The Adventures of Debbie Dimples

Tulum is one of the most 'on trend' places to visit in the world right now. With it's boho luxe aesthetic, combined with some of the most beautiful beaches and electronic music culture, Tulum has become a firm favourite for influencers and travel bloggers around the world. I didn't know Tulum existed before a few years ago. However, once I came across Tulum on social media, it was on my radar for a solo holiday at some point. I finally gave into temptation and visited Tulum in May 2024 for my 40th birthday, and it was a wonderful trip!

Papaya Playa Project

The first part of my trip was 3 nights at the beautiful Papaya Playa Project. A favourite with travelbloggers and influencers, as soon as I came across the Papaya Playa Project online, my obsession with going to Tulum had started. The Papaya Playa Project is a visually stunning 4 star hotel and communal playground for music lovers, creatives, spiritual and hippy types. The hotel is cocooned by jungle and situated on one of the most pristine stretches of beach within the Caribbean. As this was my birthday treat to myself, I opted to stay in one of the Jungle Casitas, which included a private rooftop pool. The most notable feature of the hotel is the beach club which is famous for Saturday raves and Full Moon parties. By day, the beach club is a great place for relaxing by the pool or overlooking the beach with a pina colada. The hotel restaurant is located at the beach club, and it serves some of my favourites, such as the Bao burger, tacos and apple pie. The hotel is also home to some resident wildlife such as lizards, racoons and agouti. The lobby area is vast and features an outdoor seating area with fire pit, a coffee bar, a beach clothing boutique, and an art walk.

Coco Tulum

I stayed at the Coco Tulum for 8 nights. The Coco Tulum is another influencer and travel blogger favourite, and also a good budget option. Coco Tulum is located within the heart of the Hotel Zone. The famous beach club with swings is located on a sectioned off area of the public beach of Tulum. The hotel also has it's very own beach clothing boutique on site. With is photogenic black and white backdrop amongst perfect white sand, it's mandatory to do a few photos wearing a kaftan, some boho outfits and swimwear at Coco Tulum.

Coco Unlimited

I was able to use the pool at the Coco Unlimited, the sister hotel to Coco Tulum. As I travelled to Tulum in May, this is the season for the sargassum, which can make swimming in the sea unappealing. Spending the day in the pool at the Coco Unlimited was a welcome relief from the 34 degree heat.

Tulum Ruins - (Tulum Highlights Bike Tour)

I took a tour with Mexico Kan Adventures to see the Tulum Ruins. The Tulum Ruins are the only Mayan ruins located on a limestone cliff, overlooking the beautiful white sandy beach and bright turquoise Caribbean sea. The ruins were once a Mayan walled city which was at it's height between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is now inhabited by lizards which we spotted whilst on the tour.

Tulum Pueblo Murals - (Tulum Highlights Bike Tour)

Tulum has an abundance of colourful street art by local artists. As part of the Tulum Highlights Bike Tour, we rode past a few of the murals located in the Tulum Pueblo. Many of the murals are influenced by the Mayan heritage or the Day of the Dead festival.

Cenote Cristal - (Tulum Highlights Bike Tour)

Cenote Cristal is a beautiful open cenote located near to Tulum. We visited the Cenote Cristal for a swim to cool off at the end of the Tulum Highlights Bike Tour. Cenote Cristal attracts many species of colourful birds.

The Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone is a 7 mile stretch of road which runs along the beach. Many of Tulum's best restaurants, nightlife, luxury hotels, boutiques, spas, and yoga are all located within the Hotel Zone.

Escultura Ven a la Luz at Ahau Tulum

The iconic Ven a la Luz by the artist Daniel Popper, is a 10-meter tall sculpture made with steel, wood, rope and greenery. The sculpture is located at the Ahau Tulum hotel and has been photographed by travel bloggers and influencers from around the globe.

Olivia's Organic Market

Olivia's Organic Market is a delightful cafe located just up the road from the Coco Tulum hotel. I was a frequent visitor to Olivia's Organic Market for their banana pancakes and a cup of tea for breakfast.

Posada Margarita Restaurant

The Posada Margarita Restaurant is a wonderful beach side restaurant serving delicious Italian food. I visited the restaurant on a number of occasions for the watermelon juice, pizza and coconut ice cream.

Chichen Itza - (World Wonder Discovery Tour)

I took a tour with Mexico Kan Adventures to visit Chichen Itza. The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza was built over a thousand years ago. The UNESCO World Heritage site is of Mexico's most important cultural landmarks and one of the current 'Seven Wonders of the World'.

