Kanan Tulum has the courage to do what many beach clubs in Tulum don’t, and that’s announce that it is an adults-only party venue.
We think that’s great because it means you can enjoy this upscale spot, safe in the knowledge that you’re surrounded by people having fun and enjoying a drink without upsetting any kids.
So, our team was keen to don their glad rags and hit the beach for a dance at Kanan Tulum, and this is what they learned.
Introduction – Getting To Kanan Tulum
Where Is Kanan Tulum? Carretera Tulum Boca Paila Km 7.5 Mza 020 reg 009, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., México
Online: Kanan
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
What’s Available At Kanan Tulum?
Kanan Tulum offers daybeds on the sand, some attractive cabanas and private/bird nests at both beach level and rooftop level, and some cool walkways that allow you to move between the jungle and the sea.
There’s a trio of on-site restaurants and 3 more bars; they serve a mix of international and local cuisines, and the drinks focus on cocktails and wine.
There is a pleasant outdoor pool area along with an on-site spa and sun terrace. They have live DJs starting around midday to provide a high-energy vibe.
Our Detailed Review Of Kanan Tulum
Every beach club receives a review through our consistent standard method. This allows fair assessment of owners, management, and staff and produces uniform reviews that are easy to compare.
Here is how it works:
- A team is chosen to assess the venue.
- Members visit the club on their own and on separate days.
- They fill in scorecards with 1–5 ratings and written observations.
- After all visits, the team meets to discuss and finalise category scores.
- One person writes the review, which then goes on our website.
Reservation and Booking Process
Kanan Tulum uses a website called Tulum Party to offer bookings; we’re really not sure why. Not only is this confusing as it’s not their own site or property, but the site itself doesn’t offer any actual booking facilities.
It also fails to include prices, minimum spend agreements, the ability to choose a seat or anything else. Click on the “book now” button, and you’re offered the option to book by WhatsApp (which many people don’t use and, more importantly, don’t want to use) and via SMS.
Yes, really, it’s 2026, and they want you to book with a series of text messages rather than updating their website to modern standards. It’s a terrible first impression.
Ambience and Atmosphere
This place starts out slow when the doors open in the early morning for breakfast and Bloody Marys to wash away the excess of the night before.
But things start to build across the day, and by early afternoon, the party is just getting started with deep house and tribal beats flooding the place.
One thing that we really liked about this beach club is how joyously unpretentious it is compared to other beach clubs in the area. Everyone’s there to have fun rather than to establish their position in the dominance hierarchy.
Location And Accessibility
Tulum itself is reasonably easy to get to from most of the Americas, though that doesn’t mean it’s a short or even direct flight away. Things get rather more challenging if you’re coming from somewhere else, though.
Once you do arrive, Kanan Tulum is on the beach strip “hotel road” alongside pretty much every other resort and beach club near Tulum. It’s about 10 km out of town, though, so you will need transportation to get there and back. And be warned, this area is not safe to walk around at night by yourself.
Aesthetic And Design
Kanan Tulum should be congratulated on daring to be a little different; the elevated walkways and nests that scatter the beach club give it a visual identity of its own, even though colours and materials are very similar to other beach clubs.
It looks great in photos, and we love the multi-level appeal which allows you to find a space that’s truly comfortable.
Staff Friendliness and Professionalism (Service Standard)
We were very impressed by the service we received at Kanan Tulum; it was the polar opposite of their terrible booking process.
Everyone is friendly and warm, as well as being completely dedicated to delivering a first-rate experience. We’d like to see more staff like this elsewhere in Tulum.
Service Speed and Efficiency
However, there aren’t quite enough of these staff to go around and while they never misplace an order, during the busiest times of day, things can slow down noticeably.
It didn’t seriously hamper our time at Kanan Tulum, but a few more staff in the mix could make everything truly exceptional.
Food Quality and Variety
The food selection is just OK, and as you’d expect, it’s very pricey because Tulum’s normal prices do not apply at beach clubs.
Unfortunately, the quality of the food is also just OK. We found that it was filling enough, but it felt bland and uninteresting, and you can get much better for this kind of money in other beach clubs.
Beverage Selection and Creativity
This doesn’t apply to the drinks, though. There’s a good selection to choose from, and we found that the artisanal mixologists they use deliver cocktails that look even better than they taste, and they taste great.
Importantly, the drinks also pack the expected level of alcoholic punch, which makes us feel better about the prices.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Overall, the team at this beach club keep the place very clean, and the common areas, beds, towels, changing rooms, toilets, etc. are very clean.
However, the beach team works hard during seaweed season to keep the beach clean, but it doesn’t always succeed. It doesn’t stink, but there are days when the beach is not very nice to look at.
Comfort of Seating and Lounging Areas
We found the seating to be very comfortable and well maintained. It wasn’t the greatest daybed experience that we’ve ever had, but we certainly didn’t find ourselves with any urgent need to change seats.
The nests are amazing, though, and there’s no doubt that they offer a unique perspective over things.
Music and Entertainment
The music policy is good, and they understand how to build to a party rather than trying to start one cold.
There’s not much in the way of entertainment, but that’s OK; once everyone’s drinking and dancing, you’ll be entertained enough.
Note: We only review beach clubs, but we should point out that guests in the associated hotel regularly complain that the bass and volume of the beach club affect their ability to relax in their own rooms.
Seasonality
The joys of the tropics are that it’s hot all year round. However, while the beach club stays open, you should be aware of two potential problems.
The first is a fairly brief season of hurricanes. Some years, it’s no biggie. Some years the weather is really bad.
