Insta-worthy spots
Tulum is such a beautiful place that it’s impossible not to stop for some shots to liven up your Insta. I fell in love with the creative signs and artistic flair of the region, with beautiful places everywhere I looked.
Ahau Sculpture
One of the most unique places to snap a photo at Tulum is in front of (or inside!) the enormous Ahau Sculpture. Created by South African artist Daniel Popper, the female form is made from a mix of rope and plants and can be walked right through.
Tip! Keep in mind there could be a wait of up to an hour for the Ahau Sculpture. I arrived early (at around 8.20am) and there was already a 20 minute lineup. It’s a very popular attraction!
Matcha Mama Cafe
With fabulous healthy dishes in a super instagrammable place, it’s no wonder I loved Matcha Mama Cafe so much. Here, you can enjoy delicious, guilt-free treats such as Acai Bowls and smoothies. However, my favorite thing about this cafe is its gorgeous signs, swings and decor – a stunning backdrop for some photos!
Follow That Dream Sign
If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration for your day – and a background for some gorgeous pics – then you’ll have to find Tulum’s famous “Follow That Dream” sign. You’ll find it at Lolita & Lolita boutique, across the road from Suenos Tulum Hotel.
I Scream Bar
The utterly charming I Scream Bar delivers on both looks and taste. With a traditional old rickshaw out the front, it’s easy to find. Here you can enjoy delicious drinks at very reasonable prices, as well as delights such as ice cream and tacos.
Cenotes
One of the most famous attractions on the Yucatan Peninsula is the “cenotes”, or sinkholes. Interestingly, you’ll find more cenotes on the Yucatan than you will anywhere else on earth; it seems you can barely go a few kilometers without a sign leading you to another.
Cenote Calavera
This was the first cenote I visited, and it was amazing. Its water was a deep, dramatic blue. At first, it was a little scary to jump into such a dark sinkhole, but I was soon loving the cool water and magical ambience of the cenote. Adding to this atmosphere are the many birds who fly right up to you – what a surreal and incredible experience.
I even tried jumping in via the swing, and then climbing out from the permanent ladder. Amazing!
Cenote Dos Ojos
A few days later, I had the chance to visit another cenote, this one is famous for its “two eyes”. In looks, Ojo was quite different to Calavera, being more open and with a more brilliant aqua below color and a cave with stalactites. It seemed especially popular with divers, and there was a number of them visiting while we were there.
Cenote Suytun
This is actually not one but two cenotes, including one of the most famous cenotes in all of Mexico. You’ll find them near the cute town of Valladolid which is around an hour and a half from Tulum. The first one is famously known as a dramatic cave cenote where a hole in the roof allows for a beam of light to illuminate a platform below.
Thanks to its beauty, Cenote Suytun is very popular so it pays to visit as close to the opening as possible – we arrived at around 8.40am and were lucky enough to be let in a bit early. If you’re planning to take pictures, be aware the famous light beam is not visible until around 11am, and also you do need to wear a life jacket while swimming in the cenote.
There’s also a second cenote, as well, which is a bit quieter but also beautiful.
Tulum Ruins
Of course, you can’t visit Tulum without checking out the world-famous Tulum Ruins. About 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Playa del Carmen you’ll find the amazing Mayan ruins. These reflect the fact that centuries ago Tulum was an important trading post linking nearby cities such as Chichen Itza.
What makes these ruins even more beautiful is that they are perched right near the water’s edge, making them a stunning display of natural beauty paired with human engineering and history.
