Tulum: Recs
ABOUT
I traveled to Tulum with my work friends in 2018 and again for New Years in 2020. The best time to travel to Tulum is between October and December when it’s not too hot and hurricane season has subsided. The most crowded months are January- March and the rainiest months are June- September.
The items still at the top of my Tulum bucket list include:
Casa Malca: The entrance/lobby are stunning and only accessible to hotel guests.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere: An Unesco World Heritage Site with extreme biodiversity, wildlife and Kaan Luum Lagoon.
Jashita Hotel Beach: The most beautiful beach in Tulum.
CENOTES
Natural sinkholes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes turquoise natural pools underneath. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. Some are underground caves, some are exposed and some are half exposed/half caves.
Grand Cenote: One of the top diving spots, consists of several cenotes connected by wooden walkways. Close to Tulum and probably one of the most photographed cenotes (look up the location tag on IG).
Dos Ojos: part of a flooded cave system located north of Tulum, another very popular snorkeling and cavern diving site.
Cenote Nicte-Ha: A hidden gem, this locally known cenote is serene and less visited than the popular Cenote Dos Ojos.
Cenote Azul: Exposed cenote with open swimming that has both shallow and deep areas. One of the biggest cenotes in Mexico.
Rio Secreto: Cave centoe full of beautiful stalactites & stalagmites.
Cenote Ik Kil: In order to reach the water you have to climb down 26 meters, has many facilities for visitors including a restaurant on site and even cottages. 2+ hours away from Tulum, and v busy need to be there before 9am.
Cenote Ponderosa: Exposed cenote, has deep crystal-clear water, brightly colored motmots, turtles, and freshwater eels.
Cenotes Labnaha: Underground, sinkhole cenote, limited visitors per day.
Rio Secreto: Underground cave cenote, has huge stalactites.
X'keken: Another underground cave cenote.
CAFES
Tulum Town
Del Cielo: Great cafe for breakfast, coffe, organic juices, fresh baked bread etc.
Ki’Bok: Coffee shop with a beautiful colorful courtyard lined with local palms.
Tulum Hotel Zone
Raw Love: Cute vegan coffee shop and restaurant. Located on the sand, under a palapa roof and covered by colorful hammocks and tables.
Matcha Mama: Cute spot for coffee and acai bowls, with swing chairs (pictured above).
ACCOMODATION
Casa Malca: On the beach, full of Pablo Escobar's old art collection. Carpets, curtains and cool swing chairs at the entrance of the hotel are breathtaking.
Nest Tulum: Crazy trendy private spot on the beach.
Coco Tulum: Cabanas on the beach, cool swings, good for sunsets (worth visiting for the day as the beach club is a popular day spot).
Be Tulum: Ultra-hip design hotel.
Nomade Tulum: Also v-hip glamping style tent stuff.
Sanara: Famous for yoga, overlooks the beach.
Papaya Playa Project: Creative community spot, hotel/beach club has little wooden huts and ‘casitas’ dotted along the beach with rooftop pools. Popular going out spot, and DJ parties every Sat night. Stayed here with my girlfriends and it was incredibly fun.
Amansala: Great set up with pool and hot tub on the beach. Focus on yoga retreats + workout classes. We stayed here and thought it was the perfect combo of laid back but fun atmosphere.
La Zebra Hotel: Beautiful spot on the beach
Teetotum: Unassuming venue with minimalist chic rooms offering free breakfast, a restaurant & an outdoor pool. Slightly less expensive option.
Azulik: Hotel next to Papaya Playa living in the trees in your own personal treehouse. I recommend just going here for drinks/food. You still get the great views, but don’t have to pay the high prices.
DRINKS + Going Out
Tseen Ja at Azulik Hotel: Sunset experience everyday at 5:30. First come first serve, 40 people max, $50 entrance which includes 1 drink (pictured above).
Gitano Tulum: Dancing, great drinks, famous for their house made mezcal cocktails. Have a friends + family night on Wednesday’s called Meze Miercoles. We ate dinner here as well and the food was incredible.
Be Tulum Hotel: Fancy, and hip hotel spot for drinks with delicious spicy margaritas.
Casa Jaguar: Famous for Thursday DJ set jungle parties.
La Zebra: On Sundays, the town heads to La Zebra for salsa on the beach. Live band starts around 9:30.
I Scream Bar: Plays music until 3am.
Batey Mojito Bar: Great Mojitos, spot to get drinks and listen to live music in Pueblo.
Mateo’s Bar: Treehouse-style bar overlooking the jungle. Cheap, no-frills hearty drinks + food.
FOOD
ARCA: High end Mexican inspired menu with incredible drinks. The whole restaurant is seated outdoors with an open air kitchen. Definitely the best meal I‘ve had in Tulum. Need to reserve ahead of time.
Le Zebra Restaurant: Amazing tacos, and home-made tortillas.
Hartwood: One of the most famous restaurants in Tulum. Need to reserve in advance by emailing reservations@hartwoodtulum.com.
Nest Tulum’s Restaurant (only open to hotel guests): Everything is made from scratch and you can even see the chef in action through the view to the little kitchen.
Casa Banana: Argentine restaurant calls on the flavors and styles of Mexican cuisine using wood-fired ovens.
Maria Del Mar: Great food and views.
Mivida: Amazing reviews on Trip Advisor, tiny entrance, eat in front or through the back facing the beach, massive menu.
Zamas: Best fish tacos, stunning view not overly crowded.
Kin Toh: Mexican-traditional Mayan cuisine at Azulik Hotel, expensive but delicious in a gorgeous setting. Again need to reserve ahead of time on open table.
Others: Real Coconut at Sanara, Casa Jaguar and Kitchen Table.
Mayan Ruins
Chichen Itza: 2-hour drive from Tulum. Opens 8am. Largest intact Mayan ruins, an almost fully intact pre-Columbian city. Recommend paying for one of the tour guides at the entrance, they are so knowledgeable and really make the experience.
Coba Ruin: 2-hour drive from Tulum. Only ruins in the area that still allow you to climb and touch many of the ruins. Hire a bike from the many vendors on the site – most people do it, it is cheap and will save you so much time.
Tulum Ruin: Perched precariously on a cliff and offers a breathtaking view that you can’t miss. Bring your swimsuit and take the stairs to the beach below the ruins. It’s open 8am-5pm and costs 40 pesos per person.
Other ACTIVITIES
Tulum Downtown (Pueblo): Quirky souvenir shops and incredible affordable restaurants.
Playa Paraiso: Beautiful public beach below the Tulum ruins. Address: Carretera Boca Paila Mz. 3 Lote 2, Tulum Ruinas, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Rent bikes at any of the hotels and bike down the Boca Paila.
Full day spa at Yaan Wellness.
