I've always had this knack for the 'unknown' and 'hidden gems' of the world, the ones that make us somewhat pretentious yet well rounded individuals...Tulum isn't considered one of those places. Due to its vast and overwhelming tourism, most believe it's a hub for first time travelers, party animals or social media Influencers. I'm not one to follow the crowd, however, I was intrigued and wanted to challenge this distorted belief.
Tulum, located in the Mexican state Quintana Roo, is approximately 2 hours (130 km) from Cancun (which is another tourist bubble I wanted to stay clear from). Tulum is actually one of the last few cities that was built and settled by the Maya. Today it is predominantly known for its cenotes, architecture, nightlife, cuisine, and nature. Prior to going there I was expecting a bomb of tourists and a smaller percentage of residing Mexicans...but boy was I wrong.
Unexpected Elements:
The tremendous amount of Mexicans that DO NOT speak English (I ended up appreciating the full immersion though).
The vicious mosquitos that are able to penetrate through even the strongest protective spray.
The sporadic rain showers throughout the day, Welcome to Wet Season.
The convenience of Colectivos (usually used by locals, these are low cost public vans that take you anywhere from Tulum to Playa del Carmen).
Traveling during the low season means you will most likely have a decreased amount of tourists and more expats that stay in Tulum all year round.
Cenotes
My main focus of the trip was to explore the cenotes; which are these natural pools of rain water (initially formed when limestone caves collapse and disintegrate) that are connected by an underground river. With over 6,000 cenotes within the surrounding peninsula...'a variety' to choose from would be an understatement. My personal favorites in Tulum were Casa Cenote and Casa Tortuga, however, you have a pretty extensive selection to choose from (especially if you decide to travel outside Tulum). Casa Tortuga is a cluster of 4 cenotes with transparent turquoise waters. One component that made Casa Cenote particularly fun was the paddle-board/kayak rentals and diving activities. I also had the luxury of driving to Valladolid (a solid hour and a half trip) which has one of the most beautiful cenotes, reffered to as Hacienda Cenote Oxman. Hacienda is extraordinary, like diving into a deep blue abyss in the middle of the jungle.
Pueblo vs Playa
If you enjoy that tropical Bali vibe mixed with alternative accents, Tulum is a place you can't miss. Tulum is divided between two major areas; Tulum 'Pueblo' (which would be considered the center) and Tulum 'Playa' (obviously this is the resort area closest to the beach). These two places have quite distinct characteristics that make them very different in culture and setting. Peublo is located about 15 minutes (7 km) away from the beach and has a more rustic, traditional yet laid-back environment. On the other hand, you have Tulum Playa where the strip of hotels, resorts, and private beaches are filled with people from all over the world. These two places vary between cost, people, food, and the overall atmosphere.
Art
Architectural/art appreciation is a growing phenomenon in destinations like Tulum or Bali, where the bohemian vibes can truly amplify the beauty of a particular place. There are countless exhibits to see in Tulum which made my trip even more special. There were two places that really caught my eye; ironically, one was in the middle of the jungle and the other in the middle of a resort. The Jungle Art Walk was something out of a story book, walking within the jungle to find pieces of art, sculptures and monumental pieces of fantasy placed me in a state of euphoria. Another eccentric exhibit was the SFER IK located at the Azulik Hotel, this art center reminded me of Tinkerbell's home which brought back some nostalgic memories.
Hope you enjoyed my little adventure, hasta luego!
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