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Started By
Message
Tulum in December
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:00 am
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:00 am
Going to Tulum next month for a few nights, staying at a high-end resort with Mrs. Sheep.
I'm fine with just hanging out at the pool/beach - but if we WANTED to venture out a bit, what COULD we do?
We're planning on going to the ruins one day, but otherwise have no other plans.
We don't intend to rent a car, and would prefer to not get kidnapped by the cartel.
I'm fine with just hanging out at the pool/beach - but if we WANTED to venture out a bit, what COULD we do?
We're planning on going to the ruins one day, but otherwise have no other plans.
We don't intend to rent a car, and would prefer to not get kidnapped by the cartel.
7
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:07 am to Sheep
Check on sargassum
It’s been EXCEPTIONALLY bad this year
The beach photos you see online will not look like that if sargassum is a problem
It’s been EXCEPTIONALLY bad this year
The beach photos you see online will not look like that if sargassum is a problem
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:16 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Yeah - saw that. Already booked.
The resort has multiple pools - we'll make water time work. Hoping it's not bad, though.
The resort has multiple pools - we'll make water time work. Hoping it's not bad, though.
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:29 am to Sheep
Check out MexicoKan tours. We did a half day with them a few months ago. The guide was great. We also did a snorkeling tour with “los chichos”. We found it on Airbnb experiences. Not sure if they even have a website. Very nice people and you will see some cool fish/sea turtles. The coral is all bleached though, that was kinda sad to see.
Other than that, rent a scooter and drive to town.
Other than that, rent a scooter and drive to town.
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:34 am to Sheep
Wife and I spent about 1.5 months in Tulum last winter.
Tulum is (basically) divided by Centro and Beach. Two main roads go between the two. Coba is one of them and has a walking/bike path + there are street lights. Unless something has changed in the last several months on Kukulkan, there are no lights or paths - it is very dangerous for bikes.
We stayed Aldea Zama, which is a safe and planned community near Centro - there are a lot of condo complexes and restaurants. In comparison to the immediate part of Centro, eating and drinking in Aldea Zama is a bit more on the expensive side. Speaking of which, as a point of caution, restaurants along the beach are not cheap... at all. Honestly, was as expensive (or more) as going out to eat in West Loop, Chicago. At restaurants along the beach, there are a lot more cartel hanging by the restrooms trying to get you to buy drugs. Say no and they won't bother you again - nonetheless, very annoying.
Centro, as you could imagine, is much cheaper than the beach. Plenty of good restaurants and food stalls along streets. At just about any stall, you can grab five tacos for, like, $2 USD. People are so nice and there are some great spots to grab cocktails.
Outside of eating and drinking, only "excursions" we did was swim at a couple cenotes and visit the ruins. I can give you a ton of restaurant and bar recommendations, if you'd like.
Few general/safety tips:
- Cash reigns supreme in Mexico. Restaurants along the beach will take your credit card but you are better off carrying the pesos you need. Only get cash from ATMs in the supermarket (i.e. Selecto Chedraui).
- If you don't rent-a-car or scooter, prepare to pay up on taxis if you go between Beach and Centro, and even at some points along the Beach. They have an incentive to be kind, but won't take a steep discount to drive you.
- Stick to populated and/or lighted roads. Cannot stress this enough. Take a taxi after dark.
- Wearing jewelry and watches at your hotel/resort is totally fine but leave them in you leave the property.
- About 2/3 of Tulum's population lives in poverty. They've been pushed out of areas for development and squatters is an ongoing, real issue in the area.
Tulum is (basically) divided by Centro and Beach. Two main roads go between the two. Coba is one of them and has a walking/bike path + there are street lights. Unless something has changed in the last several months on Kukulkan, there are no lights or paths - it is very dangerous for bikes.
We stayed Aldea Zama, which is a safe and planned community near Centro - there are a lot of condo complexes and restaurants. In comparison to the immediate part of Centro, eating and drinking in Aldea Zama is a bit more on the expensive side. Speaking of which, as a point of caution, restaurants along the beach are not cheap... at all. Honestly, was as expensive (or more) as going out to eat in West Loop, Chicago. At restaurants along the beach, there are a lot more cartel hanging by the restrooms trying to get you to buy drugs. Say no and they won't bother you again - nonetheless, very annoying.
Centro, as you could imagine, is much cheaper than the beach. Plenty of good restaurants and food stalls along streets. At just about any stall, you can grab five tacos for, like, $2 USD. People are so nice and there are some great spots to grab cocktails.
Outside of eating and drinking, only "excursions" we did was swim at a couple cenotes and visit the ruins. I can give you a ton of restaurant and bar recommendations, if you'd like.
Few general/safety tips:
- Cash reigns supreme in Mexico. Restaurants along the beach will take your credit card but you are better off carrying the pesos you need. Only get cash from ATMs in the supermarket (i.e. Selecto Chedraui).
