Versão em Português aqui.
I went to Mexico a long time ago with my parents, more precisely to Cancun, when it was being developed. I must say it’s not my kind of holiday destination. I don’t like big resorts and a bunch of people every where you look.
But then, much more recently, I heard about Tulum and its rustic chic lively ambience adding a magical touch to the natural beauty spread all over Riviera Maya. I knew I had to go there one day.
What a better way to visit a festive place if not with a group of friends? When my hubby and I were invited to spend New Year’s there, we had no doubt, we had to rock it. If you like Mykonos and Ibiza, you will love Tulum. Plenty of beautiful people, trendy restaurants and laidback but stylish beach clubs (or hotels), it’s a place to visit at least once. But we are already planning our next visit, sorry!
The ambience here is more chilled than the European destinations I mentioned above. Picture yourself in flip-flops from morning to evening. But expect to find stylish boutiques packed with beautiful linos dresses and outstanding restaurant options. We only spent 5 days there, but we could have stayed for one month for sure. There is so much to do and I explained everything I know here.
The best time of the year to go is during their winter time (December to April), it’s not that hot (it’s never cold there) and you can find plenty of nightlife options. During the other months people say it’s more relaxed and calm, but for sure it’s still great. Just avoid hurricanes season (from August to November).
The main tip I could give you is to find a place to stay right on the beach, if your budget allows you to do that. It’s fantastic to wake up with the sounds of the waves and take a dip in the sea with only a few steps. Besides that, depending on the hotel you are staying in, you won’t have to deal with the super crowded traffic of the main street.
About that, another important tip. We considered to rent a car at the airport, but it’s only wise if you are planning to move around frequently. Consider that in Tulum almost everything is reachable by foot or bicycle. And it’s very hard to drive around, so you won’t be using the car to dine out, for example. So we took a transfer from the airport and used taxis when we wanted to reach a farther place.
We decided to stay at Delek Tulum and we couldn’t be happier with our ocean view cabana. Simply fantastic. The food was amazing and we spent most of our days there, on the sand, relaxing. Think about a very relaxed place full of character and charm, besides being very comfortable. Highly recommended!
Some other unique hotels to check:
*Be Tulum and Nômade – From the same owner, it’s where we celebrated NYE, the most wanted party of Tulum. For sure we will try to stay there in our next visit. Hip and trendy;
*Nest Tulum – Relaxed and stylish ambience, one of our number one choice for the next time. Natural, with a lively vibe;
*Casa Malca – It was once Pablo Escobar’s mansion, now it’s a stylish and beautiful design hotel. For those who seek for a modern touch;
*Azulik – It’s impossible not to mention the most famous hotel in Tulum, with beautiful nests above the trees and very particular decor. But bear in mind that most of the rooms doesn’t have air conditioner. For my husband it is something impossible to live without. You must visit to see it.
There is so much to do in Tulum that we could easily have spent at least 5 more days there, but in our short time we could at least see it at a glance. Take a look at my next post about What to Do in Tulum in 5 days. Hope I can inspire your next trip.
