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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico

Last Updated: November 3, 2021 · Mexico, Riviera Maya

Our first trip to Tulum was in October 2018, and believe it or not I ended up being disappointed. I hadn’t discovered the Tulum everyone was talking about — apart from the Tulum ruins, general boho vibes, and incredible Tulum cenotes. Now that we live here as digital nomads and have discovered a new side to Tulum, I wanted to re-write my best of Tulum guide to give you all a brief overview of what to do, where to stay, eat, play, and more!

From scouting out the best cenotes around Tulum to finding the best places to eat and activities to do, to finally exploring the Tulum ruins and secret beaches (and not so secret)… Here’s my guide to the best of Tulum!

For an even more in-depth guide, also check out my complete digital nomad guide to Tulum.

Table of Contents show
The Ultimate Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico
Getting to Tulum
Tulum’s Neighborhoods
Where to Stay in Tulum
The Dark Side of Tulum Documentary
Where to Eat in Tulum
Best of Tulum Activities
Fun Day Trips to take from Tulum
Final Thoughts: Best of Tulum Mexico

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico

Tlaloc street art mural in Tulum

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Getting to Tulum

The ride from Cancun Airport to Tulum is easy. You can either rent a private taxi or rent a car for as little as $10-15 USD per day. (Save 10% when you rent with Sixt!). There are also public options like the ADO bus or a shared colectivo (mini van).

There is a lot to love/hate about Tulum.

First, when you visit, the layout of Tulum can be a bit confusing. Tulum is essentially very spread out and divided up into 2-3 main areas. You have the Tulum Pueblo (Town), Aldea Zama (ex-pat/condo neighborhood in development), and the Hotel Zone which runs parallel to the coast (there’s also the up-and-coming La Veleta ex-pat neighborhood).

If you don’t have a rental car, I’d recommend renting a scooter in Tulum for 1-2 days to easily get to/from the beach and hotel zone and the nearby cenotes.

Tulum’s Neighborhoods

The Zona Hotelera is probably what you think about when you think/see pictures of Tulum. Boho-chic shops, gastronomic restaurants, popular Instagram photo spots, luxurious “eco” hotels, and private beach clubs. It takes at least 45 minutes on the bike to see the length of the Hotel Zone and get to the more popular places like the amazing art statue “Ven a la Luz” or the swing bar at Matcha Mama. The road you take in is the road you take out, and it’s super crowded with trucks, cars, and it’s just not fun. Parking is a nightmare. That said, people tend to overidealize this area of Tulum. In truth, there’s a lot of greenwashing – aka smearing “eco-friendly and sustainable” all over the place. (More on this later).

Tulum Pueblo is the town where you’ll find both local gems and more touristy spots. This is the area where we live and we honestly love it the most. It’s where you’ll actually get to witness Mexican culture. Eating out and shopping is generally cheaper here, too. You are also closer to all the cenotes, which are just east, north, and west of Tulum’s pueblo. There are many cenotes along the Coba road (on the way to Coba ruins) to check out. You can also discover Tulum’s growing street art scene.

Aldea Zama is an upscale neighborhood in development. It’s in between Tulum Town and the Hotel Zone. There’s not much to see here, just yet, unless you are searching to buy a condo or rent out an apartment. The neighborhood is quiet and so many ex-pats choose to live here. You wouldn’t just wander in here as a tourist because, for now, there’s not that much to do. La Veleta is a livelier, more upbeat neighborhood on the southwest part of Tulum Town. It’s one of the most sought-after places to live since it offers both convenience (closer to the town) and quiet (close to the jungle).

Where to Stay in Tulum

beaches tulum

As for where to stay, this is tricky. Tulum has some of the most incredible hotels. Places that are just jaw-dropping. But they often come at an environmental cost.

The below list is just a few of the most eco-friendly hotels and accommodations in Tulum. They are not going to save the world or solve Tulum’s eco-crisis, but I would feel comfortable staying in these resorts as someone who endeavors to travel responsibly.

Also Read: 9 Best Eco Boutique Hotels in Tulum

Papaya Playa Project: Papaya Playa is a whole vibe on its own. Its reputation as an award-winning hotel precedes itself as one of the most popular hotels in all of Tulum. They use retreated wastewater which irrigates the plants and garden; their food is also locally-grown and organic when possible, they use solar energy made in Mexico, and they were able to retain 93% of the jungle when constructing (compared to the 5% average).

Habitas: Habitas is one of the best places to stay in Tulum whether you care about sustainability or not. Here, between the sea and the jungle, lies a “sustainable sanctuary” filled with incense-lined, sandy pathways and luxury hammocks swaying between palms with their gastronomic restaurant, Moro, as its centerpiece. We had dinner here one evening and it was an awesome experience.

Ahau: Another option for eco-friendlier accommodation (and beach club) is Ahau. This hotel is located behind the lady goddess/art structure in the Hotel Zone. Ahau uses composting toilets, biodegradable bags/cups/straws; catches and recycles rainwater; purifies its wastewater and recycles for the garden; provides natural/eco toiletries, and more. They often do beach clean-ups and their construction was built without disturbing the natural jungle.

The Dark Side of Tulum Documentary

The Dark Side of Tulum (Documentary) from The Dark Side of Tulum on Vimeo.

When you get the chance, watch this documentary. It reveals the sad and rapid demise of Tulum that many people don’t know about. It is appropriately called The Dark Side of Tulum. It is a must-watch for everyone planning to visit Tulum now or in the future. Share it with your friends, too!

