Tulum, Mexico

Ahau, Tulum

This year is the year of changes and it seams to me that everyone around me is going through some major life change or enhancement; I am no exception. And to celebrate the balls that I suddenly have to dive into entrepreneurship I started my little project by kicking it off from a little paradise called Tulum, right in the heart of the mystic Mayan world and on the hallucinating Caribbean. I have been to Tulum before; however I did not have a real chance to discover it my way and well oh well here goes the scoop:

First of all there is no such thing as a crisis in Tulum. It’s February, just the beginning of high season and everything is booked and I mean it. Booked to the last room and I am talking about USD300-400 cabanas on the beach (ok an amaaaaazing beach). So advise #1_if you are planning your trip around these days book early!!!!

I really did do my research I must say and a practical one too. As I was the lucky one that could stay at a friend’s house (thank you Lamia J ) yet at the same time I had to work believe it or not so my strategy was to go each day to a different beach club and I visited most of the cabanas while desperately trying to find a room for a visiting friend. I feel like I can be tour guide at this point haha (hmmmm extra cash?)

Where to stay

Be Tulum is the best, no questions asked.  Their attention to the details and quality is just outstanding. They even have a movie theater right on the beach under the starry sky. Unquestionable winner. Be prepared to pay USD200-400 for your cabana and it’s worth every penny. I’m talking about total privacy, lovely little pool, and a private mini-Jacuzzi in front of your room.

Runner up is Ahau. It is still under somewhat construction but I really do see there potential there. If you stay at the beachfront suites you will fall in love with whomever you come with so watch out. If you are in a couple take the junior suite at least; the Bali Huts are really for one person with a hand-luggage (in any case all you need is a bikini and flip-flops and a Tee only for the night). If you are on a budget, they also have a guesthouse, which is like a hostel for 30 bucks a night. The suites are $250 or $450 more or less.

Equally good is Ana y Jose. More show off and $300-600 a night but yes you do get lovely cabanas combining luxury with Tulum’s casual life. They do a great job answering e-mails right away so if you have questions just shoot them and e-mail.

If these are full, I recommend the following: Playa Azul, La Zebra, Mayan Tulum, Shambala, OM, and Luv. All equally good and very decent. Really, any of these options are great.

And the rest….oh well, there is no crisis in Tulum remember? And if you are on a budget go for it.

One more thing…if you want to go around and visit places you may want to rent a car. They are really not expensive. I paid $35/day with insurance and all for a Tsuru that became my best friend here. I stayed in the Tulum village 2.5km from the beach and drove to the beach each day. It can be a great solution as you pay very little for accommodation in the village so get a car and rent a cheap place in the village and you are all set and free to move around.

Check out www.airbnb.com and you can find a decent room or an apartment for a fraction of the price you pay on the beach.

Beach Clubs

Ok so there are a few to choose from. If you are staying at some cabanas you will probably hang out there but if you are in the village or just need a change here are your options:

And the winner is……Ziggy Beach Club. I like it because it has a little bit of everything. You have the beds, the hammocks, the tables, and the restaurant, even the pool table. It’s on the beach, it has some shade, it has a totally inside part, and the WiFi is everywhere (remember I was actually working). Lovely place to hang out.

There is also Ana y Jose, again wants to be a bit more posh though I don’t think his concept even exists in Tulum but you have plenty of comfy beds, an inside bar and restaurant and a couple tables outside overlooking the sea.

Playa Azul has a little but charming beach club with a relaxed atmosphere and a bit of electro bit to keep you awake during your lazy day. Nice beach, good location, nice staff.

La Vita e Bella is more relaxed and right on the beach. The best view from any other pizza place in the World I would dare say.

Btw…Tulum is reaching the 21^st century and there is WiFi anywhere you go so all you digital nomads, this may just be your paradise.

Where to Eat

Uuuuuu my favorite topic :)

For the day, most hotels and beach clubs have restaurants and really they are all good. The key is that they have really fresh seafood. I mean I see the guys carrying live fish into the restaurants. What else do you want? Just grill the thing, put some lime and its heaven in your mouth. I do recommend to order ceviche for a light lunch. Some choices that come to mind are La Vita e Bella, OM,  Ana y Jose, El Bistro (Ziggy Beach), Playa Azul.

A special recommendation for the day is Aguachiles. It’s in the village on the main highway going towards Chetumal. I know I know it’s not on the beach but trust me….. Try the Aguachido de callo de hacha and tell me if it’s not worth the hike. And they have lettuce tacos for the ladies that are trying to maintain their skinny waist.  It’s only opened from noon till 6:30pm so lunch please.

MUST DO!!!

Before dinner (or for dinner if you wish) you much go to Cesiak as it is by far the best sunset view in Tulum. It’s about 2-3kms from all these beach cabanas towards Punta Allen.

For the night you have a few good options. First I have to say that probably the first place that caches your eyes will be Matteos but really it is tourist trap and the food is not that great at all and the service sucks so if you are a foodie just drop it right away. It does have a good atmosphere so your choice. At Matteos, I do recommend to go up to the viewing deck and have a drink there and look at the sky; plus the bartender is a darling.

Right next to it is Puro Corazon, a lovely combination of local cuisine with a French touch. Cute, romantic, full of heart (literary), and the food is great. The waiters are a total show and when you see how happy they are you can’t do anything but think positively. Go on a Friday and see for yourself. Try the ceviche.

You also have Casa Jaguar, Casa Banana, and Hartwood, all with great atmosphere and lovely food.

If you want to be by the beach go to the Bistro at Ziggy Beach.

In the village, a place called El Camello is always packed and is known for its ceviche.

What to see

Well….it will take you a while to stop looking at the Caribbean gem of a beach to begin with. Then you have the Pyramids, which are located right on the beach and are small but cute and worth seeing. You know that the pyramids are full of energy, so dress in white and clime on top. You will feel the magic.

 

Natural pool at Punta Allen

A day trip to Punta Allen is a wonderful experience. It’s about 1.5h-2h drive (during the dry season and may take up to 3h in the rainy season). You get there and take the boat tour to see the wild sea turtles, dolphins, bird-island, and a natural Caribbean lagoon that is like a swimming pool made by Photoshop. Amazing! (Btw, Cesiak is on the way so you should see the sunset at Cesiak on your way back from Punta Allen). Important tip! You can go with your own car and you can find a tour for $30. At the hotel they will offer you the whole deal for about $80….big difference.

Diving or snorkeling in the cenotes is another Tulum specialty. Recommended centos to visit are: Calavera, Dos Ojos, Grand Cenote, Casa Cenote.

Swimming with the Dolphins, a once in a lifetime experience. Do it! It’s $150 but sooo worth it. You are set with these really, enough, gotta enjoy that beach too.

Nightlife

Just ask around but really Tulum is not a party place. You do find parties here and there but there is so much more to this place than a mere nightlife. Think about it. It could be a nice break for you.

For the Salsa lovers you have salsa class and dancing at La Zebra on Sundays. The class is from 6-7pm and dancing goes till about 11pm.

For electro-heads you can go to Sandbar on Fridays.

Bird island at Punta Allen