6 days in Tulum

This was our first trip to the Yucatán Peninsula and we some fantastic days of sun, beach, great Mexican food (with one obvious exception) and incredible Mayan ruins. While Cancun is most known as a spring break destination (Señor Frogs anyone?) dominated by large beachside resorts, Tulum is a small town, tourist oriented to be sure, but with its own local culture, a bunch of great restaurants and bars, and just a short distance from oceanside ruins and a number of awesome cenotes. Tulum was also a great base for day trips to Cozumel island and the more distant Cobá ruins. We didn’t make it to Chichén Itzá, Isla Mujeres or the underwater museum MUSA this time around but that just gives us a great excuse to come back.

One funny side note: renting a car in Mexico was the least transparent, and most outrageous of anywhere that we have been this last year. We were quoted a reservation price of 6 USD for the week (suspicious, yes) but after mandatory insurance and taxes, we paid almost 300 USD. Oh, and we didn’t get out of the Thrifty Car Rental until after a 15 minute timeshare pitch disguised as driving advice. Ah, Mexico. Luckily Alex knew the insurance and tax (scam) situation in advance so we weren’t too thrown off by this, but the idea that the final price was 50 times more and not disclosed beforehand is an insult to any sense of fairness, competition or good business practices. Not to mention more frustrating than renting a vehicle in Thailand or Laos, which is really saying something.

Day 1: Tulum Mayan ruins and the public beach

The Tulum ruins are just a short bike ride from town

It’s an amazing area

With a series of temples and other structures

Some overlooking the ocean

It was a great day and the ocean wind was welcome in the hot sun

The public beach was next to the ruins, just in time for a well needed dip in the water

Back in town, we stumbed on a rooftop band

And ended our night with a freshly pressed cane suger mojito

Day 2: Cobá Mayan ruins

On our second day, we drove 1 hour inland to a second set of ruins

Ritual ball court

This is the only remaining ruin in the area that you are allowed to climb (at your own risk)

Kristina descending carefully

Mayan stela

Day 3: the beach and the town

We had quesadillas for lunch at one of the beach hotels in Tulum

And had fish tacos for dinner

Complemented by a beer (of course) and a great agua fresca

Day 4: boat trip to Cozumel

Our trip to Cozumel started at Playa Del Carmen

A quick walk down the beach brought us to the ferry pier

The best way to travel on the island is scooter of course

Our first stop was lunch at Money Bar and a dip in the calm water

Once we hit the southern point, the water became much rougher

Amazing views of the waves crashing on the rocks

Good reminder to drive sober. The only thing on this side of the island was beach bars and the occasional souvenir shop

We stopped multiple times on our circuit of the island

And were sure to capture Kristina with the Mexican flag

Day 5: Grand Cenote

A cenote is a natural sinkhole common to the area that exposes ground water beneath

This one had caves complete with stalactites

As well as turtles, bats and schools of fish

The water was crystal clear and refreshing, making this a great stop on a hot day

Day 6: Alex gets food poisoning

• Having to scrap our plans to visit the Chichén Itzá ruins at the last second, Alex spent the day in bed and Kristina relaxed by the pool when not otherwise nursing the sick
• Needless to say, no pictures were taken to document the events of the day, which is better left forgotten 🙁