The Chic Girls Guide to Tulum Mexico 2019

Mexico is my happy place. I’ve visited Playa Del Carmen twice and Tulum 3 times and I love them both for different reasons but Tulum has my heart. It’s a little slower than Playa Del Carmen and even though it’s a hot spot it’s quieter than Playa Del Carmen as well. I’ve heard a lot about Cancun, but that’s just not my scene. When I think of a relaxing, rejuvenating vacation where I can unplug, Tulum is always my first choice. I can have all the amenities yet still find serenity in the jungle or on the pristine beaches. I’ve gone to Mexico so many times, I already have tons of travel guides detailing my trips to Playa Del Carmen and Tulum here. Make sure to check those posts out as well. I also vlogged about my stay in Tulum last year. You can check those vlogs out here in the travel section of my YouTube Channel. 

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Wearing Norma Kamali Swimsuit

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Wearing Tibi Sandals and All in Favor Dress

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FLIGHTS

I always use google flights to find the cheapest flights. I usually end up booking 2 one way tickets but since I found a deal about 3 months ahead of time I paid $180 for my roundtrip flight on Delta. I always fly into Cancun. From Cancun it’s a 1 hour drive to Tulum. I usually book my transportation in advance through this website HERE. For up to 5 people it’s $90 one way. You can also just get a taxi from the airport to your destination and it will be around $60-75 or 2000 pesos. 

MONEY

I suggest getting money out at the ATM once you land at Cancun airport. They have a few ATMs in the terminal. I’d suggest taking out about 2500 pesos or $130 to start. It seems like a lot but that money goes fast. For reference 2 bags of Doritos and a candy bar from a convenience store is 220 pesos. Most cab rides from Tulum town to Tulum Beach area are between 300-600 pesos depending on the amount of people in the taxi. Taxis only take cash (dollars and pesos). Some restaurants only take cash (dollars or pesos) so be sure to have cash on hand at any time.

Above Wearing: Wearing Boohoo Dress and Red Monie Christo Collection Swimsuit

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WHERE TO STAY

This was the question I got the most. YOU GUYS, I stayed at the same place I stayed last year, 16 Tulum Hotel. It’s in the actual town of Tulum, not too far from the main strip. It’s an enclosed boutique hotel with only 9 rooms. The aesthetic is clean and white with lots of lush greenery. It has it’s own infinity pool, second floor lounge and cozy fire pit that’s lit every night. Some of the rooms have their own private plunge pools for cooling off  like this room I stayed in last year. They also have a spacious outdoor kitchen and serve breakfast daily every morning (included in booking price).

Alex the owner and his wife Laura are hella cool and our concierge Rebecca took care of all our needs. Book now and tell em’ Monroe sent you. They are so popular, as we were checking out, Bob Marley’s family was checking in. You can even book the entire hotel for as little as $1500 nightly and each room sleeps 2-4 people. The service is impeccable and I will always choose to stay here because its serene and safe. It’s only a 10 minute cab ride to the lively beach of Tulum and I like being able to retire for the day to serenity. They are also on airbnb HERE.

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Wearing Farrow Skirt and Warby Parker Sunnies

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WHAT TO PACK

Tulum is VERY HOT and HUMID. We went from May 12-16 and during that time it only rained once for about 5 minutes. The temperature ranged from 75-90 degrees. The humidity is next level. You will sweat simply existing. So pack cool, loose fitting clothing. Fabrics like cottons and linens fair well. A nice silk or satin dress for a cooler night out works well too. Make sure to pack a wide brim hat. Place it in your suitcase and pack your clothing around it to hold it’s shape. A great pair of sunglasses works well too. I wore as little clothing as possible while in Tulum. Don’t forget the bug repellent, you’ll need it. Shop My Tulum Wardrobe here. Here’s a quick video of what I packed.

WHERE TO SHOP

Skip the lovely shops on Tulum’s main beach strip. They are grossly overpriced. Go for the shops on the main street in the actual town of Tulum on Avenue Tulum. You can get the cutest woven bags, hats, trinkets and jewelry for a much better price. For the most part Tulum is not a shopping town. There aren’t any designer stores or thrift shops. This is not a town you come to shop in, it’s a place you come to relax.

Wearing Brown Satin Topshop Dress

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WHERE TO EAT:

Don’t drink the water (not even to brush your teeth) or you will get travelers diarrhea and shit up to 5 times a day, which I did the last two days of our trip. I never drank the water so I’m not sure how I got sick LOL. But I definitely had urgent uncontrollable diarrhea for 1.5 days. It was so severe I later developed a hemorrhoid once I returned home. Yes, I am definitely in my mid 30’s now.

• Posada Margherita for the best Italian food and cute beachside ambience. Save room for their pistachio gelato and order a margherita pizza to go on the way out. CASH ONLY (dollars or pesos).
• Ojo de Aqua is right next door to Posada Margherita and its a wonderful place for breakfast, brunch or lunch. They make the most refreshing delicious juices! CARDS + CASH
• Philosophy located in Casa Malca Hotel has the best brunch and dinner in Tulum. It was so good we went twice in 4 days. It’s a must for brunch on the weekend as it has the best huevos rancheros in all of Tulum. Make sure to order a French 75 which was our drink of choice during the trip. Their dinner is absolutely exquisite from the bread to the special appetizer to dessert. The service was stellar too and they have strong wifi! Make sure to head to the beach after. If you’re not staying at the hotel you have to spend a minimum of $25 per person which can easily be done by eating at Philosophy. CARDS + CASH
• Del Cielo is still one of the best spots for breakfast or brunch. I love their delicious super bowls and juices. It’s also right across the street from Scotia Bank where you can get money and right around the corner from the main shopping strip of Tulum vendors. CARDS + CASH[/one_half]

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Danielle @stylenbeautydoc, Kéla @kelawalker, Rose @dadouchic, Jenee @highlowluxxe,

Monroe @monroesteele

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WHAT TO SEE

Casa Malca once the home of Pablo Escabar is a stunning hotel and definitely worth the visit. It has tons of instagrammable moments to capture from the swinging couch and chairs to the large wooden doors at the entrance. Order a few drinks and luxuriate on the beach and don’t forget to visit their stunning rooftop.

The Gran Cenote isn’t to far from Tulum beach, in fact when we visited last year we could walk to if from our gorgeous airbnb in Tulum’s jungle region. It’s stunning and definitely worth a visit. 

Azulik Hotel is a magical wonder that I’ve only ever seen in photos. It costs a lot to get in if you’re not an actual guest of the hotel but it may be worth it to book a dinner reservation one night to see the magical hotel, although I heard the foods is not so good. 

The Tulum Ruins are magical as well just make sure to pack plenty of water and hiking shoes. If you’re just there for the beach tell the taxi to drop you off tat the taxi entrance. The entrance fee is 65 pesos or $3-4 dollars. CASH ONLY.

Drop any questions you have about Tulum below!

xx

Monroe

Order the Print Edition Steele Magazine which has an Insiders Guide to Tulum Mexico

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