i’m so excited to finally share some of my photos from tulum, and a few of my recommendations for those who are planning a trip there! what took me so long, you ask? sometimes when i travel i become so consumed with the experience that i have a really hard time getting motivated to photograph. and then i come home and kick myself over all the photos i didn’t take. it all started with a three week trip to thailand in 2001 where i shot only one roll of film. 36 PICTURES IN THREE WEEKS! but i remember that trip still, so vividly, and i think it’s in large part because i was just really soaking it in. i wasn’t consumed with trying to get it on film so i could remember every little detail, i was just IN IT, you know what i mean? so it’s this conflict i have now when i travel, and i struggle with striking a balance. but enough about that…. tulum awaits! {more after the jump}
tulum is a magical little town on the caribbean side of mexico with miles of beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters. the days you spend there are the things postcards are made of. it has a little something for everyone- great places to practice yoga, all the beach and sunshine you could want for a totally relaxing escape, and adventures a plenty for the active vacationer. and the fact that the jungle runs right up to the sea is just really delicious icing on an already perfect cake. i fell in love and dream of a chance to go back.
WHERE TO STAY:
we stayed at ahau tulum, on the recommendation of friends. we loved it for the gorgeous beach, hammocks and cabanas. the hotel restaurant had healthy, satisfying food and decent service. we felt safe and at home there. our room was simple and comfortable, with only a few of the bumps that are often a part of traveling in mexico (spotty electricity and bits of time without hot water). but honestly, none of the small inconveniences fazed us in the least! the hotel management was kind and attentive, the location convenient and if you’re looking for a very bohemian hotel stay, this is the place (meaning plenty of yoga classes, a fair amount of dread locked guests and a perch atop the palm trees to watch the sunset and meditate).
while i loved ahau, next time i’ll check out coqui coqui, which i’ve also heard great things about! we were originally scheduled to stay there but unfortunately they over booked and called us to cancel a few weeks after we made our reservation. still, i’d give them another shot for the perfumery alone!
here are a few photos of ahau, and the beach it sits on!
WHERE TO EAT:
1. hartwood: if i had my way i would have dined at hartwood every single day we were there. i’m not kidding. the freshest local ingredients prepared in the most divine ways with a new menu every day all served in an atmosphere you want to bottle up and take home with you! heaven in tulum, this place. i still think about a salad we ate there, and how flavorful and incredible it was, in spite of the simplest of ingredients. oh hartwood, i will be forever a fan.
2. casa jaguar: such a charming little restaurant with amazing atmosphere and a friendly staff. the food was tasty, my cocktail was perfection, but truly it was the jungle restaurant setting that won me over.
3. el tabano: mexican food! great atmosphere, good food (although the night we were there the only option for a vegan meal was tamales, that were decent but nothing i’d rave about). however i suspect that if you’re a vegetarian or meat eater you could have a really incredible meal there!
i hope you enjoyed my little mini tulum travel guide! xx-sarah
Lovely travel photos, Sarah!
I also struggle with striking the balance between capturing memories & just living in the moment of the experience and place. It's refreshing to hear even professional photographers, who can likely snap a great photo quicker than me, struggle with this same conflict!
this is so beautiful! gorgeous travel photos!
kw ladies in navy
Tulum looks incredible and full of bright colors! I mean wow… It's now on my "go-to" list!
xx
Abby
oh my gosh these photos are GLORIOUS!!
Looks so relaxing!
*Besos*
http://www.cmichellestyles.com
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These are incredible, I've (sadly) never been to Mexico and now I'm dying to go. I'm definitely bookmarking all these recommendations!
I do the same thing while I travel. Right now, I tend to bring my camera along only one day per city, that way I'm soaking it in the rest of the time. I'd love to buy an X100 to take along so that I can throw it in a little bag and not worry about lugging around the huge Mark iii.
Great photos. Where did you stay? Would you recommend it as a place to visit for a romantic get away?
Gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing them!
thanks everyone!
@ anii, i like that idea! that's kind of what i did here. one day of shooting.
@andy, if you click through to read more you'll see my hotel recs! 🙂
hi! we are heading there next month! debating on whether or not to rent a car. did you rent one or find alternate ways to get around? thanks 🙂
@nicole- we didn't rent a car, we took taxis and walked. but we also didn't go to the ruins or into the jungle, we just wanted to hang out at the beach! so i think it depends on what you want to do! driving seems like it would be pretty easy. have so much fun!
It looks dreamy. Thank you for all the tips.
Ada
It looks as if you succeeded with the balance–you can always go again and take more photos. Happy Nesting.
Sarah!! I'm dying…these pictures <3 I MUST go!!! And, I really love that you shared your recommendations…thanks so much!
This could not have come at a better time! I've been lusting after a holiday for Mexico, but don't really want to go to one of the major resorts – whilst all-inclusive sounds like bliss I'd like to do a bit of exploring! It's a bit out of the budget at the moment, but I'm bookmarking this for when I've done a bit of saving 🙂 xx
So beautiful!
These photos are just dreamy Sarah. That one with just the yellow chair and the sand is amazing.
oh my!! I love this post! the pictures are perfect!
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Oh! This takes me back!! Can't wait for a return visit 🙂
xodulci
http://ladulcivida.blogspot.com
thank you fore take the time to share, i thnk that all the places you have mentioned here are great ahau is a great hotel, also the restaurant el Tabano,great food great service and Paff the owner is really a nice guy.
if you wanna come i recommend you http://www.tulumcard.com, is the new way to visit Tulum, I hope you like it, and if you don´t know tulum what are you waiting for, best place ever.
by the way sorry about my english.