Tul
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Tulum
An ode to boho chic
An ode to boho chic
Tulum is divided into two parts: Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach. The Tulum experience will depend on which part you are staying in. The local color can be experienced in Tulum Pueblo, the town center, where you can still see much of authentic Mexico. The main street is lined with souvenir stores and restaurants, while the bars in the side streets party late into the night.
Delicious food is available in the so-called hole-in-the-wall snack bars, where tasty tacos and burritos are served, usually accompanied by a margarita. Many hostels and tourist apartments are housed in hacienda-style buildings, offering simple, inexpensive, and beautifully furnished accommodations, especially for backpackers from all over the world.
Downsides of the upswing
However, it quickly becomes apparent that Tulum is growing out of its skin. Construction is happening everywhere, with new districts springing up featuring luxury villas of the latest design. Real estate sharks are making the deals of their lives, while estate agents smile promisingly from the billboards on the building sites. Yet, the infrastructure still leaves much to be desired.
There are frequent power cuts, and some of the roads are in such poor condition that cab drivers refuse to take passengers. Even the picturesque Beach Road, lined with exclusive boutiques and restaurants, is barely passable after the rain. The contrast could not be greater. On one hand, you admire the artfully decorated stores; on the other, it turns out to be quite difficult to reach them if they are on the other side of the road.
So, the morning yoga class comes in handy, allowing you to skip the muddy puddles of unknown depth with the help of the asanas.
Hip neighborhood at its best
The new Aldea Zama district has no issues with infrastructure or broken roads. Wonderfully integrated into the jungle and located halfway between the beach and the city, it offers upscale co-working spaces, trendy restaurants featuring vegan and vegetarian specialties, and numerous yoga studios.
Early in the morning, many digital nomads can be seen jogging along the tropically planted paths or cycling to sun salutations on bicycles laden with yoga mats.
Naturally, nature conservation is a top priority here. Almost all the buildings in Aldea Zama incorporate elements of sustainability, such as organic construction or energy-saving design structures. The Luum Temple, one of the most beautiful yoga pavilions in the world, is designed with this principle in mind.
The open-air pavilion is constructed from bamboo, which was sustainably cultivated in neighboring Chiapas. Bamboo was chosen for its ability to withstand hurricane forces, among other qualities. The pavilion is not only used for yoga classes and meditation but also hosts many workshops and other community gatherings.
Hotels as art venues
On the way to the beach, along the picturesque beach road in the Zona Hotelera, you can also see most of the sights. Almost all the hotels are a mix of eco-chic and boho charm. At the luxurious Azulik resort, Peggy Guggenheim’s great-grandson has opened Sfer Ik, a gallery where undulating cement walls and flowing vineyard floors create an unusual backdrop for works of art.
Sfer Ik is much more than just a gallery; it is a sphere of creativity where architecture respects nature and coexists with the environment. More whimsical architecture and breathtaking art can be found at Hotel Ahau. The entrance is adorned with the most photographed sculpture, „Ven a la luz,“ a 10-meter-high work of art designed by the talented South African artist Daniel Popper. The name means „come to the light“ in Spanish.
The sculpture is made of steel, wood, rope, and green plants, depicting a woman opening her chest cavity to reveal a lush interior full of plants and green vines. It represents the connection between man and nature, with the primary aim of raising awareness of the ecosystem of Tulum and the Riviera Maya. The sculpture is so popular with the Instagram community that you almost always have to wait in a long queue to see it.
Another hotel right on the beach offers art-loving tourists spectacular works. However, you must rent a room at Casa Malca to see them in full. The former residence of Pablo Escobar has been transformed into an artistic beach retreat by New York gallery owner Lio Malca. The luxurious hotel thrives on its interior, built with natural materials such as stone and wood, and filled with contemporary art objects. It is one of the most exclusive hotels on the entire Riviera Maya.
In the lobby, paintings, sculptures, and furniture by some of the most respected contemporary artists and designers are displayed against white walls and polished concrete floors. The art throughout the hotel is frequently rotated, allowing returning guests to admire different works.
Spiritual retreats in the jungle
If you are looking for a way to connect more deeply with nature or with yourself and experience something authentic from the Mayan culture, the best thing to do is to take part in a Temazcal ceremony. It is one of the oldest rituals of Mesoamerican cultures, accompanied by a steam bath that takes place in a small dome.
The dome is made of stones and other natural elements and represents the interior of the earth, a place of transition between the living and the underworld. This experience is usually unforgettable, as the „domes“ are typically located in the middle of the jungle or very close to cenotes, providing the perfect setting to switch off and have a moment of introspection.
The isolated and breathtakingly beautiful setting of Tulum also makes it the ideal place for those longing for a deeper connection with themselves, others, and nature. It’s one of those corners of the Riviera Maya where natural beauty and the Mayan past blend to offer one of the most unusual landscapes in the Caribbean.
The ancient ruins overlooking the beautiful tropical beach from the cliffs speak to the wisdom of the Mayans, who chose this place to build a temple dedicated to the god of the wind. Tulum is a beautiful, magical place and rightly bears its title „pueblo mágico.“ Among the hippies, backpackers, and snobs, you will definitely find magic – not just in the jungle or on the white Caribbean sand, but also in the art, the habitable bird’s nests, and the luxurious tree houses that will enchant you.
Margaritas, sea views, and dream catchers, along with hammocks hanging everywhere, complete the experience.
History
The earliest documented date in Tulum dates back to 564 AD, but the Mayan civilization reached its peak in 1200. In ancient times, the city was given the name Zamá, which means „dawn“ in Mayan. Tulum was the name given to the city when this Mayan archaeological site was discovered and means „the wall.“
Its economic importance was so great that its protection consisted of five entrances through the wall and two watchtowers. It was one of the best protected sites of the Maya culture. This is one of the few Mayan cities that were still inhabited when the Spaniards arrived but were wiped out by the diseases they brought with them.
Glossary
Cenotes are another unique natural phenomenon in this region. These wells owe their name to the Mayas, who called them Dz'onot, meaning „cave with water.“ The ancient Mayans believed that Chaak, the god of rain, inhabited caves and cenotes. Even today, the indigenous farmers of the Yucatán Peninsula pray to Chaak for the gift of rain, while the cenotes provide archaeologists with new insights into the sacred landscapes of the ancient Maya.
Sometimes out in the open, sometimes hidden in incredible rock formations, cenotes are beautiful natural pools that have become a must-do in Mexico.
Getting around Tulum
From the town center, you can reach the white sand in about 20 minutes by bike. Bicycles are the most popular means of transportation in Tulum and a good alternative to expensive cabs. There are bike lanes almost everywhere in town, and you can rent the pastel-colored vintage versions for around USD 10 per day in every district.
