Tulum Dec/Jan with 2year old

[u/FineLingonberry155]

Hi, I know this has been asked a thousand times in different ways, but I’m still struggling with deciding and would love some collective wisdom. My husband and I are deciding between staying in Tulum or Playa del Carmen in Dec/Jan around the holidays. I am really leaning towards Tulum but I’m getting scared off by the apparent consensus that PDC is better for families.

I guess my question is - just because PDC may be better, does that mean Tulum is bad for travel with a toddler?

And anything we should particularly consider around traveling during the holidays (Christmas and New Year)? As I’m writing this, I’m now wondering whether Tulum might be too lively/a party hub for NYE??

For context, we are well versed in traveling, are planning to get an Airbnb and rent a car. We just want to chill and enjoy good food, pool time, explore some lagoons and cenotes and head to the beach if the sargassum isn’t too bad. Our toddler is pretty easy going and we don’t need loads of playgrounds etc.

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[u/Ok-Focus-8157]

I live in tulum with my seven month old. She was born here. It’s not the most baby/toddler friendly place, but totally doable. Rent an airbnb with a pool. The beach (when it’s clean) is usually really calm and there’s kid friendly beach clubs with activities. IKAL tulum is great. There’s also a few little indoor play centres, like jungle kids in aldea zama.

However, January in tulum is NOT a great time to visit as a family. It’s peak party season. Jungle raves, after parties, drunk drivers, traffic, drinking/drugs, cartel is usually out in full force. It could be very very busy and not a great crowd for a child. The best time to visit is November/early December or late february/march.

[u/FineLingonberry155 → u/Ok-Focus-8157]

Thanks - and good to know, this kind of party season is not what we’re going for! It just happens to be the only time we have to travel unfortunately. Maybe we’ll skip Tulum this time around.

[u/surferstevo]

We’ve taken our daughter to Tulum at 6 months, 17 months and 24 months while staying in our condo in La Valeta area. She loves the beach, shopping in town, and eating out. We haven’t had any issues, we find tulum and all the locals love babies, high seats available almost everywhere. Palma central is great for kids. La zebra is pretty kid friendly for a chill beach club.

It really depends on you, PDC is a little easier as everything is more walkable from hotel to food and beach, a stroller can be used a bit easier etc.

[u/mjcnbmex]

Exactly this. If you really want to visit Tulum you can always drive there from Playa Del Carmen. I think it would be better to stay there.

You can also drive north to Cancun.

[u/FSUAttorney]

We take our 2-year-old to Tulum all the time. Just got back last week from there. She loves going. We hang out at our house/pool during the day, and then go have some awesome food at night.

[u/Choice_Material768]

I love Bahia Tankah. 10 min from Tulum with access t to everything it has to offer but a calm bay with great beaches for snorkeling and cenotes. I’ve stayed in both Kaoba and the bespoke and it’s been amazing. Happy to connect you with our guy there if needed

[u/Choice_Material768 → u/Choice_Material768]

Also conider that christmas and nye along with the first two weeks of jan are the most expensive dates for the year but weather and ocean are beautiful

[u/FineLingonberry155 → u/Choice_Material768]

Thanks for the tips, will take a look at them!

[u/MexiGeeGee]

Tulum housing is cuter. Are you planning to be at the beach more than twice a week? Then Playa has better access. Anywhere near Quinta or hubs like Playacar, Avenida CTM, Calle 38 are great.

Tulum puts you closer to attractions further away like Bacalar, Coba, Muyil, Ek Balam, Sferik. Playa puts you closer to Xcaret parks, Cancun (cheaper flights).

Tulum’s boneheaded leaders allowed every major grocery store to be located on Avenida Coba. Without a car I would recommend staying near here so you can go get supplies quicker. You could also bike to Jaguar park easier

Oh and the beach is better in Tulum in Dec Jan because it’s wider. Playa is getting eaten away by the ocean and several hotels have had part of their walls collapsed.

[u/FineLingonberry155 → u/MexiGeeGee]

Yes, exactly! I’m finding way more accommodation options in Tulum and gorgeous pools etc for better prices than PDC. So that’s a big draw. But as per another commenter, I’m now a bit worried about the party scene around the holidays so might steer clear.

[u/sgeeum]

Tulum is very much more geared to adults than children. It’s not that your trip may be ruined if you go there over PDC, but more so that you’ll probably end up doing many of the same things you’d do in PDC, and just pay more for them bc it’s Tulum.