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One of the most popular Tulum neighborhoods, La Veleta boasts great hotels, luxury villas, and modern apartments. It’s a perfect spot if you are staying a while in Tulum or just want to enjoy a luxurious vacation. The area boasts great restaurants, cafes, and proximity to Downtown Tulum.
In this article, we are going to take a look at La Veleta, so you can decide whether you want to stay there or not.
✅ Read: Is Tulum worth visiting?
Where’s La Veleta Tulum?
La Veleta is located between Downton Tulum (aka Tulum Centro), and Tulum Beach. La Veleta also sits near Aldea Zama, another trendy neighborhood popular with long-term travelers and digital nomads.
Pros of staying in La Veleta
- Proximity to downtown – La Veleta is within walking distance from Downtown Tulum (aka Tulum Centro), which means you don’t necessarily need to rent a bike or scooter to get around.
- Plenty of accommodations – La Veleta is home to several hotels and many cool AirBnb’s where you can spend your vacation.
- Good restaurant options – Although La Veleta is relatively small, it has decent food options, so you are never too far from a good place to eat.
- Easy access to the beach – if you are staying in La Veleta, you are not far from the beach, but you will need to get a bicycle or scooter to get there. To get to the beach from La Veleta, you need to follow Avenida Kukulkan toward Tulum Hotel Zone.
Cons of staying in La Veleta
- Not a lot of light at night – Parts of La Veleta are very dark at night, so if you are out and need to get back to your place late at night, it’s better to take a taxi or rent a scooter
- Lack of authenticity – Similar to Aldea Zama, La Veleta is mostly a residential area that’s comprised mostly of hotels and newer buildings with some restaurants.
- More expensive than Downtown Tulum – Staying in Le Veleta is more expensive than Downtown Tulum, so if you are looking to spend your vacation here, you have limited budget options.
Best things to do in La Veleta Tulum
Check out the Calle 7 Sur
Calle (Street) 7 Sur is the most happening place in La Veleta that’s home to restaurants, cafes, and bars. It’s a perfect place for a fun night out or a casual brunch.
Read: Can I use dollars in Mexico?
Visit Central Park La Veleta
Central Park is an apartment complex developed with eco-standards that has a gym, a spa, and one of the most popular co-working spaces in Tulum, Digital Jungle. It’s also where you can find one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Tulum, Curry Po.
✅ Learn about the best Tulum tours
Check out restaurants in La Veleta Tulum
La Veleta is home to several popular restaurants in Tulum where you can enjoy breakfast, and lunch, or go out for dinner. You can also take a quick walk to Downtown Tulum where you can find great street food and many inexpensive eateries like Antojitos a La Chiapaneca, which is perfect for budget travelers.
PRO TIP: Always have pesos, as small local restaurants don’t always accept credit cards.
Go to downtown Tulum
Downtown Tulum is just next to La Veleta, and you should make sure to explore it. The best way to do this is by renting a bicycle or scooter in Tulum, but you can also walk around, just make sure to watch out for traffic.
➡️ Find out the best time to visit Tulum
Rent a bicycle
Renting a bicycle is now of the best things to do in La Veleta Tulum if you want a quick and inexpensive way to get around Downtown Tulum and also want to ride a bicycle to Tulum beaches.
How to get around La Veleta
La Veleta is relatively compact, and you can easily get around on foot or by bicycle. If you want to see more of the area. Below are some of the options on how you can get around La Veleta.
By bicycle
Renting a bicycle is a perfect option if you are staying in La Veleta. You can find bike shops in La Veleta or Downtown Tulum nearby, and rent them for a specific time like a few days, a week, or longer.
DID YOU KNOW: Cenote Cristal is one of the most beautiful cenotes in Tulum that can be accessed by a short bike ride from La Veleta
Many hotels in Aldea Zama offer free bike or bike rentals, but you can also rent a bike from one of the local shops.
✅ CLICK HERE TO RENT A BICYCLE IN TULUM
Expect to pay between $10-15 USD for bike rentals in Tulum. This price can fluctuate depending on the timing of your trip, with the high season in Tulum (December through March) having the highest prices.
One of my tips for Mexico travel is to plan your trip if you want to visit Tulum in high season.
By scooter
Scooter is the most popular option for getting around Aldea Zama, and you can rent scooters in many shops in the area. It’s best to rent a scooter if you have previous experience, as you will need to drive on Tulum roads with all the traffic and be able to navigate the town.
✅ BOOK A SCOOTER FOR YOUR STAY IN TULUM
By car
Renting a car in Tulum is an excellent option if you want to take day trips without relying on guided tours in Tulum. Although you don’t necessarily need a car to get around Aldea Zama, having a vehicle will give you more freedom to see the area.
Find out how to rent a car in Tulum
I always use DiscoverCars for booking cars in Mexico, and you can browse available car rentals in Tulum through this platform. Unlike other car rental websites, DiscoverCars have no hidden fees or surcharges, so you pay what you see online.
➡️ CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON CAR RENTALS IN TULUM
To rent a scooter in Tulum, you will need your driver’s license and ID. Some shops also ask for a deposit, so make sure to have cash on you, as anywhere else in Mexico.
By taxi
If you need to get around quickly and don’t have any other options, you can catch a taxi. If you are staying in one of the hotels in Aldea Zama, you can ask to call Uber for you, but you can also fetch a taxi if you see it on the street.
Taxi is the most expensive way to get around Tulum, and you will need at least basic Spanish skills to be able to negotiate a price with your tax driver.
✅ Learn about how to visit Gran Cenote by taxi
As of 2023, there’s still no Uber in Tulum, so taxis remain the only viable option, if you need to get from place to place quickly, and don’t have other means of transportation.
