T U L U M

Truly a magical gem

Tulum has always been somewhere that I have wanted to visit for as long as I can remember, so when I found out my best friend was going to get married in Mexico, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me to add it to my itinerary. Tulum seriously did not disappoint. It has a feeling of magic that I can’t just describe. From the people, to the food, the architecture, and of course, the tequila, I would definitely recommend for you to visit Tulum if you ever get the chance.

I visited Tulum during slow season (October), and it definitely has its perks. The hotels aren’t as busy which gives you the opportunity to explore the area without much of a crowd. The only down side is that it did rain a bit, but it was very on and off and didn’t really affect anything that we had planned during our trip.

How to Get to Tulum/ Getting around Tulum

Cancun International Airport is the nearest airport to Tulum. Once you land in Cancun, it is about a 1.5- 2 hour drive to Tulum. We rented a private shuttle from CARM Tours and Transfers that took us directly to Tulum. I would definitely recommend the company we used as it was safe, reliable, and on time.

Once you are in Tulum, most of the hotels have free bikes that you can use to get around town. This is a fun way to explore the area. There are also plenty of taxis that can take you where you need to go. I would say the taxis were a little more expensive than I was expecting, the fares typically started at $10 USD.

Places to Eat

Rosa Negra– I would highly recommend making a reservation at Rosa Negra for dinner. Not only is the food amazing, but the ambiance is so fun. At 10pm they bring out sparklers and it turns into such a fun time with good music. I ordered the Branzino and it was really good, and the drinks did not disappoint. This place is perfect for a night out with your girls, a bachelorette, or a date night.

Ilios– This past time when I went back to Tulum, we ate at Ilios and it did not disappoint. The food and ambience is everything you want on vacation and more. I highly recommend you add this restaurant to your list next time you visit Tulum. Their food and drinks are so good, they do a show at night with dancers, and the best part you get to break plates. They also had an amazing DJ. We had such a great time and will definitely be back to visit.

Gitano– This is definitely a must when in Tulum. We went during the week and they had live music and the food was delicious. There is also a bar in the back of the restaurant called Jungle Room which I heard turns into a club on the weekends. I will definitely be back to visit this restaurant next time I am in Tulum.

La Eufenia- so there are actually two locations for La Eufenia. One is a taco joint located right on the beach and has the best happy hour! Margaritas are 2 for 1, say no more, and tacos for less than $5. Definitely one of the cheaper places to eat and drink in Tulum and you can’t beat the view.

The second location is known as Ice Cream Bar. This bar is so much fun! From the staff, to the drinks, and the good music, you will definitely enjoy your time here. This place only accepts cash, so make sure you have some on hand.

Posada Margherita– although we didn’t eat here, we did stop here for drinks. This is an Italian restaurant so if you are craving pasta while in Tulum, I would recommend for you to check this place out. It’s super cute and right on the beach.

Instagram Spots to Visit

Of course, your can’t go to Tulum and not stop by the infamous instagram spots. Below are a few places you should check out while in Tulum.

Pablo Escobar Mansion- obviously a must visit when in Tulum. Not going to lie I only wanted to come here it take a picture with the hanging chairs, but this mansion is actually pretty cool. In order to take pictures at the hotel, you have to order food and drinks. They require you to spend a certain amount of money and I heard it tends to be more expensive during the high season.

Matcha Mama- I love acai bowls so much and this place is the cutest. You can bike here and stop by for bowls and smoothies.

Raw Love- Another place that serves breakfast and acai bowls. I didn’t get a chance to actually eat at the restaurant because we ran out of time, but I did stop by to take the picture in front of this gorgeous sculpture, a must see when in Tulum.

Azulik- this is probably one of the more famous hotels in Tulum. We went during the day to visit the museum and its literally #TreeHouseGoals. There is no fee to visit the museum, but they do accept donations to fund various projects. I believe it opens at 12. Note that you can not take in any photography cameras, you can only take pictures on your phone. We didn’t get a chance to have dinner here, but next time I go there I will be sure to add that to my list.

Fun Things to do in Tulum

The cool thing about Tulum is that you can pretty much go to any hotel and hangout on the beach and by the pool as long as you purchase food or drinks. This allows you to explore various hotels on the beach.

Ruins- the Mayan Ruins are so beautiful and highly recommend if you get the chance to visit. They only accept cash so make sure you bring some. I believe it was $5 USD to enter for a self-guided tour. I would also recommend to wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking.

Cenotes- a cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. There are a few cenotes in Tulum to visit, so be sure to do your research to see which ones you are interested in going to. I would recommend to arrive early as the cenotes get very crowded. We ended up going to Dos Ojos. It was so beautiful! The water was a gorgeous blue/green color, but it was freezing! I will definitely be back to visit a few other cenotes.

Yoga- its only right to do yoga while in Tulum. So many hotels offer yoga classes for free if you are staying there or you can go to other hotels on the strip and purchase a session.

Helpful Tips/ What to Pack

1. Garlic Pills- this literally saved my life while I was in Tulum. No matter where I am, the second I step outside I get bit by mosquitos. When I was researching Tulum, so many people complained about how they were eaten alive by bugs, and I was not about to let that happen. I did some research and found that garlic pills will prevent you for getting bit by bugs, and I can attest that this is true! Seriously a life saver. I think I only got 4 bug bites the whole time I was there. For it to work the best, it is recommend to start taking them a few days before your trip and do not take them on an empty stomach. Be sure to get the odorless ones. You can find garlic pills at any drug store.
2. Light, breathable clothes- for the most part Mexico is hot all year round, with Tulum being located right on the beach, I definitely recommend packing clothes that are light and breathable as it does get super hot.
3. Cash vs Card. I would recommend for you to bring both cash and card. If you bring cash, I would not recommend for to exchange everything up front. I exchanged my cash at the airport, but there are plenty of exchange places in Tulum and around Mexico. I used cash mostly to pay for taxis, the Ruins and Cenotes, and the bars. The restaurants do take card. I best bet is to just have both on you. B sure to call your bank prior to traveling and let them know that you will be traveling out of the cuontry so you have no issues using your credit card in Mexico.
4. Sunscreen- is a must. The sun is no joke! Make sure you pack sunscreen and reapply every few hours.
5. Do not drink the water, be sure to buy/ order bottled water.

Tulum truly is a magical place and I hope you get the chance to visit!

Xo, Faby