Kaan Luum Lagoon (Tulum): My Guide to a Hidden Gem

Laguna Kaan Luum (Tulum): How to Visit and What to Expect

Kaan Luum is a hidden gem in the Mayan jungle, only 15 minutes away from Tulum, near the entrance of the Sian Ka’an reserve.

This lagoon is a natural paradise that not many people know about, except for locals and some adventurous Mexican tourists. So don’t miss this chance to visit one of the best places in Tulum!

To help you plan your trip, I have created this ultimate guide to Kaan Luum with everything you need to know before you go:

Are you ready to discover Kaan Luum Lagoon? Let me tell you how to get there and where to stay!

What to see in Kaan Luum?

The water of Kaan Luum is stunning, with its vibrant shades of blue and green.

The reason for this contrast is simple: the lake hides an 262 ft deep cenote!

You can’t swim in the cenote because it is only for diving, but the whole area around it is gorgeous, with a soft sandy bottom and shallow water no more than 5ft deep!

There is a pier for sitting and a shaded area for those who bring their own food. It is basic comfort but perfect for those who want to escape the touristy part of Tulum.

Kaan Luum is a protected area

Kaan Luum is located in a protected area where smoking, bringing alcohol or loudspeakers are not allowed. You also can’t bring your dog.

These rules help preserve Kaan Luum and prevent it from becoming a party zone.

Be responsible: use only biodegradable sunscreen and clean up all your trash.

Going to Kaan Luum with kids

Kaan Luum is great for children or anyone who is not very comfortable in the water, because the water level is very low.

You should bring your own food and drink (non-alcoholic) because there is only a small snack stand at the entrance and nothing else on site.

There are restrooms, but they are not very convenient for changing clothes.

Kaan Luum has a fairly basic infrastructure, but it is still a wonderful place to visit and have fun with your family in Tulum.

Which is the entrance fee to Kaan Luum?

The entrance fee is 300 pesos.

My opinion about Kaan Luum

Kaan Luum is a must-see in Tulum, because it is a place that is still natural and not very crowded compared to other tourist attractions in Quintana Roo.

But remember that its facilities are basic. There are no lockers to store your stuff, so people just leave them on the pier: don’t bring anything valuable.

The only thing that I wish Kaan Luum had is a beach or another area to relax, because you either sit on the pier, swim or walk in the water.

It is a perfect place to spend a few hours, but not the whole day.

How to get to Kaan Luum?

By cab

A cab from Tulum to Kaan Luum costs around 250$MXN (for 4 people), which is a good deal!

By car

Car is the fastest and easiest way to get to Kaan Luum.

-It takes 2 hours from Cancun, 1 hour from Playa del Carmen or 20 minutes from Tulum following Highway 307.

-There is a large free parking lot, 300 meters from the lake.

By public transportation

-To go to Kaan Luum from Tulum, you can take a colectivo (white van) that goes to Felipe Carrillo Puerto. You have to tell the driver to drop you off at the intersection of the road to the lagoon. From there you have to walk about 500 meters. The one way trip costs about 90$MXN.

-To go to Kaan Luum from Playa del Carmen, take the same colectivo that goes to Felipe Carrillo, which is located at the corner of Calle 2 and Calle 20.

-For the return trip, just go back to the road and wait for a colectivo to come by.

When to go to Kaan Luum?

Kaan Luum is popular among Mexican tourists, so it gets much more crowded on weekends and holidays.

The best time to visit Kaan Luum is during the week, and preferably in the morning before noon.

I suggest avoiding Kaan Luum during the rainy season (May to October) because the water loses its color and some of its charm.

Kaan Luum lagoon as seen from the sky

To understand how big the lagoon and its cenote are, watch this impressive video taken by a drone:

Photo entête: Dronpicr

Where to stay in Tulum?

• Mayan Monkey Tulum: an excellent value for money. Nice modern hostel with a good atmosphere, a pool, bar and garden. Including fast wifi, kitchen access, yoga classes, coworking spaces, and bike and motorcycle rentals. Dorms and private rooms starting at only 24 $usd per night.

