Tulum, Mexico: Ravishing Ruins And Beautiful Beaches
Tulum offers the luxury traveller more than just the prerequisite white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters of the tropics. It is also the site of Tulum, the coastal Mayan temple, the ruins of which still grace the coastline. Relax in the soft ocean breeze on the sun-drenched sands of the best beach in Mexico, under the shadow of a dramatic Maya ruin. In Tulum you will find terrific diving, mysterious cenotes, fantastic snorkelling, and a selection of superb restaurants.
The dramatic beaches of Tulum will take your breath away.
The best place to stay in this tropical paradise is outside of the main city in a beachside villa. Your own private oasis where you can have a private chef cook a meal for you, or have an in-room massage. Sit back and eat tacos under palapas on the beach or do a dawn yoga class. Spend your wistfully lazy days reading a book by the pool or drinking a fruity cocktail under a palapa. Enjoy the new nighttime entertainment of the bar and restaurant scene that has recently emerged. Feast on roast pork at El Mariachi Loco and enjoy live music at nightclubs like Curandero. Take a day trip to explore the impressive Mayan ruins at the Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an, with its natural beauty, and see Coba, where the fit and adventurous can climb to the very top of the main pyramid, Nohoch Mul. Do not miss Chichen Itza one of the most beautiful and wondrous sites in the world; in fact it is one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World”.
Some of the anicent Mayan ruins of Tulum.
The ruins of Tulum sit regally above the craggy coastline of pristine white sand beaches and cerulean waters. The sight is a wonder to behold and transports you back across the millennia, making you contemplate the Mayan people’s vision in creating these temples. The fifteen Eleventh Century pyramids are as beautiful as they are impressive and offer a unique glimpse into the distant past. To avoid the busy tour groups go and see the ruins early or late in the afternoon. Then stay for the ‘Visitas Nocturnas’ demonstration, which involves a colorful lightshow and audio-visual descriptions of the site. Then you are taken on a guided tour of El Castillo, a huge structure that has deep underground passages. Hire a luxury car to take you there in comfort and style.
A close up view of the Mayan pyramids.
For those who want to dive right in to the crystalline waters of Tulum Xel Ha is the place to go. It is the world biggest “natural aquarium” which is more like a water theme park with restaurants, buffets and bars. You can enjoy snorkelling to see the fish, turtles, rays and conch that call Xel Ha home. There is zip lining and even cliff jumping. You can also swim with the dolphins here, or relax in a spa. Other Eco Parks that are worth a visit are Xplor for adrenaline fuelled zip lining and Xenotes for underground adventurers, and Xcaret for all the same reason, plus vibrant Mexican culture. Experience the ethereal cenotes, underwater caves with freshwater pools where you can swim, snorkel or scuba dive. Cenote Dive Center is the best company for cenote cave dives. See some of the best swimholes at the Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park, which has some of the most amazing cenotes in the world.
The magical ruins of Chichen Itza.
Adrenaline junkies are spoilt for choice in Tulum. And every activity is set against the backdrop of luscious jungles or stunning beaches. The weather off the coast offers the perfect conditions for kite surfing, so go to Ocean Pro Kite on Tulum Beach for excellent lessons. For other extreme watersports check out Extreme Control, who also offer dive tours and paddle board rentals. Beyond Tulum Beach Playa Paraiso is an untouched beauty of a beach. After all that exertion you will be looking for somewhere to relax your achy muscles and unwind. Maya Spa is a Mayan spa that uses ancient treatments and techniques. They use chanting to relax you and then a combination of native aromatherapy and enriched mud to treat your sun damaged skin. The other great thing about the beaches in Tulum is the beach clubs. Ak’iin is a club come restaurant and bar that is known to throw an amazing wedding, if you happen to be looking to get hitched. La Zebra is a cabana beach restaurant. Here you can relax in a cabana with a cucumber margarita, the most refreshing drink in Mexico. If you are hungry for more, then Tulum provides some incredible restaurants. Try acclaimed Hartwood with its daily changing fresh menu of local ingredients, you will be able to taste pure paradise. Or Unico is a great restaurant with a beautiful view of the sea. Enjoy whatever fish you have caught that day prepared for you in the restaurant, and then romantic chocolate molten dessert under the stars.
