Tulum sits roughly 2 hours south of Cancún by road, known for Maya ruins perched directly on an ocean-facing cliff — a genuinely different setting from the inland sites like Chichen Itza. Tulum sits within the Riviera Maya region — see that guide if you're deciding how to split time between here and Cancún.
The ruins themselves
Smaller and quicker to visit than Chichen Itza — most people spend an hour or two at the archaeological site itself, making it realistic to pair with beach time the same day rather than needing a full day the way Chichen Itza does.
Beyond the ruins
Tulum town has grown into its own destination — a distinct beach and wellness-focused scene, with a different feel and noticeably different (often higher) prices than Cancún. Whether that's a draw or a reason to stick to a quick ruins visit depends on what you're after. The Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve begins just south of town if you want to add genuine wilderness to the trip.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip works fine if the ruins and a beach club afternoon are the goal. If you want to actually experience the town's restaurant and nightlife scene without rushing back, it's better as a short overnight extension than a rushed round trip from Cancún.