Best Tulum Cafes for Breakfast and Good Coffee
Each morning, visitors flock to Tulum’s tropical cafes and trendy coffee shops to fill their bellies before a day of adventure or relaxation.
For my month and a half in Tulum, I got to join in the fun and try the top cafes in Tulum. Some are Insta-worthy breakfast and brunch spots; others are sleepy cafes where digital nomads can get some work done.
If you’re trying to figure out where to get your morning coffee or breakfast in Tulum, or simply searching for an idyllic Tulum coffeeshop where you can read a book or get work done, this article is for you.
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
👙 My Tulum Favorites 🌴
🐠 Muyil River Float: This one-of-a-kind adventure involves exploring a turquoise lagoon and floating down a natural lazy river, just a few minutes south of Tulum! Read my full guide to the Muyil River Float.
🌊 Beach Days: Escape to the soft golden sandy Tulum beach by either staying at a waterfront hotel, booking a day pass at a beach club, or relaxing at a public beach. If you’re staying in downtown Tulum, riding a bike to the beach can be fun (but it gets hot!)
🥾 Mayan Ruins: Step back in time at the breathtaking cliffside Tulum ruins, or venture further to see one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza. This highly-rated Chichen Itza day trip also includes a visit to my favorite colonial town (Valladolid) and a gorgeous cenote.
👙 Cenote Hopping: A trip to Tulum is not complete without swimming in a few gorgeous cenotes. Visit three lesser known cenotes on this Tulum cenote tour with a local guide.
🌺 Where to Stay: Breathtaking ocean front rooms at Habitas Tulum (luxurious ecoresort), airy suites with private pools at Hotel Shibari (hotel with private cenote), treehouse villas with private jungle pools at Rubi Tulum (one-of-a-kind jungle resort), or moody boho suites with private pools at Hotel Bardo (adults-only hotel near downtown Tulum).
Best Tulum Cafes, Coffee Shops & Breakfast Spots
Botanica Garden Cafe
Quality brunch and coffee in a chic tropical garden
Botanica is a beautiful open-air cafe, with most of its seating outside in a tropical garden. Seeing that it is one of the top-rated cafes in Tulum, I visited numerous times and was not disappointed. Most mornings, the garden fills up quickly, and there is live music.
The menu features well-made coffee, fresh juices, a variety of tasty toasts (tartines), and Mexican food like huevos rancheros. Vegans will enjoy vegan options like avocado toast with fried potato cheese and fresh juice. The prices are low for Tulum, but the servings are small. If you’re looking for a light breakfast, this is the spot. If you need to fill up, order two menu items.
Location: Tulum Centro
Address: Andromeda Ote Manzana 16 Lote 23, Tulum Centro, Col Huracanes, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 8am-5pm daily
Avocado toast and smoothie bowl at Raw Love Tulum’s Downtown cafe
Raw Love Tulum
Delicious, wholesome food in a serene atmosphere
Raw Love has three locations in Tulum, each unique and worth visiting. The Tulum Centro and beach road locations are in beautiful jungle gardens. Both cafes exude a peaceful atmosphere; although they are popular, neither ever feels crowded. The Raw Love beach bar is a chic, colorful shack on the beach where you can grab a smoothie, juice, smoothie bowl, or a few other delicious breakfast basics.
Raw Love’s Centro and beach cafes feature flavorful, bright, healthy brunch options like a tropical kiss smoothie bowl, coconut curry, and nearly raw pad thai. They serve quality coffee and drinks like matcha, golden milk, mate latte, and mushroom coffee. The beach bar serves several yummy smoothies and smoothie bowls alongside drinks like fresh coconut water, juice shots, and coffee.
Location: Tulum Centro and Tulum beach
Centro Address: Av. Tulum Mz 5, Lt 1 , local 21, Tulum Centro, 77766 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Beach Address: Tulum Beach, 77500 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Beach Bar: Located directly on the beach in front of the Tulum Beach restaurant location
Hours: 9am-6pm daily
Iced chai at Ki Bok Coffee in Tulum, Mexico
Ki’Bok Coffee
One of the best Tulum coffee shops and brunch spot
Ki’Bok Coffee is an unpretentious open-air coffee shop that serves some of the best coffee in town. Their garden space feels more open and inviting than most other cafes in Tulum. It’s also one of the few spots where I can open up a laptop and do some work without feeling out of place.
Ki’Bok is open from 7am to 11pm each day. They have a full breakfast menu that is served through lunch, as well as a dinner menu. Popular menu items include their enchiladas de mole and focaccia sandwiches. Also, they make a delicious chai latte.
Location: La Veleta
Address: Calle Centauro Sur Mz 05 Lt 11, Centro, 77710 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 7am-11pm daily
Brew Tulum Specialty Coffee
Best cafe in Tulum for coffee lovers
If you’re looking for a place known for its coffee, head to Brew. I never made it to Brew during my time in Tulum, but I heard wonderful things about it. Located inside a hotel off the main road in Tulum Centro, Brew is a specialty coffee shop with several breakfast items.
In addition to visiting the Brew coffee shop to grab a drink or brunch, you can book several coffee-themed experiences on Brew’s website, including a coffee tasting, a coffee roasting class, and a class to learn how to make Mexican spiced coffee.
Location: Tulum Centro
Address: Inside Maison Tulum, Calle Sagitario, Calle Alfa Nte Esq, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 7am-2pm Monday through Saturday
Otti Cacao and Smoothies
Traditional cacao and coffee in Tulum
Otti Tulum is a wonderful hidden gem in the La Veleta neighborhood of Tulum. Although they are known for their cacao (a traditional Mexican drink made from fermented ground cacao beans), Otti serves coffee and breakfast.
The staff is welcoming, and everything on the menu is delicious. If you have yet to try cacao, Otti is the best place to try it in Tulum.
Location: La Valeta
Address: Calle 7 Sur, Esquina Con Calle 12 Mza 736, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 8:30am-4pm Monday through Friday, 9am-2pm Sunday
Mexican bowl at Del Cielo in Tulum
DelCielo
Cafe with some of the best breakfast in Tulum
DelCielo is a lively brunch spot in the heart of Tulum town. Both spaces are tastefully decorated, with vines hanging along the restaurant’s entryway. Whether you sit inside or outside, you’re in for a treat.
DelCielo’s menu features Mexican favorites like chilaquiles and unique twists on international breakfast staples like their coco lime brioche french toast. Their extensive drink menu includes coffees, kombucha, coconut water, smoothies, fresh juice, and more. The DelCielo team was very open to making substitutions and happily made the Mexican bowl vegan for me by removing the eggs. Their menu also clearly labels gluten-free and vegetarian items.
Location: Tulum Centro
Address: Satélite Sur 5, Tulum Centro, Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 8am-2:30pm daily
Café Don Tomás
Tulum coffee shop and Mexican cuisine
Café Don Tomás is a bright and welcoming cafe and coffee shop in Tulum’s downtown neighborhood. Although it’s a bit off the main road, it’s easy to get to and a great place to stop and fill up your belly before a day of adventure.
Cafe Don Tomas serves quality coffee drinks and breakfast. Their extensive menu includes difficult-to-find breakfast favorites like croissants and Mexican and American-inspired breakfast classics.
Location: Tulum Centro
Address: Av. Satélite, Tulum Centro, Col. Centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 7am-3pm Monday through Saturday
Vegan potato and sausage empanadas at La Hoja Verde
La Hoja Verde
Vegetarian breakfast and brunch in Tulum Centro
If you walk along the main road in Tulum town, you’ll run into La Hoja Verde, a vegetarian cafe with an extensive menu and inviting atmosphere. Choose a seat on their colorful patio with hanging plants and order something healthy and satisfying before exploring Tulum for the day.
My favorite breakfast option at La Hoja Verde is their incredible vegan empanadas. They also made delicious vegan breakfast quesadillas, flavorful, fresh juices, and yummy plant-based burgers. Whether vegetarian or not, you’ll find something delicious at La Hoja Verde.
