Tulum Travel Diaries; Exploring Town The Wild Way

Exploring Tulum the wild way meant trading taxis for a quad bike and letting the sunshine lead the way. With dusty roads ahead and the jungle on either side, we set off just outside town towards one of Tulum’s most unique cenotes.

I channeled my inner adventure girl and wore a bandanna tied around my head; a cool accessory which in fact turned out to be very helpful in keeping my hair out of my face whilst riding the quad.

Cenote Calavera is a partially enclosed cenote famous for the three circular openings in its rocky ceiling.

Sunlight streamed through the holes, casting glowing beams onto the deep turquoise pool below.

The water was cool and refreshing and the whole place had that wonderfully playful, carefree energy.

People were taking turns leaping through the openings, swimming through the cave pools, and laughing like kids on summer holidays.

As if the scene couldn’t get any more magical, we also made a new friend; a huge resident iguana lounging on a nearby rock, completely unbothered and soaking up the sun like he owned the place.

After a few hours of swimming, jumping and drifting around in the crystal clear waters, hunger started to call.

So we hopped back on the quad bike, still slightly damp but warm from the sun, and rode back into town in search of lunch.

I’d bookmarked a café called PANZA tucked inside a quiet residential apartment complex on the outskirts of Tulum centre. It turned out to be one of those understated places that instantly feels like a local favourite.

The café overlooks a peaceful swimming pool and there were plenty of locals working remotely while enjoying their coffee or brunch in the shade.

It was more of a brunch moment, so I ordered a colourful fruit bowl served with yogurt, granola and honey on the side.

Fresh, vibrant and deliciously sweet, exactly what I needed after a morning in the sun.

Meanwhile, my boyfriend went for a BLT sandwich that looked seriously impressive when it arrived, stacked high and generously sized for the price. Simple, classic food done well at PANZA, we love to see it.

There was also a really sweet moment when a young American girl walked past our table and said I look really cool. It was such a lovely thing to say and truly made me smile.

Eventually it was time to hop back on the quad one last time and make our way to our hotel to return it.

Riding through the warm afternoon breeze with palm trees swaying overhead felt like the perfect ending to a carefree day.

If you’re visiting Tulum, I can’t recommend hiring a quad bike enough. It’s such a fun way to explore whilst soaking up those laid-back island vibes along the way, and feels just the right amount of wild too ❤

Tulum Eats; Every Night’s A Party!

The foodie options in Tulum are abundant with plenty of variety, from fine dining restaurants offering lots of alternative cuisines, to health food cafes and of course traditional Mexican street food. However for me when dining out on holiday, it’s more than just the food I’m looking to impress me, but the atmosphere and ambience needs to be on point too.

Now I’m not usually one to necessarily need entertainment with dinner, although we discovered that’s exactly what they like to offer in Tulum at some of the top rated restaurants.

Starting with one of my favourite restaurants for Greek food in Tulum, we visited Ilios twice during our trip and each time had a brilliant experience.

Every night at 9pm there is a fire show and acrobats to entertain guests around the restaurant floor as they enjoy their meal.

It’s quite the spectacle and lasts about half an hour, so you’re getting a great show for free alongside your dinner.

The evening we went for my birthday celebrations we even smashed plates Greek style and had sparklers to dance with, it was such a laugh!

Moving on to Tora where they serve delicious Japanese cuisine, later in the evening we were handed sparklers for a boogy as the DJ played the drums live during his set.

The waiters all get involved too making for a super fun and lively atmosphere amongst diners even after the sparklers are over.

We had a delightful spread of Japanese dishes including the smoked and poached salmon sushi roll which was divine.

Another top restaurant I want to mention for its aesthetic interiors and delectable food is Chambao.

As a traditional steak and grill, the menu is classic dishes done to perfection.

The bread basket with an assortment of three different butters to start was outstanding, and I’m not even usually a big bread basket lover.

I opted for the pear, goat cheese, walnut salad which was beautifully presented and packed with flavour and goodness.