Tulum has exponentially grown over the past decade. As a result, the town has become saturated with tourists even during the off-season. The town’s infrastructure wasn’t meant to maintain the number of people visiting Tulum every year. And in fact, the beloved “eco-friendly resorts” for which Tulum has become famous aren’t all that eco-friendly or sustainable.

Most of the so-called eco-friendly resorts run completely off diesel generators and all the waste is horribly unmanaged and left to drain into the underground river. Yep, the cenotes – another reason why Tulum has become such a popular destination – are being polluted by thousands of tons of literal sh*t.

If you stay along the Hotel Zone, you’re more than likely contributing to this mismanagement of waste. I know it’s not 100% avoidable. But there are hotels doing better and are trying to implement eco-friendly practices when and where they can. When you come to stay in Tulum, at least take this into consideration. When you can, support businesses and hotels that are doing the opposite of greenwashing and are actually trying to make a difference.

Also Read: 

  • 9 Ways to Promote Sustainable Tourism for a Greener Future
  • 25 Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for the Sustainable Traveler
  • 9 Best Eco Boutique Hotels in Tulum

Where to Eat in Tulum

  • Man sitting at Matcha Mama bar in Tulum Pueblo
  • Acai bowl and matcha smoothie at Matcha Mama

You can basically find every type of food here and during our time there, we found the best restaurants in Tulum. The most popular areas to eat are found in both Tulum Town and the Zona Hotelera – choose from dozens of vegan and vegetarian options, from earthy cafes and hipster bars, and of course, local authentic Mexican restaurants!

La Hoja Verde: La Hoja Verde is a vegan-vegetarian gem right in the heart of town. Their barbecue soy-based tacos are SO good and so are their bowls, salads, juices, and mezcal cocktails.

Bonita: For burgers (beef, chicken, vegan) plated with a side of garlic, parmesan, or habanero fries, head to Bonita. Go for dinner when their cute outdoor patio and centerpiece tree is strung with evening lights.

Botanica: Botanica knocks Tulum’s boho-chic decor out of the park. It only opened in Sept-Oct and has since become one of our favorite places to eat here with delicious brunch-style toasts (with homemade bread), quiche, and fresh juices and treats. Their food and ambiance are just perfect.

El Bajon Vegan Tacos: One of the first local gems we discovered when we moved to Tulum this year. This hole-in-the-wall is an awesome spot to dig into vegan tacos. Cheap at $25 pesos/taco and oh so good. Right next to a vegan market too!

Ki’bok Coffee: A Tulum “staple” for where to eat. Their breakfast/lunch is always spot-on. But they’re extremely popular and sadly have become somewhat a victim of their own success.

Matcha Mama: That famous Instagram swing bar? That’s Matcha Mama. You can slurp down acai bowls and green smoothies here. There are two locations – one in town and the famous one down the Hotel Zone.

Raw Love: Another famous place to eat with 100% plant-based items. I freaking love their avo toast with purple sauerkraut. They also have two locations (town + hotel zone behind the amazing lady art piece).

Burrito Amor: Burritos served in banana leaves and a cute indoor/outdoor tropical ambiance. Definitely recommend it for lunch on a beautiful day in town. (P.S. cash only).

Best of Tulum Activities

There are so many things to do in Tulum! Here are just a few of my favorites:

  • Scuba diving in cenotes + Tulum reef
  • Wandering the Tulum Mayan ruins
  • Visiting Coba ruins and cenotes
  • Floating down Mayan trade routes in Sian Ka’an
  • Biking in Tulum (Town + Hotel Zone)
  • Lounging on Playa Paraiso (free beach)
  • Going to the night street food market
  • Seeking out all of Tulum’s street art

If you don’t want to explore Tulum on your own, go with a guide! Here are a handful of recommended Tulum Tours on Tripadvisor.

Fun Day Trips to take from Tulum

Tulum Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula

If you’re based in Tulum you will quickly find out that there are plenty of day trips you can do.

As I mention above, the most popular quick and easy day trips from Tulum are definitely to Coba Ruins and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

But it’s also possible to drive to Playa del Carmen and even Cancun. There are islands nearby like Isla Mujeres or even Cozumel that you can visit in a day if you leave early enough. But don’t stretch yourself out too thin. These places definitely deserve at least a full day or two to explore and discover so the best is to hang around the 1-2 hour range around Tulum.

On the other hand, many vacationers who stay in Tulum take a trip to Valladolid to see nearby Chichen Itza.

There are plenty of tour buses that run early in the morning so you can get there and even be back later in the evening. But again, these sites merit at least a full day or more so you don’t feel rushed to see all the sights!

Final Thoughts: Best of Tulum Mexico

Tulum is both an example of raw natural beauty and human greed.

On the one hand, its gorgeous cenotes, beaches, people, and culture inspire people around the world to come to visit and share in the learning of the Mayan culture and natural beauty Tulum offers.

On the other hand, Tulum is getting destroyed by irresponsible unsustainable business owners and mismanagement of hotels, waste removal, etc. And the surplus of people further aggravates the pollution and litter which seep into the ground into the pure water flowing beneath your feet.

So if you do visit Tulum because it’s on your bucket list, make sure to travel with purpose and be conscious of your impact on the local environment. We must promise to be better conscious travelers and leave Tulum better than how we found it!

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By: Bri · In: Mexico, Riviera Maya

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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