Tulum—land of exotic mystery
By Jeremy Zachary
Deep down in the sun-kissed belt known as the Mexican Riviera, Tulum is a destination of beauty, tranquility and Mayan mystery. This is not your typical Mexican tourist town destination. Located two hours south of the mega-resort enclave of Cancun, Tulum is a world away—a great place to get off the grid, relax and enjoy jungle and beach as it was created to be enjoyed.
Once in Cancun, several forms of transportation abound to get you to paradise; whether by taxi, shared bus or public bus, there is a mode for every budget.
Rediscovered in the mid-16th century, this ancient Mayan ruin is now one of the most visited archeological sites in the Yucatan. Resting on sheers cliffs and overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Tulum’s characteristics are unique and magical. This archeological site is the primary reason tourists from around the globe visit Tulum, but it shouldn’t be. This beachside community has a little something for everyone.
Tulum consists of two primary areas—the town of Tulum and Tulum beach. The town is where you will find a handful of stalls with tourist shops hocking anything from tequila to handmade leather good; restaurants, bars, a fruit market or two and a butcher shop. Small enough to feel like a distant getaway, Tulum is yet plentiful in necessities. You’ll be within reach of all you may need.
Tulum beach is a short 3-kilometer jaunt from the town. Powdery white sand on this beach stretches for miles and is exactly why you come here—it satisfies the visions of what one might expect of the Mexican Riviera; paradise found.
There are several hotels, eco-resorts and guesthouses to stay at while in this tropical paradise, but we chose the Villas H2O boutique hotel for its unique architecture and extremely friendly and informative staff. Nestled on the south side of the town, tucked 150 meters from the main highway and secluded, this beautiful boutique hotel will impress the most discerning guests—at a price that will satisfy any budget traveler.
Upon entering Villas H2O, you’ll quickly realize how unique this urban-chic tropical accommodation appeals to the senses. A giant palapa houses the common lounge area, where freshly prepared breakfasts are served each morning. A step within reach is the pool in which to float the day away or simply lounge poolside and listen to the wind blow through the palms. With its minimalist design and unique blend of local style and modern design, Villas H2O is easy to call home while away from home.
The diving shop H2O Pro is located inside the hotel and offers full diving tours in the region. Whether your aim is reef diving, cenote diving or specialized cave diving, this is a great place to start your journey. The shop is run by Villas H2O co-owner Marco Wagner, whose uncle is world-renown cave diver Gunnar Wagner. Gunnar began diving and exploring this region more than 20 years ago and today Marco carries on the family tradition.
Tulum is a beautiful place to step to the edge of civilization and bask in paradise, forget the crackberry, iPad® and all else that keeps you connected. Think of it as a “green-friendly” land of Eden, where you can tune out and find your inner Zen.
For more information visit: www.tulum.com , www.tulum-playa.com
