Azure blue Caribbean waters, lush jungles, crystal clear cenotes, and a ruin sitting on a craggy cliff draw tourists. Boutique hotels with raw, natural elements surrounding the jungle and the sea. Upscale nightlife and cenotes are just waiting to be discovered. Surfers and kitesurfers have found their paradise. Tulum town is a balance of local life and tourism merged with the natural Mayan environment.
It’s waiting for you when you land in Cancun International Airport and take the hour and a half drive south to Tulum. It’s now known as the hotspot for people who work remotely ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s drawn the attention of celebrities and others who want to get away from it all. The President announced that a new Tulum airport is expected to open in 2023 making the destination easier to access.
Understanding the Layout of Tulum – 4 distinct areas of Tulum
The archaeological site perches just above the white sandy beach,
The Hotel zone along the beaches of Tulum, The Pueblo Area, and the biosphere reserve of Sian Ka’an.
The Tulum Archaeological site is one of the most well-preserved ruins with three major structures within its walled fortress. Murals and other evidence found at the site indicate that Mayans worshipped the Diving or Descending god.
The most famous of the buildings is the Temple of Frescoes, an observatory for tracking the sun. The Temple of the Descending God has a narrow staircase built upon another temple. This Mayan technique is common practice with many of their structures. El Castillo which is believed to be built in stages is a small shrine used as a beacon for incoming canoes.
With these characteristics, it’s speculated that this is why Tulum became a prominent trading port with access to land and sea.
The Hotel zone includes many eco-friendly posh boutiques along the beach and just steps away from the jungle…making you feel as if you are one with the jungle. Imagine Robinson Crusoe. Palapa roofs, tree houses with private decks, and views of the sea and jungle…but impeccable service. It’s no wonder it draws spiritual and wellness gurus providing mystical experiences. Enjoy local beach shacks with a Corona and sleep off your full belly in one of the scattered hammocks.
The Pueblo Area or “El Pueblo” to many locals is the main town with, hostels, boho-chic shops, and street stands filled with an array of cuisines. Enjoy mojito bars, candlelit gardens, swings, and live music for entertainment. Sample fruity popsicles that show off works of art. The long road in Tulum is called Avenida Tulum with cafes that appeal to your sweet tooth and chefs cooking with indigenous ingredients and Mayan techniques. It’s less expensive in the Pueblo area, although it takes about 20 minutes to get to the beach.
Tulum’s developments stretch from Tulum to the Sian Ka’an reserve. The premise of these developments is to help you connect with nature and improve your lifestyle while maintaining the beauty of Tulum. Currently, SIMCA Real Estate is creating one of the first residential developments closest to the beach preserving nature and the ambiance of the Mayan culture.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is an adventure in itself with more than 1 million acres and one of the largest protected areas in Mexico. To get the most out of the biosphere, consider a guide to take you through all the nooks and crannies of this vast area. Experience the reserve by boat visiting Boca Paila lagoon and ascension bay. Learn about the mangrove’s benefits to the surrounding area and how animals depend upon them for life. See an abundance of wildlife including dolphins, sea turtles, jaguars, monkeys, ocelots, turtles, and crocodiles if you’re lucky.
Tulum’s best-kept secret:
Mexico is known to have a myriad of cenotes hidden within the jungles, but Laguna de Kaan Luum is a secluded lagoon, not in the jungle, with a cenote right in the center. The center is a deep cenote that changes colors from deep blue to turquoise green.
Cenotes are natural sinkholes made of limestone that collapses exposing the groundwater underneath. Because cenotes are considered sacred, many of the 6000+ cenotes are closed to the general public.
In Tulum, choose between the perfect one for snorkeling or diving. Each cenote is different. They can have brightly colored lily pads, stalactites, and stalagmites in a cave atmosphere or open-air cenotes with a zip line or cliff diving platforms. Take a day to explore some different ones to find your favorite. You might even come across angelfish, parrotfish, and more at Yal Ku park since the lagoon feeds into the ocean mixing the fresh and saltwater.
Collection of Pristine Beaches
Powdery white sands, looming palm trees, and vibrant ocean colors…it’s no wonder people come to Tulum just to relax with a drink in hand and dip their toes in sand and water.
Instagram-worthy beaches…Playa Paraiso or Secret Beach
Playa Paraiso is popular with yoga enthusiasts and even “sunning iguanas”. Here you’ve got access to restaurants and delicious cocktails concocted by the locals. Pick up your boat tour here or just head out for a snorkel.
Secret Beach is noted as a very secluded beach. You won’t find vendors or restaurants here. It’s perfect for those that just want to find their own slice of paradise away from any crowds.
Tulum Jungle Gym
Located in the center of Tulum’s Hotel Zone, you’ll find a real-life Fred Flinstone-inspired gym made entirely from mother nature. Men’s Health voted it the “Best Gyms in the World”. Los Angeles workout rats are fleeing the city to train in nature with nature. Set outside in the open-air environment and sitting directly on the white sand beaches the Tulum Jungle Gym has strongman logs, pulleys made of bamboo and rope, Olympic plates in wood and stone among other Flintstone-style equipment. You’ll find it an Instagram-worthy workout oasis.
Conclusion
As you’ve read, Tulum has everything to make you feel at one with nature and your spirituality. There’s so much more that we could tell you about but these are some of the things that draw people to the region. Discover the dining on the beach or in town. You can choose between budget-friendly hostels, Airbnb’s in the Pueblo, or an upscale boutique resort along Hotel Zone. Find your perfect cenote or get a workout while at the beach “Flintstone” style.
What do you want to find in Tulum? Leave us a comment below. If you want your dream home in Tulum for investing or getting away from it all, reach out to us at www.simcarealestate.com to learn more.
