Andrew C.
May 27, 20206 min
Updated: Apr 6
Tulum, Mexico, is a true paradise where the jungle meets the sea. I first visited this spiritual beach town in 2014, and it was truly love at first sight. From the impressive Tulum Ruins to the pristine white sand beaches along the Caribbean coast, Tulum is renowned for its natural beauty and is considered one of the best beach destinations in the Americas. Time seems less critical here, especially if you allow yourself to break free from its constraints, if only temporarily.
The latest trend in Tulum is embracing eco-living. Riding a charming bike is the best way to explore both the jungle and the beach town strip. When staying within such a fragile ecosystem, it is crucial to be mindful and minimize environmental impact. Below are the highlights and our favorite picks in the region for your guide and travel planning.
Casa Malca
Through the lush tree tunnel, we found our secluded paradise at Casa Malca in Tulum. Still remember the unforgettable NYE I spent here two years ago, the new pool and extension of the property make it even more charming and complete. At Casa Malca, you could experience the artsy living at this former Pablo Escobar mansion. The owner and art dealer Lio Malca has transformed the property into a gallery-like destination for luxury retreat in the middle of the jungle with exquisite details and exclusivity. Every corner is like a dream home came true! With the impressive artworks and installations throughout, each room and corner has its charm and magic. It is surely a daring and tasteful take on the luxury living experience.
Address: Carretera Fed, Av. Boca Paila km 9.5, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 998 502 0363
AZULIK
Probably one of the most iconic place to stay in Tulum. The villas of AZULIK Tulum were designed to create an atmosphere for rest and reconnection. With no air conditioning, television, Wi-Fi or electric light, the property reduces the impact technology has on the environment and our ability to get in tune with our surroundings.
Address: Carretera Tulum - Punta Allen KM 5, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 980 0640
Nômade Tulum
The Bohemian meeting point in Tulum. The secret to their success lies in the authentic representation and revival of the Mayan culture, with their Sacred Fire Rituals, Cacao Ceremonies.
Address: Carr. Cancún - Tulum KM 10, Tulum Beach, 77880 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 803 2243
Gitano Tulum
Searching for the neon lights and giant Disco ball in the jungle, Gitano Tulum is the perfect stylish playground set in the nature of Tulum. We started the evening with the famous mezcal cocktails made with fresh local ingredients. Still get blown away by the setting and experience every time!
Address: Tulum Beach Road KM 7.5, Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum, Mexico
Hartwood
Probably the hardest place to snap a table if you did not make a reservation one month in advance.
The menu here changes daily based on the sea and land that offers the kitchen new harvests each day. The offering is usually seafood-heavy, as is expected in Tulum, with options like amberjack, snapper, and robalo. But don’t overlook the amazing pork that the kitchen turns out. It is an absolute must when you come to Tulum, never disappoints.
Address: Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila 7, Tulum Beach, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Kin Toh
KIN TOH serves up an avant-garde cuisine that combines methods and local ingredients from our native culinary tradition with international elements to offer our guest a multi-sensorial experience in each dish.
Address: Carretera Tulum-Punta Allen KM 5, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 980 0640
Kitchen Table
Kitchen Table is a Eco- friendly restaurant located on the jungle side of the Tulum. It offers Wooden grill, local fresh produce, Caribbean jungle & cocktails.
Address: Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila km 6, Tulum Beach, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 188 4924
SFER IK/ AZULIK Uh May
Found the ultimate inspiration and peace at SFER IK in Tulum where the art and Mayan culture coexist. Azulik Uh May is the new Art City that rises in the jungle of Tulum, a new project by Roth Azulik that enables local communities to access the creative sphere, specifically through arts and crafts workshops connected with contemporary artist residency programs and educational art programming. Through the organic architecture, winding lines and intricate patterns under the flower of Life, the Uh May space inspired us to explore and appreciate the harmony between art, nature and wisdom. It has a profound effect on those who visit from local and afar.
Address: Grulla 23 Franscisco Uh May, 77796 Francisco Uh May, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 292 0998
Tulum Mayan Ruins
In Maya, Tulum means "Wall", and the city was christened thus because it is a walled city; one of the very few the ancients ever built. It was served as a major port for Coba.
Address: Carretera Federal, Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Coba
At the ancient Mayan city, Coba. The site contains a group of large temple pyramids and many sculpted stela that document ceremonial life and events. We climbed 130 steps up to the top of the pyramid for the remarkable view of the area and traced the series of elevated stone causeways, sacbes, radiate from the central to various sites, including Tulum that used to serve the city as the main port. The civilization was estimated with 50,000 inhabitants or more at its peak, and so far, only 5% of the site has been rediscovered.
Address: Carretera Federal Tulum 307, 77793 Cobá, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 206 7166
Chichén Itzá
Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature.The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles at the site. Chichen Itza is classified as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and in 1988 was enlisted as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: Yucatan, Mexico
Phone: +52 985 851 0137
Cenotes Dos Ojos
At DosOjos area in North Tulum, there is a series of Cenotes that are pristine and secluded. Coming from an ancient Mayan word, Cenote is a natural sinkhole filled by rain and water flowing from underground rivers through the limestone rocks. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico has more than 6000 different cenotes and is the largest underground river system in the world. Join the cenote discovery and hopping with us in the jungle!
Address: Cenote Jaguar Rd, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 998 980 0664
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka'an is home to thousands of species and was declared as a World Heritage Site by the Unesco in 1987, remaining as the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean. The best way to experience the reserve is to float in the Mayan Canals, learning the history and ecosystem at the same time. Then we joined together with the Bushman Photography Team for a private tour on the speedboat to witness the wildlife. Sian Kaan is definitely one of the most spectacular and ecologically diverse places on earth, and we hope it will stay that way for many generations to come.
Address: Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Area: 2,797 km²
Yaan Wellness
A luxury healing sanctuary, that offers healing water, spa, yoga, massages, temazcal and lot of different treatments from Mayan roots that will enliven Body, Mind And Spirit. It is the best of its kind in Tulum.
Address: Carretera Boca Paila KM 10, Quintana Roo 15, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Phone: +52 984 980 0676
Ka’an Tulum
The new Kaan Tulum, a beautiful beachclub and restaurant right on the beach in the Sian Ka'an Reserve. According to the locals, the Mexican government allows 5% of the land in the reserve to be used for commercial purposes to generate income to sustain the operation of the reserve. It might be great to stay mindful and cautious while visiting the business in the protected area.
Address: Carretera Tulum - Punta Allen, Kilometer 3 after the Sian Ka'an Mayan gate
Phone: +52 1 (984) 233 6747
https://www.kaantulum.com/
Gitano Beach Tulum
The latest addition to the popular Grupo Gitano lineup in Tulum. The reservation only beach club is the newest hotspot in Tulum Beach with trendy crowd and lively music on a secluded beach.
Address: Carretera Ruinas Tulum 33, 77780, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico