Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Travelling has long been an aspiration of mine. Besides some nearby states within the U.S. and of course my home in Trinidad, I haven't been too far out of my (literal) comfort zone. So when the opportunity to vacation elsewhere had finally arisen, it was hard to pick my first.
After careful deliberation--Asia was a bit far for my time constraints--Mexico was a close enough option that had always been on my list. The Mexican people I have met in the New York have all been amazingly warm and full of character. Besides this, of course I was going for the food!
Since relaxing on the beach was exactly what i needed for so much need self-care/R&R/ME time, I decided on Tulum. In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, lies a beautiful city that was one of the last to be inhabited by the Maya. It is rich in culture and history, and the the coastal city is a perfect blend between the beach life & the jungle life. Exactly the break I needed from the hustle of NYC.
There was so much I wanted to see/do but not so much time to do it. Alas, I accomplished as much as I could while also getting my much needed rest. I have made a list of all the things I did and even some that I didn't, but would recommend. I hope you enjoy my little Mexico re-cap and it encourages you to visit. Common misconceptions?: Mexico is dangerous and everyone is getting kidnapped and/or diarrhea. All I can say to that is, everywhere there is danger. Everywhere there is a threat. It is our job to stay vigilant, even in our own backyard. Everyday you are risking your life, it's just up too you which risks you take. That, and don't get shit-faced irresponsibly. And don't drink the water :)
This was our FAVORITE place here in Tulum. The staff were so welcoming and both the food and drinks were top notch! There's happy-hour, live music, tequila tasting, and even salsa dancing. What more do you need?
This place is a treehouse for adults. Nestled in-between the jungle and the beach, there is a hotel and multiple restaurants. We went at sunset and experienced the most beautiful views. This is more on the $$$$ end of Tulum but a great experience if you don’t mind the cost. Everything was delicious and the customer service was amazing. We even had ice cream made at our table. Just fyi theres no electricity at this eco-villa and everything is lit with candlelight!
Things to Do
Visit the Town
Probably the MOST fun I had, was just getting a taxi to the center of Tulum and just walking around & exploring. So many handmade goodies and great food. On our last day we found cute, secluded, Moroccan-style interior & food. I don’t remember the name and I kinda like that it’s a hidden gem encapsulated in my memory.
Visit the Ruins
There are many areas around Tulum where you can still see some ruins from the Maya people. And although there were breathtaking views of the jungle-scape at the top, I had mixed feelings after seeing how much it was crumbling from tourist traffic.
Meet the People
The best part of this trip was meeting the locals and just enjoying their friendly, optimistic energy. Everyone was so welcoming to us; Tulum has such a warm & laid back vibe, perfect for an escape from a bustling city.
Things to note:
The beach at this time of year was filled with Sargassum seaweed and is usually a seasonal occurrence, but has lasted much longer than usual. As a result there is a smell that comes along but the hotels on the beach ensure there is constant cleaning. A little heart-wrenching to watch the people consistently raking away at the seaweed with little to no avail. Alas, everyone needs employment and tourism suffers during the slow season when the amount of seaweed is especially high. I went in late august and had 1 out of 4 days to somewhat enjoy the beach. Consider the season when planning your visit if the beach is the main reason for your trip.
Cenotes. YOU MUST DO THIS! Seriously, the underground—(some on ground level)—fresh water pools are full of marine life & crystal clear water. Super refreshing on a humid day in Tulum. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any underwater equipment so I didn’t try to take any photos, just enjoyed the moment & followed a tour guide. There are many cenotes as I’ve been told, many free ones you can visit if you rent a car or bicycle. We chose the tour because it’s a much safer option when you’re exploring new territory. I would recommend this diving shop, although we didn’t do the tour because of poor weather, they had great reviews and provide everything you need for the adventure including GoPros just incase you’re a travel nuub like me. :)
If you made it this far, you the real MVP and I hope my re-cap of my time in Mexico will encourage you to visit soon.
Tiffany Simone
xx
