Tulum: Where Endless Adventure & Total Relaxation Meet
Curated by Anna Endler
Guest post by Anna Endler, @annaiendler
The elevator pitch: From eco-friendly wellness retreats to dreamy boutique hotels and trendy restaurants, cenotes & jungle speakeasies, Tulum is the modern Jauntie (or Instagram influencer’s) dream destination.
When to go: The best time to visit is in late spring (April) or late fall (November). These months have the most sun and the least rain - making them the perfect time for your jungle getaway. If you can’t make it during those specific months, anytime during the winter from November - April is a good choice. Most importantly, just avoid the summer months as they are humid, rainy and over 100 degrees.
Where to stay: Tulum has no shortage of picture perfect hotels for every Jaunties’ travel style. If you do yoga regularly, enjoy full moon rituals / sound baths and consider yourself somewhat of a hippie, Habitas Tulum ($300+ in low season / $370+ in high season, check prices here) was made for you. If you enjoy having everything on site and never needing to leave the resort, Papaya Playa Project ($320+ low / $700+ high, check prices here) is your best bet. This vibey beachfront property has tons of amenities including one of Tulum’s best beach clubs, and lots to do on site. A few other favorites include Nomade Tulum ($350+ low / $580+ high, check prices here), Be Tulum ($500+ low / $850+ high, check prices here) and of course the Instagram famous Azulik ($400+ low / $700+ high, check prices here).
How to get around: There are two main areas of Tulum: Downtown (The Pueblo) and the Hotel Zone (The Beach). To get between the two, you will need to take a taxi or rent a car for the 15 minute drive. Once on the beach, everything is within walking distance. Along the beachfront road, you will find all the best spots, one after another. If you plan to stay in town (The Pueblo), I recommend renting a car to get back and forth between town and the beach. If you are staying on the beach, walking and the occasional taxi will get you everywhere you need to go.
TRIP OVERVIEW
What this is: a modern and beautiful beach getaway
What this isn’t: a mango deck fiasco
Day 1: The Hotel Zone - Eat, Drink & Explore
Breakfast at Matcha Mama
Stroll through the shops & wander down to any beach!
Lunch at Moro
Relax at Habitas
Drinks & dinner at Gitano
Day 2: Into the Jungle: Cenotes & Mayan Ruins
Breakfast at Botanica Garden Cafe
Head to Gran Cenote
Lunch at Cetli
Venture through the Tulum Archaeological Site
Dinner at Hartwood
Party at Papaya Playa Project
Afterparty at Bonbonniere
Day 3: Live like a Local: The Tulum Pueblo
Breakfast at Raw Love
Wander around Tulum’s pueblo
Lunch at Taqueria La Chiapaneca
Explore La Veleta
Dinner & drinks at Nana Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
THE DETAILED GUIDE
Day 1: The Hotel Zone - Eat, Drink & Explore
Matcha Mama
Breakfast in Tulum
map | site | @matchamamatulum
Fresh and fun. Enjoy an acai bowl or smoothie for breakfast at Matcha Mama while sitting on their macrame swings and taking in the scenery. This super hip cafe on the beach road is famous for its delicious and unique matcha smoothies, and I can’t disagree, it was probably the best smoothie I’ve ever had.
Tuluminati & Surrounding Shops
Go shopping
map | @tuluminati.mx
Low-key and relaxed. Wander down the beach road to get acquainted with all the popular shops, bars and restaurants - don’t forget to go into the famous Tuluminati store and buy a hat to blend in with the locals.
Moro
Lunch
map | reserve | site | @habitastulum
Trendy and chic. Stop for lunch at Moro, Habitas Hotel’s famous restaurant & beach club. The ceviche & steak tacos are an absolute must, and get some mezcal to go along with it.
Habitas
Beachside
map | reserve | site | @habitastulum
Elegant and eclectic. Stay awhile at Habitas to people watch, chill poolside, and soak up the DJ’s deep jungle house tunes. If wellness activities are your cup of tea, check their schedule for yoga classes, breathwork workshops & sound baths.
Gitano
Dinner
map | reserve | site | @gitano.beach
Vibrant and lively. Head back down the beach road for dinner and drinks at Gitano, one of Tulum’s most famous restaurants, known for the insanely vibey atmosphere. Good thing it’s Friday, as Gitano hosts the best Friday night party on the beach. Gitano is complete with an indoor and outdoor dance floor, a disco ball and really good bartenders, so you might wake up with a bit of a tequila hangover.
