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 Voileta – 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)