Tulum: Our happy place. A quick hour and a half taxi to an amazing eco -friendly bohemian chic oasis. There are so many incredible places to stay let us break down a few of our favs:
HOTEL “MUST HAVES” IN TULUM:
- Area: Find a hotel on the beach strip of Tulum. There is no shortage of amazing boutique hotels in all price ranges. This article will reference the beach strip of Tulum. There are two different areas in Tulum:
- Tulum Town: the downtown area
- Beach Strip Tulum: the area of boutique hotels, restaurants and shopping along the beach.
- A/C: Tulum can get HOT so make sure the place you pick has A/C if you’replanning on traveling during the summer months
- Free Breakfast: Most places in Tulum have a free breakfast included in the price. This is a great way to save money.
- Beach Access: There is nothing better than waking up and walking out to the crystals waters of Tulum. We prefer to find places that are on the beach side. Plus in the hot months, the ocean breeze is a savior!
- Mosquito Spray I am not going to sugar coat it the mosquitos are pretty serious in Tulum. This may be because I am one of those people everyone likes around becasue I get eaten alive by them and no one else seems to even get a bite. Almost everywhere in Tulum has mosquito spray and most of them are organic, Tulum is very in tune with the environment. One of my favorite things in Tulum (
espescelly at Be Tulum) is they burn Copal Incense. I just had to pick up some to bring back to Atlanta. Thesmall always brings me back to magical Tulum.
BE TULUM
Hands down Be Tulum is one of our favorite resorts we have ever stayed, and that’s saying a lot! Everything about this boutique hotel depicts the pure essence of Tulum. This is the quintessential Tulum IG worthy getaway. You can read our full review of Be Tulum HERE. From the moment you check in to the last day (which you will be reluctant to leave) Be Tulum is pure perfection. Even when we visit and we can’t splurge to stay here (we try to at least stay our last night or two) we ALWAYS visit for a day of relaxing on the beach, sipping some handcrafted cocktails, and of course to enjoy some of their award-winning Michelin-Star cuisines.
VIBE: Bohemian chic
ROOMS: 64 rooms interlaced throughout the jungle. All rooms are Incredibly private, and each has a pool. We stayed in the Arena suite. You can truly not go wrong with any of the rooms here! The beds are phenomenally comfortable and the interior decor is in all the rooms are very secluded and all have a pool.
DRINK: El Chile: a Spicy margarita with a hint of sweetness topped off with a jalapeno and edible flower: perfection.
EAT: ANYTHING…You think I’m kidding well I’m not! The food here is spectacular! Start the day off right with the (included) healthy breakfast on the beach, then grab some lunch from the comfort of your private beachside lounge chair. My fav go-to snack is their handmade guacamole…I mean you can NEVER go wrong with fresh guacamole! Dinner is incredibly special. The atmosphere is magical and the fresh selection of fish is amazing! Sit back order anything and enjoy
DO: Relax beachside on your a bed or enjoy some live music at the balcony bar overlooking the jungle and the ocean. Or you can venture directly across the street to the award-winning Yaan Well Spa. If you’re looking to explore Be Tulum offers free bikes (including electric bikes) to those that are staying at the resort; which is the best way to get around Tulum. Start at Be and wonder your way down the Tulum Strip
NOMADE
Nomade is Be Tulum’s sister resort. Literally located directly next door. And while it does have a similar vibe it tends to have more of a chick hippie wellness aspect to it. Described as: MEETING POINT OF THOSE WHO’S JOURNEYS NEVER ENDS”
Nomade Tulum is a human centered hotel, conceived as a temporary habitat for those ready to learn and share, ready to awake the soul and free the mind.
It is a space in a sacred land where the mind, body and soul will be delighted and fulfilled by mother nature.
Vibe: Wellness Boho Chic
ROOMS: 38 rooms and designed for comfort and simplicity. All rooms have modern amenities and rustic details that showcase local artisan handcrafts. You will literally want to decorate your entire house to replicate the Tulum nomade vibe upon your return. Unlike BE, not all of the Nomade suites have pools and the rooms are more out in the open.
TRAVEL/ROOM TIP => We stayed in the Villa Pool Suite with another couple. This is a great way to extend your budget, experience Nomade, and you get one of the villas with the pool and private sunbathing area.
EAT: BREAKFAST: Nomade offers an amazing complimentary breakfast. What I love is that they use local fresh vendors. They have something for every type of diet. It is served in a buffet style (don’t let that fool you, everything is fresh and delicious) and you sit in a common area comprised of big comfy ground pillows and large family style tables. LUNCH: Enjoy: La Popular which is a “fish -market inspired beach restaurant and is a tribute to the joys of a life by the sea” So incredibly delicious: I highly recommend the Tuna tartar as well as the ceviche…I mean literally, anything you order is fresh and phenomenal.
TIP => Stop by early to put your name in for La Popular they work primarily off reservations (which are easy to obtain) while you
DO: Nomade offers so many additional ….. Including an award-winning spa: Yaan Wellness Spa. They offer complimentary yoga overlooking the ocean, seminars, retreats, workshops, and talks including sound therapy sessions (which I have never tried but I am going to challenge myself next time to immerse myself). All are lead by gifted and dedicated individuals with extensive experience and knowledge ( shamans, healers, therapists, dancers and more). Branch out try something new and find yourself.
AYLAYA
Alaya is a quaint sustainable treehouse style community located on the Beach strip of Tulum. This is a bit more budget friendly and a smaller community.
We are Green Key Partners and follow natural systems, enhacing life in the process as every ecosystem does. Our top priority is to leave the smallest ecological footprint on our environment, and to provide all-natural amenities.
VIBE: Eco Friendly tree house
ROOMS: Each beach cabin has a porch that overlooks the ocean or the common areas. We stayed in Room 1: Ocean Front Suite. It was magical waking up every morning to the sites and sounds of the ocean. We enjoyed our breakfast on our porch with the sea breeze and the beautiful sights of the caribbean. All the rooms are fully sustainable.
The cabins were perfect to sit and watch an afternoon rainshower. The Front desk brought us a bottle of rose and we all just relaxed, laugh and enjoyed. Perfect relaxing afternoon with friends.
EAT: All of the food at Alyaya is locally sourced and fresh. you can grab a bite to eat within the property either at the restaurant or in room/on porch dining. Alyaya is centrally located as well so you are just a stone throw from any of the local Tulum restaurants.
TRAVEL TIP => Walk around to the local restaurants and bars. Each night a difference bar will host the Nightly Party. One of our favorite places is Gitano. Incredible cocktails and great vibe! It’s an absolute MUST!
DO: I recommend renting some bikes for the day and venture around Tulum. Very inexpensive ($5 USD for the day) and a great way to see the real Tulum. There are some great boutiques and amazing restaurants to check out. I know a lot of Americans worry about eating and drinking off site….let me just say that if you stick to this narrow-minded thinking you will be missing out! I will be posting a biking foodie tour of Tulum soon so stay tuned!
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