{"id":17005,"date":"2021-08-11T13:45:12","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T18:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mexplor.co\/?p=17005"},"modified":"2024-07-26T12:11:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T17:11:40","slug":"tulum-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mexplor.co\/es\/tulum-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Tulum Tips for Beaches, Cenotes and Restaurants"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tulum Tips for Beaches, Cenotes and Restaurants<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Tulum in Mexico is the best example of what we would call a hype. We have never traveled to a place where we thought tourism was dominated by \u201cInstagram hotspots\u201d as much as in Tulum. You’ll see lists of the best photo spots, the most photogenic smoothie bowls, and the most Instagrammable cocktails circulating the internet. So these are our Tulum Tips for Beaches, Cenotes and Restaurants.<\/p>

The fact that Tulum has experienced such a development in terms of tourism obviously has both its advantages and its disadvantages. Small spoiler: the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, however. In our blog post, we’ll show you what to expect on your Tulum vacation, and of course, we’ll show you our top travel tips.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Tulum in the Riviera Maya: what to expect<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Let’s start with what Tulum is: Caribbean beach paradise. The sand on the coast is so wonderfully shiny, fine, soft and white that you want to walk barefoot all day.<\/p>

Speaking of the beach. This brings us to the next important point: Tulum is divided into two parts. It consists of Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach. Tulum Pueblo is the name of the city and is located further inland, about five kilometers from the beach. You can also find economical accommodation and restaurants here in Tulum Pueblo. There is a main road that runs through the city center heading north and south. Idyllic would not be the word to describe the city center as it is certainly not a gem. While Tulum Beach is where the hotel zone is located, all along the coast, which is only a very long drive. Here you will find luxury hotels, shops and restaurants.<\/p>

Tulum Beach’s accommodations and shops look like a boho-hippie Instagram feed attraction. We put so much emphasis on aesthetics that we often forget that we are in Mexico. Tulum has become the destination for \u201chigh society\u201d and you can easily tell from the price point: a dress for $ 500 USD? Dinner for $ 150 USD? Overnight for $ 600 USD? Obviously, these examples are not representative of the whole of Tulum, but it is clear that the price points are very high, especially in or along Tulum beach itself.<\/p>

Others Tulum Tips for Beaches, Cenotes and Restaurants that are good to know: There is a Mayan site in Tulum, known for its beautiful location on the coast. So, if you don’t have a lot of time for culture, you can at least immerse yourself in Mexican history in Tulum without having to drive very far. But we have to be honest: Compared to other places, the ruins of Tulum aren’t that spectacular, with the exception of this beachfront location.<\/p>

How long do I have to stay in Tulum?<\/strong><\/p>

Tulum was the first stop on our 3-week trip through the Yucat\u00e1n and in retrospect we would always choose Tulum as the first stop. How come? This is actually because Tulum is so touristy, principally when you are in Mexico for the first time, like us, you have doubts – but those doubts disappear immediately when you arrive in Tulum – of this we can tell you. to assure.<\/p>

We spent 4 nights in Tulum and personally it was a perfect time for us. We are definitely not the kind of people you would see lying on the beach all day. Since we had a lot of planning, we were able to easily fill the full three days and didn’t have much time to laze on the beach. So, if you really want to disconnect and relax on the beaches for a few days but also go hiking, it is better to stay a little longer in Tulum.<\/p>

Best time to visit Tulum<\/strong><\/p>

Although you can travel to Mexico and Tulum all year round, the months of November \/ December to April \/ May are the most ideal time to travel. During this period there is a dry season. The humidity is not that high, it rains little and the temperatures are pleasantly warm.<\/p>

The equivalent of the dry season is the rainy season, which runs from May \/ June to October. During this period, precipitation is significantly higher and the hurricane season also falls into the rainy season, with the greatest likelihood of hurricanes between August and October. But don’t worry, dramatic hurricanes are rare in the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula.<\/p>

