BILLIONAIRE BOHO BLISS: THE WEEKEND JET SET GUIDE TO TULUM
Skip the crowds of Cancun and head down the coast to fashionable favorite Tulum. Part hippy enclave, the part jet-set crowd, this is where you will find a fusion of floury white sand beaches, sunken blue cenotes, jungle flowers and Mayan ruins that make the Yucatan Peninsula so spectacular. But part the palm fronds and there’s star-studded rustic hideaways, sustainable wellness lodges, and just enough hedonistic fun to keep you dressed to impress and dancing. Here’s our weekend guide to Tulum.
WHERE TO STAY
Bohemian hideaways cast a spell in Tulum, inciting barefoot luxe served with a side of spirituality. The Aldea Canzul captures this mood perfectly, boasting three artistic Mexican villas, a sugar soft private beach for sporting your best luxury beachwear, and rooftop terraces for mezcal cocktails and Caribbean views.
Making a five-star stylish splash against Tulum’s beatnik backdrop, the eye-watering elegant Jasmine Penthouse stands head and shoulders above the rest as part of the Jashita Hotel. Your own sumptuous two-bed suite offers tailor-made Italian linens, an oversized terrace for sunset sprawling, and stylish living quarters that would look more at home in Milan than the jungle coast of Mexico.
Lifestyle hotel Habitas popped up on a private beach, joining a string of hippie havens for the high-class crowd. This one comes carved from the hands of local carpenters, offers artisanal bath products made from local honey, and delivers exquisite oceanfront suites. The central pavilion is all Instagram style and the outdoor cinema, complimentary bicycles, and holistic treatments ensure vibes stay chill.
WHERE TO DINE
Rich Caribbean waters, smashed avocados plucked from trees, drool-worthy fruits and a pinch of punchy Mexican spice make the foodie scene around Tulum more than a tantalizing experience. Whether it’s fish tacos straight from the beach or supper at the upmarket selection of fine dining establishments; Tulum is a sensory haven.
Be sure to book a table at Hartwood. An institution on these shores, it’s daily changing menu, completely off-grid ethos, and earthly gifts plucked from the soil and the sea, makes this restaurant one of the hippest spots for guilt-free gorging.
Wild is another spot for edible wonders. Equal measures rustic and modern, you can perch at the handcrafted bar carved out into the jungle. Order a cocktail fused with edible flowers and homemade syrups, and dine on traditional Mexican greats served with a chic contemporary twist.
Glitzy nights abound at Gitano Tulum, with its easy-breezy beach restaurant and Mezcal bar. With a menu designed for an interactive dining experience, you can slump in stylish surroundings with good friends. Split modern fusion plates and let the sultry moods of the jungle backdrop and beach garden move you.
WHERE TO PLAY
Awash in natural assets that appeal to both the international jet-set crowd and intrepid travelers, Tulum sits close to the Sian Ka’an biosphere and protected 13th-century Mayan ruins. Hop on a yacht and spend the day exploring the marine rich waters and the preserved pre-Columbian city.
No visit to Mexico is complete without diving into a cenote and close to Tulum you can find one of the most impressive examples of these sunlight scattered natural sinkholes. The Grand Cenote boasts iridescent waters of the deepest blue and the cavern is home to turtles, bats, and breathtaking geology.
After days sailing and plunging into natural swimming holes, back on dry land, it’s time for drinks at Casa Jaguar. Stashed deep in the jungle, this heavenly haunt is a favorite for both the local and far-flung ex-pat crowd. Ultra-fresh cocktails are shaken beneath the stars, the mood ebbs and flows and the seafood is to die for.