Location: Tulum Centro
Address: Beta Sur S/N, Tulum Centro, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 8am-10pm daily
Matcha Mama
Instagram famous matcha and brunch spot
Matcha Mama is a trendy spot to grab a healthy drink or a light breakfast. There are two locations, one in downtown Tulum and one on the beach road. Both spots serve matcha tea letters, acai bowls, cold brew coffee, fresh pressed juice, coconut water, and other healthy favorites.
Matcha Mama is also a popular photo spot, with swing chairs and cute signs like one that says, “I love Tulum so matcha.” The Matcha Mama in downtown Tulum shares a building with Pizza Papi, one of the best vegan restaurants in Tulum.
Location: Tulum Centro and Tulum beach
Centro Address: Calle Andromeda L6 Entre calles Orion y Centauro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
Beach Address: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila 8.2, Tulum 77780, México
Beach Bar: Located directly on the beach in front of the Tulum Beach restaurant location
Hours: 9am-6pm daily
Cara Feliz
Sleepy bookstore with coffee and brunch
Cara Feliz is a quiet, light-filled bookstore and cafe right off Tulum pueblo’s main street. Cara Feliz might be the perfect spot if you’re looking for a slow, lazy breakfast or want to spend a few hours reading with a cup of coffee. They have a small but ample selection of books in both English and Spanish. Most Tulum cafes only have outdoor seating, but at Cara Feliz, you can enjoy some much-needed AC inside.
Their menu includes savory dishes like their breakfast sandwich with chipotle aioli and a few sweets like vegan brownies. The staff is friendly, but the service is a bit slow. This is the type of spot to visit if you want to hang out for a slow morning, not the best place to quickly fuel up before leaving for a day of adventure.
Location: Tulum Centro
Address: Calle Beta Nte. Mza 2, Lte 2, Tulum Centro, centro, 77760 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 9am-8pm Monday through Friday, 10am-3pm Saturday
Real Coconut Kitchen
Beachside organic cafe with gluten-free options
Real Coconut Kitchen is one of the best beachfront cafes in Tulum. The food is fresh, healthy, and beautifully plated. Real Coconut is very accommodating for dietary restrictions, and menus have clear labels for vegan options and foods that contain allergens like nuts and eggs.
Prices at Real Coconut are a bit expensive compared to other cafes on this list, but it’s expected for a beachfront coffee shop. Their breakfast menu includes vegan gluten-free crepes, coconut cream cheese cucumber toast, and chia seed parfait.
Location: Tulum Beach
Address: Km 8.2, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.
Hours: 7:30am-10pm daily
Coworking at Cara Feliz bookstore cafe in Tulum Centro
Laptop-Friendly Coffee Shops and Coworking for Digital Nomads
Some Tulum cafes are more welcoming to remote workers than others. There are my top picks for places to work from in Tulum:
Ki’Bok Cafe: Ki’Bok is one of the best places in Tulum to work for a few hours. They only have outdoor seating, so there are no outlets, but they’re friendly toward folks with laptops (which is somewhat rare in Tulum). The wifi is pretty good at around 12 mbps upload and 1 download.
Botanica Garden Cafe: If you visit on a breezy day, you’ll find it a delightful spot to get some work done and enjoy coffee and fresh, wholesome food. You’ll likely see a few others on laptops when you visit, but most customers are there for brunch. In February 2023, the internet speeds were around 9 mbps download and 0.25 mbps upload. Also, there aren’t any accessible outlets for charging your computer. Because of this, it’s not a spot I’d stay for more than a few hours, but it is a lovely place to get some early morning work done while enjoying fixings from their delicious menu.
Cara Feliz: Cara Feliz allows visitors to “cowork” in their cafe as long as they spend a minimum of $100 pesos per hour. It’s a quiet spot to get some work done if you don’t mind buying something new each hour.
Although I never worked in any coworking spaces in Tulum, I heard good things about the following coworking spaces:
- Mangohub: A highly-recommended free coworking cafe in Aldea Zama.
