History of Tulum
Tulum is located on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The town, often called Tulum Pueblo, and nearby Tulum Mayan Ruins are in the heart of the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was the last great city constructed and inhabited by the Mayan people between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. It was a site of worship to the Great Descending God whose image adorns the temples within the site. Tulum was also of great importance for sea trade, most specifically for the trading of obsidian. Tribes from all over Mexico and other Central American countries would travel here for commerce. It’s said that the great wall around the city was erected to protect it from envious traders and pirates who wanted to steal the prime location for themselves.
The pull of ancient Mayan energies combined with the magic of the natural wonders and historic sites, have been bringing in spiritually centered tourism for decades now. Once a quiet, beach town with slowly wandering yogis and artists, Tulum has developed into a thriving tourism hot spot. Modern hotels and amenities are now available but don’t worry, there is still plenty of the Mayan spirit to discover. Below is our guide to making the best of your visit to Tulum. We hope you enjoy!
Papaya Playa Project
Cocooned by the jungle on a pristine stretch of the Caribbean coast lies a communal playground for the creative community. Papaya Playa lets you reconnect to nature with an urban spirit.
Dotted along the beach and nestled in the jungle, the simplicity of the rooms is what lends them their special charm. The resort’s restaurant overlooks the azure waters, where diners can enjoy locally sourced specialties; along the beach, drinks and snacks are served from late morning until late evening at the resort’s beach club. In addition to massages and beauty treatments, guests can also enjoy yoga, tai chi and meditation to complete the holistic circle.
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Nomade Tulum
Nomade Tulum is the luxe boho vibe of Tulum incarnate. “Conceived as a habitat to awake the soul,” this beachfront hotel offers an inspired world traveler its beachfront huts, luxury tents, and jungle villas as a bohemian experience in a spiritually-awakened atmosphere
Nomade Tulum Hotel is located on the main beach of Tulum just steps away from the sea; next door to sister property Be Tulum, it’s surrounded by the most beautiful powder white sand beaches along the Caribbean side.” 10.5 km from Tulum Archeological Site, Nomade Tulum features a spa centre and a private beach area. Guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant and free private parking is available on site. Some units have views of the sea or garden. All rooms include a private bathroom.
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La Valise Tulum
Tulum sits on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It is known for its serenity, pristine white sand beaches, gourmet food, and that je ne sais quoi vibe of magic in the air. Here you can enjoy beauty, stillness, and uniqueness. At La Valise preserved the magic of a private beachfront bungalow but added sophistication, art, craftsmanship, charm, luxury, comfort, surprise, and daydream. Welcome to Robinson Crusoe meets Crafted Museum-curated villa.
A private oasis, each of nine exotically furnished rooms juxtaposed between jungle and sea, combines stunning views, curated works of art from local craftsmen, spacious bathrooms, luxury linens, and access to our salt-water infinity pool steps away from the Caribbean Sea.
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Casa Malca
Casa Malca’s experience is more than getting away, it’s about connecting with yourself and the wild. The best about nature comes together with the best about human beings who are aware of their surroundings. Enjoy luxury and art in the same location in this natural Paradise.
Set in the magical town of Tulum, away from big cities and with dream scenery: surrounded by white sand, crystal-clear waters and dense rainforest. Starlit nights slow down time and feeling the sun on our salty skin makes us lose track of time. In this ideal vacation spot, proprietor Lio Malca created a unique space. A luxury hotel where you can let our service staff pamper you, and where you’ll be able to enjoy the utmost privacy and enter the alternative reality put together by the grounds’ design and decoration.
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Azulik Tulum
Tulum Reconnection takes on a new meaning in a place where nature, art, and ancestral wisdom coexist. This sanctuary welcomes all who wish to find peace in a space blessed with magical surroundings.
The villas of AZULIK Tulum were designed to create an atmosphere for rest and reconnection. With no air conditioning, television or electric light, Azulik reduce the impact technology has on the environment and our ability to get in tune with our surroundings.
EXPERIENCING GASTRONOMY at KIN TOH Over the jungle of AZULIK Tulum, a treehouse with private nests and a unique architecture offers an enveloping gastronomic encounter that begins in Azulik signature contemporary cuisine.
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Habitas Tulum
At the quieter end of the town’s Carribean-skirting strip, this hotel isn’t just by the beach, it’s right on the sugar-white sand. Sporting traditional palapa roofs and canvas walls, the rooms are arranged within a coconut grove, overlooking the surf or rustling palms.
Your shoes will lie forgotten as you drift between the ocean-facing pool, Mexican-fusion restaurant and Moroccan-style lounge areas, all of which are ringed by sand. Rediscover long-lost serenity with the help of yoga classes, cacao ceremonies and Mexican massages – or lay supine in a hammock, sampling every mezcal cocktail the barman can come up with. Viva la vida.
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Bardo
Hotel Bardo promises a unique experience of contemporary lifestyle luxury, focused on transformation to awaken the mind. An invitation to introspection and mindfulness underscores the Bardo’s concept and its distinctive design, based on the idea of a “loft-style villa” It follows that the hotel offers various ceremonies and practices of “healing” (designed to put you in a self-reflective mood.
Surrounded by a tropical jungle, the hotel is decorated with local handmade arts and features a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar. A concierge service is available.
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Esencia Tulum
Hotel Esencia is a majestic 50-acre estate at the midpoint between Tulum and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. It has long enjoyed a storied past in this ancestral cradle of culture, cuisine, and comfort. Originally built as the private hideaway home of an Italian duchess on the most beautiful beach of the Mayan Riviera, it later became a hotel, and, for some time, has been a sought after destination for honeymooners seduced by the serene comforts of this timeless mansion.
Ideally situated far from huge resorts and the roar of pleasure boats, the immaculate bay of Xpu-Ha is a natural haven where each year sea turtles make their nests.
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Nest Tulum
As one of the original properties on Tulum Beach, NEST Tulum is a magical setting for an authentic experience elevated by original architecture and exceptional service, in an intimate native beach setting. The minimalist design and culture at NEST is an ode to the region’s deep-rooted history and lifestyle before the area was discovered, and the property quietly resonates the ancient spirituality and traditions of the Mayan civilization.
Surrounded by natural, native grounds leading out to the Mexican Caribbean Sea, NEST Tulum is habitually romantic, and when paired with unparalleled service, style and design it is the ultimate destination for unforgettable beachfront private getaways, weddings and events.
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BE Tulum
The Be Tulum Hotel has been created with all the charm and the quiet of nature captured in exclusive suites between the tropical forest, white sand and the sea. Made with nature materials that blend into the environment with spacious terraces and private pools giving you the freedom and privacy you need.
Comfortable and sophisticated interiors designer furniture a space that where every glance falls on beauty luminosity and natural detail.
Yaan Wellness energy spa offers healing regeneration and deep transformation in a magical and organic setting.
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You must go to adventures to find out where you truly belong.