The second is a very long season of seaweed. This washes up on the beaches, makes them look unpleasant, and if it’s not cleared quickly, it can stink to high heaven.
Pricing and Value for Money
We felt that Kanan Tulum was very good value for money. It’s still very pricey compared to Tulum standards, but it sits comfortably in the range offered by local beach clubs, which are expensive compared to the town.
We felt that the overall vibe, particularly the music and drinks, were worth paying a premium for. If they sorted out the food, it would be even better still.
Beach Access and Quality
The beach in Tulum is very attractive, but as we’ve already mentioned, that pesky seaweed season can leave the sand under a green coating. The beach club does manage to stop it from stinking, but sometimes, the look of this beach leaves something to be desired.
When you’re not in seaweed season, it’s fabulous.
Sustainability Practices
There is no sustainability report despite a lot of claims to sustainability, and you can see the great use of natural and local materials, the use of the trees in a fabulous way to integrate with the jungle.
We also like the emphasis on local ingredients and organic farming in the kitchens.
Exclusive Perks for Guests
They provide towels, a daybed and access to the bathrooms, lockers, etc. at this beach club, which is about standard for beach clubs in Tulum.
It’s reasonably priced compared to other beach clubs, but there are no VIP tiers or premium service offerings available.
Safety and Security
We felt pretty safe within the grounds of the beach club, but the beach area is poorly patrolled and secured, and some of the beach vendors and local ruffians end up there during the course of the night.
It’s also important to note that this area is not safe at all to walk around at night, and you should always ensure that you have transportation waiting outside before you leave this beach club.
This can be complicated by the fact that there is heavy traffic leading up to the club and the security team doesn’t do a great job of managing that traffic.
Event Hosting Capabilities
Kanan Tulum has a dedicated events hosting team which can handle wellness retreats, weddings and small corporate events.
This isn’t the biggest beach club, so don’t try and bring a few thousand people but otherwise, you should be fine.
Consistency of Experience
We felt, as did the reviews that we read and the other customers that we spoke to in the venue, that Kanan Tulum offers a very consistent experience.
However, as with all the beach clubs in Tulum, we didn’t see any evidence of a culture of continuous improvement seeking to transform the experience into something next level.
Additional Amenities and Facilities
This beach club has a decent range of standard facilities, but there’s not much in the way of extras available.
That might be a bit problematic as you will find that it’s not the easiest place to get into or out of if you need anything else.
Summary
This adults-only experience was really good. It wasn’t too over the top, but the party vibe is very clear and really good-natured.
We wish the food was better, but overall, we had a fabulous experience at Kanan Tulum and while it can’t compete with the big names of the beach club scene like FINNS in Bali, if you’re ever passing through this part of Mexico, you ought to drop in and have a good time.
FAQs
Can You Go Swimming At Kanan Tulum?
Yes, there’s a nice freshwater pool that serves as a central feature. You should be aware that this pool has a swim-up bar, and that means as the day progresses, the pool fills up with drinkers, so if you really want to get some lengths in, this pool may not be for you.
You can also swim in the ocean here as long as the weather and other conditions are good. It’s important to know that Tulum has a very long seaweed season when the water is full of weed, and it can be very unpleasant to swim at that time of year. The beach club can’t do anything to change this.
What Is There To Do At Kanan Tulum?
You can swim, eat, drink and party at Kanan Tulum. The on-site spa also offers opportunities for massage and other treatments if you want to relax before you get dancing.
Is Kanan Tulum A Child-Friendly Venue?
No, unlike the vast majority of beach clubs in Tulum, this is a strictly adults-only club, and you need to be at least 18 to gain admission. They may require ID at the door to facilitate enforcement of this policy.
Given that this is a heavy drinking, party-oriented club where the parties kick off at lunchtime, we think this is an excellent decision on behalf of the management team. There’s really no need for children to bear witness to adult environments when everybody really lets their hair down.
The good news is that there are plenty of family-friendly beach clubs in Tulum, so you won’t miss out.
Who Is The Owner Of Kanan Tulum?
The beach club is owned by a local company, Vacaciones el Caracol Tulum SA de CV. The lead partner of this company is Sam Gordon, who is also linked to the KAN Projects business.
What Is The Dress Code At Kanan Tulum?
The dress code at Kanan Tulum can be described as “beachfront luxury”, which just means chic beachwear. Along with most beach clubs in this town, there’s no real enforcement of the dress code, though the club may refuse entry or ask you to change if you arrive in something entirely inappropriate.
Our review team had no issues spending time in this beach club, and they wear a variety of styles.
Is Kanan Tulum All-Inclusive?
No, Kanan Tulum is not an all-inclusive beach club (nor is the associated resort). The beach club works on a day pass and minimum spend basis, with all chargeable items and activities served on an à la carte basis.
If you agree to a minimum spend, the deposit will be deducted from your final bill. If you don’t order enough food, drinks or activities to exceed the minimum spend, you lose the balance.
Can You Stay At Kanan Tulum?
Yes, Kanan Tulum is a resort on the popular hotel strip along the beach near Tulum. Rooms start from around $175 USD a night (though rates vary a lot by season and room type), and if you are a resort guest, you will have access to the beach club and spa.
Final Thoughts On The Review Of Kanan Tulum
We like that Kanan Tulum has the courage to have an adults-only entry policy; we’ve seen a few party-oriented beach clubs in this town where it would be best if kids weren’t allowed in but are.
The vibe here is very much high energy, and we don’t recommend coming to Kanan Tulum to spend an afternoon recovering from a hangover or to read a book.
But if you’re in the mood to party? It’s a great option, and we think that you’ll be very glad to spend some time here.
