Tulum Living Blog

Cenote Escondido

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Cenote Escondido is just south of Tulum town maybe 5 km or so. This large open cenote is simply beautiful. As you first walk down the long pathway from the main road to the cenote you cannot help but be in awe of the beautiful jungle around you.

Like something out of a fairytale, the long tree lined path calls you forward to something truly special. Suddenly a little wooden sign points you in the direction of the cenote! As you walk through the now- walking only path you come to a clearing that reveals the large open cenote that is simply too inviting.

On the close side is a set of stairs that take you to the water’s edge- but be careful because these are often very slippery. At this same end is a great jumping point into the cool clear waters beneath. Always check the water under the jump however because the cenotes are living and flowing- the water level and character changes. A jump that might have been fine a few months ago may not be now.

1 of my favorite spots at thi

s cenote is at the far end. There is a perfect little doc just ideal for sitting and putting your feet in and enjoying the warm Mexican sun. This is also where you can see that the cenote continues back into the jungle. This is a great spot for snorkeling and diving as there are many caves that are visible and just call you forth to come and explore.

The cool water of this cenote can be enjoyed for the same entrance price when you enter Cenote Cristal on the other side of the street.

NaturALL Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:21:00 +0000

I enjoyed a wonderful sandwich at this amazing café on the main avenue of Tulum while waiting for my friend’s bus to Merida. Just a few locations down from the ADO bus station on the main avenue this great little spot served up satisfying and fresh sandwiches for a great price.

The café is colored in great shades of yellows, with grey and yellow flower patterns and brightly colored touches. The small kitchen turns out some amazing food and it was such a pleasure to eat here.

The menu had a great selection of salads, agua frescas and sandwiches. I ordered the chicken sandwich and my friend the turkey. Both came on warm sweet dark bread and had a spread on it that blew my mind. The veggies on this thing were stacked high and I could tell that all the ingredients were very fresh. The sandwich sported sliced carrot, tomato, cucumber, sprouts as well as mustard sprouts which gave it a great bite. This entirely satisfying sandwich was as nice to my wallet as it was to me. Not to mention VERY healthy. We each ate our sandwiches and enjoyed a great juice for only 120 pesos for both of us!!! That is a great meal.

I cannot wait to go back and eat more at this great little café in Tulum.

For more information about where to eat in Tulum, where to sleep, or what to do… Check the Tulum Living webpage at www.TulumLiving.com

Cesiak

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:08:00 +0000

There are a lot of great tours in Tulum. This past weekend I got to take my first tour with Cesiak in the amazing Sian Ka’an Bio reserve. We took the boat canal tour. It was truly amazing. The reserve in itself is so amazing but this rare look at it truly breathtaking.

The tour with Cesiak started at 8:45 with a hotel pick up. We drove down into the reserve and began the journey to the Cesiak center. It was beautiful. There are also cabanas for rental which I think would be amazing. We waited on for about 15 minutes and got a chance to take a look at the Laguna and the sea from the top floor of the building. The view point shows the long stretch of perfect beaches and then vast laguna.

I learned some very interesting things about the variety of birds and wildlife that the Sian Ka’an has and continues to discover. This beautiful and protected area is home to over 340 known species of birds (of which we got to see many of) as well as many species of reptiles (a number of crocodiles were also seen on the tour) and countless plants and trees. After taking in the beautiful landscape and getting a good amount of background about the area and the goals of Cesiak it was off to the boats.

We got on the boat with our guide and boat captain. A few moments wait and we were speeding through the beautiful laguna. The amazing colors of this laguna were stunning. The laguna itself is only 3 meters deep at its deepest. Most of the laguna is less then ½ a meter deep. After buzzing through the laguna for a bit it was into the river that led to the other laguna at Muyil. This was the actual trading route the ancient Maya took to trade with other cities. In this case it was mostly the cities by the sea trading fish and salt with cities inland for red and white meats and fruits and vegetables. It really is amazing to see the landscape and feel the energy of civilizations past that followed this same route.

The canal part of this tour was amazing because you really got to learn more about the landscape of the area and just how rare a part of the world it is geographically. We past very near by a resting crocodile that was over 2 meters long and we saw countless examples of the amazing birds that call this area home. The canal part of the tour was curvy and so much fun. We did not this trip but next time our kids would have loved this trip.

After entering the next laguna we saw some of the natural wells that are in the water of the laguna and open to the cenotes underneath. It was so beautiful and crazy to see how the various levels of the Earth connect- or are stacked really. On our way back through the canal we stopped off at a ruin and got to explore a little bit. This site was often visited by the Mayan for safe passage from the crocodiles as they passed back with their traded goods. They would stop and prey and offer a contribution to the crocodile god. This worked for the Mayan and there were no reported attacks on the passage way. While a happy crocodile god is obviously the reason we now know that the high priests from Muyil would come to the temple and throw the offerings to the laguna at sunset. The current of the river carried the food downstream to the crocodiles, whom after eating, would not attack the Mayan traders as they traveled the canals at night time.

At this point we got to do what was my favorite part of the tour. We got into the canal with life jackets and just floated down the stream. It was so relaxing and such a rare view of the landscape. You learn on your way up the canal in the boat just how the water changes from brackish (mix salt and fresh) to the fresh water and why the crocodiles do not come this far upstream. After about 20 minutes it is back in the boat and a snack of fresh fruit and water as we make our way back through the river and into the other laguna, passing some of our new crocodile friends. Then it was buzzing down south to Boca Paila. This is well known spot in Tulum and this view from a speeding little boat was so much fun.

