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Best Music Festivals in Tulum For Your Bucket List

September 1, 2022 by Alex | Backpacking Brunette Leave a Comment

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Best Music Festivals in Tulum For Your Bucket List

These music festivals in Tulum are perfect for high-energy music lovers who want to hear top-notch artists while enjoying a lush jungle backdrop and pristine beaches.

Journey into the Mayan jungle for the best musical festivals in Mexico. Dance until the sun rises over the turquoise waters at these unparalleled music festivals in Tulum.

In this roundup, you’ll find details about the top festivals in Tulum. Learn what live acts have played in recent years plus what to expect from these annual festivals.

Beyond the best festivals in Tulum, you’ll learn about amazing events in nearby Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya & across Mexico where you’re sure to find a convergence of party-people.

Tulum ruins
Tulum is famous for its archeological site. Visiting the Tulum ruins is one of the best things to do in Tulum!

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS (AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU). PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.

How to get to Tulum

Before we dive into the top festivals in Tulum, let’s go over how to get to Tulum.

First and foremost, it’s important to note that Tulum does not have a commercial airport. If you have tickets for a festival in Tulum, you must first fly into a neighboring airport

The closest airports to Tulum are Cancun International Airport (CUN) and Cozumel International Airport (CZM). 

In all likelihood, the most affordable flights will get you to Cancun International Airport which is approximately two hours north of Tulum. There are a variety of transportation options available.

Rent a car

For the most freedom and flexibility, rent a car and drive yourself to Tulum. The journey is essentially a straight shot on Mexico Highway 307 & the road is well-maintained. Here’s the car rental agency I’ve used on several occasions in Cancun.

Hire a taxi

If you prefer to have someone else drive you, hire a taxi. Rates from the Cancun Airport start at $100 USD for a one-way trip. 

Take the bus

The cheapest way to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum is by bus. Coming from personal experience, the ADO bus network is safe, clean and reliable. 

There are daily buses between Cancun Airport and Tulum (just make sure you specify if you’re going to Tulum the town or the archaeological site). Purchase your ticket online ahead of time or right at the counter.

You can find the bus schedule on the ADO website.

Where to Stay in Tulum

Accommodation options are plentiful in Tulum, and many of the music festivals include a hotel stay as part of the ticket package.

However, if you’re in need of a place to hang your wide-brimmed sun hat and you want the now-famous bohemian Tulum vibes that influencers made famous, check out Zamna Tulum Boutique Hotel.

Associated with the Zamna Festival, this boutique hotel features waterfront bungalows. All the guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, and breakfast is included. Don’t miss this opportunity to disconnect in the mystical jungle of Tulum. 

Book your stay at the Zamna Tulum Boutique Hotel.

woman kayak
Hotel Zamna Tulum offers kayaking!

Best Electronic Music Festivals in Tulum

Now for what you’ve been waiting for:

A roundup of the top music festivals happening in Tulum!

Zamna Festival

Go big or go home: Zamna is the ultimate music festival experience in Tulum. This amazing event which showcases many of the best live acts in the world is a must for house and techno lovers.

In Mayan culture, Zamna founded Chichén Itzá (a sacred city of pyramids and temples) which was the seat of one of the most powerful empires in Central and South America. Today, festival organizers pay tribute with an impressive cultural festival experience that combines the lush jungle setting with top-notch amenities.

Past performers include renowned artists such as Black Coffee whose Afropolitan house style kept festival goers partying till sunrise. The influential African DJ is slated to perform at Zamna again on Jan. 12, 2023.

When: January 2023

Website: https://zamnafestival.com/

Day Zero Festival

For an incredible music festival in Tulum that is all but guaranteed to blow your mind, book your trip to the Yucatan for the Day Zero Festival. 

“A cosmic collision of ancient tradition and forward-thinking electronic music,” the Day Zero Music Festival got its start on the final day of the Mayan Calendar in 2012. Ten years later, festival goers are still coming to this corner of the globe to party like it’s the end of the world.

Tulum is known throughout Mexico as a place with a high energy field. This city sandwiched between beautiful beaches and lush jungle operates on a different wavelength. Day Zero leans into the natural wonders that the area has to offer, setting up its festival near Cenotes Dos Palmas & incorporating cultural influences.

tulum cenote
Centoes are natural sinkholes that permanently hold water. You can find them all over the Yucatan Peninsula.

Each year, the “community of ritualistic nomads gathers” to enjoy live performance from artists like the Martinez Brothers and Damian Lazarus. “The scion of Damian Lazarus” was a key component of this marathon 18-hour all-night party. It’s hard to think of a better way to kick off the new year.

When: January 2023

Website: https://dayzerofestival.com/locations/tulum/

Tulum Music Festivals to Keep Your Eye On

In recent years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many festivals scheduled to take place in Tulum were forced to make new plans or cancel altogether. 

