Travel Guide: Less Than 24 Hours in Tulum
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Photos by BEATATUM Tulum Photographer
Location: Mur Mur Tulum
Bardot Adley Dress | Steven Greece Slides | Tiffany's Olive Branch Ring | Natalie Wood Designs Beaded Cuff Bracelet in Silver. (c/o) | 2A Jewels Necklaces
As I mentioned yesterday, Bea of BEATATUM took our photos when we were in Mexico earlier this month. she is truly gifted and I'm so glad we could shoot with her. I thought some of me at the bar would make for a perfect Tulum recap!
Now, we were in Tulum for a very brief time. We flew into Cancun on a Friday afternoon, got a rental car, then drove to Tulum (about 1.5 hours once we got our rental car. It took us about an hour to get our rental for some reason) and had dinner. After that we drove to our amazing resort, Mukan, which is located in the Sian Kaan reserve. For reference, the famous beach road of Tulum dead-ends into the entrance to the Sian Kaan reserve. It on a tiny peninsula called Punta Allen, in-between the Caribbean Sea and a lagoon. The road is kind of crazy to get there. Driving at night, it took us 2 hours once we hit the entrance of the reserve, but driving back during the day, it took us less than an hour and a half. I don't think you need a car to go to Tulum - it's probably best to use a shuttle service; however, if you're going to Mukan, get some kind of Jeep and/or a 4 wheel drive or off-road type of vehicle. We spent all day Saturday at Mukan, then about 1/4 of Sunday. We left there around 10:00am ish and drove back to Tulum, grabbed a bite to eat, then shot with Bea. We actually had to cut our shoot a little short, because we had to take the rental car back and make it to the airport.
SO, like I said. Our time in Tulum was very limited, but honestly, it was such a cool place and I'm dying to go back and explore. I made a list of things combined things we did, along with recommendations we received, and stuff we wanted to do next time. I usually include a "where to stay" section, but since we didn't stay in Tulum proper, I don't have any. I will say if you're looking for some secluded time, plus some time to explore Tulum, I'd start out at Mukan Resort and end the trip staying somewhere in Tulum. There are TONS of really cool looking hotels and such, so you shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere neat. Maybe I can update this when we go back and actually stay in Tulum.
WHERE TO EAT:
Nu (this is where we ate on Friday night and it was SO GOOD. The ambience, the drinks, the food. EVERYTHING. They had the best mole of we have ever had!! It's kinda at the end of the beach road, so not really next to the main part of town.)
Gitano (we tried to have brunch here and went as far as to make an Open Table reservation, but when we arrived, they were closed. We think they're only open for brunch during "season". They're open for dinner at night though! Also, you've probably seen this before, because of its really cute pink neon sign.)
Hartwood (When you find out you're going to Tulum, your next step should be making a Hartwood reservation. Our trip was so last minute, we didn't get to go here, BUT we did take pics in front of it in yesterday's post!)
Arca (Another great place to eat, so I've heard! We didn't eat here either, but the bulk of our photoshoot was there!)
Ahau Tulum
Teetotum Tulum
Rooftop Jungle Bar
Safari
Mur Mur Tulum
Bejuco
La Eufemia
TO DO: (besides honestly just relaxing)
Casa Malca (the home of Pablo Escobar, which is now an art filled hotel that you can tour)
Ruins (lots of options, some right near the heart of Tulum, Chichen Itza, Coba and more)
Walk the beach road (there's so many boutiques, bars, and restaurants)
Paradise Beach (one of the most popular beaches)
Gran Cenote (snorkeling or diving)
Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve (the reserve where we stayed, but you can actually just go and do certain tours, too)
If you're going to Sian Kaan, we drove to the very edge of the peninsula and that was pretty cool! We saw where the lagoon met the Caribbean Sea. On the way, there's a restaurant in the small fishing town, called Muelle Viejo, if you need a place to stop!
TIPS:
Don't rent a car. Unless you're going to Mukan like us, don't rent a car. You have no need for one in Tulum. There aren't a ton of parking spots and everything is pretty much walkable. If you need something, rent a bike!
Bug spray. We didn't encounter a ton of mosquitos, but I was glad I brought my bug spray. Zika is in Mexico, so be careful. I use Primally Pure Nature Spray. (get 10% off w/code ELLEMULENOS)
Get a Marquesita or two! It's a native desert! It sounds kind of weird, but it's basically cheese and chocolate. It's kind of like a cannoli, but the shell is softer.
Don't be alarmed of seaweed. When we went, there was a ton of seaweed. It covered the shore and the closest part of the water to the beach. It was brown and ugly, but honestly, Tulum was still beautiful. I can't wait to go back and see it without the seaweed! The Mayans say it will be gone come November.
Have you been to Tulum? Any favorite places or must dos, that I didn't list?! Let me know, so I can put it on my list for next time! Hasta luego!!
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