Once we explored all over the lagunas and had dried off in the cool breeze, it was off to lunch at Cesiak. The lunch was great. It consisted of grilled chicken breast, rice, salad, tortillas and a great salsa. It was the perfect meal to regain some energy. We got about 10 more minutes to have another look around and then it was off for a quick dip in the cenote by the arch. This is a very nice cenote just at the entrance to the Sian Ka’an bioreserve. After a nice little swim it was off to head back to reality.

This was an amazing tour that really taught me a lot about just how special this part of the world is and why we should all be working hard to protect it. You can learn a lot more about Cesiak from their website.

If you would like to book a tour, please let us know and we would be happy to help.

Cositas Buenas

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:31:00 +0000

Cositas Buenas is beautiful restaurant in Tulum featuring creative dishes, a beautiful atmosphere and a great addition to the night life in Tulum pueblo. When Cositas Buenas opened its doors this past summer I was so excited. First of all I simply adore the people that run it. And I have come to realize that the people and their character are what make a place truly great. And the people that opened this place are as wonderful as you can get. Musician and friends- I knew that whatever they set out to do with this place was going to be great and I could not have been more correct.

The décor and overall look of the whole place is so beautiful and full of life. With the large coconut lights beaming with colorful glass and cut out shapes of stars and suns to the chalk board menu bursting with colors and creative names. The dessert menu cannot help but bring a smile to your face not only because of the sinfully delicious desserts but also for the daily special… AMOR! With a side of helado if you please.

The front dining room is open and fresh and evokes an emotion that both pleases and calms at the same time. As you pass the open kitchen to the back bar and garden you can see clearly why this is such a great spot for the local music scene. The large open garden has a great flow of air and energy and is decorated in perfectly rich muted tones and beautiful artwork. This is the perfect place to dance the night away under the starts surrounded by the best of natural elements of Tulum.

With wonderful breakfasts from fruit and French toasts and huevos rancheros you can leave satisfied however this spot has gained great reputations for their Pandaquiles, a play on chiliquiles (panda is one of the owners!) And I can tell you – they are killer.

For afternoon and dinner choices you can find the great classics of the area from civiches, arrachera, chicken and fish as well as great salads, baguettes and hamburgers. I have really loved the great salads and tasty crepes. They also feature fresh daily bread that can be in any number of flavors from Parmesan, rosemary, or nut.

Coming here for night time events is one of my favorite spots because of the greet bands that they book, (Panda is a great musician from the area- as are several other people with the restaurant and they know how to pick good music) but also because there is plenty of space to enjoy the music, the bar, the food and Tulum.

While in Tulum check out this great location. Just across the street from the ADO bus station. Check out more great spots in Tulum at our http://www.tulumliving.com/

How to Live in Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:52:00 +0000

So, you want to live in Tulum? I always get the question… “What is it like to live in Tulum?” “How much do I need to live on in Tulum?” and “Are there jobs in Tulum?” Here is my answer…Since this whole blog is about my experiences living here this information is based on how I live and how I know that some others live.

When I moved to Mexico a good friend of mine said 2 things that I have found to be pearls of wisdom here. 1) “If you go to Mexico and try to find ‘Rice-a-Roni’ and focus on the fact that you cannot find it -you will be miserable. But if you focus on the fact that just bought 3 pineapples for a dollar- then you will be thrilled.”

This is very true. Not in many of the big cities but in the smaller towns and villages it is very true. I in fact started a whole blog about my new cooking life here in Mexico because I cannot find the things that I am used to having around so I have to learn new ways to use things.

Now, for living in Tulum and what it is like to live in Tulum. The 2nd thing my friend said to me is also very true, “to live in Mexico is very inexpensive. But to buy anything in Mexico is expensive.” The cost of living here is very low but, especially in the touristy areas like Tulum, the cost of buying anything is near what you would pay in the states. A soda is a dollar, a cocktail is 4 or5 dollars and cloths are 15-30 bucks a piece. While things are cheaper than they are in the states, they are still pretty high, especially when you think about how much we make.

So here is the breakdown.
Housing: rents range from 2000 pesos for a room sometimes with a little furniture and small kitchen sink. You basic little house (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) with a little yard is around 4000-6000 pesos per month depending on how nice people have made them. There are some nice apartments and condos and small houses that rent for 9,000+ pesos a month as well.

Utilities: Our utilities are internet, cable, water and electricity. The city takes care of garbage. There is currently no recycling pick up (we are all working on changing this) For cable and internet we pay 550 pesos for the higher speed internet and about 60 channels (5 or so in English) Water is about 150-200 pesos a month. And electric can range between 200-400 hundred pesos in the lower months but in the hot summer months when we are running our fans a lot it is about 800-1000 pesos a month. If you have air conditioning it can be upwards of 2,000 pesos.

Food and water: We cannot drink the water out of the tap here so we buy large 20 L. bottles for 23 pesos. We use about 3 or 4 a week. I would say we spend about 300 pesos a month on water. And for food- we budget 1000 pesos a week for food. ****There are some great fruiterias and meat stores in town and these are a great way to get fresh, local ingredients and support the local economy!!!****

If you do not have a car transportation is another thing to think about. Taxis are cheap and so are the collectives. Bikes are a very easy and fast way to get around Tulum as well.

As for jobs: Yes there are jobs- it gets really slow during certain times of the year but there is work to be found. Sept and Oct. are the best months to move and start looking for a job. Tulum is also a great place for people who want to start something of their own.

