Travel writer Jamie Ditaranto (@JamieDitaranto) went for a staycation in her temporary outpost of Tulum, opting to trade her pueblo apartment for the chic end of the beach road for a few days of escape. Written in our signature 1, 2, 3 format—which features one place to stay, two places to dine, and three places to visit in a specific local—check out her “1, 2, 3 Tulum, Mexico Destination Guide.” ⬇️ 🇲🇽
To Stay:
Tulum is a scene, but this 8-suite boutique hotel is an oasis of calm on the busy south side of the beach. Here you’ll enjoy a small private beach area, just for hotel guests, and because the hotel is so small, employees can take your cocktail orders via text message.
To Eat:
Right across the street from Encantada, NÜ is the vision of seven chefs to bring Mexican cuisine to a new level while incorporating new flavors and techniques. The pork belly tacos might just be the best you have in Tulum.
Dwarfing the bar, the concrete leaf sculpture makes stepping into this restaurant feel like entering Wonderland. Meanwhile, the menu is determined to introduce you to new Mexican flavors in dishes like the Huitlacoche Ravioli and Hoja Santa Ice Cream.
To Visit:
The ruins are unique because they overlook the sea and the best view of them is on the water, so consider taking a sunset boat tour to see them during the golden hour.
Tulum’s Cenotes:
There are many cenotes, sinkholes filled with crystal clear water, near Tulum. Gran Cenote is one of the bigger ones, and especially good for diving.
For a big jungle adventure, you can day trip down the beach road to this truly wild region where mangroves and ruins abound in a place so beautiful the Mayans named it “Where the Sky Was Born.”
