Overview
** TULUM, MEXICO **
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Tulum has amazing daylife and nightlife, especially for us! When I went in May 2021, I spent a nights out at Taboo, Batey Mojito, MAMBO, and Ilios. There is a lot more and most of them are a good penny, but Mambo Hookah Lounge was really our spot. We stumbled upon it because of the music.. R&B, Hiphop, the good stuff. There were also a lot of Black people there so it was a great environment. Taboo was cool and for the fashion, but at night we were placed at a table kind of far from the action. It was expensive, but the vibes were great because they brought a violinist, gave us all sparklers, and had good music. Batey Mojito was a mix of box spots because its a bar, but they have cheap and delicious drinks. They have sugarcane margaritas and them thangs BANGGGGG. I took 3 of them to go when we chilled at our AirBnB. Try all of them out! There are a lot more spots but of all of them, Mambo was absolutely for the culture so hit that spot!
Tulum is a great destination as long as you have some money to spend. Save, allocate, and live it up in this Jungle chic location! Azulik is a must-see. There are tons of instagrammable moments from the food, the beach, the boutique hotels, and more. There are yacht trips, ruins, adventure theme parks that you can take less than an hour away from the main strip.
BETA TEST
We ate at Mistico, which is located in downtown Tulum. It is the best place to lounge around and hang out. Also, they serve very delicious food.
I had so much fun at Adventure Mayas. We ziplined, drove ATVs, and swam in the cave cenote.
Mambo was very fun, and it is the best spot to turn up! I recommend you get there early to get tables and seats because the place can get full very quickly.
We spent most of our day on Tulum Beach Street. We went to Karma, I Scream Bar, and Mojave. There were plenty of restaurants and bars on the street that it is impossible to not find something to do.
On our last day in Tulum. We spent half our day on a yacht, which was run by H2oh Sun. The food and drinks were amazing. You can jump in the ocean and have a good time on the yacht.
We spent our last night at Parole. We had a good time there, and the food was good. Also, the violinist was very entertaining.
I just came back from Tulum during the pandemic at the end of February 2021 for a 25th birthday trip/baecation! Our experience was very relaxed and chill thanks to our hotel “La Valise” (private villas) giving the secluded quite ambiance! They offered/planned activities for you to do if you were interested. We decided to do a cooking class where we learned how to make Ceviche from scratch! There were also many other things to do like unique massages (ex. Bee Ceremony Facial/Massage, Aloe Massage etc), “The Jaguar Experience” and a lot more! I personally didn’t want my hair and lashes to get wet so I skipped the water activities. Outside of where we stayed there were definitely a decent amount of people, some wearing masks some without. The Rapid Covid tests are pretty much everywhere on the sides of the road to take for when you come back home. Our Hotel offered it so we didn’t have to go to one but it was nice to know if we stayed elsewhere it was very accessible. We decided to take a 5 min taxi to where the “Tulum Jungle Gym” was and I found it to be very underwhelming (there’s barely a gym)BUT GREAT FOR PICS! You’ll find in Tulum most of these sight seeing sites are up the street from each other, so it won’t be too hard to hit them all if you plan accordingly. Most instagramable sights are super walkable. If your not a walking type person or just have really nice shoes you don’t want to mess up, taxis are literally everywhere! Catching them isn’t the problem just be ready to pay $10 US dollars/ 200 pesos even if its 3 mins away. Also when it comes to masks, I found the Fancy Restaurants to be the ones to enforce masks the most. Lastly, these restaurants have no problem asking you for the max tip and hustling so be mindful of where you get dinner! You’ll have a great time and spend a lot of money if you let them! Food is also very Americanized for Dinner options (steak, sushi, greek, etc) but overall great food & vibes. I would give it a 8/10 just because I didn’t do anything I couldn’t do somewhere else, but definitely a great needed escape mid covid!
I went to Tulum end of December through the New Year. There were 8 of us. We stayed in a Villa and 30 minutes from Tulum Beach (“Picasso’s son’s favorite beach”). We coordinated with the Airbnb host to provide us daily transportation to our planned activity each day. We stayed four days. The first night we hired a couple chefs to cook and threw a salsa party. Next day we reserved a catamaran for 6 hours and we to a private beach to party. Next day we went to Tulum beach and reserved a couple cabanas with full breakfast and lunch service. We also got chefs again and had another salsa party at the house. And the last day we scheduled an ATV ride through the woods and zip-lined/swam into a cave. All in all, we stuck to a planned schedule and wasted no time. The trip was amazing. The food was exquisite, and i give Tulum a 5 out of 5. I’m probably gonna buy land and build property there eventually.