La Veleta Tulum restaurants
- Curry Thai – one of the best Asian restaurants in Tulum, Curry Thai boasts stellar reviews from travelers who love its big portions and amazing flavorful options.
➡️ Learn about the tipping culture in Mexico, so you know how much to leave in gratuities
- La Pebeta – a perfect breakfast and brunch spot, La Pebeta is a casual Argentinian restaurant in La Veleta that offers a mix of Western plates and traditional South American staples. Here you can enjoy a classic breakfast like pancakes, egg Benedict, local fruits, and some freshly brewed coffee.
- Uno Japanese Noodles – If you are in the mood for some healthy Asian food, Uno is your place. This casual Japanese eatery serves some of the best Tulum sushi rolls, yakemishi, ramen, and fish soups.
- The OG’s Tulum – Home to great Mexican food and traditional mezcal, OG’s is a can’t-miss in La Veleta. Visitors leave glowing reviews of food, drinks, and excellent service. A perfect spot for a fun night out, this restaurant is one of the best-hidden gems of Tulum.
- Off The Wine Tulum Wine and Deli Bar – A perfect place to grab a glass of wine, Off the Wine is a low-key restaurant that offers a good wine selection, tasty food, and friendly customer service.
La Veleta vs Aldea Zama: Where should I stay?
La Veleta and Aldea Zama are both new Tulum neighborhoods between Tulum Pueblo and La Zona Hotelera. Although both areas are somewhat similar when it comes to the overall atmosphere, Aldea Zama is bigger than La Veleta, has more options for dining and shopping, and is more popular with digital nomads, long-term travelers and expats who buy properties in Tulum.
La Veleta is closer to Downtown Tulum and is not as quiet as Aldea Zama because it has more traffic.
✅ Read: Best pizza in Tulum
La Veleta Tulum Air Bnb
La Veleta boasts some of the best AirBnb’s in Tulum that range from simple apartments to luxury penthouses with gorgeous rooftop pools, sweeping jungle views and gorgeous boho decors. Whether you are traveling on a budget or have a little bit more money to spend, La Veleta offers an excellent variety of AirBnb’s.
- Rooftop Jungle View – A spacious apartment with a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped kitchen gym, and free parking. Family rooms are available.
- El Lumina at Zazen Tulum – Lumina is one of the most photogenic Airbnb’s in La Veleta Tulum that boasts a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and airport transfers.
Bike rentals are available on-site.
- Ground Floor Condo in La Veleta – a private condo with its condo, balcony, and free Wi-Fi, this cute apartment has 3 rooms, a kitchen with a microwave and fridge, and flat-screen TVs. This is one of the newest Airbnbs in the area, but it’s beautiful and you should book your stay here.
Best Hotels in La Veleta
- Era Hotel and Spa – one of my favorite hotels in downtown Tulum, Era offers a combination of chic accommodations with superb amenities and an unbeatable location in the heart of the city.
Era Hotel & Spa Tulum features accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and a tour desk.
The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom fitted with a shower and free toiletries, while some rooms also boast a kitchen equipped with a fridge.
Continental breakfast available.
✅ CLICK HERE TO BOOK ERA HOTEL AND SPA
- Holistika – one of the most beautiful hotels in La Veleta, Holistika is a gorgeous stay with a combination of private and shared dorm rooms in the middle of the jungle.
Holistika has a yoga center, a stunning garden with art sculptures and murals, and a beautiful pool. You can enjoy healthy vegan and vegetarian options from the on-site restaurant and participate in daily events at Holistika.
✅ CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT HOLISTIKA TULUM
You can also enjoy Temazcal, an ancient Mayan ceremony, cacao ceremony, spa, and wellness treatments. If you are looking for a tranquil experience where you can disconnect and spend time in nature, look no further than Holistika.
- Hotel Boutique TerraNova – One of the most popular boutique hotels in La Veleta, Terra Nova features an outdoor pool, free parking, a garden, and a terrace. Guests enjoy a spa and on-site bar.
The hotel is in part of La Veleta that’s perfect for bicycling and walking, and you can also rent a car on site. Paid airport shuttle service is available.
✅ CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTEL TERRANOVA
- Aruna Tulum – Aruna boasts gorgeous luxury studios and apartments with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, and a terrace.
Read: Where to stay in Tulum
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a shower. All rooms have a kettle, and some rooms have a balcony and pool views.
✅ CLICK HERE TO BOOK ARUNA TULUM
La Veleta Tulum: FAQ’s
How far is La Veleta from Tulum beach?
La Veleta is about 15-20 minutes from the beach depending on your mode of transportation. If you have a scooter, it takes about 10 minutes to reach Tulum Hotel Zone, which is home to some of the best beaches in Tulum.
Is La Veleta safe?
While La Veleta is generally safe during the day, avoid walking around during the night. La Veleta has some poorly lit streets and dirt roads, and it’s best to skip them during the dark hours.
Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t leave your belongings unattended at any time to avoid petty theft. Also, make sure to lock your doors when you leave your hotel.
Should I stay in La Veleta Tulum?
Yes, you should spend your vacation in La Veleta or visit it at least once during your Tulum vacation. This is one of the best Tulum neighborhoods if you are looking for quick access to Downtown Tulum, but want to stay in a quiet area where you can choose from cozy hotels, gorgeous villas, and modern apartments. It’s a good alternative to Tulum Hotel Zone, where most hotels tend to be pretty expensive.
Is La Veleta worth visiting?
La Veleta is a newer part of Tulum that’s worth visiting if you are looking to explore one of the newest neighborhoods in town.
Final word
La Veleta is a new area of Tulum located close to downtown and Aldea Zama. This neighborhood is perfect if you want to enjoy a more tranquil atmosphere and be within driving distance of Tulum beaches and have access to a good variety of cafes and restaurants.