My husband has a good job. He speaks English and Spanish and makes around 10,000-13,000 pesos a month. There are better jobs and worse jobs as well and pay can fluctuate.

Well, I hope that this helps any of you that are interested in moving to Tulum. It is a wonderful place and I love living here. If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me.

El Tabano, Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:25:00 +0000

El Tabano is an amazing restaurant in Tulum. This small little restaurant in Tulum took the food fare by storm when it opened. Keeping the idea very light and organic- the food is made with spectacular care and amazing ingredients.

From the front entryway you can see that this Tulum restaurant is a complete dining experience. The garden setting fits in perfectly to the jungle that surrounds the restaurant and the large palapa and open kitchen are drenched in the smells of good food. The large chalk board menu shows you what delights are in store.

I just ate here for breakfast and it is truly amazing. I took a seat at my table and selected the ranchero eggs breakfast, complete with home made bread, fresh squeezed orange juice and tea. What more could a girl want from a restaurant on Tulum beach?!?!?!

I could already smell that it was going to be amazing. This Tulum restaurant thought of all the details. My utensils were brought over on a wooden platter, the marmalade was a apricot chutney, and the teas displayed in a large wooden box.

My huevos ranchers were absolutly amazing. Covered in a rich tomato sauce and sprinkled with seeds. It was incredible. The whole breakfast was incredible.

I took my mother here for a late lunch when she stayed and our food delighted then too We got the pear and brie appetizer and various shrimp dishes. The Camerones Diablo is amazing as was the camerones de ajo (garlic shrimp) We left this amazing Tulum restaurant full and very happy. With a wonderful wine list as well- the perfect glass of wine was available to balance out the whole meal.

It is no wonder that this restaurant has received such amazing reviews and enjoys continued success. This is one restaurant on Tulum beach that I will recommend again and again.

Dengue Fever- Keeping safe.

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:32:00 +0000

There has been a lot of talk recently With the vast amounts of mosquitoes in this area, illness caused by mosquitoes is taken very seriously. The city of Tulum,in conjunction with the Governor's office and ministry of Health, has implemented a vast number policies to help fight the massive spreading of Dengue Fever.

Dengue is spread via mosquitoes and is a terrible illness. Often referred to as backbone or back breaker fever because of the severe pain that is caused throughout the body. In addition to joint and body pain, high fever, muscle pain and in many cases a rash that usually starts at the lower limbs of the body and spreads upwards.

Dengue can be fatal and so it is important to know the symptoms. It can seem to be the common flu but lasts for several more days and almost completely incapacitates a person for many days.

There is no current treatment or vaccination for Dengue Fever so prevention is key. Keeping a good quality bug repellent around is important. It is important to use eco friendly repellent in the cenotes and lagunas around Tulum so you do not harm the eco system of the cenote.

The city of Tulum has sent brigades of volunteers and health officials to all areas of Tulum to search for any standing water.

Mosquitoes breed in clean water. The city has been going around looking in people's backyards for anything that could catch water and breed mosquitoes. I had a visit just the other day and he kindly came into the back yard and made some adjustments to help me prevent and mosquitoes.

I am very happy to see the city taking such an active role in curbing the outbreak. Below is the document sent to me by the city.

One of the things they are doing is to spray the streets. They have been spraying the streets every few days.

There is no reason for tourists to fear the illness or not visit Tulum for fear- but it is important the people know to use biodegradable repellent while visiting Tulum and be aware of the symptoms. If you fear you might have caught Dengue then you can go to one of the clinics in town and they can help you.

Sorry about the translation-

The Municipal Government in coordination with the Ministry of Health gave the starting signal to more than 180 units of mega-deals as part of Rapid Response for the Control of Dengue, launched on the instructions of Governor Felix Gonzalez Canto state to step up measures against the condition.

The mega-deals started at 8 am at the Expo fair grounds after the checkered flag that gave the municipal authorities and the health secretary in charge of Chemical Azueta Juan Carlos Cardenas, the state health secretary, the mayor Marciano Dzul Caamal, aldermen of this city administration, volunteers and leaders of various public transport organizations.

A total of 400 people including volunteers and brigade started preventive activities in 439 blocks of the municipal capital featuring 12 fogging machines, 12 entomologists, 36 motomochilas and more than 10 trucks junk collectors.

In taking the floor to the state health secretary, made the recommendations to the residents to cooperate with the staff of the Ministry of Health, who travel the nuclei brigades housing. They are accredited, in addition, the substance used in fumigation is not toxic.

Stressed that tanks, water tanks and warehouses storing liquid must be covered, the mosquitoes breed in clean water and the same may be in caps, a leaf or shell that contains it.

In the event the mayor Dzul Caamal, acknowledged the support of the state governor and the state health secretary Juan Carlos Azueta and said that the three actions that will run concurrently to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites will be abatizando, raising awareness for population and motomochilas spraying, irrigation in areas where you can not access with heavy equipment.

What to do in case of a Hurricane in Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Hurricane season is upon us once again. With the beautiful summer weather comes risks of tropical depressions and hurricanes for the next several months. It is still fine to visit Tulum and the Rivera Maya during hurricane season but there are some things that you will want to know in order to ensure you are safe in a hurricane in Tulum.

One huge advantage to a hurricane is that is almost never comes out of nowhere. There is usually several days notice before a hurricane hits Tulum and this is the time that you will use to get everything ready for you and your family.

There are 3 thing that you will want to do before, during and after a hurricane in Tulum to make sure that everything and everyone stay safe.

If the notice comes in that there is going to be a hurricane, follows these steps.

