Tulum, Mexico: A Mini Guide

Tulum Mexico has become a must-do on many people’s travel lists and it’s clear to see why. A turquoise gem of a  spot south of Cancun full of fresh water  Cenotes bursting with life, yoga retreats, white sandy beaches and more juice bars than one person could ever dream of.

The selection of boutique beach accommodations such as the Instagram famous Azulik, jungle restaurants and bare-foot living attracts people from all over the world with a more boho crowd than those in Cancun. There are many reasons why Tulum should be on everyone’s bucket list but with increasing interest comes the danger of over-development so the time to sample this slice of paradise for yourself is now with this small yet handy guide.

Currency

Tulum uses a combination of Mexican pesos and American Dollars with many places happy to accept a combination of the two currencies as payment. I highly suggest bringing cash with you as withdrawing from ATMs can be expensive and cash is preferred.

Transport

When arriving in Cancun private taxis from the airport to your hotel are around £60 each way and take around 90 minutes – I advise pre-booking these online to avoid getting charged more at the airport. For a cheaper option there are coaches that stop off in Playa Del Carmen on the way to Tulum town, however cheaper these take longer and only drop you off in the town where you then have to make your own way to your specific accommodation. To be clear Tulum town and Tulum beach, however relatively close, are two different places so make sure you understand the location of where you are booking.

The easiest and best way to get around once you are there is by push-bike for £6 per day or motorbike for £20 per day. Both options are available to rent from most hotels or bike shops are littered down the coast so you can pick them up whenever and wherever you need one. Although the road that stretches down the coast is used by cars there are few and almost everyone cycles. Taxi companies are also available and these can all be booked through your hotel if you need one for a further journey.

Accommodation

One of Instgrams’s most popular photo spots Alulik is situated along the Tulum coast with a series of luxury huts and rooms perched in the jungle above the ocean. The place is predominantly lit by candlelight with nothing but the sounds of crashing waves and the breeze whispering through the trees to disturb you. A series of paths twisting through the treetops, built from recycled and sustainable materials, connect the rooms to the beach and main reception area. We stayed in the Sky villa which offered an outdoor and indoor bath, a huge bed with a princess-worthy draping canopy and uninterrupted views of the ocean and sky.

I found bathing in salt-water everyday, sleeping under the stars and being a stones through away from a private beach beyond perfection. They also offer yoga classes, treatments, four restaurants with unique dining experiences, a shop and an art gallery. The service was personal and constant throughout our stay with the perfect juxtaposition of comfort within the natural surrounding. I would also look to stay at La Valise, Habitas or The Papaya Playa Project.

Food

One thing is for certain in Tulum is that you will never run out of food options. Although the menus tend to be small, ingredients are always fresh and cooked to order with many restaurants set in the jungle or with views over the glistening ocean.

Hartwood – Hard to get a table but so worth it! One of the more expensive options but with a great selection of cocktails, fresh fish and vegetarian options all cooked outside on an open fire. The menu is forever changing and is explained in detail to you by a waiter. Like most places in Tulum when dusk comes candles are lit creating a romantic ambience between the trees of the jungle. The sweetcorn-flavoured ice cream was incredible and has stuck with me to this day.

Kitchen Table – This restaurant is slightly hidden, has a very small menu and is only open in the evenings. It is not on the main strip and is set back slightly on the way to the Tulum Ruins. It specialises in beef, pork and seafood cooked on a log fire with some seriously spicy cocktails.

Arca – A beautiful outside restaurant that serves great cocktails late into the starry night from a mosaic-coved bar. A great choice for dinner and offers a small selection of seafood, meats and desserts. The decor is gorgeous with a casual and relaxed vibe.

Zamas – It has shabby chic brightly painted wooden chairs that face out onto the ocean. This is the perfect casual and cost-effective lunch spot for a beer and some fish tacos.

I would also check out Matcha Mama, Raw Love and The Papaya Playa Project.

To Do

Mayan Ruins - These are a must-see when in Tulum and, depending on where your staying, are within a 20-30 minute cycling distance. I recommend going as early as possible to avoid the big coach trips and also to pack a bikini. There is a gorgeous beach where you dive straight in to cool yourself down and dry off in the sun. There is a small entrance fee charge of £3.

Cenotes - These are natural deep-water wells which are topped up by rain and currents of underground rivers. They are a lovely fresh temperature for swimming during the heat of the day and my absolute favourite thing to do in Tulum. The Grand Cenote is one of the most popular ones with bats that fly overhead and turtles that swim along beside you in the water. Casa Cenote is most beautiful from below the surface with its crystal clear water the visibility and stillness are perfect to watch fish dart around and weave in and around the mangrove trees which surround it. Cenote Nicte-Ha is not as deep as the other two but amazing from above. It’s full of Lily pads and if you are there at the right time of year the flowers will be in bloom. They are all truly magical and I’ve never seen anything else like this in the world.

These areas are all reachable by car but are tricky to find as there are no clear signposts indicating when to turn off the main road. We asked for specific directions from our hotel and still managed to get lost so to erase this problem completely use a local taxi service. There is a fee to access all of the Cenotes which ranges from £5-£9 so make sure you have cash. Snorkel gear and lockers are available to rent and I recommend going as early as possible as people tend to turn up around lunchtime. A little further afield but perfect for a day trip would be to head to Cenote Xkeken, Cenote Choo-Ha and Cenote Ik Kil.

Be Tulum Spa - With a picture-perfect piece of cost line and dense jungle to explore it’s hard to pull yourself away from the nature that surrounds Tulum. I would however make one exception and allow yourself some time for a treat at Be Tulum spa. The Sanctuary offers a variety of pre-hispanic traditional Mayan rituals and treatments as well as having a sauna, steam room and pool which is complimentary for every guest. The spa's rooftop garden grows sacred herbs and medicinal plants used in traditional energy and body treatments, and complimentary tea elixirs. I went for the Yäan Balancing Massage followed by the ‘sensual and relax’ bath. The facilities, staff and energy of this place are absolutely outstanding and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Go for a snorkel - A favourite of mine when in any tropical destination is a snorkel trip. We opted for a local tour that takes you off the coast of Tulum and we were able to spot a number of colourful fish and turtles. If travelling at the right time of year and you want a full day activity I would go for a day trip to Cancun to swim with whale sharks. It’s a very early start but a bucket list activity.

There is no denying that Tulum has been built solely for tourism and acts as a ‘front of house’ in showcasing Mayan culture. With the increasing demand and interest on social media, the area has expanded rapidly bringing with it a mixed bag of reviews, inflating prices and more commercial places. While this stretch of coast does offer something for everyone if your intent to stay here is for the photos alone, rushing around from place to place or ‘to be seen’ then you will be missing the magic that Tulum has to offer. So sit back, relax and enjoy that spicy margarita.

I’m new to the world of travel writing with more posts coming soon. In the meantime get to know me!

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