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11 Serenely Beautiful Tulum Airbnbs to Book Away From Touristy Hotspots

Enjoy peace, quiet, and your very own private pool
A pool area features a bamboo pergola pendant lighting vases and vegetation along with options for seating and access to...
Courtesy of Airbnb

The best Airbnbs in Tulum do more than give you a place to sleep—they frame the experience. These are the kinds of stays that underscore the region’s natural beauty with private pools and hot tubs tucked into the jungle, terraces that open to the breeze, and quick proximity to sandy shores. Whether you’re splitting a sprawling villa with friends, settling into a quiet retreat just beyond town, or want to post to the grid from your own penthouse pool, there’s a listing for you.

Tulum may have evolved into one of Mexico’s most recognizable beach destinations—its Hotel Zone stretching for miles along the coast—but a private home offers a different way in. Staying in an Airbnb often means fewer crowds, more flexibility, and a better sense of how people actually live here, from neighborhood cafés and roadside taco stands to the quieter streets locals call home. It’s an easy way to slow things down, trade all-inclusive schedules for mornings that unfold on your own terms, and spend some time talking to the people who actually live here (say, your Airbnb host).

While you’re here, there are 100 different ways to experience this historic town, though your itinerary should include a dip in some freshwater cenotes, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the gulf, and history lessons in Mayan culture. You might just end up with an unforgettable meal or stumble on a secret beach, but location (and your home base) is everything. Here, 11 restful Tulum Airbnb rentals that go the extra mile to help you truly log off and ensure that you’re protecting your peace during your precious OOO time.


Perks: AC in every room, concierge services, two private pools, outdoor lounge area

Casa Shalva is the kind of place that makes you cancel plans you hadn’t even made yet. Set behind gates in Tulum, the villa leans fully into minimalist architecture with its clean lines, gallery-like living spaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the outdoors like living art. A long private pool anchors the main level, while upstairs a rooftop terrace adds a plunge pool, bar, and dining setup that feels tailor-made for late nights. The five bedrooms are generous and offer hotel-quality comfort (plus en-suite baths, and the open kitchen and dining area with seating for fourteen mean there’s plenty of space for the whole crew. Add concierge-arranged mezcal tastings, in-villa massages, or yoga on the terrace, and you may find it’s hard to leave (even before the vacation is over). From $920 per night.

Perks: Infinity pool, hot tub, outdoor lounge area dedicated workspace, Wi-Fi, full kitchen

Casa Tropical is a single-level, L-shaped villa that’s clearly designed around its jungle setting—with the idea that you’ll want to spend as much time outside as in. Bathed in neutral tones, the interior spaces are calm and unfussy—complete with furniture that feels chosen for comfort, not display. Every bedroom opens to an indoor-outdoor bathroom, a small but telling detail that reinforces how closely the design considers its surroundings, while the infinity pool runs along the edge of the property with uninterrupted jungle views. There’s even a tucked-away cenote on-site, which feels more like a discovery than an amenity. The overall feel is calm, self-contained, and deliberately low-key—an easy place to settle into the slower rhythm of Tulum. From $715 per night.

Perks: Two pools, in-unit washer and dryer, air conditioning, outdoor shower

You might think it’s short-sighted to plan an entire stay around a bathtub…until you spot the gorgeous carved-out slab of stone tucked away under the covered patio of this three-bedroom home. It gets even better from there: You can take a dip in the hammock-lined cenote on site, as well as a handful of other shared-access pools situated next to shaded lounging areas. A stay here is all about getting into the water—with a beach a short five-minute drive away when you want to sink your toes into the sand. Inside, retreat from the sun to rooms lined with stone floors and bathed in calming neutrals. Even when you’re spending time indoors, you’ll still feel the breeze rolling through the sliding doors and spot lush greenery peeking around every corner. From $219 per night.

Perks: Private rooftop pool, concierge service, gym, yoga mat, in-unit washer and dryer

Located in the Aldea Zama neighborhood, this three-bedroom has enough room to comfortably put you and 10 of your closest amigos up. Moody interiors cancel out the sunny exteriors with a dark, natural color palette softened by plenty of textured rugs and furnishings. Additional green decor accents remind you that, yes, you are in paradise.

The toughest decision you can make here will be which plunge pool to spend the day in: Panoramic views of the city are best surveilled from a vantage point in the rooftop plunge pool, though the living space also opens up to a private terrace with yet another one if the loungers upstairs get snapped up. Guests can also access a host-provided mini projector and screen for a romantic movie night under the stars. From $354 per night.

Perks: High-speed Wi-Fi, rooftop pool, filtered water, beach bag and towels

Wraparound views of the surrounding jungle give this posh penthouse a treehouse feel—it might just be the most magical way to wake up on vacation. The two-bedroom rental features an elevated plunge pool bookended by a cozy lounging area for afternoon siestas under the sun. Meanwhile, in the living room, a lengthy wall-hugging sofa has an abundance of seating and pillows for every single guest to sprawl out, even when the home is at capacity (five guests). And while the interiors lean neutral, all it takes is cracking a window to let your verdant jungle surroundings in. One quick tip: Now that you’ve booked the penthouse suite now, you may as well act like it. Guests can book massages, a private chef, and shuttles to and fro for an additional fee. From $600 per night.