Before:
-Get some bottled water. You will want to have plenty for both drinking as well as showers if needed.
-Have enough canned and packaged food to supply you and your family.
-Protect personal documents, money and person objects.
-Have candles and matches as well as a battery powered flashlight with extra batteries.
-Make sure to have any needed medications with you in the case of a sudden evacuation.
-Ask the people where you are staying where you go if you need information. These are generally schools and public buildings in the area.
** If authorities tell you that you should evacuate, you should not take this as a "you may want to consider..." type of a warning. If they tell you should evacuate, it is because it is what is best for everyone.***

During:
-Once a hurricane has reached a certain distance from any certain state, the authorities will begin issuing updates every 3 hours over radio about the path and speed of the hurricane as well as any other important pieces of information.
-Turn off your propane gas tank if you have one and make sure it is tightly closed.
-Get away from the sea and protect yourself from the wind.
-Do not leave your house or shelter until the authorities have announced that it is safe to do so.
** Beware that if the eye of a hurricane is going to pass directly through a town, then it is going to appear calm. During this time do not leave your house because the winds quickly increase and change direction.**

After:
-Wait to return to devastated areas until the authorities have indicated that there is no more danger.
-Do not move seriously injured people, report them to the authorities to ensure that you do not injure them further.
-Do not touch any fallen wires.
-Be careful of fences, houses and building in the area because they could be in danger of collapsing.

The pone number for emergencies in Tulum is 066 (This is like the 911 of the USA)
The phone number for the Sistema Estatal de Proteccion Civil- Quinatana Roo is 01 (984)871-2688.

The information for the post came directly from the posters and fliers that are posted all over town.

These are the colors of the warnings and what they mean in increasing order.
Blue: Minimal danger (approach-notice)
issued when a tropical cyclone has been detected or when the wind line of 39.15 mph of the cyclone is over 72 hours away. Updates will be issued every 24 hours.

Green: Low danger (approach- prevention)
issued when a tropical cyclone has approached and is at a distance that the wind line of 39.15 mph of the cyclone will hit a specific area between 72 and 24 hours away depending on its intensity. Updates will be issued every 12 hours.

Yellow: Moderate danger (approach-preparation)
issued when a tropical cyclone has approached and is at a distance that the wind line of 39.15 mph of the cyclone will hit a specific area between 60 and 24 hours depending on the intensity. Bulletins will issued every 6 hours.

Orange: High Danger (approach- Alarm)
issued when a tropical cyclone has approached and is at a distance that the wind line of 39.15 mph of the cyclone will hit a specific area between 36 and 24 hours depending on the intensity. Bulletins will issued every 3 hours.

Red: Maximum danger (approach- Affectation)
issued when a tropical cyclone has approached and is at a distance that the wind line of 39.15 mph of the cyclone will hit a specific area in 18 hours or less. Bulletins will issued every 3 hours.

Hurricanes are a part of life here in Tulum. If you are prepared and know what you need to do to remain safe then you will be just fine.

Information for this post came from the brochure provided by the state department, Sistema Estatal de Proteccion Civil Quintana Roo.

Keeping you and your family safe in Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:23:00 +0000

Important info about safety in Tulum and the Mayan Rivera and Mexico in general.

There have been countless blogs, articles, forums and talks about if it is safe to travel the Mayan Rivera or safe to visit Mexico or safe to visit Tulum. Almost every article that I have read says the same thing... that at least in most parts of Mexico and especially here in the Yucatan peninsula that it is safe place to travel. It is unlikely that you are going to encounter a drug lord or be kidnapped from your resort.

However, there are many sites claiming that there have been many deaths here in Mexico and I think that these articles have very valid points.

Most of the focus on safety in Mexico has been related to the escalating war on drug trafficking and the cartels. Concern over shooting in the streets and kidnappings have been the thing that most people have been searching for when they landed on my blog. These types of crimes are INCREDABLY rare here in the Mayan Rivera. There are deaths that happen here or crimes that do happen here.

One comment that was left on friends blog referred to a number of deaths that have occurred in Mexico and most of them were related to 2 sorts of instances. 1) when too much alcohol is consumed and accidents take place and 2) and accidents or mishaps cause serious injury or death caused by construction or regulations that would not be allowed in the USA. In both of these cases there have been complaints about reaction and confidence in medical assistance.

Okay... in the first instance--- this is the most common factor in accidental deaths in Mexico and crimes in general. The people who come on vacation here are coming to relax and let loose. The problem is that they forget that this is not Pleasure Island. This is a country and state with laws and rules that all people must abide by. People forget that when they come on vacation and let loose. If you are wasted in a pool- you have a much higher probability in drowning or falling off the balcony. If you are so wasted that you cannot see or walk straight, some one is going to see you as an easy target for theft. And trust me, this is very often NOT someone working at the hotel. Most people I know are not going to sacrifice their job at a resort for some petty theft. Resort jobs are a hot commodity here.

If you are drunk and want to go buy drugs, there is a good chance that you will end up in jail. And especially with the current situation, Mexico is much harder on offenders then the USA. This is not corruption or an attempt to coerce a bribe, but a direct result of how serious Mexico is taking this war on drugs and the need to fix it. Long gone are the days when every single person in the government and police force is on the cartel payroll. Although they still do exist the current and past administrations have been working hard to fix these problems.

The other problem is injury or death caused by accidents. There was a tragic story about a young boy falling down an elevator shaft, another about a child getting caught in the suction of a pool drain and others. These accidents and deaths are very tragic. I think it is important for people to understand that you not in the USA. While I would love it if there were more regulations and safety standards, there are not. That is just the way that it is.