Day 2: Into the Jungle: Cenotes & Mayan Ruins
Botanica Garden Cafe
Breakfast
map | @botanica_garden_cafe
Energizing and delicious. Begin your second day with breakfast at Botanica Garden Cafe - one of the best known local spots in The Pueblo. With tables in a lush and spacious outdoor garden, this cute cafe is the perfect place to start your day of adventure. The food is fresh, healthy and super affordable. Order a spread for the table, and try everything!
Gran Cenote
Swim in these green-blue natural pools
map
Hop in your rental car or grab a taxi, and head to Gran Cenote to make your mermaid dreams come true. Spend the morning swimming in this ancient limestone cavern, and don’t forget your GoPro! For $25USD, you can get snorkeling gear and a locker to store your stuff.
Cetli
Lunch
map | reserve | site | @cetlitulum
Family-run and authentic. After your swim, jaunt back down the road from Gran Cenote a couple minutes for a delicious lunch at Cetli. This family owned restaurant offers some of the best authentic food, as well as amazing Mexican art and decor.
Tulum Archaeological Site
Learn about these Mayan ruins
map
Historic and beautiful. Go for an adventurous afternoon at the Tulum Archaeological Site. Here, you can get your history lessons in and visit stunning 13th century Mayan ruins such as the Temple of the Frescoes.
Hartwood
Dinner
map | reserve | site | @hartwoodtulum
Eclectic and unique. After your day of adventures in the ancient Mayan jungle, head back to the Beachfront to dine at Hartwood, one of Tulum’s most coveted restaurants. This small, bustling open air restaurant is famous for entertaining celebrities, influencers and Tulum foodies alike. The menu is arguably the best in Tulum, but you decide for yourself. With regularly changing dishes based on the availability of the best ingredients, you can’t really go wrong.
Papaya Playa Project
Drinks
map | reserve | site | @papayaplayaproject
Funky and fun. Continue the night at Papaya Playa Project, the only place to see and be seen on a Saturday night in Tulum. This beachfront party brings all the vibes - people watching, jungle house beats and a guaranteed good time. Be sure to purchase tickets on their website in advance, as they always sell out!
Bonbonniere
Drinks
map | reserve | site | @bonbonniere.tulum
Desirable and vibey. If you’re one for an after - after party, Bonbonniere is a vibrant and exclusive nightclub only to be found in Tulum, Mykonos and London. Don’t go before midnight - the dance floor comes alive in the early hours of the morning!
Day 3: Live like a Local: The Tulum Pueblo
Raw Love
Breakfast
map | @rawlovetulum
Fresh and nourishing. On your final morning in Tulum, go to Raw Love for breakfast. This health food cafe is loved by locals and visitors alike for its selection of amazing smoothies, juices, bowls, etc. Of course, you can add any adaptogen or superfood powder of your choice to your order.
Wander Tulum’s Pueblo
Wander the pueblo
map | @rawlovetulum
Vibrant and relaxed. Spend your morning wandering around Tulum’s pueblo. Admire the street art and soak up the authentic Mexican surroundings. Fresh coconuts are available on every corner, and not to be missed!
Taqueria La Chiapaneca
Lunch
map
Authentic and local. Refuel from your morning jaunt around downtown at Taqueria La Chiapaneca. This local mom and pop spot serves up the best tacos in Tulum. There will be a line out the door, but it’s worth the wait.
La Veleta
Check out this new neighborhood
map
Chic and laid back. For the afternoon, make your way to La Veleta, an up and coming new neighborhood in between the Pueblo and the Beach. Here, you’ll find brand new high end apartments, cafes, shops, and many hidden gems to discover.
Nana Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Dinner
map | @nanarooftopbar
Trendy and eclectic. After your afternoon wander, it’s time for dinner and drinks at Nana Rooftop Restaurant & Bar in the heart of downtown. This is the coolest spot in The Pueblo for dinner, and later in the night, a serious party. It’s a trendy and relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere that will appeal to everyone in your group for your last night in Tulum.
What didn’t make the list?
You may want to squeeze these in…
Another great breakfast spot is Lophophora!
If you want to shop through incredible handmade materials, be sure to stop by World By Hand.
Hit up downtown Tulum and pop over to Ajala for dinner!
If you love Tulum, you’ll also love
Mykonos. Jaunt coming soon!
Sedona. Jaunt coming soon!
Nearby places to visit
Playa del Carmen. About a 1 hour drive north.
Cancun. About a 2 hour drive north.
Mexico City. About a 2 hour flight.