one-of-a-kind, custom drinks you won’t find anywhere else.

On-Site Activities

Hotel Bardo adopts a Mexican version of the Tibetan concept of bordo – a state of existence between death and rebirth. You see this throughout the property with imagery of transformation and activities that reconnect guests with themselves and nature.

The on-site SPA 13 is based on a sacred number for the Mayas, which they believe represented the levels of heaven where their gods ruled the earth. My favorite treatment here was the shaman-led temazcal sweat-lodge ceremony inspired by ancient Mayan healing rituals.

There’s a daily intention-setting ceremony at the pool. The fitness A-frame has workout equipment and weekly fitness and wellness classes, such as sound healing, yoga, and breathwork. Some of these activities are included in your stay, but some cost extra.

Hotel Bardo is a party hotel that hosts live music and dancing most nights. So if you’re an early-to-bed person, this might not be the hotel for you.

When To Visit Tulum

May – August is Tulum’s peak season. Prices and tourist numbers will be at their highest, so book in advance to save some money. These months are hot and humid, but the summer is perfect for sunshine, clear skies, and water activities.

September – November is hurricane season, so this is the off-season. Crowds and prices will be at their lowest, and the chance of rain, choppy water, cloudy skies, and bad weather will increase. If you’re willing to risk the weather, you can score some great accommodation rates during these months.

December – February is cooler than the rest of the year but still pleasant. If you dive during these months, you’ll want a thicker wetsuit to stay warm underwater. Rain is common during these months, but it’s usually brief afternoon showers that help keep you cool. To save money during these months, avoid the holidays and long weekends.

March – April has fabulous weather – dry, sunny, and not too hot. But these months are more crowded and expensive because of Spring Break trips, so book in advance to save some money.

If you’re a diver, May – August is whale shark season, and November – March is bull shark season.

What To Do in Tulum

Have a beach day. I recommend getting a day pass to a beach club if your hotel doesn’t have one!

Go ATVing in the jungle.

Visit one of Tulum’s open-air markets.

Zipline through the jungle canopy.

Visit the Tulum Ruins

Do a food and drink tour where you’ll sample authentic dishes from local restaurants.

Sail on a catamaran along the coast.

Explore the Xplor Adventure Park.

Go diving or snorkeling.

Swim in Cenotes

Shop My Tulum Essentials

Did my review of Hotel Bardo Tulum inspire you to visit? Share with us in the comments!

Recommended Tours in Tulum

Plan The Rest Of Your Trip

YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST

PIN THIS GUIDE!

This post about Hotel Bardo Tulum is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post about Hotel Bardo Tulum are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about Hotel Bardo Tulum are affiliate links, and at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this post about Hotel Bardo Tulum.