The resorts may have the drains that have large suctions- I always keep my kids hair up when in the pool and no long ties on the suits. Everywhere is mostly tile and seeing as most people are swimming -they are very slippery. On the street, there are large holes random sections of re bar sticking up out of nowhere. This can cause painful and serious injury or death. You have to be aware of this. It took me by surprise when I first got here. But that is just the way that it is. Be careful.

My favorite line in a Frommers book about this area is. I cannot find it so I am paraphrasing here... There are very few law suits in Mexico, but there is a lot of freedom in Mexico. You are free to fall into any hole you want to. ---

Be careful and aware of your surroundings.

Have a safe trip!

Is Tulum Safe to Visit?

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:19:00 +0000

Is Tulum, Mexico safe. Is Tulum safe for Children? Is it safe to travel in Mexico? YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES! I have been bombarded with questions, posts, news and people wondering if Mexico especially the Yucatan and the Rivera Maya are safe to travel in. Let me say this... 1) I lived in the tenderloin of San Francisco for 10 years. This is not a good area. it is filled with drugs, shootings, and gangs. However. People NEVER asked me or questioned me about the safety there. But since I have lived here... (a town that is filled with kind caring people) I have gotten many questions about its safety.

Now, if you do not use common sense then yes the world is dangerous. Not Mexico. Not Mexicans. But the world. If you do not use the brain that god/buddha/the higher power/ YOUR MOTHER gave you then yes... the world is a scary place. however, if you use your head you will be fine. and that could not be more true then here in the Rivera Maya.

I understand that Mexico and the USA are involved in a very scary war on the cartels. First of all... this is not a Mexican problem. This is a problem that is as much north of the border as south. I am glad that President Obama has very realistic ideas and goals to this problem. But I can say for sure that I feel so safe here. My children are safe here. The people here want no harm to come to us.

I read a blog entry a while back... (if you read any of the mexican bloggers here then you have heard a lot about this subject) Check these 2 out for some great information.
www.hiddencancun.rivergirl/2009/02/09/is-cancun-safe-for-tourists and
www.cancuncanuck.com/2009/02/tourists-safe-in-cancun

But that aside... my family is safe here. We walk all over town at all hours of the night totally safe.

I hope that people do actual research and do not listen to scare provoking propaganda that attempt to strike fear in tourists. If you have any questions about anything here in the Yucatan, Tulum, Cancun or anywhere in the Mayan Riviera, please email me... my address is mindyintulum@yahoo.com. I have many friends all over the Yucatan and Mexico who would be happy to answer ANY question that you have. Or would be happy to give you their input or advice on visiting here. This is a beautiful area, full of amazing people. But there are many that are using false stories or half truths and various manipulations to achieve their own agenda.

I have no agenda. I live in Mexico, with my kids. I want Mexico to be safe. i would not allow my children to be in an unsafe place. But I allow my children more freedom here in Tulum, Mexico then I did in the USA. It is because the people here are all looking out for my kids.

Please. if you have concerns about visiting, please contact us. We are happy to put your mind at ease and answer any questions that you might still have.
Get real information about a place. Please do not rely on media stories that are designed to invoke fear in order to sell papers. We live here, we walk the streets (sometimes a little in cohesive - BE SAFE!!!) ask us, we would be happy to tell you anything. The good, the bad the ugly... but usually the amazing.

Amber Jewlery by Oscar

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:12:00 +0000

Great jewelry can be found all over Tulum. People are selling in shops, on the avenue and up and down the beach. Every piece is different and reflects the artists that made it. I had the pleasure about a year and half ago becoming friends with 1 such artist.

Oscar Castell Blanch Tovilla is such an amazing artist and person. Before I even knew of his many talents, he struck me as a wonderful person. our kids are good friends and we have many mutual friends. I was lucky to get a lot of time to spend with this great guy. One day we were sitting at a friends house and I complimented him on his beautiful amber necklace that he was wearing. He replied- "thanks, I made it."

this particular piece of amber had a stunning carving and was threaded on a string of equally beautiful beads. It looked so amazing on him. Before moving to Tulum I had not seen such beautiful amber and now I see it all over. but very few pieces are as stunning as some of the ones that Oscar has. His son also has a beautiful necklace that looked so great on him. I really want to get one for my son.

Amber has been used in jewelry since the stone age. It is made of tree resin that has aged and hardened for millions of years. It's deep - well- amber color has made it a favorite for jewelry but! haha. Used in ancient Greece and throughout history for in medicines. Amber has many healing powers as well.

Oscar makes beautiful jewelry out of breathtaking pieces of Amber from Chiapas, Mexico. Some are smooth pebbles and others more raw. Many of the pieces hold natures treasures that have fossilized in the amber and others have been carved with breathtaking images of Mayan gods. In addition to the amber, Oscar uses prehistoric stones to accentuate these amazing pieces.

Perfect for adults and children, the healing and protective powers of these amber necklaces and stones are the perfect addition to any collection. I am getting one for my son for his birthday. It looks great on him and this powerful energy close to his heart is very good for him.

Oscar is a man of many talents. In addition to making beautiful jewelry- he is also a talented DJ. Known as DJ Rushcar, his beats can be heard in many locations around town. You can see where you can find him on the Tulum Living Events Calendar.

