Making a trip to Tulum, Mexico? Here is a list of my favorite spots to check out. Tulum is paradise along the Quintana Roo coast. A Mexican coastal town that has a huge international influence with food and drinks, but deeply immersed in the Mayan spiritual culture.. I absolutely love this town and can’t rant and rave about it enough. All my local Mexican friends claimed it was their favorite in the state because of the great music and melting pot of food.
Going Out
Tulum offers beach gatherings, jungle raves, or small dance floors in eclectic spots downtown. Boosting international fame from places like Papaya Playa Project and hosting festivals like Sound Tulum, the party scene in Tulum is an intimate affair unparalleled in other places.
- Papaya Playa Project – the legendary club located right on the sands of Tulum. This is where you want to be for the weekend. Try to schedule a visit around the full moon parties.
- Casa Jaguar – get down to some jungle house music every Thursday.
- Gitano – snazzy mezcal cocktail bar right off the beach road. Where you want to be friday night after 10pm.
- Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar – mojito bar that is busy during week days playing a variety of live music. I saw some awesome elecro-funk.
- Pasito Tun Tun – probably my favorite spot. A bit smaller but they set up live bands in the back.
Food and Drinks
My local mates were so excited for me to go to Tulum just to eat. People drive all over Quintana Roo to grab internaitonal eats from Tulum. A huge expat influence from counteries all over the world have opened places to eat here.
- Ki’bok Café – breakfast cafe with best coffee in Tulum.
- Azafran Restaurant – German breakfast spot with an amazing outdoor patio.
- Il Bacaro – fine italian.
- Don Cafeto – the type of Mexican food you love back in the U.S.
- Co.Conamor – a very hip vegetarian resturant.
- La Hoja Verde – a very creative vegan resturant.
- Tropi-Q – an awesome small menu pita place. Very low key and delicious.
- Tin Koh – upscale mexican resturant.
- ZINE Food & Films – an unique expierence that combines fine dishes in a relaxed open jungle themes cinema.
Exploring Culture
While Tulum has a huge international influence with food and drinks, you are constantly surrounded by the Mayan culture and Mexican culture everywhere you look. Tulum itself was one of the last cities inhabited by the Mayans.
Tulum Ruins
These ruins are what is left of once was a small Mayan town located on the side of the cliff. What once stood as an important trade port for international trade is now ruins for tourists to walk through.
Local Shops
Bustling off the beach pricey, expensive beach strip, are the local shops. Be prepared to bargain a bit as you walk down the main strip of “downtown” Tulum. Heaps of handmade Mayan dream catchers, handsewn colorful dresses, and other somewhat touristy items can be bought.
Ik Lab
An art gallery that is environmentally conscious about bringing a new age Mayan and Yucatan culture to life. Absolutely amazing and enjoyed walking through this building.
Casa Malca
A swanky, exclusive boutique hotel that was once owned by Pablo Escobar as a secret beach mansion. Each room has an artsy theme and has a private beach area in the back.
Nature
Tulum boasts about Yucantan Jungle spirit the Mayans harbored hundreds of years ago. There are plent yof beautiful beaches and centoes to check out while staying in Tulum.Below were some of my favorites.
- Laguna de Kaan Luum – a vibrant lagoon twenty mins south of Tulum.
- Cenote Corazon – an open centore in the heart of the jungle right outside Tulum. Very lowkey and not too popular…yet.
- Cenote Choo-Ha – an undergound cenote packed full of stalagmites that makes for a great photo op.
- Sian Ka’an Biosphere – a biosphere that is a must do for nature lovers.
- Ik Kil – pictureque centoe that has threadlike vines haning from the holes in the ceiling.
