I don't know how it happened, but all of a sudden, I was turning thirty—the big 3-0. So I decided that I was going to do it big and plan an international trip with friends. First, I wanted to figure out where to go. I knew I wanted to leave the country and go somewhere new, but that's all I was set on. Initially, Italy played in my mind, which was surprisingly unlike me, as I had just recently become enchanted with the idea. I had always avoided traveling to Italy due to its heavy tourist presence and how cliché places like Venice had become. However, after following some incredible Italy-based Instagram accounts and seeing just how beautiful the Amalfi coast and southern region of Italy were, I changed my mind.

So anyway, how did I land on the idea of Tulum? I realized that although this was my big 30 and I was going all out, I also had to set realistic expectations. I had to consider what I wanted most and what I was willing to compromise. I knew I wanted to leave the country and go somewhere new. I wanted to stay outside of a resort and explore the richness of the culture. I also knew I wanted my friends to come along. So, where else did I want to go? Where else was on my list of beautiful places?

Mexico! It was perfect. Flights for myself, friends, and family would be under $800 USD roundtrip, renting an Airbnb with enough bedrooms would be reasonable, and the weather would be perfect! Surprisingly, I had never been to Mexico before, but I knew that when I did, it wouldn't be at a resort. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy relaxation and unlimited eating, but I know that certain trips and certain destinations serve different purposes for me. Mexico, being a place full of culture, flavorful authentic food, beautiful beaches, jungles, and cenotes, was a place I wanted to go on an adventure. I also knew that Tulum was on my bucket list, so it was the perfect city to stay in. It is perfectly located between jungles and beaches, filled with Mexican culture entwined with bohemian vibes and influences. Tulum was everything an adventure with a love for aesthetics could dream of.

So, first, I booked my flights. I used Expedia to book roundtrip tickets for myself for under $500 USD. Then, I found an Airbnb with three bedrooms and a private rooftop terrace with its own cold plunge pool. The Airbnb was in the Selva Norte Development. It had its own convenience store, restaurant, two pools, two onsite cenotes (natural swimming holes caused by erosion of the earth), a rooftop yoga room, and a gym. The development was perfectly located between two places—15 minutes from downtown Tulum (Tulum Centro) and 15 minutes from Zona Hotelera, Tulum. I also rented a car as the drive from the closest airport to Tulum (Cancun Airport) is about 45 minutes to 1 hour away.

When we arrived at the airport, we found our rental company kiosk and were transported via shuttle to our rental car. We then enjoyed our drive from Cancun, through Tulum Centro, to our Airbnb. Our week was packed full of nothing short of all the incredible things Mexico had to offer. Mornings were met with incredible frozen lattes and freshly squeezed juice along with authentic Mexican breakfast at our Airbnb restaurant. Lunch was always bursting with flavor, whether it was at the beach clubs, taco shops, or small local restaurants. Dinner was never anything but outstanding.

My favorite part of this vacation was being able to explore both Tulum Centro and Zona Hotelera. Tulum Centro had local restaurants, coffee shops, taco stands, shops, and local vendors. During the weekend, the streets came to life with local bars, dancing, and even rooftop clubs. Tulum Centro had a completely different vibe. Zona Hotelera, on the other hand, had lavish beachfront resorts with restaurants and shops. This place is exactly what you would see on Pinterest. Even if you weren't staying at one of the incredible hotel/resorts in Zona Hotelera, there was still so much you could do. You could access the public beach or have lunch inside one of these resorts. Most of them have a very reasonable minimum spend per person ($25-100 USD) that goes towards your bill. So basically, you must eat and drink to gain entrance to some of the most beautiful beachfront resorts. During the evenings, the bars and beach clubs opened up, and the streets filled with people in their beautiful outfits getting ready to dance the night away. The bars were upscale lounges with elaborate drinks and lively music in beautiful aesthetic establishments. The beach clubs, owned by the resorts, usually faced the ocean and featured live DJs, swimming pools, drinks, and dancing.

My absolute favorite part of Tulum was discovering some of the incredible architecture, resorts, and businesses that were opening and operating there. Built high above the water, facing the ocean, these treehouse-style resorts were breathtaking in concept and design.

I also loved indulging in the food and swimming in the beautiful beaches of Tulum. Below, I have listed my top 5 restaurants, beaches, and bars for you.

Restaurants:

1.DelCielo - Breakfast

2.Papaya Playa Project

3.Kanan Tulum

4.Las Margaritas Tulum

5.La Tulumeña

Adventures: