Tulum, Mexico

We have been visiting Tulum, Mexico for the past eight years and I usually snap photos when downtown. An eclectic mix of Americans, Europeans, and Mexicans, Tulum is a colorful and interesting town. There’s a diverse mix of restaurants including Mexican, Italian, French, South American, Thai, Chinese and more so you can always find something new to taste.

The Tulum Ruins on the edge of town is a must-see but I recommend going early in the morning when it’s cooler and before the tour bus crowds start arriving from Cancun. Pack a backpack with water and a snack, a towel and your bathing suit and walk down the steps to the sugar soft beach to rest and relax in the surf.

Here are snapshots from around Tulum “Pueblo” or town. Tulum Beach is about a mile or so away and offers boutique hotels, restaurants, spas and I’ll feature it later.

If you are looking for quality Mexican handcrafts to take home, be sure and visit Mixik on the right side of the road next door to Charlie’s Restaurant. Many of the other little shops have Mexican items that are made in cooperatives inland and then dispersed along the tourist areas. You will find some nice handmade items made by individuals here and there at the shops.

Around town..

Charlie’s Restaurant has been a mainstay in Tulum for years… They generally have local art displayed and a nice show on the weekends. I love their cilantro lime sauce for fish and the mole dishes are a favorite as well.

Charlie!

If you see the big ice cream cone, head in for some yummy Italian gelato!

La Nave has also been in Tulum as long as we have been visiting. A year or two ago they switched sides of the street and are now on the right hand side of the road.

We like their pescador pizza which has fresh seafood on a hand-tossed crust.

There’s a little park next to the HSBC bank with these neat Mayan carved statues.

A typical Mayan/Mexican local home ranges from a shack to concrete block apartments.

Look at those electrical wires! Cetli Restaurant is located a block of the main drag on the right side of the road. We haven’t eaten there but they are highly rated for their gourmet Mexican cuisine.

Urge Taquito is on the right side of the road as you get to Tulum. They are great to go eat at or to get an order to go – for cheap! Their fried fish tacos are great. A condiment bar is in the middle of the restaurant and you can load all your favorite toppings. They also have about six different kinds of sauces. I love their Caribbean sauce which is sweet and soury. Their ceviche is very good.