Today in New York: it's raining, gray and cold; in short, rather miserable unless you're a poet who works from home.
In Tulum, Mexico, on the other hand, it's 77 degrees and sunny, perfect for ocean-gazing and pina-colada sipping. Needless to say, Tulum sounds pretty good to us right about now. So good, in fact, we think you should start planning a jaunt there stat!
And we're recommending Tulum for many reasons, not just for its enviable weather and beaches. A few to start: its breathtaking Mayan ruins, nature reserves, delicious food, unpretentious beachside spas and yoga classes. Plus, the area is a mere 80 miles away from Cancun, making it easy to reach, although it couldn't be farther from the world of "spring break."
In fact, we'd call Tulum the Anti-Resort. You'll find more Europeans here than Frat boys, and its simple accommodations and "no shirts, no shoes, no problem" attitude are especially refreshing for New Yorkers looking to escape city stresses...
Overall, we just can't think of a better place to laze on the beach and relax with a good book and tropical cocktail. And other jauntsetters agree: Tulum is the favorite beach escape of our previously featured travelers Kate and Kelly, plus many other women we haven't yet highlighted.
Tulum is also an affordable destination, and even more so now that the peso is weakening and the dollar has gained some strength. We've also found some exceptional deals on accommodation (up to 50% off) and airfare (318 bucks for roundtrip, nonstop flights including all fees and taxes!). So stop staring out the window at the rain, and keep reading for more inspiration. We assure you, this is a trip you won't want to miss!
xo
your jauntsetter team
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Trip Details
When to Go
While the high season starts in just a few days, it does so for good reason. Tulum in the late fall or winter is the perfect antidote to nippy New York; the weather is balmy but not too hot, and hurricane season is officially over. We especially love November and December as these months have the best beach weather, and we love to swim in Tulum's pristine water. We also think it's best to get to Tulum while it's still off-the-beaten path, as rumor has it that an airport may soon be built near this tiny town.
So we say: plan your trip to Tulum sooner rather than later. Or, for serious bargain hunters, put a note in your calendar for Tulum in April. This is when the off-season begins and super-bargains can be found!
Length of Stay
Try to stay at least 5 nights in Tulum. There's so much to do in the area (see below) that with fewer days, you might end up trying to cram too much into your trip to make it truly restful. Then again, Tulum is the perfect do-nothing getaway, so if a long weekend of lazing at the beach is on your agenda, we say go for it! (Just note that travel time to Tulum proper can take 6 or 7 hours between flight time, customs and driving.)
Getting There
We found the cheapest nonstop, roundtrip airfare with Mexicana Airlines for $318, all taxes and fees included. Travel is valid until Dec 15th, and you have to book by Nov 30th.
For even more specials at similar prices, all for nonstop flights from JetBlue, Continental and American Airlines, see our "detailed information" section below.
Getting Around
If you really want to explore Tulum's ruins and outer areas, renting a car is recommended. They're easy to get from major brands at the Cancun airport (make sure you get GPS); feel free to use sites like Priceline to look for the cheapest deals.
If, however, you don't feel like dealing with a car, that's perfectly fine. There's something to be said for biking around Tulum or just cabbing it. See our "detailed information" section at the bottom of this page for getting around Tulum sans car.
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Where to Stay
As opposed to staying in one of the bigger resorts (found halfway between Tulum proper and Cancun airport), or in "town," where accommodation is somewhat cheaper, we highly recommend staying in one of the palapas, or basic huts, found directly on the beach.
Tulum is super eco-friendly, somewhat by necessity. Because it's off the grid - almost literally - electricity goes out after 10pm in most of the area's "hotels." None of the cabanas we list have AC, but with overhead fans and the seabreeze, the rooms stay sufficiently cool without. What our choices lack in luxury, however, they make up for in spades with laid-back charm.
Below, we highlight our Tulum favorite picks for accommodation. Please note, all hotels are in Tulum proper and all the rates are pre-tax.
Our Splurge Pick: Mezzanine
Mezzanine may be on the pricier side of Tulum lodging (rates start at $142 to $173, depending on the season), but it comes so highly recommended by previously featured-jauntsetter Kate ("it's the most gorgeous, pristine place"), that we had to include it. And it does sound special; the 9-room boutique hotel has Asian-style decor and sits on a rocky cliff overlooking a never-crowded beach with turquoise water.
It's also totally eco-driven (they use windmills for all their power and solar paneling) and comes with several perks: free bicycle rentals, a (tiny) pool, snorkeling equipment available for a refundable deposit, beach bag and towels, and a daily supply of cool water.
As for rooms and rates, each room faces the beach, so you can't go wrong whatever you book. If you really want to splurge, however, book one of the two suites with private terraces. They're the most expensive (from $355-$555, depending on the season), but they're also the biggest, newest, and come with extra features (TV, DVD, i-pod docking station). Whether you want to be so wired on your vacation is up to you.
We personally recommend the basic room #4 - with the most windows, it has the best ventilation, and being farthest from the restaurant, it's also the most private.
Our Midrange Pick: Cabanas La Conchita
Kelly, another jauntsetter-of-the-week, highly recommends this 8-room hotel for its "ultra friendly staff and great accommodations." The palapa-roofed cabanas come with mosquito-netted beds, outdoor hammocks, and solar-powered ceiling fans, and are located along a fantastic (if small) private beach with silky soft sand and palm/coconut trees.
A stand-out feature is the complimentary all-you-can-eat homemade breakfast. "Great coffee and lots of delicious fresh fruit, plus the usual breakfast fare," says Kelly, while other reviewers rave over the banana pancakes and fried bean tortillas.
