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Now that you’ve booked your dream vacation to Tulum, a top tropical destination, all that’s left is figuring out what you’re going to wear. With a boho-chic-meets-Bali vibe, endless sunny days, and unique cenotes, Tulum is a beach destination unlike any other and it’s only natural (and part of the fun) to match your outfits to Tulum style. Here’s a fashion guide full on what to wear in Tulum so you can have the best (and most stylish) beach trip ever!
The Tulum Vibe
Even if you don’t find yourself on this specific part of the Yucatan Peninsula, this “what to wear” fashion guide will also work for beach vacations along the Riviera Maya too, such as Playa Del Carmen.
Just like most destinations, locals aren’t exactly dressed in flowy dresses and floral prints (though some are). Most locals headed to work or about their day are wearing simple jeans and tops.
But we know that part of the fun of a vacation is getting to dress in a way we normally don’t back home! That being said, the vibe of Tulum is breezy, flowy, boho, and a little hippie. Chic yet laid back. Think crochet, caftans, and flowy dresses.
All of Tulum is pretty casual and the dress code for fancier places is basically just nicer than a bathing suit. (But check for your specific restaurant as some differ and want you to look more polished.)
If headed out or to dinner, skip the high heels and body con dresses. It’s a good idea to leave the cheap beach flip-flops at your hotel too. Think a dress with nice slides or strappy sandals. You don’t have to get too fancy as it is a beach destination after all!
Tulum Weather
When building your Tulum packing list, it’s important to factor in the weather!
For tourists, the best time of year to visit Tulum is from late November to mid-March. I went in February and it was hot, high 70s to low 80s, but not unbearable. Actually, it was perfect for me as I was coming from negative temps in Iowa!
But the summers will be even hotter. You can expect weather in the 90s and some have said it can be oppressively hot.
The winter months will be more comfortable and many locals told me to come back in December. They said the waters are calm (better for sailing and snorkeling) and the weather is perfect.
The dry season of Tulum is generally November to April. In February, there was a little rain, but it was mostly gone in a matter of minutes.
One of the best things about a tropical climate, however, is that you can pretty much expect nice weather at least some point in your trip!
What to Wear in Tulum
Okay, now on to the fashion!
To fit the vibe of a boho-meets-Bali style, I opted for muted tones and simple, flowy silhouettes such as the brown/orange lounge set and the beige halter dress.
The vibe of my Airbnb is the vibe of a lot of Tulum. Natural and earthy. Let that guide you in your outfits!
But not everything has to be muted. Mexico is generally a very colorful place with colorful buildings and decor, so this is a great destination to experiment with adding some color to your looks.
dress | sunglasses | hat (similar) | necklace | sandals | purse | earrings (similar)
When it gets really hot, you’re going to want to feel like you can move. Feeling cramped in restricted clothing is the worst for humid weather! Tank tops, sleeveless dresses, cutouts, or clothing items in a breathable fabric, such as cotton or linen, will all be great options for those hot days.
Related: What I Wore: Tulum Edition
A great thing about heading to a warm destination is that summer clothes don’t take up much space in your bag. It’s an additional cost checking a bag (for most airlines), so if you can limit the pairs of shoes and amount of purses you bring, you could potentially pack it all in just your carry-on.
So it’s a good idea to pack versatile clothing too and have your clothes work overtime. Better them than you, right?
This means your linen button-down/swimsuit coverup can become a cute dress when styled with a straw belt and nice sandals, for example.
straw backpack (similar) | sandals | button-down coverup (similar) | belt | necklace | sunglasses
Of course, when it comes to fashion, you can’t forget the essential items, such as a cute straw sun hat, a stylish pair of sunglasses, and a versatile straw bag.
hat | belt | swimsuit (similar)
It gets breezy at night, especially near the beach, so you’ll want to bring a light jacket. Leave the windbreaker at home and opt for something like a linen blazer for a stylish alternative.
If your vacation is looking more like a trip and you plan on being active and visiting the Mayan ruins and Chichen Itza, then make sure you bring a pair of white sneakers. Stylish yet practical! They can double up as your travel outfit too, saving even more space.
Though you could look perfectly stylish in flowy maxi dresses, a cute sundress is not the only way to go. It’d be a good idea to pack a pair of shorts for when you don’t feel like wearing a dress or for when you plan to be more active. Denim or linen would be cute, that’s up to you and your personal style.
One-piece swimsuits can also double up as a bodysuit to be worn with your shorts as well!
swimsuit bottoms from this set | swimsuit top (similar) | sunglasses | necklace
Keep it simple, flowy, earthy, and fun and you can’t go wrong!
There will be another Tulum post about what to pack so stay tuned. In the meantime, if you want more vacation style ideas, keep reading!
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