I went to Tulum in December 2020, during the pandemic to escape the lockdown in London (where I am based) as Mexico was opened for tourism and there weren’t any particular restrictions or quarantine. Even though they weren’t enforcing any lockdown some places such as closed nightclubs were closed for obvious reasons. However, restaurants and beach clubs were opened which is was I was looking for. I went to Tulum jungle gym, the most instagrammable gym to work out, and couldn’t get enough of it. If you are a gym enthusiast like I am you will be in paradise. The entrance is a bit pricey $30 per entry but you can get the weekly pass or you can go to other gyms in Tulum city center. I also went to a couple of cenotes – cenote calavera and gran cenote – by bike and had the best time of my life jumping from one sinkhole to another. So if you are an adventurer and you like snorkeling definitely look for cenotes there are plenty in Tulum and outside near the Yucatan region. And finally, if you like yoga you should try the yoga morning classes at Ahau. The classes take place with a lovely lady on the 2nd floor overlooking the sea.
I visited Tulum twice once on a family trip pre-covid and just recently for a girls trip December 2020. Both times I was able to visit multiple sites from the Ruins to Pablo Escobar mansion both of which I researched and scheduled myself. If you aren’t that savvy you can also get tours scheduled through your hotel concierge. I’ve had wonderful experiences both trips. Be sure to research your resort and choose your hotel wisely because location is key to accessing things to do! The cabs can become costly if you are not in the right area. My recent stay was in Papaya Playa Project which was in a excellent area close to downtown with plenty of restaurants and lounges. Overall great place to visit to either relax or if you want to turn up Tulum offers both!
Traveled to Tulum in Sept 2020 for my 30th birthday. Lately Tulum has been the go to spot for travelers looking to get away from the craziness that’s going on within the world. So I decided to take a few of my friends and head to Tulum. I was surprised to see how “commercialized” Tulum was. There were certain aspects that I don’t believe were authentic. Restaurants were jam packed; some didn’t even bother to screen for symptoms. The roads were horrible and speed bumps were smack dab in the middle of the highway. Tulum is perfect for pictures and content if that’s your thing. The beaches were pretty as well. Traveling while black was not an issue in tulum, saw people from all races out there. Not too sure if I’d go back again though.
My sister and I visited Tulum in September 2020 for 4 nights. We decided rentaing a car would be less expensive or about the same as paying extra for pickups.. I didnt expect much of a nightlife due to COVID-19 but I still had a blast! Before arriving i thought it would rian the entire trip but fortunately it only rained the final day of the trip. We tried new restaurants and went to the beach as most people do. The highlight of the trip was the Monkey Sancin Akumal about 30minutes away. This sanctuary had many animals that were reduced and we could interact with snakes, monkeys and parrots. I also opted for the ATV option which included an ATV ride to an underground cenote for history lesson and swimming. During this activity some other travelers suggested I visit Clan Destino which was a restaurant in the hotel zone near the beach that had its own personal cenote. The shrimp burger was delicious and the swing in the cenote was perfect for pictures! On our final day we decided to get a massage and just shop a little for souvenirs since it was raining majority of the day. Overall it was a great experience and I would definitely visit again. Tulum was peaceful, fun, and full of amazing sights.
My latest trip was Tulum,just like every lover of travel was suffering with withdrawals during the pandemic!
The heat was something serious but I visited all the photo opp spots,there was a line for Ahau Tulum sculpture but i guess you didn’t visit Tulum without a pic in front of it!
I also visited Pablo Escobar mansion & it was very nice! The day pass is worth it..very photogenic place & beautiful beach with great food
Tulum is a very beautiful place to explore. It has many different excursions and I really recommend doing the cenotes. They were really fun and a different experience.
