5 Must Dos in Tulum, Mexico

The beach has all the answers

There’s a reason why beach holidays enjoy an exalted status amongst holiday makers worldwide. The sun, sea, and sand make for a potent combination. Add to this the laid-back pace of life in most destinations and you get a recipe that is hard to beat. And when it comes to laid back beach destinations, there is none more relaxed than Tulum. This bohemian corner of Mexico has become the hub for travellers from around the world and with good reason. Tulum has everything a traveller could need for a good holiday – here’s 5 of our favourite things to do in the area:

• Rent a luxury villa

Tulum’s unique admixture of culture, natural beauty, and fine dining makes it an apt place for a honeymoon. Sure you could choose a hotel but for the ultimate in privacy, we suggest looking up Mexico beach rentals and booking a decadent villa for a tropical getaway like no other. Most villas in the area come with outdoor rain showers, plunge pools, spacious bedrooms, and open-plan kitchens. Don’t blame us for not wanting to step out 😉

• Explore bohemian Tulum Pueblo

Tulum first gained popularity with tourists as a bohemian town on the Eastern coast of Mexico. Over the years it has changed a lot with hotels and restaurants cropping up in every corner. But Tulum Pueblo continues to retain its essence as the bohemian focal point of tourism in Mexico. Its streets are lined with artsy bars, independent boutiques, and yoga studios. We love walking around Tulum Pueblo and discovering street art gems along the way – expect to find colourful mandalas, murals, and graffiti. We love it so.

• Indulge in a spot of fine dining

Ask any local or tourist and the one name that will crop up on everyone’s list is Hartwood – the iconic restaurant has made quite a name for itself in these parts. Make sure you book in advance and turn up on time. Hartwood’s menu features a range of BBQ specialities and local flavours crop in dishes like ceviché (highly recommended!) and lobster salad.

Another great place for a more casual meal is Chamico’s. Chamico’s is located on a beach and is perfect if you’re craving some real Mexican food. From tacos and quesadillas to guacamole, beans, and salsa, everything on the menu is finger-licking good. It closes quite early, so head there for lunch on a hot Mexican afternoon.

• Go for a pocket-friendly meal by the beach

If you’re looking for something more easy on the pocket, then Tulum has a lot of budget-friendly options too. We love La Eufemia – the taco shack is on the beach and serves an array of scrumptious Mexican dishes and great cocktails. La Eufemia’s vibe makes it the perfect place to hang out by the beach while drinking some beer and digging your toes into the sand, one little bit at a time. We also love Burrito Amor for its vegan salads and yummy burritos.

• Relax by the beach or go for a dip in a cenote

This is Tulum – you cannot leave without spending a few days at its spectacular beaches or going for a dip in one of the cenotes in the area. The beach overlooking Tulum’s iconic ruins is extremely popular with tourists but we love the quiet beaches of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. It does take some effort to get to, but once you’re there, you have the whole stretch of white sandy beaches to yourself. If you’re happy to brave the bumpy road into the Biosphere, you sure will be rewarded ;-). As for Cenotes, there are dozens of them in the area but Grand Cenote and Dos Ojos are the best for swimming and snorkelling. The best time to go is early morning when the tourist buses haven’t arrived.

• Explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum

The Mayan ruins of Tulum are definitely worth a visit. If you don’t like crowds, make sure you go either the first thing when they open (8 a.m.) or an hour before the closing time (5p.m.). We chose the latter and even though it was fairly crowded, we enjoyed walking around the ruins and learning about Mayan culture and the importance of the walls that were erected by the sea. If the sun is out, you’ll notice turquoise waters around the ruins – perfect for a dip at the ruins’ own little private beach. The best way to get to the ruins is the cycle along the ocean from your villa or hotel. Entrance fee is MXN 64 (USD 3) as of 2016.

That’s it – some of our favourite things to do in Tulum, Mexico 🙂 It’s one of our favourite corners of Mexico and we hope you love it as much as we do.