Last year I had planned to visit Europe for my 50th Birthday but it appears that COVID had other plans and will continue to affect the way that people plan for vacation for many years. It was heartbreaking to cancel that trip but it was the right thing to do at the time.
Earlier this year I decided to plan for a trip to Utah which worked out perfectly. I would suggest if you have any concerns about COVID, consider the vaccination to help settle any fears and use logic if traveling to populated placed. The vaccine is a personal choice and I will leave it at that. This is a travel blog. 😉
That being said, after my Utah trip I wanted to plan something special for my 30 year Anniversary so booked a trip to Tulum and so the research began.....😂 If you are like me I like to know as much about the area I am visiting to maximize my trip BUT please also plan for the guest that will be with you as I am a go, go, go-type of person where my wife if good with staying on the beach so a little of compromise needs to be considered. 😜
There are many options when looking at hotels or vacation rentals such as AirBRN or VRBO. Prices are more expensive on the "Strip" which is all along the Beach but you can find some real bargains inside the City. Research for you personal preference and safety and highly suggest that you pay attention to the city curfew. Along the Beach there are high end resorts and all-inclusive resorts. My take on the all-inclusive is that there is so much to see and having to go back to the resorts for food and drinks is somewhat impractical but if you are happy with staying at one place that works for you. Otherwise, most all of the resorts offer Day Club access which allows beach access for a minimum fee based on price per person. Typically that fee goes works food and drink so please research for your mood and preference as some clubs offer more than others. Also. crowds vary from party to chill.
TRAVEL DATES - 8/14 - 8/21
SATURDAY (arrived mid afternoon)
Dinner Reservations: Rosa Negra (made about 1-2 weeks in advanced since Friday & Saturday nights on the Beach Strip are a busy time).
MY TAKE: I heard this was one of the places to visit for more of a party type atmosphere which we wanted to experience and definitely a 'hot spot' and a fashion show but you can dress casual. Not sure if you will be turned away. Music is pretty loud so be prepared and half way through our meal the music became louder. Food was amazing and much better than I expected and drinks are one of a kind. Overall I would suggest this for a Saturday night. Others to consider: Bagatelle, Gitano, La Zebra, Casa Jaguar. If you want to experience their music ahead of time search their playlist on SPOTIFY or other music streaming services.
Cocktails:
NAUGHTY BIRD - Ciroc vodka . Limoncello . Blackberry . Grapefruit Oleo Saccharum & PANDEMIC FASHION - Bourbon Bulliet,with mandarine peel, Artisan peach marmalade, Dry peppers and spices
Appetizers:
Complimentary Bread with 3 Homemade Hot Sauces
CEVICHE SAMPLER - Octopus . conch . peruvian
SPICY OCTOPUS - Crispy grilled octopus . chipotle . paprika . guajillo vinaigrette
Entrees:
TASMANIAN TROUT - Australia. Artisan Smoked . organic . grilled 10 oz
SKILLET SEARED SALMON - Olive oil . sea salt . sweet potato 10 oz
If its your Birthday, Bachelor/Bachelorette Party or Anniversary let them know and you will get dessert and fireworks.....
SUNDAY
Relaxed at our hotel, Papaya Playa Project (PPP) Beach Sofas. PPP is located towards the North Side of the the Strip next to AZULIK and part of the Design Hotel Boutique and Luxury Hotel Collection. (https://www.designhotels.com) Nice open concept with most rooms as 'casitas'. We booked a casita with a first level pool but were upgraded to a rooftop pool. Most of the casitas have privacy
PAPAYA PLAYA STAR COLLECTOR
Went downtown early, visited some shops like next to Rosa
Dinner Reservations: Bagatelle Nice apps, dinner was over cooked. Magic show party
MONDAY
- Rented a Car via the Hotel and highly suggest this if you have many things planned. Taxis can get extremely expensive and you have more flexibility. (Rentals range from $35/day to $90/day but make sure you check on the Insurance. Check with your hotel for rental info as well). Learn the Parking sites and signs in Mexico which is a E with a Circle. (https://www.allstays.com/Features/mexico-road-signs/)
CENOTE (English: /sɪˈnoʊti/or/sɛˈnoʊteɪ/; American Spanish: [seˈnote]): A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. The regional term is specifically associated with the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, where cenotes were commonly used for water supplies by the ancient Maya, and occasionally for sacrificial offerings.