One project of Oscars that I am most excited to learn more about is Dos Palmas. This healing piece of land is where Oscar and his talented friends are creating a magical retreat location. This is a place where visitors can experience the culture and magic of this area. Highlighting the healing properties of mesoamerica utilizing massage, treatments, yoga, temezcals, and ceremonies, the experiences of Dos Palmas promises to be an unforgettable experience.

You can read more about this project very soon. I will report back with all of the details. You can check the calendar for times and dates of events and temezcals.

Massages by Gina

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:03:00 +0000

Getting a massage in Tulum is a wonderful experience. The sun and warmth, the sounds of the Caribbean Sea, the magical ingredients in the lotions and potions all combine to create the perfect massage. This week I celebrate my anniversary and my husband and I really wanted to celebrate and celebrate we did.

I surprised my husband when he came home from work by getting us each massages by my dear friend and wonderful massage artist, Gina. Gina is such an amazing woman. She lives near me and is the 1st person I go to with any sort of ailment because she always knows what to do and some all natural potion for it. It is truly amazing. She is also a great cook and we have grown to be wonderful friends.

I had heard that she was absolutely amazing and I was so excited to be getting this massage. Gina has created a very wonderful spa studio in her home that features artwork by her very talented husband. The feeling that she has created is amazing and really adds to the massage. For this special occasion she came to my home to do the massages, at my request and that was perfect. Hubby walked in and we were ready. I put on an iTunes playlist and we got started! The oil that Gina used was wonderful. It is a mix of her own creating and it has a wonderful smell of chocolate.

The massage was strong and deep and it felt so amazing. Gina packs some serious strength in her hands and I could feel the fibers in my muscles under her hands. Using her whole arm in this unbelievable pattern just sent me to a new world. Ever since my birthday I have been in need of some serious relaxing and this certainly did the trick.

When I was finished and hubby was getting his massage I just melted into happiness. I felt so great. The chocolate oil is even still intoxicating. What a perfect start to a wonderful evening. My husband does not get to many massages. He does a lot of physical work and forgets how great a massage feels. He absolutely loved his massage and felt so great afterwards. I can defiantly see more massages in his future.

Gina’s original background was as a social worker and it was working in hospitals with patients that she first started to incorporate touch and massage into her practice to help heal. It was at this point that she began to learn about Reiki and she found her true calling and passion. She had found an ideology of healing that matched how she felt healing should be and she dove into the practice and began to learn more and more. She began working with reflexology, hot stones and holistic massage. Her massages are a mix of these various techniques.

Gina, originally from Mexico City, has lived in the Rivera Maya for 30 years. She finds that there is a special healing energy in this area that combines the power of the ruins, the cenotes and the Caribbean Sea to create an intoxicating blend of healing energy. This powerful energy helps promote her art of healing in the area. She is an artist.

Not only does Gina get deep into your muscles, but her energy is so incredible. You feel this amazing lightning afterwards and it is amazing.

If you would like to book a massage with this amazing healer, please contact us.

Margo in Mexico Massage

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:52:00 +0000

One of the best parts about living in Tulum is the magical energy of this area and how it draws in people from all over the world. Amazing healers have gathered in here making it a Mecca of positive energy and healing powers.

I have suffered from debilitating hand injuries for the past 7 years. I have been through years of physical therapy, occupational therapy, repeated cortisone injections and surgeries. All to be told at the very end that yes I am messed up and there is nothing that they can do for me. I knew that there had to be some way I could find relief from this pain.

Check out the non invasive cast that i was given after 1 of my surgeries. Trust me- that was easy with 2 kids in diapers!

My prayers were answered 2 weeks with an amazing massage from Tulum’s own Margo in Mexico. I have had several massages before and a few here in Mexico and this one was so different. I got her signature “Feel Good” massage. This massage is part education and part deep tissue massage.

As the massage started Margo was talking to me about my body and ways that I can retrain my body to help correct itself. It was not only about relaxing tired and soar muscles as much as it was teaching me to help the muscles not get into the situation in the first place. There were a number of simple changes that I could make to what Margo referred to as my “walking around life.” These were all small changes and mind tricks that go towards the body correcting itself and relieving some of the pain that I have been feeling for so long.

The 2nd part of the massage was spent in quiet relaxation as Margo’s hands got to those really deep areas. It was wonderful because I could tell that although she has a routine, the massage really developed organically based on what my body needed. There were some parts of my body that I did not even realize were sore. The massage lasted for a little over 2 hours.

I one thing that I was not expecting was how when she was working on one area how much pressure was released in a totally different area of my body. It really made me see how much the body is interlinked. Even now 2 weeks later I am still feeling so much better. As I have applied the changes that Margo taught me I can feel a difference in my posture and my comfort. I am even sleeping better.

Margo has a few different types of massages and can really cater to specific needs. The prices of a Margo in Mexico massage cannot be beat. It was amazing. And she can come to you. I love that. You can get your very own Margo in Mexico Massage right on the deck of your room.

I defiantly recommend getting your very own Margo in Mexico Massage. And now Margo is teaching her amazing workshop about how to make yourself FEEL GOOD and how to stay FEELING GOOOD!!! This is an amazing class that will change your life!

If you would like to book a massage with Margo in Mexico or attend a FEEL GOOD class, please contact us.

Dutzi Design Inc

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Okay… this is a long one but it is worth every line

It is not very often that you hear about something that someone is doing and it just makes you smile from the inside. Well, the project of Dutzi Designs Inc. is one such story. !!!

The project is that of Ariane Dutzi. Ariane lives here in the Yucatan and has started a line, Dutzi Designs Inc., to help the communities of the Yucatan. As a former fashion editor from New York and Paris, she moved to Mexico where she is making an impact in the beautiful community that she is now a part of.