Whilst my boyfriend had an epic steak burger with all the extras, we couldn’t fault a thing.

Although there is no entertainment at this place, the aesthetic interiors and indoor-outdoor style of dining make for a wonderfully romantic setting for a date night dinner.

The only other place I will mention, but save the details as it deserves its own separate post, is Gitano Jungle.

We went here on our final night and were treated to an awesome show complete with disco balls hanging from the jungle canopy.

So that’s a roundup of my top restaurants in Tulum if you’re looking for an elevated dining experience beyond just the food; because every night’s a party in Tulum ❤

Tulum Travel Diaries;  My 31st Birthday Celebrations

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 Eats; Sunday Scenes At Casa Banana

When searching the best restaurants to eat in Tulum, one place that came up time and again on recommendation was Casa Banana.

A restaurant with Argentinian roots, the open firewood kitchen is the centrepiece of this warm and rustic dining experience.

It was buzzing on a Sunday night so we had a short wait for our table, but we were pleased to be seated on the high tables at the front, giving us a great view of the bustling restaurant.

We were welcomed by our lovely waiter with an appetiser of smoked hummus toast.

The wood fired beets with goat cheese, garlic chips and balsamic emulsion sounded simply divine and it was one of my favourite dishes of the trip.

My boyfriend ordered the six hour roasted short ribs with black pepper sauce and dominó potatoes; the meat was so succulent it melted in the mouth.

We also shared the arugula salad with aged grana padano slices and citrus vinaigrette.

Everything was delicious, the service was brilliant and the restaurant was a vibe on a Sunday evening.

If you’re visiting Tulum I’d highly recommend Casa Banana as a top restaurant with the complete package.

Warm and inviting interiors, lovely friendly staff, a bustling ambience and of course, exquisite food cooked over traditional wood and fire ❤

Tulum Eats; Raw Love Vegan Cafe

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 ❤

Tulum Travel Diaries; Follow That Dream

Happy Sunday! It’s been a week since we returned from 12 glorious days in the Mexican sun and I’m only just getting over the jet lag. I was thrown back in at the deep-end with work last week as we were hosting an event in London on Tuesday, but I do thrive on routine so it was good to get back to usual programming. As you can imagine, I have a shedload of content to share from Tulum so I will posting all of the aesthetic photos and reliving the highlights of our trip over the next series of posts on here…so do stay tuned!

Starting with our accommodation, we stayed at Hotelito Azul located on the popular Beach Road for the duration of our time in Tulum.

We booked one of their garden view villas which was very spacious with a double sink ensuite and aesthetic boho-chic decor.

I particularly liked the tall ceilings and the bed was so big and very comfy indeed.

Our maid Griselda was absolutely lovely and went to the effort of making us a different towel animal every day.

One of the biggest draws to this hotel was the infinity pool on the rooftop overlooking the beach one side, and the luscious green jungle on the other.

Unfortunately the rooftop was out of action for food and drinks service during our stay which was such a shame as the views were spectacular.

We made the most of it though and took our own bottle of wine and nibbles up for sunsets as this really is such a gorgeous and unique spot for sundown in Tulum.

On our first day we wanted to familiarise ourselves with the area, so we went for a walk back down the road towards the town and found a perfect local cafe for delicious smoothie bowls.

Raw Love vegan cafe soon became our favourite place for the most healthy and yummy all day breakfast bowls.

Further up the road was a cluster of cute restaurants, bars and shops.

Seeing this soft top Mini Cooper driving through town made me wish I could have my own Mini there to scoot around in.

Later that afternoon we decided to hire push bikes to explore the rest of the beach road on the other side of our hotel.

We road all along the beach road through the most popular part where Bagatelle, Ilios and Casa Banana are located alongside lots of chic boutique shops.

I was thrilled to find the iconic ‘Follow That Dream’ road sign which is quite far up the road where it seems a lot less busy nowadays.

Before heading back to our hotel, we stopped by Mia beach club on our way back to have a bite to eat overlooking the beach.

