Two Nights in Tulum

Why Tulum?

February Break (Presidents week) is a great time to head somewhere warm and tropical! My husband and I had gotten married back in October of 2017 in Cancun at the Hyatt Ziva (post to come) and wanted to celebrate our one-year anniversary in the place it all began. 

We didn’t want to spend all week at the Hyatt Ziva (even though you could) and always heard such great things about Tulum. So we decided to plan a trip where we would spend some time in Tulum and then Cancun for my 2019 February break. 

We did our research and spoke to friends and family (who we trust) who had traveled to Tulum to get recommendations. As we began to finalize our trip, we decided on two days and two nights in Tulum.

We had an amazing time and highly suggest this low-key, beautiful place to anyone who is looking to relax, soak up the sun, and eat great food.  The one thing I would change to our itinerary would be to add at least one more day! But hey, we can always go back right?? 

Tulum is a unique place featuring the jungle and the beach. Small restaurants and boutique hotels line a small road with jungle on one side and the beach on the other. The people are so nice and tourists are relaxed and carefree. There is no need for getting “dolled up”; just shower (or not…), throw on a bathing suit, a casual dress, and you’re off to explore, eat, drink, or hang out at the beach!

Transportation:

We rented a car from Cancun airport and drove down to Tulum.  The drive wasn’t bad at all (about 1.5 hours)

TIP: If you are going to rent a car, try to do it from a company that is actually IN the airport.  It makes the journey that much smoother! 

Hotels:

Coco Tulum

We stayed at Coco Tulum in a little thatched roof bungalow on the sand! We LOVED it! You feel so secluded and as if you are on a deserted island. There is a lounge-type bar (with swing seats that face the ocean) and a restaurant attached (Juanita Diavolo). 

The only drawback was that the bathroom is communal for some of the bungalows. I was thinking that I would have an issue with it BUT it wasn’t an issue AT ALL. We had a private outdoor shower at our bungalow and the shared bathrooms were extremely clean and nice.  The staff was frequently cleaning them. If sharing a bathroom isn’t for you (which I totally get!) you can also reserve a room with a private (attached) bathroom.

Coco Tulum came with free bike rentals, which we took full advantage of. We rode bikes to the Mayan Ruins, which was beautiful. 

• 

• 

• 

Other hotel recommendations:

• Papaya Playa (good beach and food, good location)
• Be Tulum

Tips: During your hotel search, keep in mind that Tulum is very eco-friendly and is full of small, boutique hotels.  This means that outlets may not handle hair dryers, electricity is available at certain times, and air conditioning may not be available.  

Restaurants:

• GREAT fish tacos! It is along the road, across from the beach.  There is often live music, and there are some TVs with sports (if needing to watch the big game is your thing). 
• We had lunch here on the way back from the ruins and the fish tacos did NOT disappoint!

• 

• 

La Zebra

• What an amazing meal! We came for dinner andsat outside. 
• There is dancing and on Sunday night, local professional dancers came to have fun and salsa dance on their night off.  It was very entertaining, however we weren’t brave (or drunk) enough to join them, but have put it on our bucket list!

Munchies Bar + Taco Stand +Pizza Oven

• We hit this spot for a late night snack. 
• This area is a casual spot with a bar in the middle, a taco truck and wood burning pizza truck surrounding it. 
• The fish and shrimp tacos are excellent, and the pizza was surprisingly very good (if you want a little American food). 
• They play great music as well which is very festive.
• This spot is open until about 2am and is located along the side of the road by La Zebra.

  

• This is attached to Coco Tulum. 
• They have great coffee (I bought a coffee mug from here which I use every Saturday morning), breakfast and pizza (surprisingly!)
• Their cocktail list is extensive!
• Great live music!
  

Word of Mouth Restaurant Recommendations (from trusted sources!)

• Hartwood: Great restaurant but you need to get IN!  They start talking to people in line at 6pm, then they give you a time to come back.  You may have to wait for a few hours, but you can have some drinks. Apparently, it was worth the wait!
• Arca: This place can also be tricky with reservations as well.  It is somehow related to Noma (#1 resto in the world for a number of years) and it shows.  It is pricey, but worth it. *Cash Only
• Gitano: A large bar and restaurant with live music.  My sources only had drinks here but the scene is lively and music is great.  I have also heard good things about the food.
• El Pez: Has a beautiful view.  They have all locally sourced ingredients and my source tells me that the ceviche was the best he’s ever had (and he knows his food!)
• Raw Love: Healthy and delicious, and also amazing coffee.
• Be Tulum: All around amazing food, but the breakfast is EPIC.  Huevos rancheros, quinoa bowl and chia cacoa were fan favs.

Things to Do:

Beach Hang Out

• 

• 

• 

• 

• The beach has a lot of seaweed, but hotel staff rake the seaweed every morning. 
• The sunrise is stunning. Even if you are not normally an early riser, I highly suggest setting an alarm to get up and watch with a cup of coffee.  You can always take a nap on your beach chair later!
• During the day, we hung out on the chairs in front of our hotel, drank cervezas, and took a walk along the beach. 
• People walk up and down the beach selling souvenirs, jewelry, and bathing suits (yes bathing suits!). I bought a cool hat that I love and bring with me on beach vacations. 
• Along our walk, we stopped at a few beach bars for a bite and a beer. Everything in Tulum is low-key and casual and everyone is so friendly and nice!

Shopping

• The ruins were totally worth it! 
• We used bikes from the hotel (free) and rode them to the ruins.  It was about a 25-30 minute bike ride north.
• Make sure you go EARLY!! We got there before 9 and by the time we left (about an hour or so later) it was PACKED!
• These ruins were breathtaking! We took so many pictures and were very glad we did it. They exceeded our expectations in every way! 

Tulum Jungle Gym 

• If you’re into fitness and want to work out like the Flinstones, this gym is for you!
• We didn’t do this, but know people who did and said it was a great work out. 

Cenotes

• We didn’t get a chance to check out any cenotes (the cost of being in Tulum for a short time), but spoke to many people who visited them!  There are many different cenotes, so I suggest researching prior to picking one to go to.