• Casa Almendro: if you are looking for a little more comfort, you will like this small cheap hotel in the center of Tulum. It’s a green oasis with a rooftop terrace with chairs and hammocks. There are king size beds and breakfast is included, from only 50 $usd per night!

• Diamante K: is a high-end hotel but at a very fair price, which is exceptional in Tulum, especially for a hotel with direct access to the beach in the hotel zone! Bohemian chic atmosphere, including a restaurant, hammocks and beds on the private beach, and a massage service. Bungalows are 207 $usd per night.

• Habitas Tulum: this small eco-friendly hotel with a chic design is ideal for a romantic stay in Tulum. It is a true oasis of peace, hidden among the palm trees, with a magnificent swimming pool and a private beach. There are also yoga classes on the terrace at sunset. From 371 $usd per night!

• Kanan Tulum- Adults Only: this is the ultimate option for a luxury stay in Tulum. It is an ecological hotel for adults only, located on a beautiful private beach with hammocks and beds. With a fantastic rooftop terrace with a bar; the hotel also has an excellent restaurant, great rooms and a very friendly welcome. From 566 $usd per night!

Rent a Car in Tulum

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Tulum and make the most of your stay!

While it’s not super useful to visit the city, having a car is a must to discover the rest of the country.

To rent a car, personnally, I always use Rentalcars.com, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Rentalcars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

Find the best flight to Riviera Maya

Until recently, there was no airport in Tulum, and the nearest airport was Cancun. So you had to take a flight to Cancun (e.g. Iberia, Aeromexico, Interjet, KLM, etc.), then transfer from Cancun to Tulum (3h15).

Alternatively, Tulum’s brand-new airport Felipe Carrillo (TQO) is located at 40 min away from Tulum.

Before choosing an airport, compare the prices and stopovers from your original destination. Cancun might still be better than Tulum, since there are not many direct flights to Tulum right now.

To find a cheap flight to Tulum or Cancun, I recommend using our flight comparison service in partnership with Skyscanner. You’re guaranteed to pay the best price!

You’re traveling in Mexico? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Mexico: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mexico are listed there.

• The 35 Best Things to Do in Mexico
• Yucatan Peninsula: Top 20 things to Do and See
• Riviera Maya: The 35 Epic Things to Do!

• Tulum: 35 Best Things to Do + All My Best Tips!
• Where to Stay in Tulum? The best areas and places to stay
• 1 Day in Tulum – Top Spots in 24 Hours
• 2 Days in Tulum – Exploring Paradise in 48 Hours
• 3 Days in Tulum – The Ideal 72-Hour Itinerary
• Tulum Ruins: Everything you Need to Know for your Visit
• Tulum: the 15 Best Cenotes You Can’t Miss!
• Why You Should Visit Cenote Dos Ojos (Tulum)
• New Tulum Airport (Felipe Carrillo): All You Need to Know

• Playa del Carmen: Top 30 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions
• Cancun: the 35 Best Things to Discover
• Where to stay in Cancun? The guide to the best hotels and resorts, for all budgets

• Itinerary: 10 days in Mexico – Mexico City, Chiapas and Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Mexico – Best itinerary to discover the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Riviera Maya
• Itinerary: 1 month in Mexico – My Epic 30-31 Days Itinerary from Mexico City to Cancun
• Road trip in Mexico: The best itineraries for 10, 15, 21 days and a month

• Itinerary: 1 week in Yucatan – The Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary
• Itinerary: 10 days in Yucatan – Best Itinerary for 9, 10 or 11 Days in Yucatan
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Yucatan – Epic Itinerary + All my Best Tips!
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Yucatan – Best things to do in 20-21 days
• Itinerary: 1 month in Yucatan – Yucatan Peninsula in 29, 30 or 31 days from Cancun
• Road trip in Yucatan: The best itineraries for 7, 10, 15, 21 days and 1 month

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