A relaxing weekend in one of the prettiest parts of Mexico

This is just a small section of our honeymoon itinerary that I wanted to share with you for #SSPTravels week! Our original full honeymoon itinerary was planned with the help of my friend, Sam, from Aquamarine Travel. I’ve pulled out this small section to share with you because we so, so, so loved our time in Tulum that we’ve talked about going back for a quick weekend. If you don’t have a ton of time but need to get away to somewhere warm, we highly recommend Tulum!

There are a few things that you need to know about Tulum before you go:

It can be an incredible area for nightlife and partying. We’re boring so that’s not quite what this itinerary is about! Sorry!
An eco-friendly bug spray is a must! I recommend this one.
Tulum is an ecologically preserved area and it has quasi-functional ancient plumbing structures so… you can’t flush the toilet paper. This actually isn’t abnormal in many parts of the world. Don’t let it scare you.
A lot of the places in Tulum can feel extra-hipster levels of weird and even admittedly uncool, mainstream me thinks it’s awesome. Most places don’t have phones, some don’t have websites or social media either.
I continually call Tulum a living, functioning, oxymoron. It’s rugged. There are tarps hanging from trees to create shelter in makeshift campgrounds but then tourists walk down the dirt streets in $500 heels to spend $350 on dinner. From some of the most expensive cocktails to the cheapest tacos, Tulum runs the gamut on experiences and offerings.
It’s very common for people to spend their time topless on the beaches and some beach bars in Tulum and weed is very prevalent. This didn’t bother us one bit but it definitely goes into the maybe you should be warned category. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

WHEN: The last weekend of November

HOW MUCH: $1,900 (not including food or alcohol)

DAY 1

Arrive in Mexico at the Cancún International Airport and grab a pre-scheduled private transfer or a taxi (taxi’s are extremely easy to find and will work just fine for you) for the 1 hour and 40 minute drive down the coast to Tulum. You won’t be needing a car for this trip!
Have your car drop you off at your new home, Nueva Vida De Ramiro - a small collection of eco-archeological bungalows right on the Caribbean sea. One of the more affordable places to stay in Tulum, Nueva Vida De Ramiro is not a resort and it’s not touristy. Known for it’s privacy and intimacy, the hotel is powered by solar panels and wind generators which allow it to have electricity 24 hours a day. However, the one outlet provided in your room is meant for charging your devices but you will only be using them for taking pictures. There’s no time or need for television or social media. We personally recommend the Ola Suite, just steps from the ocean. You can see the sand below through the tropical wood floors while a palm tree grows out of your shower. We stayed here on our honeymoon and I cried when we left… we seriously loved every second.
After you’ve settled in, walk down to Taqueria La Eufemia and grab some drinks and cheap tacos. Fantastic tacos! This place can be loud with hoards of people drinking, eating and enjoying a DJ.
Take a walk on the beach farther south to check out your neighboring resorts and then head back to NV to grab your stuff and spend the rest of the afternoon laying on the beach and swimming in front of your hotel.
For dinner, make a reservation at Hartwood or get in line early. The line can easily stretch to a scoff-able length but it’s worth it. Don’t be deterred, just be prepared. After dinner walk along the road (interior) of Tulum to visit the shops, pick up some beer for your room and enjoy the rainforest atmosphere.

DAY 2

Get up and make your way to your bungalow’s front porch where Nueva Vida De Ramiro will deliver the breakfast provided with your stay (made by the restaurant across the street, Casa Banana). It is so darn good. Enjoy it while you sip your coffee listening to the calm water.
Arrange for a taxi to take you to the ruins of Coba. In full disclosure, we didn’t do this when we were in Tulum but really, really wish we did. The taxi driver who took us up to the Tulum ruins offered to take us to Coba the following day but we didn’t have time. The drive is just about an hour north west of your hotel and they are the only Mayan ruins in the country that you may still climb.
When you return, grab an iced coffee and a snack at Bean Bagz Pastry And Bagette Cafe before you lay out on the beach for the rest of the afternoon.
Walk across the street to Casa Banana for dinner. We recommend the wood grilled fresh fish. After dinner, visit the Mulberry Project’s bespoke cocktail popup bar on the beach in front of La Zebra. It’s just next door!

DAY 3

Wake up early to see the sunrise on the beach and then make your way up to the Tulum ruins - you could visit by taxi or borrow bikes from your hotel. It’s very worth it to get there early in the morning and wear your swimsuit under your clothes. There’s a beautiful beach! Schedule your breakfast delivery for later on this day.
Spend a few hours walking around the stunning ruins built to be a fortress. One of the few enclosed cities built by the Mayas, with walls on three sides and the Caribbean Sea on the other, it was a major trading hub. Once you’ve had a good swim and explored the ruins, head back to NV to enjoy your breakfast.
Your time in Tulum is coming to an end so another leisurely afternoon in the water is definitely top on this to-do list. You can order cocktails from Casa Banana to be delivered to you on the beach - the vodka mule is great.
For dinner, dress up a bit and enjoy authentic Mexican cooking at La Zebra’s restaurant on the beach. Their paloma is fantastic!
Enjoy a night walk along the beach and pack up your bags to head back home in the morning.