We had probably one of our most thrilling experiences in Tulum! Firstly, we traveled in the middle of a pandemic (cabin fever was real, sorry) when Mexico first started to reopen to tourism, so that was an adventure in itself. Tulum is more laid back than neighboring Cancun, so we opted to stay in an Airbnb(https://abnb.me/wpImA2Ht77) which was literally in the heart of Tulum like in the hood! It was a super cool experience being amongst the locals. As far as tours are concerned, they have the typical snorkeling, sailboat riding, etc. But one thing we did that really stands out: swimming with whale sharks! This is a MUST do if you are a adventure seeker. It was the most exhilarating experience. Mexico is also known for it’s cenotes which are little underground swimming holes,some of those can definitely get your adrenaline going – especially Cenote Calvera! There are bats and other critters inside the dark cave. None of the historical cites like Chichen Itza were open so that was a bummer but didn’t have a serious impact on the trip. The beach strip is a must see as well. That is where all of the nice restaurants and nightlife are. Our favorites were Rosanegra which serves amazing Latin American cuisine & Bak, the famous steakhouse. Be ready to spend a nice penny there at both places, though they are worth it. Overall traveling while black, it wasn’t a problem at all. Our only negative encounter we had was renting a car and that was more so bc we were American and not necessarily black. It helps to travel with a little knowledge of Spanish for sure or they will try to get over on you and add on taxes for things. We would 100% recommend Tulum to anyone though. It is a beautiful, relaxing baecation spot.
I went to Tulum during the Pandemic over July 4th weekend with four of my girlfriends. There were no travel restrictions in Tulum or in the United States. So the traveling was a typical seamless process. The plane going I flew Delta and the plane was less than 50% at capacity. Every middle seat was empty. Similar thing coming back I flew JetBlue and the flight also was not packed either probably 35-40% at capacity. Tulum is about 1 hr and 40 mins from Cancun airport. We took a driver to our Airbnb. Our Airbnb was gorgeous! Tulum has a strip of hotels and resorts where Casa Malca (Pablo Escobar Mansion) is for example. We were about 15/20 minutes from this area. We ate at Rosa Negra, Taro, Gitano (least favorite), and Casa Malca which are all near each other. La Querida was a good local cheaper good food spot in Tulum we had dinner at one night. Burrito Amor for good cheap daily breakfast. We did the Cenotes which was about 15 minutes from our Airbnb. We went to the Laguna Kaan Luum which was also 15/20 minutes from our Airbnb. During this time the ruins were closed due to COVID so we missed that. During the other days of our stay we went to the beach clubs that were open which was still a pretty good experience. The season in Tulum right now there is A LOT of seaweed on the beaches so the beaches are not as beautiful as usual but that is something outside the control of anyone. No issues traveling while black. The locals, our driver and Airbnb host were all super friendly. We felt comfortable and safe. I definitely plan on going back again after the pandemic ends.
Tulum was amazing. It’s the perfect city no matter what vibe you’re looking for, party, relax, etc. The people are super welcoming and there’s places to eat no matter your budget.
Went for a birthday trip had a great time. The Airbnb’s in Tulum are very nice and moderately priced. We felt safe our entire stay
Tulum is officially my happy place! I have visited different parts Mexico but Tulum is a totally different feel. When you think of a relaxing vacation that allows you to unplug as well as a rejuvenating experience then Tulum is it! There’s an ease that takes over you in Tulum and has you wanting to stay forever. That’s why Tulum is one of the most coveted destinations. I explored Tulum with a group of 8 to celebrate a girlfriends bachelorette. We did an extended weekend and honestly it was perfect for a girls trip as it offers something for everyone. We rented a villa at Uno Vida just outside the main area. Lovely place to stay if you like being out in nature. We woke up to yoga on the beach at Sanara…. it was absolutely amazing! We also spent a lot of time laying out at the beach with yummy cocktails at Nomad.
Fly into Cancun, and rented a car to get down to Tulum which took about an hour and a half. We stayed at an Airbnb, which I’ve never had any issues with before, but I will say Tulum as great as it is, is still undergoing a lot of construction. The Airbnb that we stayed at was more like a hotel, and due to the construction happening there was an accident that caused all of the electricity and water to go out, because of that, and the fact that the owner runs multiple Airbnb listings we were moved to a much nicer condominium that although the area was also under construction seem to be more upkept. Hotels are definitely an option, but from what I noticed they are way overpriced, I think your best bet would be to do a hostile or Airbnb. Once you’re into loom you can get around by car, but note that the strip or most of the things to do our is limited on parking and there’s a chance you might have to pay to get to where you want to be. A lot of people ride bikes to get around instead. I found that it is definitely touristy Hotels are definitely an option, but from what I noticed they are way overpriced, I think your best bet would be to do a hostile or Airbnb. Once you’re in Tulum you can get around by car, but note that the strip or most of the things to do our is limited on parking and there’s a chance you might have to pay to get to where you want to be. A lot of people ride bikes to get around instead. I found that it is definitely touristy and because of that can be overpriced in general, but it is still a good time. The food as expected in Mexico is amazing, as with most places the smaller restaurants that are cheaper and with locals tend to have better food and be more authentic. Like most people do I would recommend visiting the cenotes which there are plenty to explore and to spend hours at within the city. ladies, when it comes to a night out in Tulum, I would honestly skip the heels, because most of the strip does not have sidewalk, just dirt/sand and there are a lot of potholes which makes it difficult walking around.
