The Free Beach Access Through Tulum Hotels Do Not Allow Visitors To Bring Drinks Or Food

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Good news first: it’s finally easier (and free) to reach Tulum’s gorgeous beaches.

But there’s a fine-print rule you should know before you head down the sand: the free access corridors through participating hotels and beach clubs do not allow outside food or drinks—and related items like coolers and umbrellas are also on the no-go list.

Here’s exactly how the policy works, plus our best tips to make the most of your beach day.

Over the past week, Tulum officials and a group of coastal hotels agreed to open signed, public pathways so anyone can reach the beach without paying a cover or meeting a minimum-spend. We covered the breakthrough here at The Cancun Sun, including why the change matters and how it came about after months of beach-access frustration in the Jaguar Park era.

What’s allowed—and what isn’t

Access via these properties is free, and you’re welcome to walk through to the public sand. However, you can’t bring your own food or beverages in with you. Local reporting and the mayor’s announcement specify that food, drinks, coolers, umbrellas, and other beach furniture are prohibited when you enter through these hotel corridors. If you want snacks or a cocktail after you get there, you’ll need to purchase them from the establishment you used to access the beach.

That might sound strict, but it’s part of the compromise that opened more doors. The goal is simple: restore public access to the shoreline while allowing hotels to manage what comes through their private premises.

Which places are participating?

At launch, around 15 hotels and beach clubs signed on; our earlier coverage lists names along the main beach road that many travelers will recognize. A follow-up local report updated the number and included an expanded list of 16 participating businesses as of October 12. Expect the roster to evolve—watch for signage and ask staff if an access corridor is open.

Pro tip: Even with free access, amenities like pools, bathrooms, loungers, and daybeds typically remain for paying guests or customers. That’s standard along the Riviera Maya and something we’ve explained in our insider’s guide to local beach clubs.

How this fits with Tulum’s bigger access story

If you’re feeling whiplash, you’re not alone.

Over the last two years, new attractions and management changes around Jaguar Park and the Tulum Archaeological Zone shifted where—and how—people could reach the coast, sometimes closing familiar entry points and sparking debate.

We’ve been following those changes closely, from the park’s rollout to earlier municipal plans to renovate official beach entrances for safety and clarity.

The new free-access corridors are the most traveler-friendly development yet.

Smart tips for a smoother beach day

• Pack light: Since coolers, umbrellas, and outside food/drinks aren’t allowed through the corridors, think minimalist—towel, hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a cover-up. For anything else, plan to buy on-site. (FYI, glass is prohibited on many area beaches regardless, so skip bottles altogether.)
• Budget for incidentals: You don’t have to purchase anything to use the corridor, but if you want shade, snacks, or bathrooms, factor in a drink or daybed spend based on each venue’s policy. Our beach-club guide breaks down typical minimums so there are no surprises.
• Know the etiquette (and your rights): Tipping norms at restaurants and beach clubs in the region are typically 10–15% for good service—but mandatory gratuities or unexpected add-ons should be questioned. We just unpacked a viral “35% tip” incident and updated the do’s and don’ts so you can push back on improper charges.
• Watch the flags and rules: Even with better access, beach safety comes first. Respect lifeguard flags and local regulations (including no glass and no littering), which authorities have been reinforcing across the Riviera Maya.

The bottom line

For travelers, this is a win: you can once again reach Tulum’s shoreline without a fee or minimum spend. Just remember the trade-off—no outside food, drinks, coolers, umbrellas, or personal furniture when you use hotel corridors.

Bring the basics, plan to purchase what you’ll consume, and enjoy the same turquoise water and powdery sand that made Tulum famous—now with clearer, friendlier access.

We’ll keep tracking the participating properties and any tweaks to the rules. For background and ongoing updates, see our coverage of the free beach access initiative and our guides to beach-club norms, tipping etiquette, and what you can’t bring to the beach before you go.