When the Swine Flu scare erupted in Mexico last April it created a mass exodus of tourists in the Yucatan and the communities of the area really suffered. As the “infodemic” spun out of control, a whole bunch of totally healthy people sat in the deserted towns of the Yucatan and then found themselves without people to sell their handiwork to. Ariane has since developed the Dutzi Design Rescue Bag. Complete with a label befitting of the project, a small outlined face of a pig, these bags are as eco-friendly green as they are well made and beautiful.

The whole project really is something special. As a way of helping the Mayan community that lives in the areas around Valladolid, about 70 women as well as some men make each and every bag. The project is not only a means for so many women to help provide for their families, but also helps preserve the beautiful culture of the indigenous Maya. With all of the proceeds from the sales of the bag going directly into the project, this community of women continues to be able to help sustain themselves especially in a time where so many of us here in the Yucatan are feeling the devastating consequences of the hype of the swine flu.

Here is a bit of history about how such a special project came to be. Ariane is an amazingly beautiful woman who after being born in Germany moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. After graduation Ariane got a job as a foreign correspondent for a German publication. Due to her location in Paris, fashion was the tallest order. During the reign of top supermodels and skyrocketing talent in the design world, Ariane had the privilege of interviewing and working with some of the most talented designers in the world. Having had studied history Ariane had an interest in fashion’s history and the artisans that made such wonderful pieces.

She told me a beautiful story about one example of stories that she loved to do. It was of the artisans who made the soles for Chanel shoes and Gucci shoes. It was only these very specific artisans that did the soles in a traditional way. The use of chemicals, if any at all, where minimal and the result was sole for a shoe fit for Hera herself. As I am sure anyone who owns a pair of Chanel shoes will attest to. She told me how the stories of these artisans, their craft and the devotion they give such a craft really intoxicated her. It intoxicated me just listening to it. After her move to Mexico, she found a similar passion for the artisans in her new home country. But more on that in a minute, I jump ahead of myself.

Ariane then came to Mexico for a vacation in the beautiful town of Cuernavaca just outside of Mexico City. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its year long perfect weather, it was over… the love obsession had begun.

Ariane took this time in her life to figure out the passions that she wanted to follow. Not quiet sure which way she was going to take herself, she headed to Tulum. Working in the hotel industry, Ariane got to stretch her creativity and interest in design in to decorating and furniture design. She helped design, promote and staff not just one Coqui Coqui hotel… but 3, Tulum, Coba and Valladolid. After investing much energy and love into these projects Ariane once again went to New York for inspiration for her next path.

This next path turned out to be working with an old friend from the fashion industry to open a vintage discovery showroom. Not a store, but more an inspirational space for designers and artists to come and get inspired. Working with wonderful textures and colors and looking at things from the past in a new light is what sparked the fuse that lead the way for Ariane’s next direction. It was hear that she began to learn the skill of noticing 1 small detail or 1 texture and create a whole concept out of it.

Now back in Mexico, she began to make beautiful bags from vintage materials. Being very drawn to burlap, the bags began to take shape organically as she rediscovered the Mexico that she had left. The straps are all hand made by the indigenous Maya who have crafted such belts for generations. More and more Ariane needed help to craft the bags that had become so popular. At one point, Ariane had to make a choice. Was she going to commit 100% and dive fully into her project and trust in the Universe to take care of her or go back? Luckily for us all she chose to invest fully into the project.

As she needed more and more help she befriended and employed more and more Mayan women from her community. What blossomed out of this first year was a workshop in which women in the community began to learn about their finances and how to have some control over them.

The most important thing about the workshop as it developed was that these women were able to remain the women that were before with the duties that they had before. To celebrate all of the things that makes us all such remarkable women. We have the special gift of taking care of our families needs, being there for our families and wanting to be able to enjoy our families and Ariane did not want these women to give any of that up just so they could work as well.

I have not even started to tell you about the amazing bags themselves… these bags, made of vintage burlap or 100% recycled white raffia. They are absolutely beautiful and are not only made by hand with love and care but, probably because of that fact, are incredibly well made.

In addition to the “Rescue Bag” Ariane’s whole line of couture bags are being sold in stores and boutiques all over New York as well as in Paris, Santa Fe, Malibu, CA, Mexico and over the internet. One of the best ways to get your own Rescue Bag is to drive over and see the project for yourself. Valladolid is a beautiful town about an hour from Tulum and wonderfully worth a visit. What a fantastic souvenir of a trip to the Yucatan. Luckily you can also buy one online and have it sent to you. Check out the website with information about how to purchase your very own bag.

These bags are perfect for both men and women. I especially love the bike messenger bag for men. These bags reflect both a consciousness for the earth and an effort to protect and cherish it, but also for the wonderful communities of Mayan women in the Yucatan.

I am so excited to see that the very first couture Dutzi dress has just been made. I cannot wait to see as more and more clothing comes from these guys. The furniture designed by Dutzi Designs is stunning as well. I will be getting more info about the clothing and furniture and will post again. Stay tuned.