I visited Tulum solo for my birthday during a global pandemic from Toronto Canada. Though lots of flights had been grounded due to covid-19 I was able to cross the U.S and Mexican border. I booked a sleek, modern Airbnb in the middle of the jungle right outside of downtown Tulum. Again, due to the pandemic, pricing was at an all time low. So having the restaurants and beaches to myself was a plus. I visited Taboo Beach club, amazing views and atmosphere. Papaya Playa Project, nice for a beach and margarita day. Mina restaurant, amazing authentic food. The locals were extremely friendly and sweet; very accommodating and helpful. The US dollar goes a long way in Mexico which is why it’s one of my fave countries to visit. Mexicans and African Americans have a quiet bond so I personally always have good interactions with them. I strongly recommend visiting Tulum when we are allowed to travel again. I’ll definitely be heading back!
I choose Mexico for my country number 30! Absolutely amazing. Tulum is just full of history, gorgeous places, the food and the people are very nice. We stayed at the Gran Bahia Principe Coba hotel. I must say that its one of the best hotel i have ever experienced. 10/10.
Where do I begin? Once arriving to Cancun, you have the option to rent a car or take a taxi to Tulum. The drive is about 1hr 30-2hr drive depending on time of arrival. Once getting to a tulum you have a complete different scenario. You have the option of enjoying the beach life or Traveling further to Yucatan to see one of the New 7th wonders of the world Chichen Itza.
I would highly recommend visiting any Cenote in your surrounding areas if you have time. They offer over 6 thousand different swim holes you can enjoy in the nature. Most of them are very inexpensive to enter. This took up a bunch of time during the trip which was a great highlight.
The roads are developing as they are always working on building up the country and it’s areas so be careful with driving and always have enough cash with you. It’s accepted everywhere. Tulum was a good switch up for tacos and adventure.
First of all wow! I’m so so so so so in love with Tulum. It’s such a magical place. You’ll find beautiful beaches great food and ppl out there are super friendly. We stayed in the center of Tulum (Kaab Hotel) which i can recommend 100% its cheaper to stay in the center and you’ll be at the beach in 5-10 mins.. the hotel has a beautiful pool and a great breakfast service. They have bikes that you can rent for free and lots of magazines if you want some to read on the beach. Our room was always clean and very big enough space for your luggage and all.
What makes Tulum stand out, in my opinion, is a mix of a few factors. For one, the area’s jungle-meets-beach vibe which stems from the local industry’s commitment to eco-tourism and sustainability, provides a magical atmosphere that’s hard to replicate these days in modern society. Yes, development is on the rise, but business owners have done an incredible job of blending their businesses into the local surroundings so that the jungle hasn’t been completely bulldozed to make way for new structures. You may think of the beach when you envision Tulum, but the jungle is what makes it so Magical
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and take a 1 hour, 45 minute taxi or airport shuttle south to Tulum
Most airlines fly to Cancun from major US cities. JetBlue has direct flights from Boston, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City. Southwest Airlines flies non-stop from Cancun to Denver, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Charlotte and more
On Kayak’s search tool you can see there are tons of flights under $500 round trip to Cancun, including many under $300 from places in the U.S. and South and Central America
QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
English is spoken but not as widely as you’d expect for such a tourist town. It’s helpful to brush up on your Spanish!