There are over 6,000 Cenotes in Mexico and vary in so many ways from depth, access, etc. Do not be afraid but also please do your research. Early bird gets the worm for sure as the most popular ones often get crowded. Here are the ones we visited.
Cenote Calavera (Skull Cenote which is also known as the Temple of Doom) is located 2 km west of the intersection of highway 307 and the Coba/beach road on the northeast side of Tulum pueblo. A very popular scuba diving location for those accredited with cave diving certification, Cenote Calavera is located only 5 km from the Caribbean Sea, to which it´s current flows.
The scary sounding name reflects the ominous feel of the cenote and it's large underground cave. After walking 100 meters along the trail you come to a literal hole in the ground with a 10 meter circumference. It takes some guts to jump off the edge to the clear water 3 meters below. For those less courageous, a ladder is available to lower yourself. Under the water is a large hill of sediment and rocks in the middle, with a minimum depth of 3 meters depending on the water level.
Entrance fee is $50 pesos for swimmers and $100 pesos for scuba divers. Inflatable water chairs (floaties) are available for non swimmers and offer the opportunity for a relaxing siesta. (prices can vary)
Grand Cenote:
One of the most famous and popular cenotes in Mexico, Gran Cenote is actually a string of cenotes connected by walking paths. The primary cenote is a winding river-like open-air cenote that meanders around and is delightful for swimming and snorkeling. There are several cave sections as well for exploring, and the surrounding rock formations and jungle add to the beauty of the area. Between Tulum and Coba, this is a popular tour stop as well. The entrance is $180 pesos.
More Crowded Cenotes... but worth a visit:
- Gran Cenote
- Cenote Dos Ojos meaning “two eyes,”
- Cenote Suytun
- Cenote Azul
Less Crowded Cenotes:
- Cenote Manatí (aka Casa Cenote)
- Cenote Calavera
- Cenote Cristalino and Escondido Cenote
- Cenotes Yaxmuul
- Cenote Aktun-Ha
- Cenote Choo-Ha
- Cenote Zaci-Ha
- Cenote X'Canche
- Cenote Oxmán
LIST OF CENOTES TO VISIT (GOOGLE SITE LOCATIONS): https://www.islandlifemexico.com/best-cenotes-in-yucatan/?fbclid=IwAR1nF_2PjdqRKHwt974RjQJRxKNxzUhXYjpO6bcT0kdfPzbHhA-LFWmQFPQ
I cannot suggest Research and Planning enough to know where you are going and pack accordingly for the best experience.
Looking for bargain place to eat and a true local and tourist favorite. Try Taqueria Honorio for authentic tacos and tortas cheaper than you can eat in the states. For those that do not speak Spanish try using Google to translate text on menus. Cool trick.
TUESDAY
Rented bike via the hotel and rode to public beach.
Gives you a different perspective of the area. I suggest riding in early morning and during the day not nighttime.
We had a late start and went to the Tulum Ruins. Note that they are a couple of difference ways to enter the Ruins, via the main Tour Bus road off the main highway or via the hotel access road. Many peddlers wanting to watch your cars and make you think it will not be protected but that is not true, park as close as you can.
TIP: Bring water, small backpack and umbrella if sun bothers you. Good walking shoes, I would advise against flip flogs.
We originally entered via the Tour Bus Road and were told that we would have to walk several miles so we drove to the Hotel Access road. While at the Tour Bus entry we purchased tickets to visit Casa Cenote Torgura. I thought I was scammed but they gave us cash as an entry fee for thee Cenote. After we finished visiting the Ruins we would travel down the highway and see what this was about. The Ruins on a hot day can take much of your energy so afterward we were starving looking for place to eat.