- Los Amigos Coworking: A large, spacious coworking space in La Valeta.
- Digital Jungle: A chic, trendy coworking space in La Valeta.
- Selina coworking: Selina has a location on the beach and in Tulum Centro.
Where to Stay in Tulum
☀️ Habitas Tulum: Stay on Tulum beach in a stunning boho villa with your own private pool and jungle patio. Habitas is a beachfront luxury ecoresort with an incredible restaurant, spa, and immerse experiences. Check current prices.
🌴 Rubi Tulum: This Instagram-worthy property features boho treehouses connected via suspension bridges immersed in the jungle. Book a suite with your own private pool, or a luxurious soaking tub. Check current prices.
👙 Hotel Shibari: Get access to Hotel Shibari’s private cenote when you stay at one of their airy suites. This beautiful hotel is a short walk from the beach with an onsite pool, restaurant, bar, spa, and fitness center. Check current prices.
🌿 Hotel Bardo: Stay close to downtown Tulum at this adults-only hotel with a gorgeous turquoise pool, lush green foliage, and moody design. Check current prices.
Getting Around Tulum
Tulum is notorious for being a bit difficult to get around. That is because the beach is quite far from the town, and traffic along the beach road can be brutal.
🛵 Renting a scooter: A scooter or moped is a fun and affordable way to get around Tulum. You can get around more quickly and efficiently because you can zoom around cars as needed if there is traffic, and its easier to find parking. Read my full guide to renting a scooter in Tulum.
🚙 Renting a car: Renting your own car makes it easier to get around Tulum, and its the best option if you want to explore more of Mexico outside of Tulum. Compare local rental companies here.
🚲 Renting a bike: You can bike along the Hotel Zone by the beach or in town, or even between the two areas. Bike rentals are easy to find in Tulum, just make sure you understand the distance between the beach and town, and have plenty of water!
🚐 Colectivo: Shared shuttles run between Tulum and many parts of Quintana Roo regularly. They are a cheap, easy, and safe way to get to nearby towns like Akumal and Playa del Carmen, along with other attractions like Sian Kaan, cenotes, and the Coba ruins.
🚌 Guided tours: If you don’t rent a car, you can still visit other parts of Mexico on day trips with a local guides. I usually book tours through Viator and have always had a great experience—I always read reviews before booking to make sure I’ve chosen the best possible tour.
🚕 Taxi (not recommended): Taxis in Tulum charge outrageous prices so I strongly advise against using them. However, there are taxis available if you need to take one.
My Favorite Things to do in Cancun
🌿 Day Trip to Chichen Itza & Valladolid: Don’t miss Mexico’s most iconic ruins at Chichen Itza and my favorite Yucatan town, Valladolid! For the best experience, book this VIP private tour from Tulum, or check out this budget-friendly option.
🥾 Discover Quintana Roo’s Mayan Ruins: Step back in time at the breathtaking cliffside Tulum ruins, visit nearby Coba ruins, or see the Muyil ruins at Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve.
🐠 Muyil River Float: This one-of-a-kind adventure involves exploring a turquoise lagoon and floating down a natural lazy river, just a few minutes south of Tulum! Read my full guide to the Muyil River Float.
👙 Swim in Cenotes: The Yucatan peninsula is home to thousands of gorgeous cenotes (natural sink holes) that make the perfect swimming holes. Rent a car and go explore them, or join this Tulum cenote tour with a local guide!
🌊 Soak in the Sun at Tulum Beach: Escape to the soft golden sandy Tulum beach by either staying at a waterfront hotel, booking a day pass at a beach club, or relaxing at a public beach. If you’re staying in downtown Tulum, riding a bike to the beach can be fun (but it gets hot!)
More Yucatan & Quintana Roo Travel Guides
⚓️ How to Explore Cancun’s Nichupté Lagoon: Kayak + More
✨ The Ultimate Bacalar Itinerary: 1-7 Days in the Lagoon of Seven Colors
👙 7 BEST Valladolid Cenotes for Swimming
🛵 The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Scooter in Cozumel