I indulged in my first Margarita of the trip and it didn’t disappoint with a perfectly sweet and spicy finish.

My boyfriend had a pepperoni pizza which I had a slice of too. Not exactly an authentic Mexican dish, but you can’t go wrong with a pizza sometimes.

That evening I wore an all white fit for our first meal out in town.

We ended up at Ilios restaurant which I had pinned as the best place for Greek food in the area and it certainly met those expectations.

The interiors here are on point and we were even treated to a brilliant fire show performance!

We had the hummus with flatbread to start, my boyfriend opted for the chicken gyros and of course I ordered the Greek salad which was divine.

With a time difference of minus 5 hours, we were absolutely knackered and got an early night ready to wake up fresh on Mexican time.

So that’s an overview of our first day in Tulum and I can’t wait to share all of the amazing adventures and memories we made together during our two weeks in tropical paradise ❤

First Date Night Of 2026

It might be a new year but it was the same Saturday drill for us last night as we went out for our first proper date night of 2026. Last weekend was spent recovering from all the Christmas celebrations, but this Saturday we were ready for a cute and cosy date night out again in the local town.

My look for the evening was this gorgeous backless top from Stradivarius in that luscious chocolate brown colour, a pair of flared dark wash jeans also from Stradivarius, pointed brown boot heels by Topshop and my favourite green velvet evening handbag by Sandro.

With the temperatures dropping below zero degrees here in the UK, I wrapped up in this oversized grey trench coat from NA-KD and completed the look with my trusty brown knitted beret from Urban Outfitters.

And not forgetting my stunning new clip-on earrings by Heaven Mayhem featuring the statement maroon stone and gold hardware; the perfect finishing touch for my winter date night look.

We decided to try a new Thai restaurant which has recently opened on Fleet highstreet called Tay Tar Thai.

Thai cuisine is one of our favourites so we were excited to experience somewhere new and see how it compared to our usual Thai locals.

I had a glass of red, my boyfriend ordered a beer and of course we ordered the prawn crackers with sweet chilli dip to nibble on as we browsed the menu.

My boyfriend had his usual chicken Penang curry with coconut rice, whilst I went for something a bit different and braved the fiery hot jungle curry with vegetables.

It was nice to have a lighter curry without the creaminess of the traditional coconut based dishes and despite the challenging heat, I really enjoyed my dish packed full of authentic veggies.

Whilst the food was good and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere, the service was very slow on a busy Saturday night and the prices more expensive than usual in comparison to our other local Thai restaurants.

With the weather absolutely freezing, we headed straight home for a cosy night on the sofa with the warming fire and a brilliant new romcom on Netflix ‘People We Meet On Vacation’.

A simple, wholesome date night was just what we needed on this dark, bitterly cold Saturday evening in early January ❤

A Wonderful Winter Wedding

It’s only three days to go until Christmas now and I can’t believe how quickly December has gone! This weekend we were invited to a friend’s wedding over in the Cotswolds and I was so excited to be going to my first ever winter wedding.

With the ceremony starting at 4:30pm, they fully leaned into the romantic winter vibes as we arrived at the church with the sun setting on a crisp, chilly Friday afternoon in December.

The church was glowing at sundown from the candles warmly inviting guests in, setting a dreamy, intimate backdrop for the bride and groom to take their vows.

Following the ceremony, wedding guests were transported in an old fashioned English red bus back to the reception taking place at The Feathered Nest County Inn, Oxfordshire.

With the grand Christmas tree, roaring fireplace and traditional English pub interiors, it was a wholesome and cosy venue ideal for a winter wedding reception.

For the occasion I wore a long sleeve, off the shoulder, long brown dress from ASOS, a pair of silver platform heels, my new vintage style pearl earrings from Heaven Mayhem, my timeless By Alona pearl detail necklace, Abbott Lyon gold bangle, and an iridescent Cult Gia inspired boxy handbag from Amazon.

After a champagne reception and delicious canapés, they proceeded with the speeches which were very well delivered and kept the guests entertained.

