TULUM
By now you've heard of it, you've seen tons of pics on your IG feed, and your friends wanna go. So what's the deal with this place that was seemingly nonexistent up until just a few years ago? Is it really worth all the hype? Is it really as magical as people claim?
When I started planning this trip, it was really just an Instagram-inspired vacation. I didn't know anything about Tulum other than the pictures I had seen, but one of my best friends had gone a couple times and she raved about how amazing it was. It wasn't until I started seeing it pop up on my explore page all the time that I seriously considered checking it out. I was a bit skeptical as to whether or not this place was going to live up to the expectations that I had since it's so easy to be fooled by what you see on social media. However, I will say that my experience visiting Tulum exceeded even the highest of my expectations. There is something for everyone here. If you like adventure, you can go zip lining and swim through the cenotes; if you like history & culture, you can visit the Mayan Ruins; if you’re on a spiritual journey, you can go on a yoga retreat; if you like to party, you can find a party every night of the week; and if you just want to relax, there’s a whole stretch of white sand beach for you to lounge on with all of the creature comforts your heart could desire. This is a place that's rich in beauty, culture, history, good vibes, great weather & amazing food. It’s where spirituality and hedonism seem to coexist in perfect harmony.
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
Where To Stay
Accommodations range from Airbnbs to boutique hotels. There are no big chain resorts/hotels in Tulum…yet. Where you decide to stay will depend largely on how close you want to be to the beach, how many people you’re traveling with, & how much money you have to dish out. Some people might prefer to reserve an Airbnb if traveling with a larger group, but they’re mostly located in the town center so you will need a car to reach the beach. The boutique hotels on the beach are all super dreamy and pretty close to each other, but range in price. Some can be quite expensive, especially depending on the time of year that you’re traveling (high season vs low season). If you’re planning to travel during a busy time like December, I highly recommend booking as far in advance as possible as places get booked up fast.
Here are a few places that I’ve heard great things about & loved from what I saw in passing:
↓ This is where I stayed. The place was called "Azucar Hotel Tulum." It was basically 1 of 5 bungalows on the property. The accommodations were very simple...think bed, mosquito net, fan, & bathroom with the bare necessities. This was really a no frills set up, but there was something about the simplicity of it that made it extremely charming. It was also one of the only places that still had reservations available for December so I didn’t really have many other choices.
I enjoyed the most amazing food in Tulum. What I loved the most about the dining was the extensive range of options available. Everything from cheap, authentic Mexican food to trendy hot spots to healthy superfood. Everything I ate in Tulum was good…like really really good. I will say that the price point for food is generally higher in Tulum than in other parts of Mexico that I’ve visited so expect paying roughly the same as you’d spend on comparable meals in the U.S. However, there is something for everyone which is not always the case in other parts of the country.
Where To Eat
There are SO many great places to eat in Tulum so you pretty much can’t go wrong with anything, but these were a few faves…
BREAKFAST:
THE REAL COCONUT - 100% gluten/grain, dairy, and soy-free. Fresh, vegetable-heavy dishes, creative tonics, and healthy versions of quesadillas, avocado toast, and tacos.
I SCREAM BAR - Yes, they serve ice cream and yes, they have a bar (a really cool retro looking one at that), but they also serve up some awesome Mexican breakfast dishes and fresh fruit & veggie juices. The only thing I’ll caveat about this place is that they’re on Tulum time so don’t stop by if you’re in a rush to get somewhere ;)
MATCHA MAMA - Great variety of plant based drinks/snacks such as matcha, smoothies, bowls, açaí, kombucha, & juices. Also, Instagrammable AF so if anything, just do it for the ‘gram.
RAW LOVE - Vegan restaurant with some great raw desserts & delicious (non-alcoholic) refreshments. Perfect breakfast spot.
LUNCH:
POSADA MARGHERITA - This is the go-to spot if you’re craving some great beachside Italian food. Very popular amongst Tulum regulars.
