Tag: mexicanlife

Tulum Travel Diaries; Exploring Town The Wild Way

March 5, 2026

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 Travel Diaries; Dreamy Blue Waters At ATIK

March 4, 2026

Primarily found on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, cenotes are natural, crystal-clear sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing fresh groundwater underneath. So during our stay in Tulum we made it our mission to visit some of the best in the nearby area, one of which being ATIK.

Just a short 30 minute drive out of central Tulum town, it cost about £20 per person for entry to the park which features a number of cenotes, as well as some fantastic art installations.

Arriving in the mid afternoon, it wasn’t too busy so we were able to walk around the park and get photos without any crowds or many other people at all.

We started by exploring the art installations which feature the theme of skulls.

Not my usual taste of art, but the striking wall of colourful skulls made for some great content.

Continuing further into the thicker jungle canopy, there is a ginormous stone effect head sculpture.

Incongruous in its surroundings, this sculpture makes for quite the spectacle amongst the greenery of jungle growing around it.

I couldn’t get over the size of the thing, it made for a brilliant shot of me in front demonstrating its towering size.

Around the corner there was a set of two smaller head sculptures in another clearing which were giving spooky vibes, I wasn’t a fan of those if I’m honest!

It was time to move onto the main event of those dreamy turquoise blue cenotes.

The biggest cenote in the centre of the park is a classic open air one framed with impressive limestone cliff faces.

Nothing matches the magical blue colour of those waters making it feel like you are no longer even on earth, it’s just too perfect.

Although there were a few people swimming, unfortunately it was an overcast day and we weren’t brave enough for a chilly dip.

However on the other side of the cenote pool, there was a large wooden ladder from where we got some picturesque shots.

The way the luscious green vines frame the cenote so perfectly, it’s an Instagram girl’s dream.

I wore my bright coral one piece swimsuit making for an aesthetic colour contrast against the turquoise backdrop.

Another iconic photo spot at ATIK is the small pool within the jungle with a walkway up to another head sculpture.

With the shadows of the jungle canopy above, this photo spot made for a more moody shot.

ATIK park is just made for photos and filming, me and my boyfriend were in our element.

There was also another medium size cenote where there is a manmade large waterfall feature.

Again it wasn’t the perfect weather for taking a dip, but of course we got a few more pics here too.

On reflection, it would’ve been better to go on warmer day in order to experience the cenotes in all of their glory and enjoy bathing in their beautiful blue waters.

That’s not to say we didn’t have a successful trip though as the content we captured was just what I envisioned.

If you’re looking for an Instagramable location whilst visiting the area of Tulum, bookmark ATIK for the most picture perfect backdrops with a touch of abstract artistic edge ❤

Tulum Eats; Every Night’s A Party!

March 3, 2026

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; 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 ❤