There is no such thing as a perfect beach holiday destination, but Tulum comes pretty close.
Why Tulum?
If you were to pit Tulum against the Maldives or the Whitsundays, it will not be a serious contender in the luxury accommodation category. It might not even be among the top 5 destinations for crystal clear water. Even so, Tulum is the undisputed winner in my book. It offers the full paradise experience package, while still being relatively affordable. It has the powdery white, soft-as-silk sand, some exotic jungle to explore, and those enchanting cenotes (natural pools) to dip in. Not to forget the rich Maya history, the amazing food, its lovely people and some glorious sunsets to top it all off!
We stayed in the zona hotelera (the hotel strip along the beach) rather than Tulum town, which is a bit further inland. The strip has an entirely different vibe, with well-being and relaxation at the heart of everything. You can expect to find beach yoga classes, vegan cafes and even a jungle gym. It's incredibly safe and feels like a sanctuary, with its own distinctive eco-chic atmosphere. There is a lot to do, but you should know - if you're looking for a wilder party scene, you might have to venture into town.
Here's your handy niyaorfar map of the best attractions, restaurants and bars in the area. You'll find a special section dedicated to its most stunning natural wonders, the cenotes.
Key tips for visiting
When to go: late November to early December. This is the shoulder season when the tropical rain storms have ended and the majority of tourists haven't yet flocked in. I've also visited in early February and it was heavenly, but prices are a bit steeper.
How long to stay: 10 days felt exactly right. Long enough to get over the jet lag and relax properly, and not too long to run out of things to do.
Getting around: Taxis are abundant, safe and very cheap. One driver took us to climb Mayan ruins and swim in cenotes, waited for us for hours, and only charged us 1500 pesos (£50). If you're on a budget, you can also catch a collectivo (local minivan service) which runs between town and most attractions.
Where to stay: Alaya Tulum - conveniently located close to the nicest restaurants and bars in the area and not going to cost you a fortune if you book in advance. Offers fantastic breakfast and coffee and its villas are beautifully designed in the typical eco-chic style of Tulum.
Where to eat and drink in Tulum
Raw Love - the perfect place to start if you want to embrace the health-conscious trend. This little hut offers a variety of gourmet vegan options from salads and bowls to yummy cakes. For absolute health nuts, they have a wide selection of superfood ingredients that would impress even Gwyneth Paltrow.
Matcha Mama - another unassuming tiny shack by the side of the road. Made famous by the casual seating (in the form of swings) and the instagrammable decor. Their smoothie bowls are to die for, especially the Nutty Monkey!
Tulumunchies - a food truck park with a variety of cuisines, from local Mexican staples like burritos and tacos, to Asian street food. They also do happy hour at the bar between 6 and 8 PM every day. Atmospheric little place with string lights and the occasional live performances. We had 50% of our meals there!
Hartwood - the best place on the strip for seafood. They pride themselves on supporting the Yucatan peninsula community by sourcing all ingredients from local markets and farms and fishing sustainably. The vibe is lively and fun, so definitely worth a visit.
Rosa Negra - a very atmospheric restaurant with huge lanterns and an inventive Latin American menu. To be perfectly honest, it's a bit on the expensive side, but perhaps save it for a special night.
Boa Beach Tulum - a great beach bar with DJs, offering light bites and drinks. A bit far down towards the end of the strip so you might have to take a taxi (depending on where you're staying). Still very much worth the trip!
Gitano - my favourite chilled night in a garden bar, surrounded by palm trees and string lights. Especially loved the flamenco tunes, courtesy of the live band and elegantly dressed singer. A second lounge bar is housed in the covered section, which is beautifully designed in a medley of industrial and colonial style.
La Zebra Hotel Tulum - if it gets a little too peaceful for you, the beach bar at La Zebra hosts a salsa night every Sunday. It's a pretty casual vibe, but if you want to spice it up a bit you can try your luck at their Spin the Wheel game. It can land you a cocktail pitcher for just 100 pesos (£3.50). I got the special tiki!
Azulik - without a doubt, this is where you'll find the trendy crowd. We went for the Sunset experience which cost $30USD and included a cocktail. Might seem a bit pricey, but we were all absolutely thrilled by the experience. It starts at 6pm, but be there at 5.30 to make sure you get in. This is the amazing view you can expect!