Pesos are the main currency used here although some places will accept USD
Cash is preferred at most places
The most reliable bank in town for getting money is Scotiabank — ATMs by the beach are not known to be reliable and are ripe with fraud
As a US citizen you don’t need a Visa to travel to Tulum
Tap water is not acceptable to drink here under any circumstances (highly recommend bringing some sort of stomach medicine in case you get sick)
There is no Uber in Tulum but taxis are plentiful and pretty easy to flag down
Tulum is filled with a variety of activities to do for all interests. Do you like history? Take a two hour drive to Yucatan and visit one of the seven wonders of the world, Chichen Itza. Do you like water activities? Take a day to visit as many cenotes as possible. Cenotes are natural sinkholes – in Mexico cenotes were sometimes used for sacrificial offerings. Here are a list of must see cenotes: Calavera, El Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos and Suytun. Do you like to enjoy the nice weather on the beach while drinking a margarita? There are a bunch of hotels you can visit and enjoy their breach front at a cost – Ahau Tulum and Casa Malca. Tulum has so much to offer – more than listed. Highly highly recommend visiting!
If you’re planning a vacation to Tulum, Mexico and are researching amazing accommodations, look no further! Azulik is the place for you! Azulik is a beautiful adults only, tree-house concept, eco resort, also known as paradise! Since Azulik is eco-friendly, there is no electricity, running water, or wifi in the rooms, but that is what makes this experience that much more unique. The rooms are simply amazing. My boyfriend and I stayed in the Sea Villas, which means that we had a beautiful, spacious room, with an unbelievable view of the ocean. The Sea Villa is about $1100 USD per night. If your’e a luxury traveler, or if you’re celebrating something special, then it’s definitely worth the splurge! If you and your significant other are looking for a romantic and relaxing place to stay, definitely consider this unique accommodation. You won’t regret it.
Tulum exceeded my expectations! I was there for a week. It’s such a a fun destination, there’s something to do for everyone. I stayed at a beautiful boutique hotel called Jungle Keva Tulum which is located downtown. We rented a car for $60. Burrito Amor has the best burritos we had in our lives. We took a cooking class called Lina’s kitchen that I would highly recommend.
We also saw Pablo’s mansion, you have to buy drinks for entry and worked out at Tulum’s Jungle Gym where it’s $25 for a day pass. I would highly recommend visiting Tulum if you haven’t already. I’m already planning my return.
I visited Tulum for a week to relax and to get more in tune with myself. This was my first solo trip and one of my least expensive trips. Most tips you can find on any travel blog but here are some lesser known tips:
Casa Malca charges $50 to enter, but this can be used on your tab to be used on drinks and meals (3 restaurants on site). • tomato.mx is a GREAT way to order food late at night when you don’t want to wander around an unfamiliar city. It’s a cheap delivery service and has great choices. • Burrito Amor was my absolute favorite restaurant there. • Take pictures of the cab number and license plate and ask how much will the trip cost before entering the cab. • Cabs can be an expensive way to get around town. Find a hotel that offers free bicycles, like Elements does. • Use AirBnB Experiences to support small local businesses, like a pottery class or a private manifestation session. • MUST DO: even if the beachfront hotels are a bit out of your price range, just stay for half of your vacation then move into downtown Tulum for cheaper rates afterwards. That’s what I did and it was the best decision I made the entire trip. • Book a photographer for a photoshoot because you may not want to worry about taking photos throughout your entire trip. With my photographer, we spent six hours going to all the top Instagram spots and I was set for the rest of my vacation.
I stayed at the Villa Amates and it was amazing! It was safe and more than enough space for 7 women. They were equipped with a pool, jacuzzi, wash and dryer, huge kitchen, 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It was gated and we felt very safe.
The safe was friendly and arrange our cars around the clock. They also gave a list of things to do and gave honest reviews on places we wanted to visit. It was the perfect location between town and the beach.
I booked through Airbnb and the stay was about $300 usd per night.
I decided to take a trip to Tulum solo. Tulum has been on bucket list for a while and I figured why not go. I arrived on October 4th to Cancun. There is many ways you can get to Tulum (private bus, taxi, rent a car or by the ADO). The ADO is the cheapest way to get there. It takes about two hours total which a stop at playa de Carmen. I chose to rent a car for $90 from October 4-October 7th & I don’t regret it one bit! It was a straight peaceful car ride from Cancun to Tulum. My trip was totally inexpensive. I stayed in a Airbnb in town (you can stay in town -cheaper- or at the beach road which can be pretty expensive. The town was 15 minutes away from the beach road. My Airbnb total stay was $300 in town called Hora Feliz. I was able to see all the picture worthy sites along beach road. Traveling while black was fine, most of the people were amazed by my skin complexion, they took. Pictures of me and kept calling me beautiful , to my surprise there were a lot of solo travelers who actually relocated there permanently. Night life was amazing as your bound to meet another solo traveler while out along beach road. Definitely will go back again!