We ourselves visited Yucat\u00e1n between late November and mid-December. Our trip proved once again that the weather does not always match the weather forecast. We had a few rainy days with us, as well as a few showers during our stay in Tulum. What we’re trying to say is that you can never be 100% sure about the weather in the tropics.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. The beaches of Tulum<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Tulum is blessed with miles of coastline and the beaches are just as long, giving you a variety of spots to choose from. The sand is white and soft, the sea is an azure blue shining in the sun. While there are some sections where hotels are clustered along the beach, there are no hotel bunkers and the beaches don’t seem too crowded.<\/p>

Following these Tulum Tips for Beaches, Cenotes and Restaurants, if you are staying at one of the Tulum Beach hotels, you will likely be spending time on the hotel beach. If you are arriving from Tulum Pueblo, you have two options: either look for a cool place or you can treat yourself to a sun lounger at one of the beach clubs. For example: Coco Tulum or Ziggy\u2019s Beach Club are very well known and popular.<\/p>

Since we’re not the type to relax on the beach all day anyway, we would stay and relax for a few hours. Our two favorite beaches were:<\/p>

Playa Paraiso<\/strong><\/p>

The paradise beach is located quite far north (but still south of the ruins of Tulum). Playa Para\u00edso is a long, fairly wide sandy beach that is relatively uncrowded. If you walk north along the beach (to Playa Maya or Playa Santa Fe), you might even get a peek at the Tulum ruins in the distance.<\/p>

It is a bit difficult to find public access to enter this beach. We had to cross by restricted paths such as walking through a campsite. There is also an access between Playa Para\u00edso and Playa Maya, where there are even a few parking spaces. We just parked our car along the main road.<\/p>

Beach next to the Azulik hotel<\/strong><\/p>

We originally wanted to take a look at the exceptional eco-hotel called Azulik and unexpectedly landed on a really nice stretch of beach. The beach is like a bay and is very comfortable. There isn’t much to do, but if you want to enjoy a few peaceful hours at the beach, you’ve come to the right place. The access is rather hidden and right next to the main road at the height of Punta Piedra.<\/p>

Algae along the Riviera Maya in Mexico<\/strong><\/p>

If you are planning to travel to Mexico, you have probably read or heard of the widespread seagrass problem. Until a few years ago, this problem was not really a problem in the region, but unfortunately the situation has worsened considerably over the past two years.<\/p>

Explanation: What is sea grass and where does it come from?<\/strong><\/p>

Seagrass also called Sargassum is a genus of brown algae. The fact that seagrass beds are washed up on the beaches of Mexico is in principle nothing unusual during the hottest summer months. However, over the past two years, the situation has spiraled out of control. In just a few short months, tons of seagrass have washed up every day. Swimming in the sea is hardly possible, as it is almost impossible to cross the thick layer of seagrass.<\/p>

Of course, there is the question of how this became and still is such a disastrous issue for the region. The answer about this matter is that it is not yet fully understood. However, there is no doubt that the problem is due to climate change, or at least to the negative environmental impacts of humans. The hotter the water, the more likely the herbaria are to multiply.<\/p>

We also did some research ourselves and found that the US food industry is apparently partly to blame. Excess fertilizers and toxic substances are released into the surrounding rivers and reach the Gulf of Mexico. This creates an excess of nutrients and nitrates, which contributes to the spread of algae. We are not experts, but we assume that this problem is the result of many different factors.<\/p>

Does Algae Affect Beach Vacations?<\/strong><\/p>

Despite the situation is rather dire, we would like to calm the situation down a bit: algae are not constantly shedding. There is no problem to swim in the sea – apart from the very unpleasant seaweed stench, which was a bit disturbing.<\/p>

However, we have read various reports, and it seems that some months the situation seems to be worse. Of course, visually, it makes a huge difference that we look at an azure sea or just a carpet of seaweed in front of them. If you are booking a hotel on the beach, we ask that you ask the hotel directly – generally, the more expensive the hotel, the more likely it is that the beach is regularly cleared of seaweed.<\/p>