- If you don't rent-a-car or scooter, prepare to pay up on taxis if you go between Beach and Centro, and even at some points along the Beach. They have an incentive to be kind, but won't take a steep discount to drive you.
- Stick to populated and/or lighted roads. Cannot stress this enough. Take a taxi after dark.
- Wearing jewelry and watches at your hotel/resort is totally fine but leave them in you leave the property.
- About 2/3 of Tulum's population lives in poverty. They've been pushed out of areas for development and squatters is an ongoing, real issue in the area.
Posted on 11/10/23 at 11:34 am to Sheep
Go eat at Hartwood if you can get in, the food is out of this world. Also, try and grab a drink at Azulik. It's a treehouse style bar that looks out over the jungle.
Also be prepared to get screwed by the local taxi drivers. We rented a car for our visit and only took a taxi once. Ended up getting shaken down for $50-60 for a couple mile trip.
Azulik
Hartwood
Also be prepared to get screwed by the local taxi drivers. We rented a car for our visit and only took a taxi once. Ended up getting shaken down for $50-60 for a couple mile trip.
Azulik
Hartwood
Posted on 11/10/23 at 4:59 pm to Sheep
I have a house in Tulum. Big fan. Definitely check out some cenotes and enjoy the resort 
Posted on 11/10/23 at 6:06 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Few general/safety tips:
Thanks for the tips (and feedback from others).
If we venture out, it will be to the ruins, to grab lunch - then to head back. We won't be out at night.
We're only there for three nights and we have a tendency to hit it hard when we travel. This is almost an intentional "stop and do nothing" vacation and I had some (points/award nights to kill.)
IF I were to get comfortable with the area, maybe we'll go back. Normally, we would get out and explore - but that's not this trip.
Posted on 11/11/23 at 10:16 am to Sheep
definitely go to the ruins. When you get there you’ll be offered (by many) a guided tour with bus and admission tickets, take it. You’ll skip the line to get in and skip a very long walk. The area at the entrance is a huge bazaar and there will also be vendors along the road. The ruins themselves are spectacular
the tulum beach road at night is one of the most bizarre settings I have ever seen in my life. Don’t miss it and don’t be shy about getting into the thick of it. It’s blade runner in the jungle. Fantastic food and drink just be careful walking next to the road (cars/bikes/atvs/scooters/etc) all hours of the night. We ate at ARCA it was incredible
the tulum beach road at night is one of the most bizarre settings I have ever seen in my life. Don’t miss it and don’t be shy about getting into the thick of it. It’s blade runner in the jungle. Fantastic food and drink just be careful walking next to the road (cars/bikes/atvs/scooters/etc) all hours of the night. We ate at ARCA it was incredible
This post was edited on 11/11/23 at 10:16 am
Posted on 11/11/23 at 10:50 pm to Sheep
How are people still going to Mexico like it’s not a cartel state? 
Posted on 11/12/23 at 7:50 am to Masterag
quote:
How are people still going to Mexico like it’s not a cartel state?
I live in New Orleans, man.
Posted on 11/13/23 at 2:42 pm to Masterag
quote:
How are people still going to Mexico like it’s not a cartel state?
Living in Houston, I literally know someone every week who is vacationing in Mexico. They either go to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen (or south of there), or Puerta Vallarta. I do not know a single one who has ever had a problem. They stay at all inclusive resorts and do tours with great operators when they venture out. Maybe they spend at evening in Playa del Carmen, downtown Cozumel, or Tulum. Not one single problem.
Posted on 11/13/23 at 4:26 pm to Masterag
People really think that all of Mexico is equally dangerous.
A few years ago, my sister was afraid for me to take my niece to Mexico City, even though the murder rate in Mexico City is a third of what it is in Baton Rouge or New Orleans.
A few years ago, my sister was afraid for me to take my niece to Mexico City, even though the murder rate in Mexico City is a third of what it is in Baton Rouge or New Orleans.
Posted on 11/13/23 at 5:08 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
A few years ago, my sister was afraid for me to take my niece to Mexico City, even though the murder rate in Mexico City is a third of what it is in Baton Rouge or New Orleans.
Nobody tell Mrs. Sheep, but this is a trial balloon for us to go to Mexico City one day.
Posted on 11/13/23 at 6:20 pm to Sheep
quote:
and would prefer to not get kidnapped by the cartel.
Cartel doesn't want to kidnap tourists. It's bad for business.
Plenty of Cenotes to check out. Tulum has taxi vans that will drop you off at different locations for very cheap.
You can also rent some bicycles and ride all over town.
quote:
If we venture out, it will be to the ruins, to grab lunch - then to head back. We won't be out at night.
If you're scared say you're scared, brah.
This post was edited on 11/13/23 at 6:23 pm
Posted on 11/13/23 at 9:45 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
Check on sargassum
It was awful last year in the spring. Supposedly the winter is better and there’s actually a website with status on sargassum.
But definitely try to do a guided snorkeling cave tour in the cenotes. Best hidden gem in the Yucatán. So cool.
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