Perks: Private pool, outdoor dining area, luggage drop-off, room-darkening shades

Rainfall showers, linen sheets, and a cozy outdoor couch are just a few of the creature comforts offered at this earthy one-bedroom apartment doused in neutral hues. Limewash interior walls mirror the texture of the private plunge pool on the patio, honoring the indoor-outdoor living Tulum is lauded for. The sleeping space is separated from the living room and kitchen by an arched wall, making this a good option for couples who don’t fear an open plan. Nearby, guests can head further into the La Veleta neighborhood—grab dinner at Il Bacaro La Veleta or Canova (both serve Italian fare), or set up a Sian Ka’an tour of the reserve. The spot is easily accessible to other excursions—take a scenic drive over to the region’s most popular beaches (including Tulum Beach) once you’ve recharged your social meter. From $266 per night.

Perks: Outdoor shower, two pools, three terraces, beach-club access

Despite its smaller-than-a-villa footprint, this two-bedroom serves up spa-like oasis vibes with a greenery-lined pool, and the kinds of tasteful interiors that could fill an entire design catalogue. Rainfall showers, plenty of outdoor lounge space, minimalist furniture, and high-quality linens have all the makings of a posh stay. But our favorite design moment is the reading nook set up in one of the expansive portal windows overlooking the backyard trees.

Located in Aldea Zama, the apartment is a short walk from the city’s best restaurants and the downtown neighborhood of Tulum Centro. You can also hop on a bike to mosey down to the beach or drive through Tulum Town to peer at the historic sites. This is a good spot for a small group (calling all responsible bachelorette parties!) who want to experience Tulum at a more laid-back, less frenetic pace. From $203 per night.

Perks: Private pool, pet-friendly, exercise equipment, hammock, in-unit washer, security cameras on property

You may not be staying directly on beachfront property, but you can still benefit from the surrounding scenery when you’re sunbathing on the roof here. Guests can feel slightly secluded in the jungle, only a few miles from Tulum’s best-known beaches and clubs (should you care to get a glimpse of the crowds once in a while).

Inside this two-bedroom rental, there’s enough space to house up to seven guests and plenty of comfy seating (even an indoor hammock) for all your lounging purposes. Wherever you choose to sprawl out, nature is never too far away: The design prioritizes indoor-outdoor living with wall cutouts and massive windows that draw the breeze in. From $111 per night.

Perks: Pool, pet-friendly, patio, luggage drop-off, in-unit washer

The view from the living room couch here faces the treetops—a fittingly beautiful backdrop for this one-bedroom gem hidden in the jungle. While there are no actual doors dividing living spaces in this condo, the arched doorways are covered by thick privacy curtains to cordon each space off from one another. The pool sits just off the private balcony and feels cocooned in its own little world, shielded by tall privacy walls. But if making a friend is more appealing than keeping to yourself, head to the shared pool on the ground level of the larger property. Note that you’ll definitely need to rent a car to stay here, as it’s a five-minute drive into town, and from other local restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. But for this rate, and this setting? Consider it all balanced out in the ledger book. From $115 per night.

Perks: Shared pool, pet-friendly, concierge, bike rentals, room-darkening shades

Proximity is a big perk when staying at this luxe bungalow villa, which is just five minutes away from downtown Tulum by car, 10 minutes from the beach, and 15 minutes from Gran Cenote and Kaan Luum Lagoon. And even though you’re located near the Holistika yoga resort, you’re still far enough away from the city’s buzzy energy to rest and recharge.

The one-bedroom, two-story home was built using the palapa style—a traditional Mayan method of weaving thatched roofs from dried palm leaves that are common along the Mexican coast. Other calling cards of the area are the local artwork, polished concrete floors, built-in furniture, and—yes—the pool. A hardwood staircase connects guests with the property’s communal spaces, such as a yoga space, another swimming pool, and a garden. But the bedroom alone, with its wrap-around terrace and jungle view, plus an ethereal mosquito net to protect the bed, is worth writing home about on its own. From $49 per night.

Perks: Pool, outdoor lounge area, full kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows, zen garden

Set just a short ride from both Tulum’s beach clubs and the lively town center, this stylish Airbnb captures the best of Tulum’s relaxed, indoor-outdoor spirit. The design leans into light, airy spaces with natural materials and floor-to-ceiling windows that let sunshine and breeze move through the open living areas, while a fully equipped kitchen makes self-catering easy whether you’re whipping up tacos at home or prepping snacks for a day at the beach. The outdoor areas—whether a private pool, lounge chairs under a leafy canopy, or zen garden—are natural extensions of the interiors and perfectly set the scene for slow mornings or evening cocktails. From $86 per night.

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