Do you feel lost, sad and lonely when you’re not sharing the beach with thousands of other people? Are your days incomplete if you can’t finish them with a big fat drunk party at night? Are you a fan of penis shaped salt shakers or other tasteless souvenirs? Than stop reading and go book a plane ticket to Playa del Carmen or Cancun! Don’t worry, they have boob shaped items too, so there’s something for everyone.

If however, you’re looking for a more relaxing and authentic experience and prefer when it’s just you, a hammock and the sound of the ocean, keep on reading and let me tell you all about Tulum.

Tulum, Mexico

I went to Mexico several years ago, when I was still in my let’s-go-to-as-many-places-as-possible-phase. I still don’t know what was going on in my head but for some reason I was afraid I’d get bored if I stayed too long in one place, especially when that place was a beach with nothing else to do than relaxing. So instead of ending the trip with 5 days at the same beach, I decided to go to Tulum for 2 days and head to Playa del Carmen for another 2. My flight back home left from Cancun, so I thought it would be a good idea to go to Cancun the day before and spend the last night over there. I’d booked it in advance so there was not much I could do about it once I was there.

I think it’s safe to say I still haven’t forgiven myself…

Tulum is beautiful. It’s not elegant beauty, there’s nothing refined about it. It’s just nature doing its thing and the further you go from the city center or from the ruins, the more untouched it gets. So that’s exactly what I did. I took one of the last and most basic looking cabañas on the beach, for a private date with this little piece of paradise. Well it actually had more of a quickie than a real date, there’s not much you can do if you only have 2 days, right?!?

Anyway… The cabañas I stayed in don’t exist anymore, but as long as you get as far away from the archeological site as possible, you should be able to find your own little piece of heaven. Bring drinks and cookies, because there aren’t any stores and only 1 or 2 restaurants in the area. But then again, would it still be heaven if it was filled with restaurants and tourists?!? Yep, my thoughts exactly!

Tulum, Mexico

Once you’re there, you might never want to move again, but do take an hour or two to visit the archeological site. It’s far from being the most important site in Mexico, as it was built at the end of the Mayan period, but it definitely is one of the most picturesque ones, located right on the beach and with a view on the perfect turquoise water.

Tulum Ruins, Mexico

 

Or how about diving or snorkeling in a cenote? These natural swimming holes are located all over Yucatan, and an amazing experience!


Tulum will grant you a glimpse into paradise, and it’s right off the beaten path. If you choose to experience its wonder for yourself, but still want to get in the action, it’s close enough to Cancun for a day trip, but you probably won’t even want to leave.

So how about you, which one would you choose? Touristic Cancun and Playa del Carmen, or heavenly Tulum? Let me know in the comments!

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Some of the links in this article are sponsored, but opinions are my own and straight from the heart, as always. 

51 thoughts on “FORGET ABOUT PLAYA DEL CARMEN OR CANCUN, GO TO TULUM (MEXICO) INSTEAD!”

  1. Suze - Luxury Columnist

    I’ve heard such great things about Tulum that it’s firmly on my wishlist, I’d definitely rather stay here than in Cancun

  2. I love Tulum, but with the recent (June, 2016)government seizure of 16 properties in Tulum, forcibly removing guests, I’m not comfortable recommending people stay there. I strongly encourage people to visit because you are absolutely right – it is naturally beautiful and the ruins are historical. Anyone who goes to Playa del Carmen should visit Tulum.

  3. Tulum. Definitely Tulum. I was there once. Also Cancun. Cancun was crazy busy and crowded. Tulum was peaceful and quiet. We ate at a restaurant. I had the most wonderful seafood dish. It was like a bowlful of heaven. My companion was longing for food from home and he had a hamburger and french fries. When he saw my dish, he realized that he had made a mistake.

  4. Tulum has changed a little since you’ve been there. I visited in April, 2018 and it was already more touristy than it was when you were there. I’ve read an article about just how fast it’s growing, too. It was still beautiful, but it’s definitely becoming more popular by the year and therefore, busier. Gorgeous pictures, by the way!

  5. First off, the photos look astoundingly surreal and out of this world! It’s like the sceneries were only captured to be viewed on a movie screen! The beautiful art of nature plus great photography equals these masterpieces! Thank you for sharing these beautiful places with us even though it’s only through virtual but you made us inspired and motivated to work our asses off to even just visit one out of these many wonderful places!

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  7. Excellent informative blog post, “Tulum, Mexico Travel Guide”!!!

    Tulum, Mexico, is a tropical paradise renowned for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-luxury vibe. Explore the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, visit the iconic Tulum Ruins perched on a cliff, dive into cenotes, and savor local cuisine for an unforgettable getaway.

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  10. Great travel guide — the photos and tips for exploring Tulum make me want to pack my bags right away. The recommendations for beaches, local spots, and hidden gems feel very helpful for planning a perfect trip.

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  11. This is such a helpful and well-organized guide to Tulum! I really like how you covered everything from beaches and ruins to practical tips for getting around. The mix of inspiration and useful advice makes this perfect for anyone planning their first trip. Posts like this make travel planning feel much easier and more exciting. Thanks for sharing such a detailed guide!
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  13. Realmente disfruté leer tu experiencia en Tulum; captura perfectamente el encanto de un destino de playa tranquilo donde la naturaleza y la relajación son lo más importante. Tu descripción deja claro por qué muchos viajeros prefieren Tulum en lugar de lugares más concurridos para fiestas como Cancún o Playa del Carmen. Lugares como este muestran un lado diferente de México que se siente más auténtico y pacífico. Curiosamente, mientras los viajeros disfrutan de estos hermosos destinos, México también está mejorando sus sistemas digitales en otras áreas; por ejemplo, los maestros utilizan MI Portal Fone para acceder fácilmente a los detalles de su nómina y descargar recibos de pago en línea, lo que demuestra cómo la plataforma Fone está ayudando a que las tareas administrativas diarias sean más simples y eficientes. Descubre más en https://miportalfonesmx.com/.

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