Visiting Tulum almost feels like coming home to me. Besides the dreamy beach town Todos Santos, Tulum is one of my favorite places in Mexico. Having spent quite some time in this lovely town on the Riviera Maya, I had the chance to explore the hidden treasures of Tulum. Kaan Luum Lagoon is one of them. 

Despite its proximity to the popular tourist destination Tulum, Kaan Luum Lagoon has remained hidden from the masses and you’ll find mainly locals spending a day there.

Kaan Luum Lagoon is a perfectly circular lagoon with a deep cenote in its center. The contrast of the color difference between the lagoon and the area of the deep cenote looks amazing. Visitors can go swimming in the lagoon and relax on the pier to enjoy the sunshine. 

Kaan Luum Lagoon - Hidden Gem in Tulum

How to get to Kaan Luum Lagoon from Tulum

Kaan Luum Lagoon is located South of Tulum near Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Siaan Ka’an. Take the main road 307 and stay on that road until you see a sign saying Kaan Luum Lagoon on your left handside. It leads you on a dirt road which you need to follow for a couple of minutes until you reach the entrance. 

By bike

We rented bikes in Tulum to get to Kaan Luum Lagoon. There are several bike rental agencies in Tulum where you can get a bike for about 8€ per day.

It takes 30-40 minutes to bike to Kaan Luum Lagoon from Tulum.

Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum
Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum

By car

You can rent a car in Tulum with prices from about 40-50€ per day if you book it online in advance. There are several car rental agencies such as Avis, Hertz or Europcar located right in the center of Tulum. From there, it’s only a 15 minute drive to get to the lagoon by car.

By public transport

If you want to reach the lagoon by public transport you can take a colectivo (shared van) from Tulum in the direction of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Let the driver know that you want to go to Kaan Luum Lagoon and he will drop you off on the main road near the entrance. From there you’ll have to walk for about 10 minutes to get to the lagoon.

However, this is the least convenient option as colectivos don’t pass by frequently and you might have to wait for a while.

When to visit Kaan Luum Lagoon

I recommend getting there early in the morning to avoid the crowds. If you arrive there right when they open at 9:00 am you might even have the place all to yourself for a while.

Another tip is to visit during the week. On weekends, it’s a popular place for local families. If you want to beat the crowds head there between Monday and Friday.

Make sure to visit Kaan Luum Lagoon on a sunny day as the color of the water shines much brighter when the sun is out. When I was there it was cloudy at first so the colors of the water were more greenish, not looking as beautiful as we had hoped. But then later when the sky had cleared up the view was amazing.

Entrance fee at Kaan Luum Lagoon

There’s an entrance fee of 100 Mexican Pesos, which is about 4€. The ticket is valid for the whole day until they close at 4:00 pm.

If you want to bring a drone you need to pay an extra fee of about 6€. Unfortunately, I don’t have a drone but it would be absolutely worth it to pay the extra fee. The lagoon looks amazing from above.

Things to do at Kaan Luum Lagoon

The area for visitors is quite limited. Besides relaxing and enjoying nature there’s not really much to do.

Personally, I think this is what makes it so beautiful. No noisy snack bars and no souvenir shops that destroy the atmosphere of this peaceful and tranquil place in nature.

Enjoy the view at the viewpoint

Kaan Luum Lagoon, Tulum

When you enter Kaan Luum Lagoon, right before you reach the pier you can turn left to walk up to a viewing platform. From up there you have a beautiful bird’s eye view of the whole lagoon and the lush green nature around it.

Relax on the pier

The long pier provides space to lie down and to enjoy the sunshine. It definitely pays off to arrive early to get a good spot before it gets crowded.

Right before you get to the pier there are some benches below trees that provide shade. If you prefer to be in the shade, you should get one of those. But also, they might be occupied later during the day and especially on weekends.

Take a photo on the swing

Hidden treasure of Tulum

There’s a swing in the water which serves as a great Instagram photo spot. If you get there on a busy day you might have to queue a couple of minutes for your turn to take a photo.

Tip: If you have a good camera, the photographer could walk up to the viewpoint to take the picture.

Go for a swim

Kaan Luum Lagoon is perfect for swimming and the water temperature is not too cold and not too warm. It’s great for a refreshing dip on a warm and sunny day.

The water is shallow in the beginning and it’s also suitable for non-swimmers. The area of the deep cenote is fenced in and you’re not allowed to swim there for safety reasons.

What to bring to Kaan Luum Lagoon

Kaan Luum Lagoon is literally just a large natural pool in the midst of lush green vegetation. The only amenities you’ll find there are toilets, but nothing else besides that. There are no restaurants or shops, so if you plan on staying for a while I highly recommend bringing your own food and drinks.

When entering the water, you’re not allowed to wear sunscreen because it would destroy the biosphere of the lagoon. Instead, bring a hat and maybe a beach towel to protect your skin from the sun. 

If you get bored easily, you could bring a book or games as well to pass the time. And don’t forget your camera or drone if you have one.

Compared to other attractions in and around Tulum and the Riviera Maya, Kaan Luum Lagoon is truly a hidden treasure. The tranquility and the seemingly remote location in the middle of the jungle make it a perfect place to relax.

If you enjoy off the beaten track travel, I highly recommend visiting this place on a day trip from Tulum.

Kaan Luum Lagoon - Hidden Gem in Tulum
Kaan Luum Lagoon - Hidden Gem in Tulum

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