Tulum Mexico: A Photo Essay

Last year, I finally made it to Cancun and the Riviera Maya. I had been avoiding this area of Mexico because I deemed it too “touristy” for my cultured self. Well that was before I discovered the small city of Tulum, Mexico. Tulum, Mexico is a small “pueblo” south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen. It’s known for the Cabana hotels located right off the beach. The yoga crowd has been traveling to Tulum for decades, but now it’s attracting the “chic” crowd. It was just announced that a new airport would open in Tulum to boost tourism to the area. I must admit, I’m a bit scared of what may happen to my dear Tulum. Check out the pictures below to get a little taste and plan your vacation before the tourist onslaught.

The Beach

I had never seen a beach like the one in Tulum, Mexico. Yes, Cancun has powder sand and blue waters, but it definitely doesn't have a backdrop of palm trees and cabanas. For the first time in my life, I actually WANTED to play in the ocean. I took several walks up and down the beach.

This was the view from my cabana on the beach. Can you get this at a hotel in the Cancun? Nope!

The Hotel

After meticulously researching Cabana hotels in Tulum, I chose to stay at the Cabanas La Luna hotel. Read about my tips for choosing a Cabana hotel here! Your hotel stay can definitely make or break your experience in Tulum.

La Luna hotel was right on the beach!!

My room was a little tiny but it made up for it in style

Activities

Besides just lounging on the beach, there are many activities to do in Tulum. You can check out the Tulum Mayan ruins and even swim in the beach right below. You can visit the Sian Ka’an Reserve, which is definitely on my MUST DO list the next time I make it Tulum. The Sian Ka’an Reserve is a protected natural park in Mexico. There are also several Cenotes in the area to swim in. A cenote is a sinkhole with exposed rocky edges containing groundwater. I did an organized tour of the Cenote because I can’t really swim, but anyone can visit them and pay a minuscule admission fee.

Continue reading Tulum, Mexico: A Photo Essay

April 6th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Countries, Mexico | 11 comments

How to Choose a Cabana in Tulum, Mexico

Let’s face it. The only reason you decided to go to Tulum, Mexico is because you wanted a respite from the crowds in Cancun and Playa del Carmen AND you wanted stay in a Cabana off a white sand beach and an aqua blue sea. Thus, more than ever, the choice of which Cabana hotel you choose will impact how you will enjoy your trip. I just made that same decision three weeks ago, when I chose La Luna Hotel for my Tulum Vacation. I spent two nights there in what is the best beach vacation I have ever experienced. I went to bed and arose to the sounds of the ocean. I took long walks along the beach barefoot. I swam in Cenotes. I saw Mayan ruins on a cliff overlooking a beach.

I’m never going back to one of those Cancun all-inclusive resorts.

Below are some questions you should ask your self before you choose a Cabana

How much are you willing to “rough” it?
Twenty years ago, all you could do was rough it on the beaches of Tulum, with just a wooden shack over your head, a swinging bed, mosquito net and no more. Ten years ago, I might have been able to rough in a basic cabana (Sand floors, saggy bed with mosquito net, plastic desk and NO electricity). But today, as a seasoned traveler who likes her electricity and wifi, I just can’t do it. For the purposes of this article, I am going  to assume that you want the typical comforts of a three star hotel – maid service, clean sheets, electricity and wifi. Even some hotels that do have electricity will turn it off around 10pm. If you want electricity full time make sure the hotel provides it. My hotel had electricity round the clock.

Continue reading How to Choose a Cabana in Tulum, Mexico

February 4th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Uncategorized | 6 comments

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