INCENTIVEWISE

Discovering Tulum: Mayan Mystique, Seaside Serenity, and Culinary Fusion

Sponsored by Quintana Roo

Tulum is a destination that straddles the Quintana Roo / Mexican Caribbean. Located along the Riviera Maya, this “Pueblo Mágico” (Magic Town) has a relaxing and bohemian vibe. A perfect place to disconnect yourself and be pampered in perfect harmony with nature.  

Tulum has stunning white sand beaches, pristine waters, spectacular lagoons, imposing archaeological sites, mystical cenotes, underwater rivers and caverns that show its unique natural beauty, besides offering unique gastronomic experiences in spectacular settings. 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 

Tulum 

Tulum´s original name was “Zama” which means “dawn” in the Mayan language.  Tulum has one of the most impressive archeological sites in Mexico. This ancient city is situated on the seashore of the Caribbean Sea.  

The village was a major crossroads for trade from land and from sea. Tulum has over 60 structures; the main one is called El Castillo (The Castle), which stands out due to its beauty. 

It is the Mexican Caribbean´s most visited archeological site.  

Cobá 

This little town is located in the middle of the jungle, between two large lagoons. It is estimated that there are about 6,500 structures in the area, which have been kept hidden by the lush jungle, in fact only 5% of the site has been explored. In its era of splendor, the site extended over 75 square kilometers and was inhabited by about 50,000 people. Cobá is divided into groups: The Cobá Group, the Nohoch-Mul Group, which has one of the highest pyramids in the peninsula at 42 meters high, the Mecanxoc Group and the “D" group.  

HOTELS 

Tulum´s lodging options tend to be small but luxurious. Many of these hotels have merged perfectly with nature, bringing to life real art pieces. 

  • Boutique hotels  

  • Bungalows 

  • Wellness hotels  

  • All-inclusive resorts (located on Cancun-Tulum highway) 

  • Family or adults-only hotels 

  • Hostels  

  • Glamping options 

Nowadays, there are 230 hotels with more than 10,981 rooms available.  

CULINARY 

Tulum has an exquisite international and regional cuisine. It offers a wide variety of dining options to satisfy every visitor. In recent years, renowned national and international chefs have made Tulum their new home resulting in new and interesting culinary proposals that mix regional ingredients and recipes with contemporary techniques, resulting in a new culinary fusion, which has placed Tulum on the world´s gastronomic scene. 

Here, travelers will find a wide range of restaurants to choose from and can opt between a garden eatery downtown, or more upscale fine dining located in the middle of the jungle or in the top of the trees. 

NATURE AND ADVENTURE 

Tulum has unique places for the practice of different activities, from the calm beaches of turquoise waters to impressive cenotes and lagoons. It is also a natural paradise with a great diversity of flora and fauna.  

  • Ziplining, snorkeling, scuba diving in cenotes or underwater caves, kayaking, swimming with turtles, driving off-road vehicles or sightseeing at different archaeological sites and Mayan communities. 

  • Sea turtles nesting season (May to September). 

UNIQUE NATURAL WONDERS 

  • Caleta Tankah 

  • Kaan Luum Lagoon 

  • Vesica 

  • Buuts Ha 

  • Sian Ka´an natural reserve  

  • Yal-Kú Lagoon 

  • Cenotes: Dos Ojos, Car Wash, Gran Cenote, Tajma Ha, El Pit, Pet Cemetery, Kukulcan, Angelita, Cenote Azul and Casa Cenote.  

WELLNESS 

Famous for its wellness options, Tulum boasts some of the best wellness centers and spas that have been recognized worldwide as true sanctuaries designed to pamper mind, body and soul, using Mayan healing techniques and indigenous ingredients. 

Most of Tulum´s wellness centers and healing sanctuaries are facing the ocean or located in the middle of the Mayan jungle, involving all senses for a unique wellness experience.   

  • Mayan treatments like exfoliators, herbal baths and temazcal that involve natural ingredients in order to protect the environment.  

  • Most of its wellness hotels offer complementary activities like sunrise yoga and meditation, and other programs and retreats, such as bootcamps.  

NIGHTLIFE 

The nightlife in Tulum is very particular.  

  • Some of the hotels located on the hotel zone are famous for hosting amazing events and parties where DJs and musicians from different parts of the world invite everyone to experience the “Tuluminati” lifestyle, dancing under the moonlight. 

  • The bars located in “El Pueblo” (the downtown) tend to be smaller but lively.  

SHOPPING  

The boutique shops in Tulum celebrate the local; most are stocked with only Mexican or Latin American designers, and a lot of products or handicrafts handmade by the Mayan communities.  

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