Articles with the theme tulum

The Three Tulums

Tulum Archeological Site | Pre-Columbian Mayan Ruins

Tulum, the well-known Mayan ruin site is located approximately 81 miles south of Cancun. This well-preserved, ancient port is the only major Mayan ruin located directly on the coast of the Caribbean Sea and is one of the most visited ruin sites. However, Tulum is also the name of a charming small town and beach community.

Tulum Pueblo | Convenient Charming Downtown

Just down highway 307 from the ruins, the town of Tulum has everything a local or visitor needs; hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, internet cafes, ATM machines, small hospitals, dive shops, tour companies, car rental agencies and souvenir boutiques, yet it still maintains its Mexican authenticity and charm.

Tulum Beach | Bohemian Beach Burg

Tulum’s real treasures are its white sand beaches and aqua blue water. Tulum’s “hotel zone” (turn left off of 307 right before Tulum Pueblo) is lined with boutique, spa and ecological hotels. There are also rustic shops, restaurants, bars and nightspots, all designed in order to prevent the ecological problems that have occurred in larger more modern vacation spots.

Tulum has it all, culture, convenience and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it’s the perfect spot for a family vacation, a relaxation retreat or a backpacking adventure.

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About the Author

Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.

Disconnect to Reconnect | Why Tulum is Our Ideal Family Vacation

While flipping through an April 2010 Conde Nast Traveler magazine (yes, I still read printed materials!), the Room with A View article peeked my interest. It looked like the perfect spot for warmth after a long, snowy Vermont winter. The spot was Tulum, Mexico—just about a two-hour drive south of Cancun.

On a whim, we booked our first trip to the area called Tulum Beach and even chose the same hotel from the article—Playa Mambo. This “whatever/whenever” girl has traveled extensively with kids in toe.  When I am on vacation, I usually like fresh towels and clean sheets every day, a/c, service by the pool; the luxuries that make a vacation into a holiday for Mom. For the most part, Tulum Beach isn’t like that. It is made up of affordable (starting at $100/night) casitas, casas and a few boutique-ish hotels set along a few miles of beach. I was a little skeptical to say the least, but my husband spurred me on just like he did when we went on a self-guided, no reservation tour of Ireland back in the day. As usual, his instincts were right but even he did not anticipate how truly amazing our Tulum vacation would really turn out to be. So much so we have now returned two years in a row.

For the first time ever we decided we were going to ban all electronics on this vacation.  Who needs them? We’d have the sand, the surf, each other…right? Right! After all, Tulum is “off the grid” and many hotels don’t even have electricity 24/7.  Instead we packed travel-sized games like Sorry, Uno Spin, Apples-to-Apples, a deck of cards, and what I thought was a ton of books.  I was astounded at how fast my kids blew threw those.  I saw this as a real opportunity for our family to unplug, stop looking at our screens, and plug into what was important – each other.

Using Locogringo.com we made reservations this year at Villas Las Estrellas. Sandwiched between Los Liros and Shambala, our little slice of paradise was a bit hard to find at first. But when we did, Giuseppe greeted us warmly and showed us to room #2. With a large King sized bed, plus a twin and a trundle bed underneath we found it was perfect for families.  We were on the ground level so from our balcony we were able to step right out onto the powdery, sandy beach. The waves were only a hundred steps or so away—convenient and wonderful to fall asleep to at night.  This small boutique hotel has 6 beachfront rooms, as well as a reception area that serves as a lounge and restaurant. You can sit for a drink/coffee, eat your breakfast, (included) of warm pastries and fresh fruit, or enjoy an amazing dinner – simply delish! It’s easy to walk to other establishments for lunch and dinner, but I recommended eating at least once at Villas Las Estrellas.

The beaches of Tulum are scarcely populated and it’s not uncommon to find yourself alone in the water. Our days were spent boogie boarding and body surfing.  The water is clean, warm and has great waves helped by the steady breeze coming from offshore. We’d read, lounge in the hammocks; go for long walks on the beach and just reconnect with each other. Mid-day we’d head out to find a place like Om or Las Ranitas for lunch.  Every place is so low-key, not only are reservations not required, neither are shoes.  Our kids tended to head back to the beach while waiting for our food to arrive. They would make a game out of jumping of the stairs, palm trees and other things.  You will find there are not many rules. Kids probably wouldn’t get away with these antics at a big resort.