AHAU RESTAURANT & BEACH GRILL - Lunch with a view! No shirt? No shoes? No problem! You can enjoy a delicious Mexican meal right on the beach. The fresh guacamole is a must.
CHAMICOS - This hidden gem/locals spot is about a 25 min drive north of Tulum. There’s nothing fancy about it. Just some plastic tables & chairs and the best fried fish and ceviche you’ve ever had. Worth the trek.
ZIGGY’S - You can come here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner but the laidback atmosphere and lighter menu offerings make for a perfect sun-kissed meal in the sand. Not to mention the Beach Tulum Hotel property where it’s located is beautiful!
DINNER:
HARTWOOD - This celebrity seafood hotspot has a menu that changes daily based on the day’s catch. Be prepared to arrive early and wait in line if you don’t have reservations in advance.
ROSA NEGRA - Offers a culinary fusion of Latin flavors. Has the bohemian chic vibe going on that Tulum is so well known for. The food here was top notch!
MUR MUR - Highly acclaimed Mexican chef, Diego Hernández Baquedano, brings award-winning flavors to Tulum with focus on contemporary Baja Mexican food, with a Yucatán influence. Apparently the cocktails are killer as well. (I wouldn’t personally know since I don’t drink.)
ARCA - If you could envision fine dining in the jungle, this is what should come to mind. Wood fired dishes curated with local seasonal ingredients. Definitely a “treat yo-self” kind of meal.
Where To Party
I’m not sure if it’s because we visited Tulum during the holidays (between Christmas and New Year’s), but let me tell you it felt like a non-stop party. I had no idea that Tulum is actually a New Year’s destination so if you’re planning a trip during that timeframe, I HIGHLY recommend you book your flight and accommodations well in advance because everything gets filled up fast and becomes significantly pricier. We found fun parties going on at a lot of the hotels on the beach most nights that we were there and a lot of the restaurants turn into parties later in the evening with DJs, dancing, and mood-lighting.
↑ This was a beach party that I went to at Ahau. It very much had a Burning Man feel to it between the music, people, & style. Some of the parties, like this one, rage on until the early morning hours so make sure you take a siesta during the day if you’re gonna go out.
These spots should be at the top of your list:
PAPAYA PLAYA PROJECT - Boasts monthly full moon parties on the beach along with a nightclub venue with prominent DJs spinning regularly. PPP is a hub for various intercultural and community events & is probably the most well-known party destination in the region. Purchased tickets are required for most events.
GITANO - Super cute outdoor restaurant & bar with live music on some nights and DJs on others. Even if you don’t go for the food, you should at least stop by for a drink & the ambiance. This is a must when in Tulum.
NOMADE - There is a weekly music program where you can check out what’s happening on each night of the week. No matter what, it’s bound to be a good time at this hip beach party. All the cool kids will be there.
CASA JAGUAR - This sexy jungle restaurant turns into a party after 11pm so come and have a bite before dancing the night away.
Mayan RuinS & CENOTES
If you’re going to Tulum, you obviously have to see some of the ancient Mayan ruins & cenotes that the area is famous for. I mean Chichén Itzá is one of the new 7 wonders of the world! And for those that don’t know, a cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. Especially associated with the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, cenotes were sometimes used by the ancient Maya for sacrificial offerings. I’m gonna stop here and say that I feel like a bit of a hypocrite telling you to go to the ruins when I myself didn’t make it there, BUT I will be going back to check them out later this year. Most hotels offer tours to see them so I suggest doing that so that you have someone to take you and explain their significance. As for the cenotes, I didn’t realize just how many there are to choose from so do a little research to determine where you want to go! Each cenote is amazing in its own way and I’m excited to return to the area to see some more. Some have caves you can swim through, others are open-air, and some you can go diving in. Keep in mind they all charge a small entrance fee.
↑ This is Cenote Campana at Casa Tortuga which is a family-run establishment that has several cenotes on their property. I loved this one because you could swim through the cave and the water was crystal-blue.
