2020 has definitely been an interesting year to say the least. Like most of us, I originally thought the changes due to the coronavirus would be temporary. However, after spending weeks and weeks...and months...and months still in the house with no end in sight, the pandemic definitely began to impact me mentally. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for a job that allowed me to work from home, for my bills being paid, and for the health and safety of me, my family, and my friends. However, 2020 has brought about unique battles for each and every one of us, and my travel bug has been suffering accordingly. I had two trips planned this year and had to cancel both. I really thought I could hold out until things were going well again, but after a while, I realized that this would be the new way of life for the foreseeable future and for the sake of my mental health, I need to learn how to live in it. So that’s when my roommate and I decided we would take a trip to Tulum, a beautiful city that has shown up on my Instagram feed time and time again. If you want to know more about my vacation and how to safely travel during a pandemic, keep reading.
Getting to Tulum
There is no major airport in Tulum (an international airport is expected to be completed in 2023) so you have to fly in to Cancun International Airport (CUN). Once you arrive, you will have to take a taxi or shuttle about 1.5 - 2 hours to get to Tulum. There are a few options to book a ride from Cancun Airport to Tulum.
We booked private transportation directly through our hotel for 3800 Pesos ($170 USD) roundtrip. This was the easiest and most convenient option for us (and also limited our contact with other travelers, COVID friendly!), however it may not have been the cheapest route. When we arrived, our driver was waiting on the Friends and Family side (doors to the right of the main exit) with my name on a sign. No thinking or planning necessary!
There are many private transfer companies available online that provide transportation to and from the Cancun Airport. The Official Cancun Airport Website has a list of approved companies and even offers some discounted rates. Rides are typically $62+ USD one way.
You can also request a taxi ride. Taxis are abundant and can easily be requested outside of the main exit for the airport once you land. Rides are approximately $57 USD. Make sure to verify the price before riding!
Another option is shared transportation via buses and shuttles. These are also easy to find outside of the airport. In fact, taxi and shuttle drivers will be everywhere trying to get your attention! Shared transportation will cost between $15 and $50.
And of course, you can rent a car through companies like Hertz, Avis, and Budget. This is the most COVID friendly. However, I would not necessarily recommend this option if you are staying within the Tulum city limits, as the city is very small and you do not necessarily need a car to get around.
Where to Stay
There are two sides to Tulum, the town (pueblo) and the beach. During our vacation, we stayed at Hotel Biwa Tulum, which was in the town, for about $60 per night. I really enjoyed this hotel- clean, centrally located, and an amazing staff! We could easily walk to the main street, Avenida Tulum, which had a plethora of restaurants and shops to explore. The beach was also really accessible, about 15 minutes via taxi or 25 minutes by bike. The staff was also super helpful, suggesting great options for activities and restaurants, answering any questions we had, setting up our ATV tour, and even helped me find my phone (that I lost in a random taxi, LONG STORY). I would definitely recommend this hotel if you want to stay in the town!
Getting Around
Taxis are everywhere! Just look for the white cars with red writing on the side. You can stand on the side of the street and wave them down or they may honk as they pass you. I didn’t realize until after we were back in America that taxi prices should be discussed before the ride and can possibly be negotiated. Don’t make the same mistake as us!
Bikes are another easy way to get between the town, beach, and ruins. Bikes can be rented from most hotels. Biwa Tulum offered bikes for $5 USD per day. When you get to your destination, just lock your bike against a bike rack or tree. Keep in mind that Tulum can be pretty hot so biking at times can feel like real exercise, especially if you don’t stop for breaks. Make sure to bring a small towel and/or wet wipes just in case you sweat!
What to Do
The Beach: Definitely spend some time during your trip relaxing on the beach and exploring the nearby shops, restaurants, and beach clubs. During our stay, we relaxed in the public beach area by Mivida. There were few people in the area which was great and there was no fee or minimum spend requirement. We relaxed under the shaded chairs, sipped on mojitos, took pictures, and even saw an iguana chillin’ with us! One thing worth noting is that some beach areas are nude friendly in Tulum. I’m not positive if the area by Mivida is technically nude friendly but there was definitely a lady walking around topless. If this is not okay with you, I would recommend doing extra research just to make sure you will not be meeting anyone’s “friends” while relaxing.