Airbnb stay: https://abnb.me/lI8HuKc5H0
I experienced an unforgettable adventure while vacationing to Tulum for my best friends 30th Birthday. We arrived into Cancun airport and took a two hour private car from the airport. We stayed in the most fabulous Airbnb about 10 minutes from the El Pariso beach. Our first day we ventured to The Tulum Jungle Gym which is amazing if you love a great outdoor gym. The next day we visited the Tulum Ruins which will have you in awe. We also were able to venture to Xei – Ha park by Xcaret which was the highlight of the trip. You pay $100 for all day access to this beautiful adventure park. They offer breakfast and lunch with an open bar throughout the park. I was able to do snorkeling, river floating in tubes, visited a scenic lighthouse, we zip lined and jumped from 5 meter high cliffs, attempted several rope games, hiked through jungle paths and floated through cenotes and caves. It was all so scary yet fun. I’m not a big swimmer but they provide you with life jackets so you can still do all the activities. This was the ultimate experience in Tulum and we spent 7 hours at the park. Everyone speaks English and the tourist are everywhere. I was shocked to actually see a lot of black people in Tulum but it made me feel safe and happy that my people are exploring this beautiful world. I’ve never had that much adventure on one trip and I’m happy I got this experience. The beaches are unfortunately not clear as there are large amounts of sea weed on the shore. So If you are looking for a pretty beach please stay in Cancun. Tulum gives you jungle, history, romance and adventure vibes.
Tulum exceeded my expectations. We didn’t partake in the usual sightseeing that we usually do, however the nightlife and relaxation aspects were A1. Definitely recommend.
Make sure you go to the main beach area. It is very hippy-ish. You can rent cabanas and have drink and food on the beach. There are also plenty of bars, shopping, massage parlors, and restaurants. Visti Gitano bar. Great experience, as well as great drinks. The drinks were a little pricey, however good. If prices are a problem, go to the hole in the wall bars beach side, where you can get shots for $1 apiece. In the local city make sure to eat at the local food trucks and via rhe street merchants. You can get a really good meal for less than $5 USD
We flew from mexico city to Cancun for one night and then drove to Tulum. Tulum is so gorgeous one of the best beaches i have ever seen! We started our day by visiting the Archeological Zone of Tulum, if you are in to old ruined cities and the history behind those then this is great as it is the old city of Tulum, this is surrounded by water and if you keep walking you will find yourself at a great beach which we swam in for a bit so have your swimwear ready! The water was not cold and blue as ever. We then went to Akumal beach which is known for its turtles and yes you guessed it we swam with the turtles! This is great and you get to o with an instructor into the ocean with a life jacket so you dont even need to be experienced! For lunch we went to La Lunita Restaurant in Akumal literally so close to the ocean, it was amazing!
I visited Tulum with my brother during 4th of July. Tulum is a slow quiet little town on the Maya Riviera. I generally thought our stay was OK. Granted I was going through relationship woes so my mind was preoccupied. We stayed in a boutique a little more inland because it was cheaper and closer to the locals. We used the boutique bicycles to go out for lunch, to hit the beach, to visit the ruins and cenote Calavera, and for general wandering. We went on a self guided tour of the ruins. Warning: Once you exit the grounds you have to pay to get back in. My brother and I weren’t paying attention and accidentally exited the ruins area. I would definitely recommend any of the cenotes. We enjoyed Calavera because it wasn’t filled with tourists. We got to dive by ourselves. We basically munched on local tacos for lunch everyday and had seafood dinners on the coast near all the resorts. My general tip for traveling anywhere is to learn the basic language and try and speak it. It makes the experience a lot easier and the people tend to be a lot more friendly. Except for the one time this local girl on her bike collided with me as I was backing up my bike. She called me a b**ch in Spanish. I assumed she was having a bad day but that definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.
