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.
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.
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.