Tag: turquoisewaters

Tulum Travel Diaries; Salty Hair, Sandy Toes

March 14, 2026

Our final full day in Tulum greeted us with the kind of sunshine that instantly lifts your mood.

Determined to savour every last moment, we set off for a long, leisurely stroll along the beachfront, the soft white sand beneath our feet and the Caribbean glowing in its endless shades of turquoise.

I had been hoping to spend some time at Hotel Panorama, a spot I’d had my eye on all trip, but when we arrived we discovered it was closed to the public for a wedding celebration. In Tulum though, a closed door is never the end of the story as the beach is dotted with beautiful hotels and beach clubs, each with their own dreamy atmosphere.

Not far along the sand we discovered a newly opened hotel called Azucar with brand new white daybeds lined with perfect palms and the chilled vibe we were looking for.

We settled onto a daybed right on the beach facing the endless stretch of powdery sand and that dazzling turquoise sea. The setting felt effortlessly chic; relaxed, sun-drenched, and exactly the kind of place where time seems to slow down.

I decided to mix and match my beach look pairing my Bond-Eye pink swim bottoms with a simple white balcony style bikini top.

A big floppy hat shaded me from the midday sun while adding a little drama to the look and my new Miu Miu sunglasses were the perfect finishing touch.

Of course no beach club outfit is complete without a little playful holiday jewellery, the kind that sparkles even brighter under tropical sunshine.

To cool down, I ordered an iced long black coffee while my boyfriend opted for a refreshing pineapple juice. With the sun high in the sky and the gentle soundtrack of waves rolling onto the shore, it was simply idyllic scenes.

With lunchtime soon upon us, we ordered a few dishes to share: a chicken salad, a beef taco, and of course a big bowl of fresh guacamole served with classic tortillas for scooping.

The chicken salad was a standout featuring a crisp romaine lettuce heart lightly charred on the grill, topped with sweet mango salsa and a scattering of seeds that added a satisfying crunch. Fresh, vibrant and full of flavour, it tasted exactly how a beachside lunch should.

Afterwards we stretched out on the daybed for a while letting the food settle while reading, chatting and soaking up the warmth of the glorious afternoon Mexican sun.

Soon enough we wandered down to the shoreline and slipped into the sea, the cool water a welcome contrast to the heat of the sand.

With the sun beating down and the lively buzz of people enjoying their afternoon along the beach, it felt like the most perfect closing chapter to our time in Tulum.

A final swim, a final stretch of sand between our toes, and one last afternoon soaking up the magic of this beautiful place; absolute bliss ❤

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 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; Turquoise Swims With Ancient Turtles

February 10, 2026

Being my first time in the Caribbean Sea off the shore of Mexico, I was super excited to go snorkelling with turtles in those iconic crystal clear waters. It was a bucket list moment and such a special memory we will cherish forever.

We discovered the tranquil village of Akumal beloved for its sea turtles grazing on seagrass in the shallow bay.

True to its Mayan name ‘place of the turtles’, Akumal welcomes visitors to swim side by side with the spectacular sea life including lots of tropical fish and stingrays too.

Only a 40-minute taxi ride from Tulum we arrived in the quaint village at midday, so started by grabbing a spot of lunch at an authentically whacky local Mexican restaurant.

I had a refreshing plateful of fruit with an iced coffee, whilst my boyfriend had a classic burrito which he claimed to be the best he had during our trip. Local food done well and at a fraction of the prices we were used to in Tulum!

We hadn’t pre-booked any particular tour but instead found a local guide when we arrived on the beach and it was only about £25 each for an hour long guide, lifejacket and snorkel equipment hire.

After a group briefing on the beach, we paddled out together and soon enough we encountered our first sea turtle; but the further we swam out, the clearer the water was and we were able to see the sea turtles in all of their glory.

Every few minutes they have to come up to surface for air and one of them popped up their head right by me! The coral reef and tropical fish were also mesmerising and we even got to see a sting ray on the bottom of the seabed.

In total we probably saw about 5 or 6 different turtles in the hour we were out there and it was a magical experience I’ll cherish forever.

After snorkelling we showered off the sand, changed into dry clothes and went to the beach bar where there was a band playing live music.

We ordered a portion of pico de gallo with tortilla chips as an afternoon snack along with a beer for my boyfriend and a crisp glass of white for me.

Sat there overlooking the white sand beach with the late afternoon sun glistening on the water and the band playing vibey tunes from the bar, I felt in full holiday mode bliss.

On our way back to the taxi rank I spotted a local gift shop where I couldn’t resist a cute little turtle figure for my niece and a fun sombrero hat fridge magnet for my mum.

I’d highly recommend visiting Akumal if you’re looking for somewhere in Mexico to snorkel with turtles as you can also make a day of it with the quaint town offering authentic local food, boutique shopping and a relaxed, beachside vibe perfect for holiday makers wanting to lap up the Mexican sun ❤