For Lunch, we tried a local Downtown favorite suggested by some store owners.
Casa Cenote Tortuga. So as I stated earlier, I was a little skeptical about this place since we purchased tickets from the Tulum Ruin Tour Bus area but when we arrived it appeared to be a park of some sort. After we received our entry tickets we entered the park and found out that this place had much to offer:
Food and Drink at Entry
Jungle Zip Line
(3) Different Cenotes with (1) of them having cliff jumps
All my media is video so will look to post via YouTube.
As we ended the day, I remembered the Tulum Sign.
Head back to the Hotel but stopped to visit some Social Media spots....
WEDNESDAY
So one of my main planned visit was to Casa Malca (South side of the Strip) and one of the former homes of Pablo Escobar who was known to be quite the art collector. We scheduled a Brunch at one of the restaurants on site since our dinner plans were cancelled due to Hurricane Grace looking to make landfill in the next 24 hours.
Was hoping to see the piece of art called the Wedding Dress but only opened to Hotel guests and was taken down due to the Hurricane but a must see.
The Brunch was fantastic and wee walk the grounds after and the artwork was amazing.... take a look.
Brunch:
Art work:
Did some street shopping and many nice shops for souvenirs on main steet but remember to negotiate on price. Also try out the visitors center for more shops.
Decided that staying indoor would be better than dodging rain with the Hurricane coming so we visit an indoor immersive art exhibit called Mystika. Interesting art from a local artist with some mirror rooms and art.
Looking for a quick place to eat dinner before the storm and stumbled on Posada Margarita. Great Italian restaurant that we were not expecting nestled on the beach....
THURSDAY
Unfortunately, Hurricane Grace had different plans for our last day of our vacation so it was shelter place inside our resort. Being from Louisiana, we know how to prepare for these storms and this one was not planned to be too powerful and the way our casita was built we had nothing to really worry about.
Storm came early morning and most of the day was spent repairing and cleaning up the area.
FRIDAY
Adding an extra day due to the recent storm we were able to visit the AZULIK Museum even if you are not a guest of AZULIK. Small venue but nice to visit anyway...
We were able to book dinner at Kin Toh which is an experience. If you can book the BirdNest it's a great view and they have a daily Sunset event at AZULIK with music and drinks.
I could definitely find a thousand more things to do when I was there but will look to visit again in the future.... hope this blog helps you with you plans... send me a note if you need more info: getorres504@gmail.com
Other notables to visit:
Hartwood
Gitano
La zebra
La jaguar
Jungle Cuisine @ Azulik
NOTES:
NOTE: Taxis are much higher on Friday/Saturday approx. $25 (~500 pesos) (one-way) On Friday Nights Beach Clubs have parties and DJs playing chill music but on Saturday Nights is the party night and many Clubs have some sort of activity and reservations are encouraged.
Beach Clubs are trendy and a great way to experience many locations for future visits.
Bring 2 oz. bottles for booze to help cut costs at bars.
Car rental, scooter rentals some four wheelers are good investments but traffic and road are horrible.
AZULIK - if not a guest only options are sunset experience ritual, dinner at treehouse or shops.
Purchase liquor at stores if you want to make drinks in your room. La La Europea, El Mexicano, Tequila y Mezcal, Tulum. If you are into cigars most of these stores have the popular brands.
APPS/LINKS TO DOWNLOAD:
Some sort of language app: Duolingo or Babble to help you with common words but Google Translate has a conversation function that works great as well.
Download the Google Map for the area you are visiting which is important if you are renting a car as cell service way spotty at best once you leave the pueblo (city)
Any Currency App so that you know the going rate as unfortunate as it is, people will try to take advantage of you even when speaking the language.
Use Google for language snd picture translation.
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