Guide to Visit Tulum, Mexico | Things To Do & Where To Stay

Sunshine and solitude make it the ideal destination for relaxing retreats. Tulum’s spectacular coastline is 90 minutes from the closest airport, making it a not-so-easy to get to beach. Giving visitors long stretches of cobalt blue beach and balmy breezes with only a few other people sharing your little paradise. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya, so enjoy the caves, cenotes, and historic ruins! There is also a strong New York presence in many Tulum spots — eco friendly boutique hotels, vegan restaurants, beachfront yoga classes, and indie designer stores on every corner.

Simply+Gharib+Tulum

Things to do:

  • IK Gallery: Azulik’s cool architectural space

  • Casa Malca: Pablo Escobar’s mansion

  • Bike Rentals

  • Tulum Ruins: Mayan ruins overlooking the sea

  • Gran Cenote: natural phenomenon pool

  • Yoga at Sanara: $20pp for an hour beachfront session.

Best Cafes:

  • Matcha Mama: green juices/ açaí bowls

  • The Real Coconut: beach front, healthy breakfast

Where to eat:

  • Kin Toh: iconic sunset dinner

  • Beso: romantic and innovative for dinner

  • Gitano: great music / cool for dinner

  • Papaya Playa Project: beachy chill vibes for lunch

  • Nomade: Moroccan wholesome and holistic food

Where to Shop:

  • Coqui Coqui: great local designers

  • Josa: adorable little hut with caftans, art books, and bikinis

  • La Troupe: white patio space is decorated with pillows

Most Millennials have heard of Tulum or seen the beautiful travel posts on Instagram. The trendy, New York-ified yoga town sits 90 minutes south of Cancun, so we rented a car and headed straight to Tulum from the airport. Tulum’s town is referred to as pueblo and the beach as playa. Some may be put off by the fact that the town center, where the really cheap eats and sleeps are found, sits right on the highway, making the main drag feel more like a truck stop than a tropical paradise. But rest assured that if Tulum’s pueblo isn't to your liking, you can always head to the coast and find that tranquil, beachside bungalow.

It’s not big high rise resorts but instead perfectly designed boho-chic-eco-yoga places serving matcha and kombucha…

Travel, Jan 2019Nora Gharib1/4/2019, Travel