Tulum City Guide
I have visited many places in my lifetime thus far, and rarely does my jaw drop like it did when I went to Tulum. I mean… wow!
I went to Tulum for my brother’s 40th birthday. My brother proposed to his wife there and it was incredible to spend such a beautiful vacation together, me and my hubby, my brother and his now-wife. There is so much to talk about when it comes to Tulum, so I’m going to break it down for you here in a city guide.
hotel
We stayed at Nomad hotel. A remarkably stunning hotel on the beach. They’ve got a wellness program that boasts the likes of daily yoga and meditation on the beach as well sound healing session and other amazing stuff. The food was great and the décor was like a dream. We spent so much time just lounging and relaxing in the sand, we basically checked our shoes at the door and were barefoot the whole time. There are other great places to stay like Casa Malca, Be Tulum, and Azulik.
food
At the hotel, we ate like royalty. But of course we went around checking out all the restos in the area. For breakfast, we loved the Real Coconut – that’s where the magical question was popped, btw!
We also loved Matcha Mama which was perfect for IG pics, but also for their smoothies and bowls.
Hartwood was so delicious but you’ve got to reserve in advance – this place overflows with people excited to check out the yummiest foods. It was highly recommended by Dian from Olive & Gourmando and Foxy. We tried a few other restos while we were there, like Mur Mur and Arca Wow.
The Rosa Negra had such a fun ambiance and then we went to listen to music at Gitano – the perfect #goodvibes outdoor open space. This is also where all the food trucks park so it’s a cool spot to just hang out.
shopping
Nothing says vacation like checking out the local shops. La Bikineria had the cutest bathing suits & coverups. There was Lolita Lolita, Wanderlust, and La Tiendita for handmade ceramics, linens, and all the other pottery-style stuff you’d imagine to find in Tulum.
spa
I can’t go anywhere without hitting up a spa. My fave was Yäan Wellness. It was beyond sensational – and I mean that in the senses kind of way. It was full-body and serene. There is also the health and spa spot at Akulik and Okospa. If it’s up your alley, try the Aztec Chakra Balancing massage… I mean, wow!
It’s an exclusive massage using floral oils designed by nature to assist in an internal healing process. Using Aztec floral oils, this massage allows the flower’s vibrational energy to flow freely. This therapy includes a range of massage, creative visualization, and deep inquiry techniques specific to each person, helping to unlock energetic blockages and develop our greater sense of consciousness.
activities
Nothing says local like touring the city by bike. A day out and about on the town is the perfect way to spend the waking hours, but if I don’t hit up a party and listen to good music, then my vacation is not complete! You’ve got to check out the famous DJ Papaya project and watch the sun set from the Azulik rooftop. Suspended over the jungle and ocean, it’s probably the most beautiful view you’ll take in. between the music and scenery, you’ll be in stimulation overload / heaven! Depends on how much time you spend in Tulum, you’ve got to try scuba diving and visiting the Tulum ruins.
So much to do there but honestly sipping a cocktail by the ocean listening to the waves crash sounds just perfect right about now.
Photography by Patricia Brochu