Famous for its crystal-clear Caribbean beaches, centuries-old Mayan temples, and luxurious resorts, Tulum is one of the most popular destinations for Americans going abroad, especially following the opening of a new international airport just 12 miles outside town.
Though not all of the currently-planned 11 routes between the United States and Tulum are up and running, with most set to commence operations from December 2024, 4 major airlines are already offering flights from select U.S. hubs.
If you’re keen on beating the crowds and avoiding winter prices, here are the 7 cities you can fly to Tulum nonstop from this season:
American Airlines
from Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami
One of the first airlines to have entered the market, American Airlines kicked off with a bang in March of this year, immediately adding service from 3 of their top bases, that serve not only as departure points, but also connecting hubs for millions of Americans travelers:
We’re of course talking about Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) in North Carolina, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) in Texas and Miami (MIA) in Florida, that will all host year-round flights to Tulum International Airport (TQO) from now on.
Charlotte-Douglas (CLT)
From Charlotte, outbound flights depart at 11:07 AM landing in Tulum 1:20 PM, blocking at a short 3h13, while return flights are scheduled for 2:20 PM, arriving back to Charlotte at 2:20 PM; as for rates, Basic Economy tickets start from as low as $175 in September.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
As for Dallas-Fort Worth, Americans can expect to depart at 8:30 AM, while touching down in Tulum at 11:20 AM, taking 2h51 to complete the journey; flying back home, takeoffs are set for 4:10 PM and landings for 7:15 PM, with one-way tickets costing as little as $165.
Miami (MIA)
Finally, American Airlines customers choosing to fly from Miami enjoy the shortest flight, at slightly over 2 hours, as well as the cheapest airfares, going for as low as $147: leaving from MIA, departure and arrival times are 12:09 AM and 1:10 PM, respectively.
JetBlue
Not American Airlines, not Delta, not United: for New Yorkers, JetBlue will be their carrier from here onward traveling to Tulum.
Despite being a much-longer flight from JFK, rounding out at 4h15, tickets start from only $128 at the ‘Blue Basic’ level, while ‘Blue’ fares are an affordable $168, including free carry-on, and ‘Blue Extra’ averaging $193, allowing for more baggage, free date changes and early boarding.
New York (JFK)
Leaving from New York-JFK, travelers will be departing at 8:00 AM, arriving to Tulum in time for an early-afternoon poolside cocktail at 11:15 AM; on the reverse route, they should be at the airport for a 12:45 PM departure, getting back to New York at 5:44 PM local time.
United Airlines
From Chicago-O’Hare, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark
If you’re a loyal United customer flying out of Chicago, Houston or Newark, you’ll be thrilled to learn the full-service carrier is offering nonstop flights to Tulum from these 3 departure points as of right now, with one-way flights starting from only $135.
With a total of 22 flights per week, United boasts one of the busiest schedules for Tulum-bound aircraft this fall, and it is expected to remain a dominant force in this fast-growing market, with seasonal flights launching from Los Angeles soon, and year-round from Denver later in December.
In the meantime, these are your flight options:
Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
With a gate-to-gate travel distance of just over 4 hours, flights depart from O’Hare at 8:49 AM, touching down in TQO 1:50 PM; on the way back, you should be at the airport for a 3:00 PM departure, landing home in ORD at 6:01 PM.
Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
The shortest journey out of the three, rounding out at 2h25, Tulum-bound flights from Houston leave at 11:55 AM, pulling up to Tulum International Airport at 3:20 PM, while return flights leave later at 4:35 PM, arriving at the Texan metropolis at 6:14 PM, provided there aren’t delays.
Newark (EWR)
From Newark (EWR), expect to depart at 9:54 AM, arriving to Tulum (TQO) at 2:15 PM, for a total travel duration of 4h21––as for the homebound journey, departures from TQO are set for 3:25 PM, and landings at EWR for 7:21 PM.
Why Visit Tulum Instead Of Cancun
Tulum is one of the most historically-charged towns in the Mayan Riviera, as well as a world-class beach destination packed with luxury resorts, leisure complexes, and beachfront clubs that are teeming with visitors all week.
It’s the perfect destination if you love combining cultural getaways with relaxation, as it is home to the well-preserved Tulum Ruins, an archeological site dating back centuries, that predates the arrival of Europeans in the American continent.
Unlike Cancun, a resort city built only in the early 70s to cater to American guests, Tulum’s been here for a long time: what we’re trying to say is, as incredible a sunny escapade as Cancun may be, it lacks the ancient appeal.
At the same time, Tulum plays host to a number of landmark five-star listings, like Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, where overnight stays start from $216 this fall, and Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club, a luxurious haven costing from $301 upward to book per night.
Is Tulum Safe To Visit This Fall?
We get it; safety will always be a touchy subject for Americans flying over the southern border, but how many incidents involving U.S. tourists in the Mexican Caribbean have you caught wind of in recent months or the last couple of years even?
We’re not sure about you, but on our end, it’s been very few, and those who were indeed unfortunate enough to fall victim to violence are likely to have been involved in drug trafficking or other illicit activities that Mexican authorities themselves do not condone.
To put it simply, Cancun, Tulum, and every other major Riviera Maya destination are all perfectly safe for resortgoers, especially if you’re restricting your movement to the Hotel Zone and strictly surveilled downtown and you’re not out seeking trouble in suburban areas.
As the U.S. State Department has declared, Tulum––and the whole of Quintana Roo, the state that also includes Cancun––is at Level 2 right now, meaning Americans are not discouraged from visiting.
They should simply exercise some precautions when traveling, such as:
- Avoid flashing valuable items in public, like jewelry or expensive watches, or then just leaving them locked in a hotel safe
- Be aware of their surroundings in certain situations, such as crowded spaces, or when withdrawing cash from ATMs
- Steer clear of deserted, poorly-lit streets at night, whether if it’s the central district or more residential areas further out
- Always book tourist activities through reputable providers, and the same goes for taxis and intercity transfers
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