Enjoy Mexico like you have never experienced it before, with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and decaying ruins peaking out of the jungle on the cliffs by the coastline. This truly unique mixture makes Tulum a destination unlike any other. Stay in your own luxury villa rental as a base to explore this fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful area.
The dramatic beaches of Tulum will take your breath away.
The best place to stay in this tropical paradise is outside of the main city in a beachside villa. Your own private oasis where you can have a private chef cook a meal for you, or have an in-room massage. Sit back and eat tacos under palapas on the beach or do a dawn yoga class. Spend your wistfully lazy days reading a book by the pool or drinking a fruity cocktail under a palapa. Enjoy the new nighttime entertainment of the bar and restaurant scene that has recently emerged. Feast on roast pork at El Mariachi Loco and enjoy live music at nightclubs like Curandero. Take a day trip to explore the impressive Mayan ruins at the Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an, with its natural beauty, and see Coba, where the fit and adventurous can climb to the very top of the main pyramid, Nohoch Mul. Do not miss Chichen Itza one of the most beautiful and wondrous sites in the world; in fact it is one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World”.
Some of the anicent Mayan ruins of Tulum.
The ruins of Tulum sit regally above the craggy coastline of pristine white sand beaches and cerulean waters. The sight is a wonder to behold and transports you back across the millennia, making you contemplate the Mayan people’s vision in creating these temples. The fifteen Eleventh Century pyramids are as beautiful as they are impressive and offer a unique glimpse into the distant past. To avoid the busy tour groups go and see the ruins early or late in the afternoon. Then stay for the ‘Visitas Nocturnas’ demonstration, which involves a colorful lightshow and audio-visual descriptions of the site. Then you are taken on a guided tour of El Castillo, a huge structure that has deep underground passages. Hire a luxury car to take you there in comfort and style.
A close up view of the Mayan pyramids.
For those who want to dive right in to the crystalline waters of Tulum Xel Ha is the place to go. It is the world biggest “natural aquarium” which is more like a water theme park with restaurants, buffets and bars. You can enjoy snorkelling to see the fish, turtles, rays and conch that call Xel Ha home. There is zip lining and even cliff jumping. You can also swim with the dolphins here, or relax in a spa. Other Eco Parks that are worth a visit are Xplor for adrenaline fuelled zip lining and Xenotes for underground adventurers, and Xcaret for all the same reason, plus vibrant Mexican culture. Experience the ethereal cenotes, underwater caves with freshwater pools where you can swim, snorkel or scuba dive. Cenote Dive Center is the best company for cenote cave dives. See some of the best swimholes at the Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park, which has some of the most amazing cenotes in the world.
The magical ruins of Chichen Itza.
Adrenaline junkies are spoilt for choice in Tulum. And every activity is set against the backdrop of luscious jungles or stunning beaches. The weather off the coast offers the perfect conditions for kite surfing, so go to Ocean Pro Kite on Tulum Beach for excellent lessons. For other extreme watersports check out Extreme Control, who also offer dive tours and paddle board rentals. Beyond Tulum Beach Playa Paraiso is an untouched beauty of a beach. After all that exertion you will be looking for somewhere to relax your achy muscles and unwind. Maya Spa is a Mayan spa that uses ancient treatments and techniques. They use chanting to relax you and then a combination of native aromatherapy and enriched mud to treat your sun damaged skin. The other great thing about the beaches in Tulum is the beach clubs. Ak’iin is a club come restaurant and bar that is known to throw an amazing wedding, if you happen to be looking to get hitched. La Zebra is a cabana beach restaurant. Here you can relax in a cabana with a cucumber margarita, the most refreshing drink in Mexico. If you are hungry for more, then Tulum provides some incredible restaurants. Try acclaimed Hartwood with its daily changing fresh menu of local ingredients, you will be able to taste pure paradise. Or Unico is a great restaurant with a beautiful view of the sea. Enjoy whatever fish you have caught that day prepared for you in the restaurant, and then romantic chocolate molten dessert under the stars.
Enjoy Mexico like you have never experienced it before, with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and decaying ruins peaking out of the jungle on the cliffs by the coastline. This truly unique mixture makes Tulum a destination unlike any other. Stay in your own luxury villa rental as a base to explore this fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful area.