If lying around all day isn’t your thing, there is plenty to keep you and your kids busy. You can go to the ruins, swim in a cenote, visit a water activity park like Xel-Ha or Xcaret or teens can even learn to kite-surf. The first year, we visited the Tulum ruins.  This is a very cool archaeological site for kids to see that is so close, you shouldn’t pass it up.  A few things to keep in mind: it is hot there with limited shade and no snack stand beyond the front gate. However, there is a nice beach, accessed down a long set of stairs so bring your suits for a quick dip off. The gravel paths are going to make it hard to push a stroller so plan accordingly. This is a great place to spy iguanas so don’t forget your camera.

So what is a cenote? This natural wonder is best described as an underground sinkhole.  After the cave falls in, what’s left behind is a cavern.  Some are partially closed; some are open to the sunlight.  Stalagmites and stalactites grow in them.  Some even have bats.  And there are definitely great fish to observe. You can explore them on your own, but we felt more comfortable snorkeling at Cenotes Dos Ojos with a cavern guide.  You can find one of these in town a local dive shops.

We were curious about Sian Ka’an, the natural persevere located at the southern end of Tulum’s beaches. One day after lunch we drove the long and bumpy road out to the biosphere.  While it might be great for older kids to spend a day here on a boat tour, fly-fishing, kayaking or bird watching the ride out there is really rough and would be enough to deter me with little ones. I’d reserve this spot for the more adventurous families

Everyone knows eating can often be a challenge when traveling with kids.  Luckily, the food in Tulum is not only outstanding, but we thought it was rather kid friendly as well.  Oddly enough in additional to all the great Mexican food, there is a lot of Italian. So finding a wood fired pizza or a bowl of pasta is pretty easy to come by.  As a matter of fact, we had excellent pizzas at La Neve the day we decided to explore the town of Tulum (a few miles inland). Back on the beaches, La Zebra has an adorable kids playground as well as highchairs. Our son has his first tableside flambé at Ana Y Jose. The $135 pesos we spent on that flaming dessert elicited more “muchas, muchas, gracias” then we heard him say all week.  It is worth mentioning that Ana also has a true kids menu with burgers, chicken fingers, quesadillas and pasta. The only place you might need a dinner reservation is Posada Margherita – a popular spot not to be missed for food connoisseurs.

Things I love most about a Family Vacation in Tulum Beach:

✔ I love watching my kids play with each other, and not a device
✔ I love playing cards with my kids at lunch and dinner
✔ I love not wearing shoes (even to dinner)
✔ I love that there are few TVs, clocks, or radios to be found anywhere

Tips For Family Vacations in Tulum Beach:

✔ Pack snacks for kids no matter their ages.  For my 9 & 12 yr olds I brought fruit leathers, energy bars, goldfish, etc.  Keep them in Ziploc bags.

✔ Headlamps are great for reading and walking on the beach at night.
Don’t overpack. You will be surprised how little you really need. Leave your hair dryer and those extra shoes at home.

✔ There is a large grocery store (the San Francisco) at the intersection of Highway 307 and the road to Coba/Tulum.  It has a very large baby aisle with diapers, baby food, etc.  You should have no problem stocking up there.

✔ You can’t go wrong with a small can of bug spray in case that wonderful breeze does die down.

✔ Expect the unexpected. If you can’t handle the occasional gecko or a crab in your room, this vacation is not for you.

The Mexican government plans to build an international airport in Tulum within the next few years. We’re not sure what this means to our favorite sleepy, beach town of Tulum, but you may want to visit now—just in case.

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About the Author

Dana Freeman started FindandGoSeek.net, the fastest growing on-line destination for families to discover what to do and see in Northern Vermont. She is the Editorial Director, a.k.a Miss Magpie. As a compulsive fun seeker, Miss Magpie, is out there taking copious notes on what her family encounters. Recent accolades and achievements include making the “Social Media 40 over 40 list in 2010″ and FindandGoSeek has been named by Hybrid Mom as one of the “Top 20 Fall Family Activities Blogs of 2010″.  Follow Dana on Twitter.

