Tag: beachside

Tulum Travel Diaries; An Adventure Day On Bikes

March 2, 2026

Exploring Tulum on push bikes is said to be one of the best ways to get around town and see the sites, so that’s exactly what we did one delightful Tuesday afternoon in late January.

Our morning began with a stop at the Insta-famous Azulik.

Its sculptural wooden forms, woven and curved as if grown rather than built, rise from the jungle floor in perfect harmony with nature.

Walking through the installation felt peaceful and meditative, the kind of place that invites you to slow your breath and soften your thoughts.

From there, we continued our 40 minute cycle along the straight stretch of Tulum’s beach road.

Hotels peeked through palms and every so often, the Caribbean sea flashed between the trees in impossible shades of blue.

The ride itself was a long flat road cutting through the jungle canopy, but those fleeting glimpses of tropical coastline made it feel almost dreamlike.

We made it just in time for the final 3pm entry at the Tulum Mayan Ruins.

After a short walk along a neatly cleared jungle path, the ancient structures revealed themselves against the bright afternoon sky.

Dating back to the 13th century, the ruins carry a quiet strength with their weathered stone walls standing firm against centuries of sea breeze.

Iguanas seemed to rule the grounds, lounging confidently on rocks and darting through the grass, completely unbothered by passing visitors.

The most beautiful view was standing before El Castillo, the old castle perched on the cliff’s edge.

Below it, powder white sand met the endless turquoise of the Caribbean; history and horizon blending into one unforgettable view.

On our cycle back we stopped in at a lovely beachfront hotel restaurant called Mezzanine.

Serving Thai cuisine, it was exactly what we’d been craving in contrast to all of the Mexican food, and of course those beachfront views from the terrace were absolutely dreamy.

I ordered a spicy margarita because when on holiday, an afternoon cocktail is an essential!

We shared a creamy Penang chicken curry with coconut rice, fragrant and comforting in all the right ways.

A hearty curry and my favourite cocktail overlooking that picturesque beachfront, made for the perfect closing chapter to a day that felt both adventurous and beautifully unhurried all at once ❤

Tulum Travel Diaries;  My 31st Birthday Celebrations

March 1, 2026

Being a January baby, escaping the UK winter in search of warmer climates is always the best way to spend my birthday. So for our winter dose of sun at the start of this year, we jetted off to Mexico and enjoyed two glorious weeks in the coastal town of Tulum.

My birthday on the 26th January was about halfway through our holiday, and it was the most perfect sunny day in Mexico which started with some chilled time on the beach.

I had a fresh coconut to enjoy as I read my book, before dipping our feet in the ocean.

My birthday bikini of choice was this cute butter yellow number with ruffle details.

These butter yellow ruffle hot-pants were the ideal finishing touch to my beachside look.

After a few hours relaxing in our cabana, we walked down the beach to have a couples massage.

With the sound of the ocean waves and palms rustling in the light breeze, it was the most dreamy location to indulge in a massage together.

We then walked along the beach road to find the famous Escultura Ven a la Luz.

This iconic work of art by Daniel Popper is a 10 meter tall sculpture made with steel, wood, rope and greenery.

Ven a la Luz  meaning ‘Come to the Light‘, represents the harmony between people and nature and is one of the most instagrammable spots in Mexico.

An afternoon pickup was in need, so we popped into Starbucks for iced coffees and some fruit to snack on.

It was then time for a spot of shopping in the many boho-chic boutiques which line the beach road in Tulum.

I treated myself to a stunning handmade top with flared sleeves and tassels from this shop called Las Lulas.

At £80 it wasn’t cheap, but I just loved the hippy-chic vibe of this piece and the level of detail is exquisite.

Casa Pink Revolver was another lovely boutique selling gorgeous gold jewellery, so I purchased this chunky statement gold ring to add to my collection.

I was yet to choose a gift for my boyfriend to get for me, so with a Sunglasses Hut just down the street, I couldn’t resist the Miu Miu classic round shape sunnies which have been on my wish list for so long.

Not a huge amount of gifts, but each very high quality pieces which I will get a lot of wear out of both on holidays and back home.

