When choosing where to go in Mexico I did my research to find the best place for me and you should too, which is why you are reading my blog. I decided to go to Tulum instead of Cancun (a very famous tourist destination in Mexico), as I didn’t want to go to a big touristy place, however, I did want to go somewhere that I would feel safe being a solo female traveller, so I had to sacrifice the touristy part.
Tulum is located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. You will experience the breathtakingly beautiful beaches on the coast of the Caribbean. This once-relaxing place has since become a popular destination for its yoga retreats, boutiques, nightlife and dining. This town is also filled with beautifully preserved Mayan ruins from their once city. Tulum has become slightly more expensive because it has welcomed wealthier travellers, however, I still recommend seeing this beautiful place at least once in your life so you can fall in love with it as well.
What to know before you go:
Language- In Tulum, Mexico the official language spoken is Spanish, however, in the town or hotel zone nearly everyone speaks English. I had no problems communicating with anyone here. The locals definitely respect you when you try speaking Spanish. I got away with only using Hola and Gracias.
Currency- In Mexico’s Tulum they use Mexican Peso ($1usd = 20mex$). Not all places have the capability to take cards. It is best to carry cash with you at all times. There are a few ATMs in the hotel zone however you will get stung by high ATM fees withdrawing cash.
Transportation- If you are staying in the town of Tulum or the beach/hotel zone you will be fine getting around on foot or on a bicycle. If you are staying elsewhere a hire car may be nice however parking is usually limited in places in town and around the beach area. Bike rental companies are located all around town and the beach area. They are very cheap and the town is flat so it is an easy ride. Taxis are easily accessible around as well. They can sting you with prices so be sure to talk price before you get in the car. The ADO bus is used a lot by locals, it comes often and can take you to and from Cancun and the airport.
Best time to go- I went to Tulum in mid-October so crowds were less. The best time to visit is in late October to Mid December, crowds are less, hurricane season has ended and it is genuinely warm dryer weather. There is still some rain but it usually only lasts 5-10 minutes before it goes away.
Attire- As the weather is warm and humid you will want a variety of loose, lightweight clothing. You will also need a few pairs of swimwear for the beaches and cenotes. Waterproof shoes are also needed as the rain can make things quite wet and muddy.
Things to do in Tulum:
Explore the town and the hotel zone- This seems like a pointless thing to do/point out, however you will find the cutest things while exploring. You may find a beautiful clothing item you like at one of the boutiques, very good-tasting food at a restaurant, you could find a spa that you want to go to later, a yoga retreat and so much more. I recommend taking time on the first day to explore the town and see what it has to offer
Cenotes- A cenote refers to an underground area that has sunk and now has permanent water in it. There are four types of Cenotes, open, semi-open, cave and ancient. Most if not all cenotes in Tulum can be swum in. They are beautiful and feel so refreshing. For some of these cenotes, you can kayak or canoe, scuba dive or snorkel, I definitely think this is worth paying a tad extra for. I recommend looking into what cenotes you would like to go to before heading to Tulum. I visited three cenotes, one was out the back of my hotel.
Chichen Itza- Is located 2 hours out from Tulum in Yucatan Peninsula. One of the new 7 wonders of the world is a must-see while visiting Cancun or Tulum. This would be something you would kick yourself for if you didn’t go. There are plenty of guided tours where you can learn all the history from those times, and about the famous pyramid temple of Kukulkan. The tours usually involve visiting Chichen Itza, Valladolid and a cenote. I highly recommend a tour if you are travelling without a car.
Mayan Ruins- There are multiple ruins in Mexico around the Tulum area. The most famous are the Tulum ruins and the Coba ruins. No matter what ruins you decide to visit you will learn an extensive amount about the Mayan culture. Renting a bike and riding to the ruins are your best options for getting there. Although the ride may be far it is all flat with the beautiful nature surrounding you.
Monkey Sanctuary- The Akumal Monkey Sanctuary is an all-day trip. They offer much more than just seeing monkeys. They run guided tours in Spanish and English to show the animals in the sanctuary and what they are doing to rehabilitate the animals to get them ready to be released into the wild. However, some animals cannot be released so they are used for encounters with humans to touch us in a way that we want to help these animals. The sanctuary also offers ATV tours and a visit to some of the beautiful cenotes around their property. They can also offer transport to and from the sanctuary from your hotel for $10usd extra. Much cheaper than a taxi.
Beach clubs- If you aren’t staying at a hotel on the beach you can go to a beach club. Sometimes they can be expensive with a minimum spend of $50usd. Be sure to ask your hotel for cheaper beach clubs. Some also don’t have a minimum spend if you are actively consuming food or drinks. The beaches have white sand and are clear so be sure to go for a swim in between your time at the beach club.
Valladolid- Is an amazingly charming colonial city. There are lots of food choices to choose from including amazing street food. There are beautiful churches you can visit and the town square is an amazing place to watch the sunset.