Tulum: Home of the ancient Mayan ruins; location of some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches on this blue planet; places where you can eat delectable tacos and drink tequila for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cancun used to be (and still is) the place where most North American tourists frequent, but I implore you to take the 2 hours bus a bit further south to this village, that seems to be exploding with tourism over this past decade. With one road in and out, traffic is not always fun. So avoid taxis all together and rent either a scooter or a bike to move about. The stretch of beach is quite long for walking, so I’d recommend at a minimum renting a bike. There are bike shops around that have rentals for around $12 per day. Because the word on this quaint town is out, prices for resorts are increasingly rising. I’d recommend researching the best and most affordable season to visit, and also check for the rainy season. Don’t get stuck down there during hurricane season. Otherwise, temperatures are enjoyable all year round. Tulum is a great place for water adventure activities. Mexico has thousands of “cenotes,” which are sinkholes where the ground has collapsed exposing subterranean fresh water pools. Some cenotes are above ground and some are in caves. If you don’t rent a car, I highly recommend negotiating with a driver to take you to the various cenotes nearby. We paid our driver $60 for the day and he’d wait for us to swim and also drove us to the Coba pyramid, which is about a 30 minute drive from the center of Tulum. Tulum is a great place to support eco-tourism. We stayed at Diamante K, which is a eco-boutique hotel, located 5 minutes from Mayan ruins. We stayed in an eco-village-like hut; it was clean, super trendy, and complementary to its natural surroundings. Breakfast is also included with your stay. Tulum has become somewhat of a yoga/hipster destination, so for all of those yoga enthusiasts, Tulum would be a great place to practice your craft. Mostly what I loved about Tulum was how blue the water is. It’s truly paradise.
Tulum is gorgeous. We rode bikes to the ruins, Zona Arqueologica de Tulum. Pay when you get there. Make sure to bring water as it is very hot. We also went to the beach over there. The following day we rented a car to go to the Coba Ruins where you can climb up the pyramid. The walk to the pyramid is nice but you can also rent a bike to ride around the ruins. Its an amazing view at the top but its very slippery when climbing up and down. Make sure to hold onto the rope that is in the middle. As you are driving back into Tulum, stop at one of the Cenotes.
I visited Tulum for my graduation trip from graduate school. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort. The ride from Cancun airport to Tulum was about an hour. Tulum is not a turn up scene like Cancun, it’s very relaxed and laid back. I would consider this the perfect baecation location. You can take an excursion for different things the same as all other carribean locations. The good was good but nothing spectacular. It’s definitely a great location for a solo traveler.
Tulum was a beautiful trip! The small town def had a lot of hippy vibes and the people were so kind. We of course went to Matcha Mama and had a smoothie, which was delicious! We also went to the Tulum Ruins, which I highly recommend (just make sure to drink enough water and take some with you- once inside, you can’t purchase any and it gets pretty hot!). When in Tulum you also have to go to a cenote. Grand Cenote is probably a must see for many (there are turtles there!!! and you are basically swimming with them) but also check out smaller, less popular cenotes.
We visited the Mayan Ruins. Initially I wasn’t excited because like most people I’ve seen photos on the internet. The in person experience is a MUST. Before you take the 45 minuet tour be sure to eat first and bring water. The private beach is heaven. The entrance to the Ruins/Beach is only 70 pesos so don’t buy the $150 tours you see online.
I just came back from visiting this beautiful city and was lost for words as I took in its unique Bohemian vibe, health conscious, and positivity Tulum has to offer. I stayed at Azulik Villas and I must say that this is one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve had the pleasure of staying. I felt like I was staying in a luxury rainforest. I stayed in one of their Sky Villas and the room and ocean views were breathtaking. My husband didn’t want to leave the room the entire stay. It gave us an opportunity to disconnect from the world a little as WiFi was limited to a couple hot spots. There were no phones, TV, or electrical lights in the room. Beautiful candles fill the room that are manually lit every night giving such a romantic vibe. The Restaurant Kin-Toh was the most beautiful and unique restaurant I’ve ever eaten. Imagine eating in a large luxurious bird nest. Tulum is everything!!!
I just got back from Tulum and mustvsay that this is a very chill and somewhat hippy vibe. Way more low key and, in my opinion, more enjoyable from a Party City such as Cancun. The point of this vacation was to relax and that’s exactly what happened. I stayed at Casa Malca and enjoyed there private beach. The water was beautiful, the beach was very clean, and the staff was very friendly and attentive. A great relaxing and chill vibe can also be found at Azulik. We didn’t stay there but did have dinner there. Beautiful decor, dimly lit, nice music, great food etc.
The amount of culture you experience in Tulum is unbelievable, as soon as you get to the city, my first thought was this is real Mexico, unlike Cancun, everything is next to nothing, very very cheap food and drinks, no really a turn up place but they Definitely worth visiting once you are in Mexico, and want a real Mexican experience. The beaches are much better in Tulum than Cancun, and the people love black people. They just want pictures everywhere lol.