The hotel also provides you with bottled water, a cooler to keep in your cabana for beer, nice thick beach towels, boogie boards, inflatable rings, and a small kayak for all to share.
One thing to note is that La Conchita is on the rustic side - electricity is only available for a few hours at night - but Kelly says "you won't miss it, I promise. Just bring a flashlight." Many tripadvisor reviewers have echoed that sentiment, saying the candle-light is part of the charm. And while there are also no outlets in the rooms, if you need camera batteries or MP3 players charged, Jorges the owner will charge them for you.
The best way to book is through Different World. Rates start at $125, but can go up to $200, depending on the room and season.
Our Budget Pick: Cabanas Copal has rooms starting at $35/night. See our "detailed information" section at the bottom of this page for even more reasons to stay at this beachfront affordable find!
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What to Do
There's a ton to do in Tulum, from visiting ancient Mayan ruins to kayaking through one of Mexico's most pristine nature reserves. See our recommendations below and remember to check our blog throughout the week for detailed entries on our top Tulum food and activity picks. And don't forget - one of the best thing about Tulum is laying on the beach and enjoying the sunshine. In other words, doing pretty much nothing.
- Visit the Mayan ruins! There are 3 to choose from - Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza - and each one has its respective draws. Read our blog entry for more info on why you shouldn't miss these stunning archeological sites.
- Sounds cheesy but it's a must do: get a margarita and guacamole at Mezzanine. Some say it's the best restaurant in town!
- Looking for the dance scene? Try Mezzanine again. Says Kate, "On Fridays they always host this funny dance party, which is really kind of bizarre - it's always full of trustafarian Europeans sporting dreadlocks and trying to fire-juggle or whatever." We know the type; good people watching.
- Visit a Mayan sweat lodge (our pick: The Mayan Spa) for a detoxifying and other-worldly experience. You'll sweat out any demons or pina coladas during this ancient ritual. Note: obviously not recommended for those who are heat-averse!
- Discover a new type of yoga; choose from billions of classes offered at every other hotel.
- Go to a local ceynote - a cave filled with water where you can snorkel in the dark. We recommend visiting the Grand Cenote - it's only ten minutes from Tulum. Other great places to snorkel are Yalku and the Akumel Bay.
- Splurge and take yourself out to eat at Ana Y Jose - for its amazing fajitas and mariachi band on weekend nights - or Posada Margherita, an Italian seafood spot where the cook takes the catch of the day, braises it with sea water, and serves it with local vegetables and fresh pasta.
- Or go local and have authentic Mexican (Mayan, really) food in town for incredibly cheap. See our dining out feature for more details.
- Book a tour or go kayaking in Tulum's beautiful nature reserve, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, where wildlife like jaguars, monkey, turtles and deer abound.
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More Detailed Information
Airfare
We found plenty of airfare specials to Cancun for you. And as always, all are roundtrip, nonstop and include fees. See below:
Flights on American to Cancun start at $224 r/t pre-taxes. This can mean ticket prices as low as $318.13 all-included (for a non-stop flight both ways!). Travel is valid through Dec 18, and the sale fares are valid for travel Monday through Thursday. Blackout dates: Nov 22-30.
With Jet Blue's sale, fares start at $149 one-way pre-taxes, meaning that you can get a non-stop all-included flight for $385. Travel is valid Sundays through Fridays from November 12 through January 14. Blackout dates are November 20 through December 2 and December 18 through January 5. Book by October 31!
And for even more budget airfare, if you've got flexibility on your dates, we encourage you to check out Kayak.com's buzz section. When searching, choose the "upcoming weekends" to find plenty of cheap airfare to Tulum. We found one for November 19th returing November 26th for $317 (including all taxes and fees) out of Newark on Continental.
Getting Around
As mentioned, we totally approve of going car-free in Tulum.
In terms of getting to and from the airport, go ahead and have your accommodation arrange for a car service. It can run $100 bucks each way, but if you're not going to use your car rental anyway, it can be worth it, depending on your length of stay.
You could be super thrifty and take the bus, but we think it's a bit much to do after a long flight as it can take over 3 hours to get down to Tulum and transfers are involved. Our advice if you don't want to cab it all the way? Splurge for a car service or taxi from the airport, then take the bus back for your your trip home. Your hotel can help you with information on the bus schedule, but rest assured, the bus comes multiple times a day to Tulum.
Where to Stay
More notes on Cabanas Cobal, our budget pick:
With prices ranging from $35 to $285 (during the high season), this nice cabana hotel is actually a budget, mid-range, and splurge option all rolled into one. Their most basic cabanas are just that - basic - but they also get solid reviews. Just make sure you don't mind sand floors and a shared bathroom.
Like Cabanas La Conchita, this hotel also runs on candle-light (you won't find any electricity here) - but it's not entirely rustic. The hotel offers wireless in certain areas, as well as a number of services - these include a restaurant, a beach bar, and their holistic Maya Spa, which we've been to as non-hotel guests and loved. It features an indigenous sweat lodge, yoga and lucid dreaming courses, and a variety of Mayan treatments performed by local shamans.
Book online and check availability here or call (877) 532-6737 toll-free.
They also have some amazing last minute specials (up to 60% off) that are valid till December 17th; or scroll down to the bottom of this page to see their pre-holiday special: book 4 or more nights between December 1st and December 17th and get 50% off!
Warning: a few guests have been known to strut around the beach nude at Cabanas Copal, and the management doesn't mind. A friend who recently stayed here loved the hotel but said people definitely take advantage of this policy, so if you feel like things are getting too hippied-out for your taste, check out Zahra, which is right next door (and apparently has a no-nudity policy). Bonus: its rooms actually start at $25 a night!
