Tulum has been on my bucket list for ages, and after having a free weekend during a work trip to Mexico City I was finally able to flex my flights to Tulum! While it definitely lived up to its expectations (and is way easier to get to than California) I think Tulum has a lot of Seminyak-Bali vibes, but honestly if I had to chose, I’d choose Bali because it’s cheaper and there’s more stuff to do. Heh

ITINERARY

  • January 2019 - 3 Days @ Lum Hostel

    • Super fun and clean hostel, well worth paying the $20 a day and saving a boat load on money.

    • My suggestion here when looking for a place to stay is know if you want to stay downtown (close to bars, restaurants) or along the beach strip (in a resort). If you choose the beach, make sure you choose on in the middle of the strip, because the further North you are, the less mobile you are.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Scuba diving in Cenotes (pronounced seh-notay). Cenotes is a natural created “pit of limestone” filled with fresh water. The Yucatan is known for Cenotes, and there are a dime a dozen. I went diving in Dos Ojos (my all time favorite— felt like I was swimming in Atlantis) and Grand Cenote. Highly recommend to do some research on which ones you want to visit for your needs… IE swimming, snorkeling, diving (if you’re Advanced Certified, The Pit is super to be muy bueno).

  • Relaxing at Beach Clubs. Beach clubs are scattered throughout Tulum and you can order beach side service at all of them. Warning, some have a minimum.. but if you commit to spending the day there it’ll easily cover your lunch and dinner budget. A few favorites of mine:

    • Ahau: No minimum, really chill vibes, and there’s live music. LOVED their octopus dish. Would have easily come back everyday if the waiter hadn’t hit on me…

    • Casa Malca: Expensive ($98 minimum), but they had towel service, pool, one of the sandier and whiter beaches (because they are located in the North end) and sushi! See below on how Casa Malca is a staple in Tulum.

    • Haven’t been: but Papaya Playa, Ziggy’s are more “partier” beach clubs and also suppose to be great.

  • Shopping along the Tulum’s beach strip. So many cute boutique shops that sell great dresses, jewelry, bathing suits, etc. Recommend to route to “Papaya Playa” and from there you’re in the middle of the shops and can easily spend the afternoon shopping along the strip.

  • Exploring at Mayan Ruins. Beautiful ruins for 70 pesos. It was a fun way to spend a morning, and on top of that you can go swimming at their “secret beach”.

  • Spending the afternoon at Casa Malca.

  • Amazing food. List of places to check out for vibes that equal the delicious food, but note this isn’t your CDMX cheap prices. When you’re sick of eating on the beach (but can that actually happen) opt in for these beautiful and chic restaurants…

    • Wild: For beautiful chic restaurants with some really pop seafood.

    • Antojitos La Chiapaneca: Delicious and cheap tacos

    • El Camello: Further down in dt Tulum, but great ceviche. A small is more than enough to split.

    • Prieto: For healthy juices

 

lowlights

  • Bring mosquito repellant to avoid bug bites.

  • It’s an expensive city for Mexico. Definitely a resort town.

  • Touristy. Definitely less touristy than Cabo, but 100% the people who are they are going to be tourist and not actual locals.

  • Not Tulum’s fault…but I was cheap and bought a $50 GoPro dive camera knock off and went on one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL dives ever and literally my camera stopped working. T_T I’m like genuinely so sad because I think the cenote was so beautiful. But really glad I got to be truly immersed in the moment so…. #upsides.