Tulum — Pre-Baby Edition
Tulum — Pre-Baby Edition
The first time we went to Mexico together, we chose Tulum.
I had been to Cancun and Riviera Maya before, but Erik had never really been to Mexico (unless you count a layover… which we don’t 😅). So this felt like a fun “first trip” for us.
We landed just a few days after the new Tulum airport opened, which honestly worked out in our favor, the taxi to the car rental office wasn’t bad at all.
The car rental chaos
When we get to the car rental agency we immediately hit our first hiccup. They told us they didn’t have our car anymore and that we’d need to pay extra for a bigger one 🙃 Instead of giving in, we left and found another rental company. We ended up paying more than originally planned but less than what they offered with the reservation.
We were somewhat ready for something like this to happen because we had seen many travelers mention the issues around car rentals and all the scams that happen. So if you do decide to rent a car just keep that in mind!
Where we stayed
Our Airbnb was actually one of the highlights.
It had a small private pool, beautiful design, and just felt really peaceful. Check-in was easy, and the host was super responsive and helpful the whole time.
Honestly… we probably enjoyed the Airbnb more than most of the activities 😅
Beach clubs & food
Delek Tulum
Our first stop for pool, beach, and food. It was definitely on the pricier side for what you get, but the beach was beautiful and really clean. This would be your spot if you like house music and are willing to pay more. At the time we went, we paid around 18dollars for 3 tacos and 24 dollars for a burger.
Alito Tulum
This one required about 700 MXN in minimum spend for access, but it ended up being less expensive than Delek overall and even included parking (which isn’t always a given in Tulum).
Still very aesthetic, but a bit more relaxed — a good option if you want the beach club experience without spending quite as much.
We also got massages here and they were so good. They have a spa that faces the ocean — kind of an indoor/outdoor setup — and the whole experience was honestly amazing. The masseuse was incredible, and it ended up being one of the most relaxing parts of the trip.
Exploring Tulum & beyond
Tulum Mayan Ruins
We did a tour here and then took a boat after. Super cool to see in person — especially with the ocean right behind the ruins.
Chichén Itzá + Chichikan Cenote
Chichén Itzá is amazing and 100% worth seeing at least once… but it was hot. Like, no-shade, full-sun, draining kind of hot 🥵
On our tour, a kid actually had to be taken out by medics because of heatstroke. They were visiting from northern Germany and just weren’t used to that level of heat — it was honestly a reminder of how intense it can be if you’re not prepared.
If you go:
- Bring a lot of water
- Wear light clothing
- Try to go early
- Take breaks
The cenote stop after (Chichikan) was the perfect reset — cool, refreshing, and honestly the best part after being in the sun that long.
Punta Laguna (Otoch Ma’ax Yetel Kooh)
One of our favorite experiences on the trip.
We actually drove ourselves there, and it felt way more local from the start. It’s run by a local family, and you’ll hear a lot of people speaking Maya, which made it feel really authentic.
You get to walk through the jungle, visit a lagoon, and explore a cave — but the highlight was definitely the monkeys. There were quite a few, and they’re honestly kind of funny… they’ll jump around above you and almost try to scare you a little 😅
It felt way less touristy than most of Tulum and ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Kaan Luum Lagoon
No sunscreen allowed (to protect the water), but it is stunning. The colors, the setup, the calmness, it’ a unique spot. Try and get there early so you can enjoy it, it get more crowded later in the day.
Cenote Casa Tortuga
This was a fun stop and definitely more of a tourist attraction, but still worth it. What I liked about this one is that it includes access to 4 different cenotes, so you get a bit of variety in one place instead of paying separate entry fees everywhere. All of them were really beautiful, and they also have a few spots where you can jump from higher platforms!
Things to know about cenotes
One thing about Tulum .. there are a lot of cenotes! It can be tempting to try to visit as many as possible, but I’d recommend choosing a couple that you really want to experience instead of overdoing it or picking places like Cenote Casa Tortuga, where you can visit multiple cenotes in one stop. Most cenotes cost around $20–30 USD per person to enter, and that doesn’t include food, rentals, or extra activities, so it can add up quickly.
What I’d do again vs skip
Would 100% do again:
- Punta Laguna, easily one of the most unique and memorable parts of the trip
- Alito Tulum (especially the spa), more affordable + massages overlooking the ocean were so worth it
- Our Airbnb stay, having our own space + pool ended up being one of the best parts
Worth doing once:
- Chichén Itzá, amazing to see in person, just be prepared for the heat with Cenote Chichikan
- Tulum Ruins, beautiful views, but can get crowded
- Cenote Casa Tortuga, fun and easy way to experience multiple cenotes in one place but still a bit touristy
Would probably skip next time:
- Higher-end beach clubs like Delek, beautiful, but didn’t fully feel worth the price and not necessarily our vibe.
Overall thoughts 🤍
I’ll be honest… this wasn’t one of our favorite trips.
Tulum is beautiful, but it can feel overpriced and very influencer-heavy in some areas. That said, I still think it’s worth visiting at least once, especially if you’re into beach clubs and resort-style travel.
Would we go back? Probably not but we are glad we went!