Valladolid - (World Wonder Discovery Tour)

As part of the Wonder World Discovery Tour, we stopped by the city of Valladolid for a delicious lunch. After lunch we took a stroll around the main square which boasts a number of attractive colonial buildings which surround the Cathedral of San Servacio.

Cenote Xux-Ha - (World Wonder Discovery Tour)

The final part of the World Wonder Discovery Tour consisted of a visit to cool off at Cenote Xux-Ha. Cenote Xux-Ha is an underground cenote and is home to an abundance of black cat fish and bats. In the ancient Mayan religion, cenotes were the gateways to the underworld, and were used for 'offerings' or sacrifice of humans, animals or valuable possessions to the gods.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere - (Sian Ka'an Discovery Tour)

I booked a full day tour with Mexico Kan Tours to see the Sian Kaʼan Biosphere on my birthday. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve located a few miles to the south of Tulum. It was established in 1986 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It's home to wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, turtles, crocodiles, birds, tapirs, monkeys and pumas. Mexico Kan Tours were a particularly good option for myself being a solo traveller, as they offer hotel pick up and drop off. I really enjoyed the tour and was able to see the big four - a manatee, dolphins, a crocodile and a turtle.

Punta Allen - (Sian Ka'an Discovery Tour)

Punta Allen is a small fishing village that is immersed in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. As part of the Sian Ka'an Discovery Tour, we stopped off at Punta Allen for a delicious lunch with a view of the beach. My lunch consisted of chicken fajitas, followed by a delicious drink known as horchata. I was also very kindly treated to a 40th birthday round of tequila shots for the group.

Coba Ruins - (Mayan Inland Expedition Tour)

I booked the Mayan Inland Expedition Tour with Mexico Kan Tours to visit the Coba Ruins. At around 2000 years old, the ancient metropolis of Coba is one of the oldest Mayan archiological sites to explore.

Punta Laguna - (Mayan Inland Expedition Tour)

Punta Laguna is a nature reserve run by a local Mayan village, which is home to spider and howler monkeys. As part of the Mayan Inland Expedition Tour, we took a guided hike through the jungle where we were lucky enough to see families of both the spider and howler monkeys.

After the hike, we then took the zip line down to the lagoon, where we then took a canoe across the water.

Cenote Esmerelda - (Mayan Inland Expedition Tour)

Cenote Esmerelda is a small cenote just a few minutes away from Punta Laguna. We visited Cenote Esmerelda to cool off at the end of the Mayan Inland Expedition Tour. The cenote is home to many bats and black cat fish.

What I missed out on........

Sometimes (as a solo female traveller), I don't always get to see everything I plan to, mainly due to worries about safety and not having company to do things with. I loved Tulum and will definitely go again. On another trip to Tulum I would like to go with a partner, friends or family. Next time I visit, I would stay at La Valise Tulum. I would visit the restaurants Kin Toh by Azulik, Bagatelle and Ocumare. I would stop by some of the instagram favourite photo spots of Matcha Mama and the 'Follow That Dream' sign. I would take tours to Akumel Beach to see the sea turtles, and also Isla Holbox. A good time of year for my next visit would be one January to be able to celebrate at the Tomorrowland Tulum Festival.

La Valise Tulum

La Valise Tulum is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of World, and is a picture perfect example of Tulum aesthetic. I would love to have a stay at La Valise Tulum.

Kin Toh by Azulik

The Azulik is possibly the most famous hotel in Tulum. The Kin Toh by Azulik is a treetop restaurant and one of the best spots to watch the sunset.

Bagatelle

Bagatelle is a restaurant and beach club which offers guests a French-Mediterranean dining experience, reminiscent of the South of France.

Ocumare

Ocumare is a fine-dining tribute to Mexico's roots, ancient ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Matcha Mama

Matcha Mama is a small smoothie bar and cafe, and is one of the most popular instagram photo spots in Tulum.

'Follow That Dream' Sign

One of the most famous instagram photo spots in Tulum is simply next to a road sign which reads 'Follow That Dream'.

Akumel Beach

Akumal beach is one of the best beaches in the area for snorkelling with the sea turtles.

Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is an island north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, in Quintana Roo State. It's part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve and separated from the mainland by the Yalahau Lagoon, which is home to flamingos and pelicans. The car-free island, between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, is rich in marine life such as sea turtles and whale sharks.