If you want to know what a particular beach looks like, we have a tip for you. Updates and photos from various beaches along the Riviera Maya are posted daily to this Facebook group: the “Sargasso Seaweed Updates Riviera Maya” Facebook group.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Cenotes in Tulum<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The enigmatic underground freshwater pools are found throughout Yucat\u00e1n. Cenotes are limestone caves filled with crystal clear water. Those around Tulum are very easy to reach and therefore great tourist magnets. If you want to visit either of the cenotes, we recommend going in the morning. Most of the Cenotes are terribly overgrown in the afternoon. If you want to come in the afternoon, be aware that many Cenotes close at 4 or 5 p.m. An excellent option is to purchase tours to visit the cenotes<\/a><\/p>

Grand Cenote<\/strong><\/p>

The Gran Cenote is a classic among the Cenotes around Tulum. We were there in the afternoon – our mistake! At that time, the whole place is like an amusement park. It was very crowded and the noise level was even higher.<\/p>

Before you can go down the stairs to the Cenote, you must first take a shower. This serves to protect flora and fauna and is also checked on site by two supervisors. The water is crystal clear and wonderfully refreshing. Diving is not possible; the water is much too shallow. You can rest on a large meadow after swimming and appreciate the sun.<\/p>

Considering the crowds, it’s a miracle that we managed to take a picture without anyone. Our advice: come in the morning, then you can enjoy this wonderful place in peace. In a separate area you may also spot turtles – so make sure you don’t miss this!<\/p>

Information on the visit of the Gran Cenote<\/strong><\/p>

Address: On the road from Tulum to Cob\u00e1 (right), approximately 5 kilometers outside of Tulum<\/p>

Access: From Tulum Pueblo by car (about 5 minutes) or by bike (about 15 minutes), free parking is available<\/p>

Entrance: 300 Pesos per person; Snorkeling equipment and lockers are extra (all given on our visit)<\/p>

Cenote car wash<\/strong><\/p>

A slightly different but very interesting. Cenote Carwash or Cenote Aktun Ha. For those unfamiliar with cenotes, this one looks like a small lake than a cenote. This is not the classic cave shaped cenote and therefore not as spectacular as the other cenotes. But that doesn’t change the fact that you can bathe there. Apparently, there is even a species of small crocodiles that live here – but we haven’t seen them.<\/p>

Cenote Car Wash Tour Information<\/p>

Address: On the road from Tulum to Cob\u00e1 (on the left), about 8 km from Tulum<\/p>

Access: From Tulum Pueblo by car (about 10 minutes) or by bike (about 25 minutes), free parking is available<\/p>

Entrance: 100 Pesos per person<\/p>

Cenote Calavera<\/strong><\/p>

The third Cenote we visited is called Cenote Calavera. Of all those mentioned above, this is the least suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The reason is: it is very dark and there are hundreds of bats buzzing all over the cave. Also, during our visit the water was not very clear.<\/p>

But in saying this, the Cenote offers something special: with a little courage, you can jump into a small hole in the ground and land a few meters lower in the Cenote Basin. The Cenote is very famous with divers. We were there at 9am and were the only visitors with another couple.<\/p>

Information to visit the Cenote Calavera<\/p>

Address: On the road from Tulum to Cob\u00e1 (right), about 2 km from Tulum<\/p>

Access: From Tulum Pueblo by car (about 5 minutes) or by bike (about 15 minutes), free parking is available<\/p>

Entrance: 250 Pesos per person<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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4. Mayan sites in and around Tulum<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mayan ruins of Tulum<\/strong><\/p>

No Mayan site in the Yucat\u00e1n can match this spectacular location directly on the rocky cliffs. we think that visiting the ruins of Tulum<\/a> should not be missed. From an architectural point of view, there are more impressive ruins in the Yucat\u00e1n region. But that doesn’t matter, as the gorgeous backdrop here certainly makes up for it.<\/p>

The visit to the ruins takes place along a sort of circular route. We recommend that you wait about an hour and a half for this. You can go swimming on the beach, so don’t forget your swimsuit if you want to swim. What to know: Due to the ruins’ proximity to Tulum and Playa del Carmen as well, it means you need to get up early if you want to avoid the large tourist crowds.<\/p>

Tips for visiting the Mayan site of Tulum:<\/p>