Travel Guide to Tulum
Tulum is my happy place. Tulum is an energy vortex for many reasons and I am so grateful I have the ability to escape to this beautiful place.
Muchas gracias Tulum, for being the spiritual Mecca you are. If you’re planning a trip to Tulum the biggest piece of advice I can offer is to respect this place as a spiritual hub for the locals and be mindful of the land you’re on. The locals are so generous that it’s in your best interest to adapt to the rhythm and flow of Tulum. It’s vibrant and strong.
Tulum has always brought me back home to my body and to life on Earth. It reminds me to listen to the birds and notice the colors of the plants and take deeper breaths. It’s a magical place.
It’s a bit of a trek from either side of the country but not impossible. From LAX, it’s a 4-hour flight to Cancun (a 5-hour returning flight) and then a two-hour drive. Once you’re in Tulum, you don’t need to leave.
Getting Around
Pro Tip: Don’t rent a car. It’s pointless! Take a shuttle from the airport and it should be around $75 US dollars each way. There’s a transportation issue in Tulum so by adding one more car to the mix hurts them.
Rent a little scooter when you get there or just rent a bike from your hotel. Many hotels offer bikes for free so take advantage of it.
Packing
Wear or bring a bathing suit with you everywhere you go. You just never know when an adventure or ocean dip is in your future.
With kids - it definitely adds an extra challenge as always - but it’s so much fun to feel so free together. Almost everywhere I listed below you could bring your kids to as long as they can read a room and be respectful.
Where to Stay
Amansala - Beautiful beach resort. This is where I went for my baby moon with Noa and it was pure magic!
Sanara Hotel - Luxury hotel on Tulum Beach. Also offers yoga classes.
Papaya Playa - Luxury meets sustainability! Beautiful jungle villas, casitas and cabanas. Great for families.
Ahau Hotel - Eco-friendly beach resort. Romantic and beautiful stay!
Nomade Hotel - Holistic- style resort focused on luxury, healing and education. Stay in a tent, suite or treehouse!
Navitas Tulum - Jungle glamping! For those who want an entire unique Tulum experience.
Where to Eat
Raw Love - Located within the property of the Ahau Hotel, this is simply one of the best spots in Tulum for all vegan, raw, healthy foodie lovers. Pick a hammock and eat your heart out.
Macondo at Nomade - This Instagram-worthy spot inside the Nomade Hotel will give you all the Moroccan feels and leave you feeling satisfied in the healthiest way possible. Focusing on organic and superfood ingredients, Macondo is a great place to get everything from nutrient-packed smoothies to delicious veggie sushi and quinoa bowls.
Kitchen Table - Contemporary local sourced restaurant in Tulum’s Maya Jungle on the Yucatan peninsula. Everything is cooked by fire. No electricity! A hidden gem and built right into the jungle so it basically feels like you’re eating in a treehouse.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca - A MUST for authentic and delicious tacos. It’s a bit of a trek into town but has a line out the door at all hours of the day because it's crazy affordable and has amazing tacos. It’s about a 30 minute bike ride. Get a massage at Holistika afterwards or a drink at the nearby hotel.
Posada Margherita - Boutique hotel and restaurant. This is one of the most beloved restaurants in all of Tulum, and for good reason! They make all of their pasta fresh on site and everything is so, so delicious. I love that they also hire many Italian staffers, so you really feel like you’re in Italy!
Real Coconut Kitchen - Owned by Daniella Hunter, Real Coconut Kitchen is grain-free, vegetarian magical clean food. I suggest their brunch and order the plantain pancakes and the eggs benedict. Drool.
Burrito Amor - Famous for their - you guessed it - BURRITOS! This spot creates quite a queue for dinner as tourists line up to snag a table in the restaurant’s small palapa-like space.
I Scream Bar - A super fun vegan ice cream shop and bar that opens at night and serves vegan organic delish ice cream! Go after dinner one night - you won’t regret it!
Origami - Located directly next to the I Scream Bar, this is a more guilt-inducing alternative and is probably the best gelato in Tulum.
Oscar & Lalo Restaurant - Family-friendly restaurant.
Arca - Micro-seasonal food and open-fire cooking. All locally sourced and a dining experience in the jungles of Tulum!
Tu Tulum - Mexican Gastronomy and Mixology! Amazing crafted cocktails and delicious food.
Where to Hang
Hartwood - A great place to grab dinner and small plates. It’s pricey so just get something small and go for the vibe. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays and they take dinner reservations a month in advance so make sure you plan ahead.
Habitas - A great place to go hang out and family-friendly!
Kin Toh at Azulik - Built on stilts above the jungle, Kin Toh is a must-visit if only for one overpriced cocktail. This is more for the ambiance than the drinks themselves as you’ll feel like you’re in a treehouse made completely of bamboo. It’s a sensory experience to say the least and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Make sure to head there right at sunset for one of the best views in Tulum.
Nomade Hotel - IT'S A VIBE. Go for the day. Grab a daybed, swim in the ocean, get spicy margaritas and a few side dishes and just CHILL. They have live music, fun things to shop for from the locals, pools, beautiful people and family friendly.
La Zebra - Go for dinner and drinks and bring the whole family. Let the kids play on the outdoor magical playground and watch the sunset while sipping on margs. This is my kids #1 favorite place.
Adventure to a Cenote (i.e. Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum) - Taak Bi Ha is a car ride away. You can speak to your hotel about accommodations or go to a local travel hut where they can support your journey. Carve out a half day to go explore these natural lakes - many of them have caves too!
A different type of Cenote - On the far end near Nomade there’s a Cenote with beautiful paths that lead to a dock on a lake. You can climb up a ladder to watch the sunset or just read a book at the top and relax.
Ruins - If it’s your first time to Tulum, definitely take a day and go visit the ruins.
Where to Caffeinate
Ki’bok Coffee - Considered the best coffee in Tulum, this spot is located in town and is the perfect pick-me-up to kick off a long day of adventures.
Matcha Mama - Probably one of the most popular Instagram spots in Tulum, Matcha Mama is the perfect place to start the morning with a cold brew coffee and a healthy smoothie or acai bowl. Camp out on one of the swings and take in all the jungle vibes while you fuel for the day ahead.
Where to Heal + Transcend:
Moon circle - Happens regularly in Tulum every New/Full Moon. Check with local yoga and wellness studios.
Cacao Ceremony, Sound Baths and therapies available across Tulum. Check out AZULIK for some beautiful ceremonies.
Workshops - There are all sorts of workshops in Tulum. I especially love a tantric workshop with BiBi at Nomade but plenty of other incredible workshops. Check out Papaya Playa’s event list, too.
Casa Violeta - Great yoga if it is close to you.
Where to Rejuvenate:
Yaan Healing Sanctuary - Get the Mayan massage and get a reading from Dr. Bobby Klein (Tell him Estes’ sent you)
Mayan Clay Spa - Best place for an authentic clay massage - offers a couple or individual.
Beachfront Massage - Can’t beat it. Ocean waves, affordable, magic.
Yoga at Sanara Hotel - Wide variety of classes and offerings.
Temazcal Sweat Lodge at Maya Tulum Resort - Led by a Shaman
Where to Shop:
Daniella Hunter - Flowy dresses, pants, skirts, for organic silk and natural fibers, eco-processed and sustainable.
Bad boys Tulum - Tulum style men’s clothing, Havaianas flip flops and trendy hats.
Bikinis - I like to get things off the beach from the locals to support them. Prices are more affordable too. You can negotiate if you get a few things!
Jewelry - Buy on the beach from a local. So many healing gems and crystals for men and women.
