Tulum, A Tropical Paradise
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Far from the flamboyant, all-inclusive beach accommodations of Cancun and the beachside hotels of Playa del Carmen, virgin white sands cascade into the emerald-blue sea; rustic "eco-chic" cabanas sit furtively in the mangroves serenaded by the melodies of the roving fruit distributors as pelicans glide the temperate and breezy Caribbean tradewinds. This really is the majestic and picturesque beach of Tulum .
Less than a 2 hour drive from Cancun airport, the town of Tulum can be reached via Mexico 307 freeway which runs virtually parallel to the sea. The shore is an extra four kilometres from the city, linked by way of Coba Street, recognized locally as the "road to the beach." In spite of its relative proximity, Tulum has barely a fraction of the tourists pouring into Cancun and Playa del Carmen each year. Places like Tulum have plenty of opportunity to discover an isolated location.
The great selection of deluxe cabanas and resorts sparsely populating the beachfront are along the south side. In comparison to Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Tulum is one of those places that is discerningly "rustic" and chic at the same time. I would suggest staying at places like La Zebra and others like it because of their roomy and comfy cabanas and ambient beach club, which serves some of the best margaritas in Tulum and hosts Sunday night salsa. If, however, a spa retreat is what you have in mind, Maya Tulum Resort and others like it offer a variety of Mayan specialities spa treatments as well as the "Sobada Maya" - a purifying, deep belly massage.
Further south lays Sian Ka'an: a 1.3 million hectare biosphere reserve enriched with a diverse ecology. The first of its type founded in Mexico, now an UNESCO World Heritage location, Sian Ka'an offers a hospitable glance into the widespread varieties of fauna and flora that abounds the peninsula's limestone jungle. Sailing the big lagoon on a boat expedition is a chance to watch an array of bird species living in the mangroves. Otherwise you could try a sunset dinner on top of the roof-terrace of Cesiak, a "chic" ecotourism accommodation and learning centre. Spectacular is the only real way to explain the panoramic view of the sleepy lagoon against the gigantic jungle.
If you do nothing else on vacation in Tulum, you need to snorkel. Better yet: scuba dive. This peninsular is bejeweled with the 2nd largest coral reef in the world - the Mesoamerican coral reef, that is easily reached from the coast. If you are trying to find something more captivating, the area is additionally exclusive for its "cenotes": limestone caverns and caves filled with fresh water and adorned with fantastic stalactite formations. Honored by the Mayan people, cenotes are believed to be the entrance into the underworld.
Guarding the open ocean, on a cliff towards the north stand the splendid Tulum ruins, from which the city inherits its name. A splendid example of Mexico's indigenous heritage, this ancient walled city was christened Tulum by explorers John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in 1843 (Tulum meaning "wall" in Mayan). The initial name is thought to be "Zama": city of dawn. An ideal name for a city primed to hail the rising sun. The buildings inside the wall are dated from the post-classic era (around 1200-1500AD). Although the days of the Maya as master astrologists, theologians and scientists have long since dissipated, current Mayan culture remains vivid in Tulum and its surroundings. As you begin to wonder around, your eyes will be delighted by the brightly embroidered, customary gowns worn by Mayan women, referred to as the huipiles. There are also countless Playa del Carmen hotels and other Yucatan hotels that can provide you with each of the things you're searching for. Yet, you may find you'll get a more individualised and affordable experience with a Tulum hotel.
Obviously, these are just a few ideas. You could potentially evenly spend your entire holiday idling between the undisturbed dunes, analyzing the pink pieces of coral within the unblemished, white sands. Not a soul would blame you.
Ron Williams is a senior vacation journalist dwelling year round in Tulum, Mexico specializing in news about tulum hotel accommodations along with experiences within the Yucatan Peninsula. Feel free to drop a line to Ron directly if you would like resident ideas as well as information for experiencing a tremendous excursion in to Yucatan.
