Last month I traveled to the incredible coastal town of Tulum with a few of my friends. From revitalizing afternoons in the spa to dining outdoors under the stars, we had the most amazing time on the Yucatan Peninsula.
I’ve always heard that Tulum was one of Mexico’s most beautiful places to escape and explore, but I have to say that experiencing it for myself was truly life-changing. Being able to see the coastlines of Mayan ruins, practice yoga in the Yoga Shala, and try so many delicious local restaurants was exactly what I needed to recharge my need to travel.
If you’re planning to visit this amazing destination and are looking for some inspiration for what to do, here are a few of my favorite activities, hotels, and dinner spots to visit in Tulum.
Activities
Yaan Healing Sanctuary – This was one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip. Just sitting in this pool and taking in all of the lush scenery was truly special. I highly recommend trying the Sobada Massage, which uses freshly picked native herbs, sacred copal and deep massage to heal and cleanse the body. Or if you’re traveling as a couple, try the Couples Divine treatment!
Cenotes – Definitely check out the cenotes, the incredible natural warm waterfalls.
Mayan ruins – The town is filled with amazing ruins from the Mayan culture. If you have the chance, visit some of these incredible structures like the Main Pyramid, the Beach Ruins, and the House Of The Halach Uinic.
Yoga – One of my most favorite memories from Tulum was practicing yoga outside on the beach. I did a Tezmacal ceremony, and it was truly such an eye-opening and incredible experience. Just practicing this among nature was so amazing. I can’t recommend it enough!
Hotels
There are so many amazing hotels and resorts in Tulum that you almost need to make two trips just to experience them all! However if you have the chance just to step inside some of these spaces to look around, you will be so grateful you did. Not only are they
Hotel Nômade Tulum – I cannot recommend this hotel enough. This is where we stayed during our trip, and it was right on the coastline so we were literally steps from the ocean. We stayed in one of the oceanfront rooms and had an amazing view of the Gulf, which was perfect for walking the beach every morning. I also loved getting to do yoga every morning at the Yoga Shala. Another awesome part about this resort is that you can actually stay in a treehouse! They’re suspended above the ground so you can look out over the palm trees and see the beautiful views from your room. Nothing beats waking up every morning to the sounds of the crashing waves and the wind in the trees.
Some other amazing spots to check out are Be Tulum & Spa Resort, Azulik and Papua Playa Project.
Dinners
Going into my trip, I thought it might be challenging to maintain my mostly low-carb lifestyle. What I found was that so many of the restaurants and shops featured amazing local ingredients, which made it easy for me to find delicious options for every single meal.
Gitano– This was one of our favorite spots of the entire trip. Eating and laughing outside with my friends… so many amazing memories from this spot!
Matcha Mamma Tulum – For a quick snack during your trip, you have to try this spot! They make the most amazing acaí bowls, smoothies and drinks. I tried the Detox Charcoal Tea, and it was so good!
Be sure to also check out Casa Malca, located at one of the former mansions of Pablo Escobar. It’s a blend of delicious Mexican food, luxurious architecture and amazing art. A must see!
Other great restaurants to visit are Arca, Hartwood, Taboo, KinToh at Azulik Hotel, and Casa Jaguar.
If you’ve ever been to Tulum or the Yucatan Peninsula, tell me about your favorite spots in the comments!