Our time was short and sweet on our third trip to Tulum, with only a couple days in paradise before heading to Merida for our friends wedding. But if you ask me, any amount of time in Tulum is well worth it. Our previous two trips took place in March and April, considered as the “high season” compared to the slower pace of October. With the ever growing popularity of Tulum, this was a nice change and kept things very relaxing. There’s just something about this little town that pulls you in. The thought and creativity put into each boutique hotel, restaurant and shop—combined with the pure natural beauty of the place—make it irresistible.
We stayed at the unassuming but very charming Playa Canek, located at km 7.5 within easy walking distance to some of our favorite spots: Sanara, La Zebra, Gitano, Casa Banana and Hartwood.
This time around we spent a day eating and lounging around Nomade. You can’t beat the perfectly laid-back vibe of the beachside restaurant—sitting on pillows and Persian rugs at low to the ground tables right on the sand. Plus, the food feels light and healthy and the drinks perfectly refreshing, so you don’t feel so bad eating and drinking all day long. The whole place has such a cool community feel, with lots of beach beds and hammocks scattered about. It was a great way to spend a day and Nomade is definitely on our short list for places to stay next time we visit.
Top | Isabel Marant (similar)
Denim Shorts | RE/DONE
Woven Slides | Posse (similar)
Beach Bag | Abaca (smaller version)
No trip to Tulum would be complete without breakfast overlooking the ocean at Sanara’s The Real Coconut. We ate there both mornings because nothing beats the avocado toast and smoothies. Everything at The Real Coconut is gluten, dairy and grain-free, including the incredible coconut bread and coconut chips (which are now available online!)
White Blouse | Merlette
Sunglasses | Ray-ban
^^same spot where we said “I Do”
Lunch at La Zebra is another one of our go-to’s. After the fire in 2016 wiped out most of the hotel, the newly rebuilt kitchen and dining area is even better than before. Insanely crispy fish tacos, fresh ceviche and that oh-so-perfect margarita. There’s no combo quite like it.
For dinner one night we decided to try a new restaurant we’ve never been to before called Wild. The restaurant was very dimly lit, so dark that photos really weren’t an option. The food was good, lots of local ingredients and fresh fish, and lots of great options on the cocktail menu. The evening we went was pretty quiet, which had a nice romantic feel, but we were hoping for a bit more liveliness so we headed to Gitano for a couple after dinner drinks.
^^If this isn’t paradise, I don’t know what is.
SHOP THE POST
For more info and travel tips, check out all my post on Tulum:
Snapshots from Tulum: Wedding Addition
A Caribbean Dream: Our Tulum Wedding
Old Favorites:
To Stay: Sanara, Nomade, La Zebra, Be Tulum
To Eat: Hartwood, Posada Margarita, El Tabano, Gitano, Casa Banana, ARCA, The Real Coconut
New + Noteworthy:
To Stay: Habitas, La Valise, NEST, The Beachmore
To Eat: Wild, Safari, MurMur, Mina, Tulum Art Club, Pasito Tun Tun
Packing Essentials:
Sun Bum Travel-Sized Sun Care Pack
Cucumber and Sage Cleansing Towelettes
Lightweight Turkish Beach Towel
Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Photography: Images shot using the Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Lens
