Tulum, Mexico: In Review!

We went on a little holiday!  Mexico had always been the dream holiday destination for me: the beaches, the FOOD, the history, the tequila, the culture, the chips and salsa....

It was pure luck that B had never been (don't get me started on Mr "53-countries-visited") and we actually had a mutual week off!

We chose Tulum as my rockin friend Jen at Two Itchy Feet was married here and couldn't speak higher of the place. B and I aren't Cancun material, so we were both happy with Tulum- the non-resorty, slightly more "Mexican" alternative. 

(We cycled EVERYWHERE)

(Snorkelling at a cenote)

The Hotel

We stayed at the Palms Tulum Luxury Hotel  - a new hotel 3 km away from the beach and on the outskirt of Tulum town. Considering I wanted to lie on the beach and drink margaritas all week - I was surprised I enjoyed staying so close to town. But I loved it. We were easily able to get everywhere by bike (watch out) or taxi. It opened up a whole new sized of Tulum being a bit further from the beach. 

The Beach

Even though we didn't have our own beach, the hotel gave us a coupon for El Paradiso - a beach club that had the most COMFORTABLE beds and much loved umbrellas. We spent two days here enjoying the sun and sand - but most importantly beach side margaritas and nachos.

Nachos?  Beach?  Yes, please!

The Sites

We went to the Tulum ruins on our second day and were caught in a downpour. We did get some great shots of the old homes and temples before the heavens opened up. B even got a dip in the sea at the ruins - it was the prettiest most secluded beach I've ever seen.

While popping out for orange juice one morning we went past Mexico Kan Tours and met Miguel - a total dude and adventure tour guru. He had a cancellation of a tour and said he could take us out - just the two of us - in the next 20 minutes. No pushiness; just a selection of genuinely cool tours on offer. 

We decided on this impromptu Mayan Inland Expedition where we hiked in search of monkeys, zip lined across a river, had a Mayan safety ritual performed for us before being lowered into a cenote by harness. 

The little hole I was lowered into!

HOW COOL IS THIS CENOTE!

After a quick bite to eat we went to the Coba ruins and climbed a 44 meter ruin. Holy. Wow. The day cost us 130 pesos each - a private tour with a kick ass guide. It was utterly amazing. 

Yep. We climbed that bad boy.

The FOOD

My favourite part...in case you couldn't tell. Being a vegetarian in Mexico is NOT easy. To be fair - I was more than happy with the complimentary chips and salsa served before each meal...but according to B that's not efficient!

We tried some amazing restaurants and ate some brilliant dishes. We used TripAdvisor a LOT and found it really helpful to just narrow down options. 

Best Free Chips and Salsa: It's got to be a toss up between Mateo's and El Asadero.  To be honest, El Asadero was winning until our last meal in Tulum and Mateo's pulled out this gorgeous, tomatoey salsa. Plus Mateo's was the only place where I could find a natural coconut to drink out of! 

Best for Vegetarians:   El Asadero - yep. A steak house. 

There was a whole separate menu for us anti-meat freaks. I had the cactus and it was looooovely. 

Best drinks: value for money points you to town rather than the beach. La Malquerida 

had great offers and the tastiest mojito and margarita I've ever had. Their house tequila they offer as a complimentary after dinner drink in gorgeous. Even B - who HATES tequila - loved that. 

Favourite spot:  Zamas stole our hearts. We waited out a rain storm here on our first day while cycling the coast line. The service was excellent and the food - oh - it was just amazing. Everything I are - stuffed chilli and chilli enchiladas - were amazing. In spite of the heat, we loved their Mexican Hot Chocolate as an after dinner treat. 

Best Bar Atmosphere:  It's a toss up between Ziggy's and Mezzanine.  Ziggy's had swing seats around the bar (the coolest thing - but watch your knees!) whereas Mezzanine had a lovely deck overlooking the sea.  Both did great drinks.

Best Mexican Alternative:  While I felt we should eat all of the Mexican food we could stomach, we stumbled upon a new restaurant called Uniquo.  The chef is from New York and cooks a mean - and I mean MEAN - menu of English/American/Mexican twists. This was the best restaurant with the most attentive service. I really wish it existed back home!

Oh Mexico....I miss you.

xx