Some have yet to announce new dates, but keep an eye on the following festivals and get on the mailing lists (if available) to receive updates for 2022 and next year:

  • Sundream Tulum (electronic music)
  • Departure Playa del Carmen (electronic music)
  • Locus Tulum (“drum ‘n’ bass experience”)

Best Music Festivals Near Tulum

Look beyond Tulum for even more incredible festival experiences.

Holy Ship! Wrecked – Riviera Maya

Once one of the most popular EDM cruise festivals in the world, Holy Ship! has WRECKED aground…in Quintana Roo. This annual festival takes place in a different location every year, and this December, it’s happening at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

Last year (2021) was the first year the Riviera Maya hosted Holy Ship! Wrecked, and the previous year (2020), this incredible four-day event took place in the Dominican Republic. You can expect live performances from artists like Dom Dolla, Chris Lake and Louise The Child.

In addition to prioritizing world-class live acts and luxury accommodation, Holy Ship! aims to tackle local social and environmental issues in the area where they host their festivals through the Positive Legacy not-for-profit. In Quintana Roo, the organization has raised funds to support providing food and supplies to families in need.

When: Dec. 13-17, 2022

Website: https://holyship.com/

music festival
Mexico hosts some of the top music festivals in the world!

Electric Zoo Adventures – Cancun

Looking to escape the winter? This December, make the trip to Cancun for the four-day Electric Zoo Adventures festival. This year’s lineup includes live performances from Diplo, Galantis, Alesso and Sofi Tukker.

As with festivals in Tulum, Electric Zoo in Cancun is an escape to tropical paradise. Hotel options include the Oasis Palm Hotel, Omni Cancun, Grand Oasis Cancun and the Pyramid at Grand Oasis. 

Apart from the live shows, Electric Zoo also offers some fun add-ons such as the Iguana Island Rave at a beach club on nearby Isla Mujeres, a boat party, zipining excursions and speed boat adventures.

When: Dec. 1-5, 2022

Website: https://pollen.co/x/electric-zoo-cancun-2022-1

EDC Mexico – Mexico City

Mexico City saw Las Vegas partying and said: Hold my cerveza. The iconic Electric Daisy Carnival is set to take place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez—a racing track located just 20 minutes from the historic center of Mexico City.

Unlike Tulum, you can fly directly into Mexico City which will likely save you a bit on transportation costs. Mexico City is one of the largest airports in the Americas, and it offers direct flights to and from a long list of international destinations.

Watch this video for must-know Mexico City Airport tips!

From the stages and art to the lights and music, festival organizers are on a mission to push boundaries and ignite creativity at EDC Mexico. This isn’t just any old rave. Festival goers are in for the experience of a lifetime.

When: Feb. 24-26, 2023

Website: https://mexico.electricdaisycarnival.com/en

Best Music Festivals in Mexico

Tulum isn’t the only spot in Mexico offering increding festival experiences. With travel to Mexico from the US being relatively affordable, festivals in Mexico are the perfect opportunity to see bucket list live performances.

Here is a quick rundown of the best music festivals happening annually around Mexico:

  • Vive Latino
  • Music: International rock & Latin artists
  • Where: Mexico City
  • When: March 2023

  • Corona Capital
  • Music: International rock & indie
  • Where: Guadalajara
  • When: 2023 TBA

  • Tropico
  • Music: Electronic, house & techno music
  • Where: Acapulco 
  • When Dec. 2022

  • Tecate Pa’l Norte
  • Music: International rock & indie
  • Where: Monterrey 
  • When: 2023 TBA

Related Articles

  • What to wear in Tulum
  • 35 must-know Mexico travel tips
  • How to visit Tulum on a budget

Final Thoughts on Festivals in Tulum

When choosing a festival, the music shouldn’t be the only thing you consider.

The impact a music festival has on a small town like Tulum is great. On one hand, it’s a potential influx of capital to an economy that largely relies on tourism. On the other hand, hosting a music festival can damage the environment if not organized properly.

Here are some of the best things you can do to be a responsible & respectful festival goer:

  • Learning basic Spanish before your trip 
  • Supporting local businesses during your stay
  • Discarding trash appropriately & recycling when possible

When choosing a festival in Tulum or elsewhere in Mexico to attend, consider how organizers approach community and environmental impact:

  • Does the festival employ locals?
  • Are there opportunities to learn about Mayan culture from indigenous peoples?
  • How is the festival minimizing its burden on the environment?

These days, many festivals (like Day Zero) share sustainability initiatives on their website. Be a responsible traveler & take a moment to do a little homework before getting your party on.

Have the experience of a lifetime at a Tulum music festival.

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