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – Something for Everyone

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what motivates people to travel. For some it’s discovery and an opportunity to interact with new cultures. For many others though, it’s the chance to escape the daily routine and venture into the truly exotic. Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is one of the few places that can offer both opportunities AND is an easy trip to make.

The Yucatan and the Riviera Maya are a traveler’s dream. If you love history and archeology like I do, this area offers a veritable treasure trove of opportunities to step back in time. One of my favorite side trips is a tour of Tulum, located in the heart of the Mexican Riviera.

One enters the Tulum compound through a small doorway and is immediately confronted with an expansive field, dotted with buildings and temples. A walk through these formidable relics is an amazing opportunity to gain a glimpse into what life was like for the original Mayan inhabitants. The heart of the community though is the coastal temple, facing the Caribbean and serving as a beacon, just as it did hundreds of years ago. Tulum is an easy trip from almost all of the Riviera Mayan hotels and is a not to miss site.

In addition to Tulum, modern culture is abundant throughout the Yucatan, especially in the restaurants of Playa del Carmen.

Typically known as a party town and a hotspot for young revelers, Playa has recently benefited from an influx of new residents who have brought some innovative and original culinary points of view with them.

One of my favorite trendy, new restaurants in Playa is Ula-Gula, located on 5th Ave between 10th & 12th Streets. The Ula-Gula menu is an eclectic fusion of Japanese and traditional Mexican food. The owners have a real commitment to freshness and locally sourced foods, as best exemplified in their fresh fruit martinis – the watermelon was my favorite.

For a real culinary adventure in the Yucatan though, a not to miss event is the Taste of Playa, this year taking place on November 21st.

Taste of Playa is a community based culinary festival set in the heart of the Riviera Maya. With inspiration drawn from the dreams of several local business owners, this event was conceived as a way to celebrate the extraordinary talents of chefs and restaurateurs who have chosen Playa del Carmen as their home and establish the Riviera Maya as a world class culinary destination. Although I won’t be able to fly down, it promises to be an amazing event.

Ultimately, this is why I love the Riviera Maya so much – for the unique ability of its ancient and modern history not only to coexist, but to thrive.

 

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About the Author

Matthew Long, Editor-in-Chief and creator of LandLopers.com , has a true passion for travel. As someone who has a bad case of the travel bug, Matt travels the world in order to share tips on where to go, what to see and how to do it all on a budget. Matt is a Lonely Planet Featured Blogger, as well as a contributor to many other travel sites. Matt’s new eBook Money Saving Travel Tips is an essential guide to traveling well and affordably. Contact Matt at Matt@LandLopers.com.

Pros & Cons of the New Riviera Maya Airport

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are two of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico and the world, so it makes sense traveler access is sufficient, especially with the Riviera Maya becoming a favorite vacation spot in the Yucatan Peninsula. After years of deliberation by government officials, local businesses, and environmental groups, the development of a new international airport west of Tulum, south of the Riviera Maya, has been approved. On May 11, 2010, proposals for the construction and operation of the new airport started coming in from private companies and will continue through November 2010. The estimated completion date of the new Riviera Maya airport is 2012.

So what’s all the fuss about?

The Riviera Maya region is filled with natural wonders, such as protected tropical rainforests, jungles, mangroves, rivers, cenotes (cavernous sinkholes with natural springs), wildlife, white sand beaches and the blue Caribbean Sea, containing coral reefs along the great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef that harbor thousands of fish and rare marine life. Environmental protection efforts are booming in this region, so environmentalists are concerned that the development of the airport will contribute to the rapid extinction of various plant and animal species and their natural habitats. Maintaining these ecosystems is essential for providing the world with food, clean water, and fuel (per the United Nations Environment Programme).

The benefits of a new airport?

It’s no secret that tourism in Mexico took a dive in 2009, losing one million tourists after the swine flu (H1N1) scare, then again in 2010 after fears of drug gang violence in the northern Mexican states spread. Despite these setbacks and a growing public awareness of safe travel in Mexico, tourism officials in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun and the Riviera Maya are located, say that local tourism is returning to normal levels. The growth of the Riviera Maya as one of Mexico’s favorite travel places has contributed to the demand for additional flights and hotels. For these reasons and the resulting increase in tourism and construction jobs, building the new Riviera Maya airport is important for both traveler accommodation and economic survival in the region.