Attractions and adventures in Tulum
Art with Me - Tulum's very own arts and music festival held in April. With the area becoming increasingly popular with tourists, it was important to have an event raising awareness for its sensitive eco system. The art installations focus on our connection with nature, and there is a wealth of wellness activities to choose from.
Tulum Jungle Gym - yes, you heard right! They describe themselves as a real life Flintstone gym. It's a pretty creative and fun concept. Something you might want to check out, even if you're not a fan of working out on holiday.
Mayan Port City ruins - Tulum was one of the last cities that the Maya civilisation built and continued to inhabit for about 70 years after the Spanish colonialisation. Tulum's Mayan ruins are incredibly well-preserved and visiting them is a great activity within easy reach of both the hotel strip and the town.
Cobá Mayan ruins - if you're up for something a bit more interactive and a little further out. Is it hard to climb these steps, I hear you ask. No, actually going back down was harder as it felt very steep. Even so, the view from the top was absolutely worth it!
Cenotes: there are three absolutely fascinating cenotes in close proximity to Cobá. Keep in mind that due to the fragile ecosystem in the pools you are not allowed to go in without taking a shower first to get rid of any sunscreen and natural body oils on your skin.
Multun-Ha is a round natural pool inside a vaulted cave. Its depth is a staggering 6 metres, but it doesn't feel that way as you can see the rocks covering the cave floor through the crystal clear water.
Tankach-Ha is way deeper underground, and there are jumping platforms at 10 and 5 metres for the more adventurous at heart. I thought it would be really fun to do it, but then chickened out as it looked crazy high. Let me know if you try it!
Choo-Ha - if you just feel like having a little lazy swim in the kiddie pool, then Choo-Ha is the one for you. Might be wise to wear water shoes as the rocks on the cave floor could be sharp. I have put a ton more on my map, so don't forget to check them out when planning your trip!
Xel-Ha Adventure Park - this might sound like the dreaded holiday resort themed water park, but in reality it feels like true paradise. Sprawling across a beautiful natural lagoon and patches of jungle, you can spend the whole day lazing about in the water, or being as active as you'd like. I braved the cliff jump and the (baby) zip line. The day pass includes three meals with pretty great food and basic diving gear. I've been twice and both times were my absolute favourite day of the whole trip!
For the gram: great photo spots in Tulum
Ahau Tulum - no doubt this incredible artwork placed at the hotel entrance has graced your feed at one point or another. It's really cool to see in person, whether you pose in front of it or not. The artist Daniel Popper created Ven a la Luz (Come into the Light) for the Art with Me festival in 2018. The 10 meter tall sculpture is made out of wood, rope and greenery and symbolises humanity's deep connection with nature. It really captures the spirit of Tulum perfectly, don't you think?
Keniza Beach - a tiny boutique hotel that might be overlooked, if not for its awesome technicolor murals of jungle and ocean fauna. They have also displayed a very photogenic set of doors on the beach to draw the IG crowd. Yes, yes, guilty of following the herd but it was too pretty to pass up.
Nomade Tulum - the ultimate ethno style luxury hotel. Personally I couldn't afford a stay in a million years. However, like most properties on the strip, you can walk in and have a bit of a mosey. Nobody seemed to mind when we cheekily climbed into this awesome sculpture and spent the best part of an hour taking pictures.
Coco Tulum Beach Lounge - a white all-day beach bar. Also great for laid-back cocktails with the perfect sitting arrangement, and a great view of the horizon from the elevated platform. All features that lend themselves nicely to group photos (as shown)!
Take a piece of Tulum home: Gifts & souvenir ideas
Whatever you do, don't leave your gift shopping for the airport, as it's ridiculously overpriced. Probably the best reason to go into town would be to check out the art and craft shops there. We bought some beautiful flower crowns and some hand-painted ceramics. There are also some gorgeous shops near the zone hotelera selling boho hats, bathing suits and dresses, but they are quite pricey. Another idea if your friends are into strong drinks - get them mezcal miniatures and watch them make funny faces!
Have you been to Tulum? I'd love to hear your recommendations too! And if you haven't, what would you want to see or try first?