My favourite canapé was the whipped goats cheese and beetroot tartlet; a delightful bite of tasty, tangy flavours to whet the appetite.

Instead of the traditional sit-down wedding reception meal, they served a buffet of hearty dishes including beef bourguignon, vegetable dhal and a fish pie which was divine.

Later on the cake was cut and served alongside an impressive tower of cheese, so naturally I had a lovely plate of cheese, crackers and grapes to finish the night.

We stayed over nearby at The Lamb Inn, Great Rissington. We didn’t get time to experience much there other than sleeping in the very comfy bed, but the room was nicely done and the staff super friendly.

Having never experienced a winter wedding before I wasn’t sure what to expect, but with the backdrop of the picturesque Cotswolds and all the Christmas vibes in the air, it was a truly romantic celebration right out of a fairytale ❤

NYC Diaries; Roosevelt Island Sunset Magic

I didn’t expect Roosevelt Island to become one of my favorite New York memories, but that’s exactly what happened the evening we headed up to Panorama Room for sundown drinks.

Perched on the rooftop of the Graduate Hotel, it felt like the entire city was laid out just for us.

As the sun dipped lower, the skyline slowly shifted into that dreamy, golden haze that New York does so wonderfully.

From the balcony we could see from Billionaires’ Row stretching sleek and tall, the Empire State glowing a vivid purple at sundown, and all the way downtown to the Financial District where the World Trade Center rose confidently in the distance.

I ordered a margarita which was deliciously bright and zesty, the perfect match for a warm fall evening in NYC.

We paired our drinks with fries expecting a small snack… but in true American fashion, the portion was absolutely massive!

Once the sun finally slipped below the horizon and Manhattan began to sparkle, we wrapped up our rooftop moment and made our way to one of the most underrated experiences in the city; the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

For just $2.90, we floated high above the Hudson River towards the bright lights of Manhattan at dusk.

The city looked magical from up there and it was awesome to see so far down the blocks lit up at night as the tram lowered through the streets of Manhattan.

If you’re ever in New York, I can’t recommend this little adventure enough. A breathtaking sunset on Roosevelt Island, a cocktail in hand, and a picturesque tram ride back under the night sky.

It felt like we had discovered a hidden gem just out of the city complete with unforgettable views of Manhattan from a whole new angle ❤

NYC Diaries; Bikes & Bagels In Central Park

With Central Park being right on our doorstep at the Park Lane Hotel, we decided to spend our Sunday afternoon exploring the park on bikes before enjoying some classic American bagels overlooking the lake.

We hired push bikes from a kiosk just outside of the park and cycled up the east side on the dedicated bike lanes they have all around the park.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon in late September and the weather was still warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt, so I wore my Tommy Hilfigure boyfriend style shorts, a stripy low back top, my Stradivarius cage toe mules, my Coach handbag worn across body and MiuMiu sunnies to complete the look.

We took a short detour out of the park to the Upper East Side where I wanted to go for the famous Tompkins Square Bagels.

The choice of bagel flavours and different fillings was incredible, so the server kindly let us try some different cream cheeses to help make our decision.

With the bagels secured, we packed them in the bike basket and cycled back to Central Park.

We made our way around to the west side of the park where we found the big lake looking glorious in the afternoon sun.

After finding a bench with a nice view, we unwrapped our bagels and savoured every last bite as we soaked up the wonderful views of Central Park.

For our bagels we ordered one savoury and one sweet.

Our savoury choice was the everything seasoning bagel lightly toasted with a scallion and red onion cream cheese filling.

The sweet bagel was blueberry flavoured with a nutella and peanut butter cream cheese filling which was divine!

I couldn’t wait to try my first Poppi drink which I’ve seen lots of American influencers rave about and we were not disappointed, the orange flavour was delish.

Bagels devoured and tummies full, we hopped back on the bikes and made our way to the South end of the park to return the bikes.

This was the perfect way to spend a glorious Sunday afternoon in New York and I’d highly recommend renting bikes to explore Central Park as it is so big! I would say it was one of my favourite parts of New York ❤