Soon the early evening crept up on us and I was hoping for another sunset moment on the rooftop of our hotel, but a huge storm came in bringing buckets of rainfall with it, so we headed back to our room to get ready for the evening.

My birthday dinner fit was this incredible Flook The Label chocolate brown maxi beach dress that my boyfriend bought me for my 30th birthday last year in Bali.

This dress is such a flattering cut and the perfect vibe for a special evening out on holiday.

To complete the look I wore my By Alona pearl necklace, Heaven Mayhem statement gold earrings, my gold swirl bangle, ruffle mule heels from Sol Concept, and my little Bottega dupe handbag from Topshop.

Beachy, sexy and a touch of glam with the pearls, I truly felt like the birthday girl in this outfit.

My restaurant of choice for birthday dinner celebrations was Ilios Greek in the centre of the Tulum beach road.

We’d visited this place earlier in our trip and it was such a fun party vibe with delicious Greek food, we had to come back for my birthday.

In traditional Greek style we did the plate smashing which was super fun.

Then they gave everyone sparklers and we all danced on our chairs!

I ordered my all time favourite, a Greek feta salad which was simply divine.

We also shared the flatbread with hummus, a hearty moussaka, and a fresh green avocado salad.

I had such a fun evening celebrating my birthday and was even surprised with a cupcake and candle from my boyfriend back at our hotel to finish the night.

Another wonderful birthday spent in paradise with the sand between my toes, sunshine on my skin and a big smile on my face; hello chapter 31 ❤

Tulum Travel Diaries; Saturday Poolside At Mia

February 22, 2026

For me, I can’t think of a more perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon on holiday than to relax poolside at a beach club and soak up the sun whilst getting lost in a good book.

Being one of the more chilled beach clubs, as opposed to Taboo or Tantra where the music was so loud you wouldn’t be able to hear yourself speak, we decided to head to Mia which was just a 15 minute walk along the beachfront from our hotel.

We claimed a cabana by the pool where the soundtrack for the afternoon was waves rolling in, ice clinking in cans and music humming in the background.

The sun shimmered across the water, palm trees swayed lazily overhead, and somewhere beyond the infinity edge, the sea moved in a steady, soothing rhythm.

I stretched out under the sun on our cabana with my current book Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She’s one of my favourite authors and there’s something about reading her stories while on holiday that feels indulgent in the best way.

Book in one hand and a cold Coke Zero beading with condensation in the other, absolute bliss.

My boyfriend opted for a beer and we lay there for a few hours content as can be, holiday mode fully activated.

Between chapters and conversation we dipped in and out of the pool, letting the sun warm our shoulders before slipping back into the cool water.

It was one of those afternoons where nothing extraordinary happens, yet everything feels just perfect.

No rush, no plans, just golden sunlight, salty air, and that quiet happiness that settles in your chest when you realise you’re exactly where you’re meant to be ❤

Tulum Eats; Raw Love Vegan Cafe

February 18, 2026

There are some places you visit on holiday once and then there are the places you accidentally turn into a daily ritual; for us in Tulum, that place was Raw Love.

A fully vegan health café tucked right on the beach surrounded by palms giving serious Bali energy from the moment you walk in.

Barefoot in the sand, shaded by swaying palm trees with the ocean breeze rolling through, it’s the kind of spot that makes you want to slow down and stay a while.

The menu is an all-day breakfast lover’s paradise so this place was a dream for me.

Think vibrant smoothie bowls piled high with toppings, perfectly smashed avo toast, hearty nutrient-packed salads, and homemade raw desserts that somehow taste indulgent but wholesome at the same time.

Every dish looks like art and tastes even better.

Just an 8 minute walk from our hotel, it quickly became our go-to morning routine.

Most days started with one of their glorious smoothie bowls; colourful, refreshing, and packed full of goodness that made us feel energised for the day ahead.

Add a good strong coffee, friendly staff who genuinely make you feel welcome, and food that leaves your body feeling amazing, and it’s easy to see why we kept coming back.

A little slice of beachside wellness that turns breakfast into a ritual and makes you feel like you’re doing something kind for your mind, body and soul while on holiday. And honestly, that’s the best kind of souvenir to bring home. 

If we ever find ourselves back in Tulum, we already know exactly where our first breakfast will be ❤