Tucked deep within the wild embrace of the jungle, an evening at Gitano Jungle Tulum feels like stepping into a beautifully chaotic dream. It’s effortlessly atmospheric, where glamour meets the bohemian spirit of Tulum.
As the sun disappears and the jungle darkens, the space comes alive with shimmering disco energy as mirror balls sway gently from the palms, candlelight flickers between the trees, and tables weave organically through the natural maze of the jungle floor.
I leaned fully into the Tulum aesthetic for my outfit of the night. I wore my new Las Lulas flared-sleeved crop top, complete with handmade tassel details that danced every time I moved.
Paired with my palm print mini skirt from Topshop, pearl platform sliders, my Seaside Stories gold shell necklace and Heaven Mayhem gold shell earrings, the look felt perfectly suited to a night in the jungle.
Naturally, we began with cocktails to toast the final evening of our holiday. I ordered a classic Paloma; sweet yet salty, refreshing and glowing with that dreamy sorbet pink hue.
And what’s dinner in Tulum without a little entertainment? Throughout the evening a group of professional dancers performed around the restaurant, transforming the space into a lively jungle disco. Their energy was infectious and added a vibrant party atmosphere that made the night feel even more special.
To start, we shared a simple but deliciously satisfying hummus with pita chips.
For mains, we opted for a selection of plates to try a few different dishes: a cauliflower steak, buttermilk chicken, watermelon basil salad and chipotle potatoes.
The cauliflower dish was the standout with a perfectly roasted, tender flesh topped with a rich, creamy sauce that was just so tasty and moorish.
To be transparent, it was definitely a splurge with the bill coming in at just under £200. But sometimes travel is about unique experiences and dining beneath the palms at Gitano certainly felt like one, so it was worth it.
Between the glowing candlelight, the delicious food and cocktails, and the dazzling performances, it made for an awesome final evening dinner in Tulum.
A little wild and playful with a side glamour, it was the most memorable way to celebrate another beautiful holiday together; good night Tulum ❤
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 ❤
There’s no denying it, we simply couldn’t have survived each and every lockdown without the holy grail that is Netflix. From the first UK lockdown when we were enthralled by the kooky, mysterious life of the infamous Tiger King, to the much anticipated season four of The Crown and exciting early blockbuster release of Wonder Woman 1984, Netflix has certainly heightened the stakes when it comes to keeping us entertained. With cinemas currently closed, the film industry has had no choice but to turn to Netflix to debut new works and keep Hollywood moving despite the world coming to a halt. And whilst we are kept on our toes with the plethora of new releases every month, Netflix doesn’t let us forget the wondrous catalogue of fantastic film and TV from the archives. So here’s my quick round up of February favourites to snuggle up to on the sofa this month.
FILMS
Wonder Woman 1984
When the radiant goddess Diana Prince hit our screens in the first film back in 2017, it was a thrilling breath of fresh air offering a perfect balance of muscle and heart amongst a dazzling spectacle of compelling action. Whilst this sequel draws out a much longer plot line, the most riveting visual cohesion is the flashback to a young Diana back on the magical island of Themiscrya, when the fearless youngster competes in an arduous challenge of strength and skill against women twice her age and stature. The powerful yet glamorous and elegant Wonder Woman played by Gal Gadot, maintains heartfelt audience connection as she teaches us that the nature of the truth will always win.
The Dig
Set back in the summer of 1939 just before the outbreak of war, Edith Pretty hires amateur archaeologist Basil Brown to excavate the mounds of her Suffolk property. Upon discovering the skeleton of an 88-foot Anglo-Saxon ship, the next phase uncovers the burial chamber within the ship containing a treasure-trove of perfectly preserved artefacts. Soon enough news has spread and people descend upon the land to jostle for credit, whilst there is an ongoing passionate urgency to complete the dig before the onset of World War II.
SERIES
Bridgerton
Wealth, lust and betrayal set against the backdrop of Regency-era England, this period drama follows the most affluent families of the town during the competitive Ton season, when debutantes are presented at court before the Queen. Narrated by the legendary Julie Andrews playing the gossip-girl columnist Lady Whistledow, this fluffy, humorous and beautifully costumed drama makes for easy watching. Not to mention how it will leave you yearning to go back in time to wear one of those exquisite ballgowns and attend a glamorous party, where your prince charming may well sweep you off your feet!
Tiny Pretty Things
With a dark and contemporary edge set amongst the gruelling, ruthless world of a Manhattan dance academy, this Netflix original series is no ordinary twinkle toes story. When the star pupil Cassie Shore stumbles, or is pushed in a scuffle with a hooded figure, and falls four storeys from the school roof plunging to her death, in her stead comes Neveah Stroyer. Despite being from the wrong side of the tracks and not properly trained, Neveah turns out to be stunningly talented, throwing the pecking order of the establishment into disarray. This gritty teenage drama depicts the highly competitive and brutal reality behind the curtain of classical ballet in a modern world.
OLD SCHOOL
F.r.i.e.n.d.s
An absolute classic which never fails to cheer me up and give me a good chuckle. As an OG Friends fan from back in the days, I’ve seen every single episode many a times and will still never get bored of watching those six eccentric characters as they fumble their way through life in New York City. At the moment I’m throwing it way back to the mid-nineties with the early seasons, when the fashion was experimental to say the least and hair dos even more questionable! I know my obsession is real when I start singing along to Phoebe’s rather peculiar yet comically genius songs.
Mean Girls
Arguably one of the most quotable films ever, 16 years on and this is still one of the greatest teen movies around with its accurate depiction of the jungle that is high-school. Thrown amongst a world of cliques and hierarchy, new-comer Cady Heron is quickly drawn into life as one of the Plastics and soon remarks herself as spiteful as queen bee Regina George, loosing her individuality and sacrificing her real friendships along the way. Comical and smart without the shrill edge of many teen movies, Mean Girls cleverly portrays the true culture of popularity, hierarchy and gossip entrenched in every high-school.
Needless to say the list is ever-changing, as you can see from my most updated homepage including those unashamedly guilty pleasures: Friends, Real Housewives, Clueless, Magic Mike… to name a few 😉
Netflix undoubtedly continues to reign when it comes to exciting new releases, catching up on popular TV series, or simply harping back to those classic movies that will just never get old. Whilst I do miss the thrill of taking a trip to the cinema and getting lost in the special effects of the big screen, Netflix is keeping the magic alive by bringing the joys of TV and film to the comfort of our homes as we wait-out yet another lockdown in the UK!
Dani Aneka 