In the midst of the pandemic, I was looking to take advantage of travel deals and escape reality for a little bit. I’ve been wanting to do more international travel and decided to check out Cancun and Tulum. Both destinations offered the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and culture, making them ideal spots for a quick getaway or a longer vacation. From beautiful beaches and nightlife to exploring Mayan ruins and cenotes, there are endless things to do in Tulum and plenty to keep you entertained in Cancun. Choosing the right accommodations is part of the experience, and there are many great options when deciding where to stay in Cancun, whether you want luxury resorts or budget-friendly stays. Of course, the food scene is just as exciting, with amazing restaurants in Cancun serving fresh seafood and authentic Mexican flavors, and equally impressive restaurants in Tulum that combine local ingredients with trendy, bohemian vibes. This guide will highlight the best things to do in both Cancun and Tulum, along with where to eat and stay so you can plan the perfect trip. You can find the latest CDC travel guidelines here. I went August 2-5, 2021.
Where to Stay in Cancun
I stayed at one of Vidanta Resorts: Grand Luxxe Jungle. It’s located 30 minutes south of Cancun airport, 45 minutes south of the Hotel Zone, 30 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, and 1.5 hours north of Tulum and Conzumel. There’s no night life at this resort. It has more of a beacation vibe. They have everything else to offer at the resort: pool, water park, golf, spa, 13 restaurants, beach access, Cirque du Soleil, and excursions.The property was beautiful. Plan for time to catch their shuttle to go anywhere on the property. It houses seven different resorts there. Next time I visit Cancun, I will definitely stay at the Hotel Zone closet to the clubs and restaurants.
Restaurants in Cancun
Vidanta
I was thoroughly impressed with the food at the hotel.There were plenty of options to choose from and the ambiance was on point.
Bagatelle Tulum
I stopped by for a pic at the heart seat because I’m crazy obsessed with hearts. I ordered the Summertime drink. The staff were super friendly and attentive. They wouldn’t even let me pour my own glass of water.
Restaurants in Tulum
Ana y Jose Tulum
This place has awesome beach views, happy hour, and hookah. The lobster tacos were amazing!
Matcha Mama Tulum
I ordered the Matcha Pina Colada. It was tasty, refreshing, and a good pick me up.
Senor Frogs Playa Del Carmen
This was the most touristy place I ate at. They have several locations. I visited before to their San Juan, PR location. It’s a very high energy place. They also have hookah here.
Here’s some other places that were on my list that I didn’t get a chance to visit:
Kin Toh (Tulum)
Raw Love (Tulum)
Maconde (Tulum)
Giteno (Tulum)
Casitas at Ritz Carlton (Cancun)
La Destileria (Cancun)
Things to do in Cancun
Hotel Zone Cancun
This is a strip where there are a lot of hotels, shops, restaurants, beach clubs, and bars. The water was beautiful here. There were plenty of people and opportunities to do some water activities there.
Things to do in Tulum
There’s a long strip on the beach that it full of restaurants, shops and beach clubs within walking distance of each other. The beach wasn’t that clean (mostly algae close to shore), so I didn’t see anyone in the water. There were a lot of Instagrammable photo opportunities there.
Things to do in Playa Del Carmen
There were a lot of restaurants, shops, and bars on the strip. My favorite place was Prana Hookah Lounge.
Here’s some other things you can do:
Xplor Park
Cenotes
Isla Mujeres
Tulum Ruins
Yucatan Peninsula
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