Ven a La Luz: Visit the famous sculpture near Ahau hotel and Raw Love smoothie bar.
ATV, Zipline, and Cenote Experiences: We participated in a half-day tour with iTour Mexico that included Ziplining, ATV Rides, and a Cenote in the jungle. The iTour Mexico office was in a small hut across from 7-Eleven and Super Aki supermarket, our group’s pickup location. We rode across 4 ziplines, one of which was the tallest in Tulum. Next, we rode ATVs through the jungle. This part was okay, but as someone who prefers to zoom through the mud puddles and get down and dirty, this guided tour through the trees was much too slow. However, if you have never ridden an ATV and are a bit nervous about it, this is a good introduction. After, we changed into our bathing suits to take a dip in the cenote. They gave the option to swim all the way through it but it was dark and I can’t swim well enough to do that much so I opted out. We didn't spend much time in the cenote because it was COLD! Once we finished, we were taken to an outdoor buffet area to eat a light meal (rice and taquitos) and look at our pictures. I don’t remember the exact cost but I believe we paid roughly $75 per person for the tour. Make sure to bring a waterproof phone case, water shoes, and bug spray!
Visit Azulik: We stumbled across this restaurant and resort on Instagram and fell in love with the floating nests. We wanted to visit the Tseen Ja restaurant for the sunset experience that allows visitors to have a drink in the nest while enjoying 360° views of the surrounding jungles and ocean. Unfortunately, it rained off and on during our visit which caused the restaurant to cancel their experience that day. Instead, we went over to Kin Toh and for $30 USD, got one drink and the ability to hang out in the bar area, where we took lots of pictures. Just before we left, I noticed a set of stairs leading to an unknown section and asked if we could go up and explore. To my surprise, the manager agreed and had one of the waitresses escort us up to what ended up being the beautiful nest seating. Had I known we would get a yes, I would have asked earlier to see the view in the daylight! Moral of the story - closed mouths don’t get fed.
Avenida Tulum: Explore the main strip in Tulum if you have time. There are tons of great restaurants and shops all along the street.
Mayan Ruins: Unfortunately, because of the rain, we did not get to visit the ruins but I would definitely suggest visiting if you can!
Where to Eat
El Asadero: This place was about 5 minutes walking from our hotel so we ate here the first night. We both got chicken fajitas and they were good!
Tunich: This restaurant is by the beach and has a wide array of options for breakfasts, including smoothie bowls, baked goods, classic eggs and bacon, pancakes, oatmeal, burritos, etc. I got the mermaid bowl and my roommate got pancakes and bacon.
Ziggy’s: This was my favorite restaurant by far! The food was good, the ambiance and décor was beautiful, the staff was friendly, and the view was fantastic! The menu seemed to be mostly seafood but they did have some other options including salads, burgers, chicken fingers, and steak items. I ordered the shrimp tacos and a Cricket mocktail which were delicious! While enjoying your meal and sipping on your favorite drink, you can enjoy the sound of beautiful saxophone music and beach views for days. I would highly recommend it.
Don Tomás: This café was located inside of our hotel and made for a great, quick stop before leaving for the airport. My roommate and I both got waffles (my waffles had Nutella and banana) and smoothies.
Tips for Travelling during COVID-19
Compare the COVID-19 case count between your destination and hometown.
Always carry disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and face masks. I recommend putting a set in your carry-on bag for easy access throughout the airport and keeping a set in your purse, wallet, pockets, or drawstring bag.
Wipe down the airplane seatbelts and tray tables, bikes, and any other shared item you come across. Use sanitizer while in the airport, before you eat (after touching the menu), and after touching shared items. Wash your hands every time you enter your hotel room.
Wear your mask whenever you are around others and maintain 6 ft distance when possible. Most of our pictures were taken away from people (we would slip our masks off for a few seconds) or while eating which is why you don’t see many masked pictures. But they were worn 95+% of the time!
Tulum is very outdoor-centric which is good during the pandemic because you are breathing in fresh air. Do as many outdoor activities as possible.
If you can afford to, use private transfer to avoid contact with as many people as possible.
If possible, be sure to take a COVID-19 test or quarantine upon your return to the States. By traveling, you have increased your chance of exposure. It’s just as important to ensure you do not accidentally infect others as it is to protect yourself (remember you can be asymptomatic).
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