Here's why you should skip Cancun and go straight to this small beach town for your next vacation instead
We rented a home in the Sian Ka'an Reserve for the week. At 1.3 million acres, it's the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean. The house had its own private beach access, and it ran partially off solar and wind power.
Driving to the house in Sian Ka'an included a bumpy 20-minute drive from Tulum's tourist strip, which runs along the coast on Quintana Roo 15.
Sian Ka'an is home to thousands of animals and a wide range of flora. 379 species of birds have been identified in the reserve, in addition to 115 species of mammals and 318 species of butterflies.
During our weeklong visit, we spotted sea turtles, manatees, pelicans, and numerous fish as we snorkeled off the coast.
We toured the reserve's lagoons via boat, going fly-fishing for bonefish. The lagoons also offer a fantastic lazy-river trip. After a long morning of fishing, we got to dip into the water, slowly floating down a channel filled with mangroves.
Of course, our own backyard also offered hours of wonderful beach time, with white sands and vibrant blue, clear waters. Boogie boarding was the family's favorite activity during the week.
Temperatures hovered in the upper 80s. On one particularly hot day, when even the ocean water didn't feel like a reprieve from the heat, we headed to El Gran Cenote for snorkeling. Marked by fresh, clear water that flows through an underground network of rivers, this was a place of worship and sacrifice rituals for the Maya people.
We ventured onto the main tourist strip of Tulum to dine out for dinner. One of the best spots we tried was Hartwood, a well-known tourist favorite where the menu changes based on the fish that was caught that day. The cocktails, ceviche, and jicama salad were all extremely flavorful. While the wait for a table may be long, it's definitely worth it.
Casa Jaguar is another restaurant worth checking out in Tulum. The menu features a good amount of delicious vegetarian options.
All of the restaurants had equally fresh and amazing food, and the atmosphere was incredibly relaxed as we sat and dined under thick layers of tropical plants.
Although we had rented a car, plenty of tourists checked out bikes from their hotels, making their way along Quintana Roo 15 to the beach.
It's always good to get off the beaten path and explore some local favorites. We asked some locals about their favorite restaurant in town — obviously, we had to try it out.
We headed to Tulum Pueblo, which is less than three miles inland in the main part of town. Restaurants, bars, hostels, and shops line the roads here.
At local favorite Taqueria Honorio, we enjoyed some Yucatan-style pork tacos.
The corn tortillas were handmade fresh.
Suckling pig was served with pork rind on top. We downed these with a refreshing Mexican Coca-Cola: a heavenly pairing.
The local bars opened early in the afternoon, and mezcal was poured while live music played.
Although there are some Mayan ruins in and around Tulum, the two-hour drive to Chichen Itza — one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world — is definitely worth the trek. The breathtaking 365-step El Castillo is a testament to the Mayans' astronomical skills.
The atmosphere in Tulum delivers a truly relaxing vacation, with plenty of activities to explore if you want more of an adventurous trip. I'll definitely be going back next season.
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