Tulum, Mexico

Houndoc · Dec 28, 2018

Since the trip was based largely on advice from fellow RME folks, will share for the next ones wanting to head south.

First, couple key pieces of advice:
The rental cars seem to run a size smaller than 'advertised'. We got by okay with a VW Crossfox, but was tighter than ideal for 5 adults with luggage. Fortunately my kids aren't complainers.
Second, while most of Tulum doesn't seem to care about no parking zones, that isn't the case just outside the back entrance to the Tulum Ruins. Pay attention to which side of the road you are parked on! We got back as they were preparing to tow our car. Got away with a 500 peso ($25) payment to the truck driver, police let us go without a ticket.

So, we picked up the car (off airport) in Cancun and made the drive of about 120 miles to Tulum. We found a cool little Airbnb just off the beach in an area of low-rise hotels and shops. Was off the grid- all solar powered and quiet place off the road. Parking was a problem- more rooms than spots so had to park on the street 2 of 3 nights. But as I mentioned above, the no parking signs seemed to be ignored and no problems.

Couple shots of the room and beach (just across the street, had to by a couple sodas at the beach club for access.) Nice beach, not crowded. Decent amount of surf that was fun to play in, but may not be great if traveling with little kids.

View over the trees is actually looking towards main city of Tulum, but not hardly a hint it exists.

Houndoc · Dec 28, 2018

First full day was spent in and around Chichen Itza. About a three hour drive from Tulum, but easy to navigate and not a bad area to drive in at all. On the advise of guide, we arrived shortly after they opening and avoided the large crowds coming in as we finished a couple hours later.

We hired a guide at the entrance and was well worth it. Great insight we would have missed. Spent about 90 minutes with her, another hour after.

Jinx · Dec 28, 2018

Tulum is a cool place.

Had a chance to spend an afternoon there 15 years ago.

Pretty cool when you start thinking about how long its been there...

Houndoc · Dec 28, 2018

After leaving there, we stopped in a random little town about 30 minutes down the road for lunch. Fun to hit as many nontourist places as possible for meals all week (did same thing for dinner that night.) Then we went to one of the cenotes (basically water filled sink holes that are all over the area).

Went to one called Cenote Hukiku, which is a cool under ground cavern. Water cool but not cold, lots of small catfish, some that tend to nibble if you sit still for long.

An hour or so was plenty, although if we had gotten there earlier they have some hammocks that looked very relaxing!

Houndoc · Dec 28, 2018

Next day was generally rated as the best of the trip by our kids, and was one that happened by me misreading the map. Our plan was to visit the ruins of Tulum, but I headed south instead of north, which put us in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve (entrance was only mile or so from our place.) Paid our very small entry fee and headed down the dirt road.

Came upon a company offering boat tours, so we stopped and headed on the water for a couple hours of mostly bird watching (although we also saw a couple manatees and Morelet's crocodiles.) Very uncrowded and relaxing! Cost was about $125 for the 5 of us.

After, we found a little restaurant just down the road- fabulous beach from views and fantastic food. Was at a campground that could be a fun option for place to stay. Hit the beach again after eating, then reached town little after dark.

Houndoc · Dec 28, 2018

Beach shots:

Houndoc · Dec 28, 2018

Last morning we drove to the Tulum Ruins (see notes on parking above). Spent a couple of hours there. In some ways I liked them more than I did Chichen Itza. Ate a last lunch of fantastic sea food tacos then back to the airport and home.