Man & Nature in Harmony

Our hope is that the government, along with private investors and contractors, will consider developing and operating the airport using responsible tourism practices.  By following models of sustainable tourism, such as Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, and by employing environmentally sound construction and operations wherever possible, the new Riviera Maya airport could provide many advantages.  With tourism as Mexico’s third largest source of income, the new airport would also assist in reducing poverty in the region by creating more jobs.

Some might consider sacrificing the welfare of humanity for the good of nature, but we could learn to coexist in harmony by instituting safe environmental practices that allow for the mutual benefit of both man and nature.

What do you think? Do you agree with the construction of a new airport? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.

Tulum | The Magic by Night

Starting on June 25th, the ancient Mayan city of Tulum will open the doors past sunset offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the archeological site under a bright new light. The night visits to the walled city’s 15 pyramids will be illuminated in shades of red, blue, and amber. The night tours were suspended last year for lighting maintenance, now Tulum is ready to receive visitors again starting with two schedules: 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The $275 pesos ($22 USD) admission fee includes a headset for an audio description of the history and other explanations about the site.

Take Me To Yucatan | by Sharon Drechsler

The Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico calls me. I long to swim in one of those subterranean, water-filled caves known as cenotes (“say-note-ays”); gaze up at the famous pyramid of Chichen Itzá; try my hand (or should I say foot?) at dancing the salsa all night, followed by hours and hours beneath a palapa on the sands of Cancun the next day.

Five years ago, my husband narrowly survived cancer, but lost the ability to eat. Despite surviving on a liquid diet, he persuaded me to sell or store most of our worldly goods and begin a life of cruising on a sailboat. Can you blame us if our bucket list is long? And this part of the world is right up at the top of it.

So, give me the Riviera Maya! Send me to a working hacienda where I can pick up a strand of sisal to twist into rope. Take me to the ruins at Tulum. (Just the name gives me a chill!) Show me how the Spanish conquistadors carried on their opulent lifestyles in 16^th century Uxmal. Even now, I picture their rich finery – the men’s capes billowing behind them like liquid; the ladies’ gowns made rich by the tedious lace-and-beadwork of hundreds of needles.

Once I’m sated with culture and I’ve absorbed my fill of sunshine-rich beaches, I want one more thing… the biopreserve of Celestún. Put me in a panga and glide me down the river past its famous pelicans. One thing is for sure: throughout my sojourn, I’ll be richly pampered by the hospitality for which Mexicans are so famous.

The sailing vessel Last Resort is currently transiting the Sea of California as the author, PR maven, freelance writer and lover of all things Mexican, Sharon Drechsler ,works onboard.

About the Author:

Sharon performs PR and writes about travel, boating and the timeshare resort industry. She is Yachting Examiner for Examiner.com, Contributing Editor for Resort Trades and CEO of Drechsler Communications.

Travel Writers’ Quest | Vote for your favorite.

The second phase of the Yucatan Holidays Travel Writers’ Quest has begun and now that we have chosen the 20 finalists it’s YOUR turn to help these superb writers and bloggers win a 5-day / 4-night Cancun vacation. What do you have to do? It’s very easy:

A) Go to the Yucatan Holidays Facebook Page. If you are not a “LIKER” (formerly, a FAN), please, go ahead and LIKE our page

B) Then, take a look at our wall and scroll down to the 20 notes from the finalists OR go to the NOTES tab on the upper part of the Facebook page and read the travel articles.

C) Click the “LIKE” button on the bottom of the selected note and feel free to leave a comment.

There are some amazing articles and stories! Don’t hesitate to take a look at some of them! Remember, the number of "LIKES" will determine the winners and also the three lucky travel writers that will be published in our GUIDEBOOK.