Here are a few of the most popular cenotes:
GRAN CENOTE - Only about a 5 min drive away, this cenote is super close and super popular. Be sure to bring a towel and a snorkel mask for some cool underwater discovery. There are also lockers that you can use for added convenience so feel free to bring an extra outfit to get allllllll the pics you want.
DOS OJOS - The name in Spanish means “two eyes" and it’s called that is because it’s divided into 2 sides. One side is clear and shallow which makes for good swimming and snorkeling while the other side is deeper and darker which makes for good diving. It is one of the largest cenotes and has a deep underwater cave system.
IK KIL - This is probably the most photographed cenote of them all, and for good reason. It’s absolutely gorgeous with its hanging vines and underground cave atmosphere BUT be warned that it gets swarmed with tourists during the day which can make it pretty difficult to enjoy or get good pics of. If you decide to go, try getting there early to beat the crowds.
CAR WASH - It got its name because it’s so close to the road, taxi drivers used to wash their cars here! But rest assured, that no longer happens. This open-air cenote with lily pads, turtles, fish, & caves is perfect for a snorkeling or diving adventure.
Getting around
How to get to Tulum:
To get to Tulum, you’ll need to fly into Cancun airport and from there you’ll need to arrange for transfer from Cancun to Tulum which is about a 2 hour drive depending on traffic. You can either: arrange with your hotel for pickup, rent a car, take a bus, or arrange for private transfer through a company that offers shuttle services. We opted for the latter since our hotel didn’t offer pick up and it seemed the easiest and most convenient way to get there. The company that I used was Discovery Mundo. They were extremely professional, on time, & made the transfer easy. It cost about $150 each way for a private van.
How to get around Tulum:
The playa (beach) in Tulum where most hotels, restaurants, & shops are located is just 1 street with access in & out. That means that parking is scarce (which is why I don’t recommend renting a car) and traffic can become something of a nightmare during high-season due to congestion so keep these things in mind when you’re figuring out when you need to leave to get somewhere on time - like the airport. If you’re just traveling around the playa, you don’t need to drive to get around since everything is pretty close in proximity to each other. You can get around on foot or on bike. If you’re trying to go to the pueblo (town) where there is cheaper/more authentic food, shops, and bars then you will need to take a car. The same goes for visiting any of the cenotes or ruins since they are too far to walk to. If your hotel does not offer this service, you can simply take a taxi (they are plentiful in Tulum) or you can get lucky and meet someone who is willing to drive you around for a better price.
↑ This is Esteban, our amazing driver who took care of our transportation for the duration of the trip! If you’d like his contact info, just drop a line below in the comments section and I will send to you. We texted him whenever we needed to get somewhere and he offered us better prices than any of the taxis.
What To Bring
Here are some essentials that I would recommend:
CASH!!! One of the issues I ran into while I was there was that all of the ATMs were either not working or out of cash so make sure to come prepared because not all restaurants/stores accept credit card. American dollars or pesos are good but just keep in mind that the conversion rate varies from place to place and you’ll probably pay a little more if paying with dollars.
Passport
Bug Spray (there are TONS of mosquitos.!)
Swimsuits
Light clothes for hot/humid weather - you’ll see lots of people wearing linen attire
Sunglasses
Workout clothes if you’re interested in a run on the beach or morning yoga class (there’s also a gym on the beach! It’s called the Jungle Gym)
Tanning Lotion
A Book for all of that downtime on the beach (days are super lazy here)
Sunscreen
Sandals - I was delighted to find that no heels or sneakers were needed! Most people are barefoot or in sandals.
Good Vibes
Phone/Camera - there will literally be a photo opp everywhere you turn
HAVE FUN! Tulum is seriously one of the most beautiful places you will ever see and it’s only getting more and more popular so go and see it now before it’s too late (some will say it already is, but having no previous point of reference, I would say I disagree!).