WHERE TO STAY: 

La Valise – really nice, boutique hotel small with 7 rooms

Casa Pueblo – minimalistic trendy decor, in town

Be Tulum – modern rooms, nice, good vibes

Nomade – jungle vibes, young, trendy

Azulik – luxury tree house, little to no wifi, no lights 

Casa Malca – Pablo Escobar old mansion, really cool décor, swimming pool w/ grotto

Sanara – nice, yoga, chill, stay beachside not jungle if you can afford, the real coconut is restaurant there

Ahua – an older classic at this point but now very much in the action, still fantastic treehouse vibes

WHERE TO EAT:

Hartwood – one of the best, cash only, takes reservations for parties over 8 only

Gitano – great food and vibes, best on a Friday (party in the back after dinner)

Casa Jaguar – one of the oldest, great fish, get a cocktail next door for some of the best drinks in Tulum

Casa Banana – Argentinean steakhouse good for meat, carmel crepe for desert fantastic  

Posado Margherita – Italian, been there forever nice for sunset

Real Coconut – healthy lunch or breakfast even dinner, everything made with coconut flour 

Nomade – amazing lunch, get the fish with spicy sauce

Arca – yummy nice dinner – highest concept restaurant in Tulum, upscale food and drinks

Raw Love – healthy & raw – only open till 6pm at Ahua, one in jungle and on beach, beachside is great for sunset, get the raw chocolate cake

Habitas – cool vibes good on a nice evening because it’s all outdoors, excellent Mediterranean food

Mur Mur – when all else fails – an easy reservation and walk up across from Rosa Negra. Consistently solid.

Matcha Mama – smoothies and matcha down south before Be Tulum and Nomade on jungle side

Kin Toh – tree house at Azulik, better for pictures than sushi but still an enjoyable night

Casa Violeta – lunch, great pizza at the beach

Kitchen Table – an “inside-out” gastronomic experience

Rosa Negra – very loud music – more of the “new Tulum” – best for party and drinks

Loyal Order – new Turkish restaurant on the beach, really yummy

WHAT TO DO:

Habitas – beach hang, really cool decor 

Papaya Playa Project – partying at beachside, disco / club 

Cenotes – some are very touristy but ask for the hidden ones

Tulum Ruins – haven’t been but people like this – takes a day from the beach and quite touristy maybe do if cloudy

Yaan Wellness Spa – best spa in Tulum

Yoga – anywhere but Sanara has an epic beachside studio

Fitness – Tulum jungle gym – beachside next to Ahau – free for Ahua or Alaya guests 20 dollars for others

WHERE TO SHOP:

Caravan

Mr. Blackbird 

La Troupe

KM33

Hoki Poki Kana

Mixik 

Josa

THINGS TO KNOW:

Cash is king – best to get pesos from bank before flying in

Dont drink the water – actually stop on way in and use bottled water to even brush teeth

Takes an hour and 45 minutes from the airport – if not planning on day trips or cenotes best to not have rental car and just taxi

No heels required and actually shunned to wear out

Pack lots of linen and beachy things

Bug spray (but most hotels have)