Here are the names and titles of the 20 finalist entries:

1. The Passion of the Art in Playa del Carmen by Kirsten Alana
2. The Oldest Mexican Fishing Village by Martin Christopher
3. ‘Twas the Night Before Mexico by Tonya Mitchell
4. A Confined Lane to Secret Beaches by Kay Walten
5. Snorkeling in Playa del Carmen with My Mom by Angelines Villarreal
6. Nothing Can Compare to When You Visit by David Vance
7. Mexico: Beauty, Magic, Hospitality by Nicki Laycoax
8. Dreams Come True in Yucatan by Paola Sofia Quast
9. Yucatan Enchantment by Matthew Long
10. Finding Love in Mexico by Stacey Marcus
11. The Magnificence of the Pyramid of the Magician by Samantha Morley
12. Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen: A favorite in the Riviera Maya by Joshua Hinsdale
13. Hidden treasure in the Riviera Maya: Paamul by Susie Albin-Najera
14. World-Class Meets World Heritage by John C. Jack Tyler
15. Adventures are Awaitin’ by Sarah Dowdy
16. The Quest for the Riviera Maya by Isabelle Kenis
17. In Search of Yucatan’s Heavenly Hammocks by Nancy Birnbaum
18. Merida: A dream of Paradise by Dianne Avery
19. You Can Do It All or Nothing At All by Stephanie Diehl
20. Uxmal and The Ruta Puuc by Jillian R. Bedell

Travel Photography: For your next Yucatan Holiday

Whether or not you have a professional camera, it’s important to take care of some details if you expect to return from your trip with a bunch of interesting or even fascinating pictures. Some basic but essential items are lens cleaner, batteries, and a tripod, but more importantly, we’ll give you some advice about how to take a great travel photo (probably not a National Geographic one, but a picture you’ll like to share)! Here are just a few ideas for taking pictures overseas.

What to photograph

This is entirely your decision. You are probably the type of person who enjoys taking pictures of people, trying to capture their culture and traditions. Remember, in this case, always be respectful when you ask your “models” to get ready. If you are planning to take a portrait without asking, try to be discrete, or they may be offended.

Around the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya, there are hundreds of perfect landscapes to capture by photograph. Whether it is a shot of one of the amazing beaches along the Riviera Maya, a nature-surrounded cenote, or one of the breathtaking Mayan archaeological sites, the region is ideal for professional and amateur photographers.

If you are an animal lover, you should consider visiting one of the eco parks or nature reserves in the Yucatan Peninsula. Tres Ríos, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Celestún or Ría Lagartos are definitely the best places to take some awesome animals pictures!

What to consider

Once you have decided what to photograph, you’ll have to consider some aspects to include in your picture to make it really special. Action for example is the key to a great photo. “Capturing action in your photographs adds atmosphere that an otherwise straight-on shot cannot,” says Lola Akinmade, travel photography expert. It’s common to see boring or lifeless pictures from trips. Try to experiment. Look for a nice landscape, and add a special touch of action. You won’t regret it.

Other “musts” in photography (not only while traveling) are composition and balance. Composition is the visual process of organizing the elements of a scene into a balanced and pleasing arrangement. And balance is considered a compositional rule for finding symmetry between the interesting points of a picture. Although composition is largely a matter of personal taste, applying the “rule of thirds” may be pretty helpful for your masterpiece. (Draw imaginary lines through your picture, separating it into 3 rows and 3 columns, and the important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.)

Take advantage of these other ways to take a great photo! Framing is using an object (branches, windows, tunnels, etc.) to act as a frame for your subject or your point of interest, so it directs the viewer’s attention directly to what you want to show. This is great way to get superb pictures. You can play with the color too: take black & white (AKA Monochrome) photos to give a “classic” touch or to evoke a feeling. Consider telling a story or using vivid colors too.

Some Additional tips:

• · Always bring enough (meaning extra) batteries and film!
• · If you’re using a reflex camera, bring all the cleaning and maintenance stuff; usually, digital cameras require less attention.
• · Try to learn some basic words in the language of the place you’re visiting. This can be very helpful.
• · If you are taking night shots, use a tripod.
• · For most pictures, the best is in the natural light of the morning and evening.
• · Consider using 2 or 3 memory cards, instead of one with high capacity; this is to prevent losing all your pictures if something happens with that big card.
• · Let yourself go and experiment with your camera. You’ll probably be surprised in a good way.

How about an amazing shot of an iguana posing over a pyramid in Tulum, or perhaps a group of Mayan women knitting huipiles? The options are endless in this paradise! Visit the Yucatan Holidays website, book your next unforgettable vacation, and remember to bring your camera to free the photographer inside of you.