So…. Do you want to help… can you help… If yes… here are a few ways that you can…
• If you, or anyone you know, own a shop or a boutique and would like to carry Dutzi Designs in your store, you can get in touch with Ariane (or me if you want)
• You can order a bag online directly from the source.
• If you are vacationing in Mexico, you can arrange to see the project and the beautiful town of Valladolid and pick up the absolutely BEST souvenir in Mexico.
• You can simply donate to the project via their website
• If you are getting married and are looking for the perfect bridesmaid gifts, these stunning bags and clutches are the perfect reminder of a perfect Mexican wedding (and the Karma points!!!)
• If you are looking for the perfect auction item… imagine a beautiful Dutzi Design couture bag filled with stunning crafts, clothing and tokens of the beautiful Mayan culture. I would be happy to help you put something together (I am sure Ariane could help as well.) What a perfect way to help 2 causes at once.
• Tell everyone you know about the project because it is a really special one.

Getting to Tulum from the Cancun airport

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:38:00 +0000

There are many ways to get to Tulum from the Cancun airport. You can take a private transfer, you can take a shared van transfer (minimum 2 person) you can take a taxi (that will run around 900-1000 pesos.) Or you can take the bus. this is the most cost effective way and it is very comfortable and safe.

The bus line is ADO. These buses are large, comfortable, clean and safe. Once out of customs you will see a desk with the red ADO logo. the people here will most likely speak some English. The bus does not currently go directly to Tulum. It does however go from the airport to downtown Cancun or from the airport to Playa del Carmen. The cost for this bus is 30 and 90 pesos per person, kids are half price and kids under 3 can sit on your lap for free.

There is now a bus that goes directly from Tulum to the airport. It is 3 times a day and a great option if the timing works. But when it does not work, I usually to Playa del Carmen for 2 reasons, 1 it breaks the long bus ride up a little bit- but if you have a lot of luggage you may want to go to Cancun and then be able to sit back for an hour and half to Tulum. The other reason I like to go to Playa del Carmen is that the bus drops you off right on 5th avenue 1 block from the sea. It is a nice- This is reminder for why you are shleping all this stuff around... Your vacation. It is also easy to grab a bite of food as by now I am usually starving!

The bus to Playa del Carmen will take about 45 minutes. It will let you off on 5th Avenue and Benito Juarez. This is the main hub for tourism in Playa del Carmen. From here you can take a bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. The cost for that bus is 48 pesos. It is another 45 minutes to Tulum. The bus station in Tulum is right in the middle of town. *** Reminder** This is not a great option if there are many people or you have a lot of stuff. Something are worth spending a few bucks more on for sanity purposes. ***

There are many taxis right there that can take you over to the beach area if that is where you are staying.

ADO bus lines around Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:32:00 +0000

The ADO bus line is the main bus line that runs around Mexico and the Rivera Maya. I get a lot of questions about these buses and their safety. I have been on the the bus many times back and forth to the airport and to smaller towns around the Yucatan. The buses are very safe and very comfortable. You can read more about how to go to the Cancun airport from Tulum on the ADO buses here.

There is also a new shuttle ADO bus from Tulum to the airport 4 times a day. Check the schedule at the bus station in Tulum to see if this cost effective option will work for you. This is definitely the cheapest way to get to the airport.

To some of the smaller towns you may also end up on the Mayab bus line. These buses will stop more frequently and might be in a little less of great shape. But they are still very nice and comfortable. There are many stops at other towns which offers a good chance to get out and use the restroom and buy some of the amazing Mayan food being sold by vendors near the station. Many times people will come right up on the bus and pass through with sopes or sodas for sale.

You can buy your ticket from the bus station or from the bus driver themselves. If you are at the station, buy it from the window. The buses like everything else around here operate on Mexican Time. you really need to be flexible and not get upset. Trust me- there is nothing that yelling at the ticket person that the bus is an hour late or came and left 45 minutes early is going to do. Just be flexible and have a good attitude. You can get a good idea of bus prices at the ADO website. Mayab is usually a little cheaper.

In Tulum it is on the main avenue right next to Charlie's. Charlies is also my favorite place to meet people who are coming on the bus because you can never be quiet sure what time they will get there. So I always tell people to take a right out of the station and go into the first restaurant.

I alsways feel very safe on the bus but I also use common scense.

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:26:00 +0000

Colectivos in Tulum are a very easy and cost effect way to get around the Rivera Maya. These vans run the distance between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Different syndicates (like Unions) run even further North from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and many run south of Tulum to Carrillo Puerto.

I really love taking the collectivos. They are easy and cheap. You can simply flag one down on the main road and tell them where you want to get off. These are especially great for people that are staying in the Rivera Maya and want to visit the ruins on Tulum. It currently costs about 30 pesos from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.

You can find these colectivos across from the ADO bus station in Tulum. Or if you see one on the road just wave them down and if they have room they will stop.

I have heard that travel agents in the USA and Canada are advising people not to take the collectivos because they are unsafe and I can assure you that is not the case. This is the most common form of transportation for people here and I have NEVER had a problem with them.

The collectivos are a great way to do day trips from Tulum and throughout the Rivera Maya. They only run along the main avenue in Tulum and on the highway. In Playa del Carmen they end at 10th and Juarez. These are the ideal way to get to Akumal from Tulum or between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

They start pretty early- I think around 6 and run till around 11ish at night.

Taking a taxi in Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Taxis are the most common form of transportation around Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach. There are 2 areas in Tulum Pueblo where the taxis will line up. The first is right outside the sydicato about 2 blocks into town on the right from the Cancun side entrance. This is right across from the Don Caffetto restaurant and the Mar Caribe Super. the other is right in front of the ADO bus station towards the southern end of town.
If you are in this area it is customary to waive over the next taxi in line rather then grabbing one on the road. If not, then just waive one down.

The base rate is between 15-20 pesos if you stay in the immediate downtown area or very near by (say to Super SF or Villas Tulum neighborhood). At night the price goes up a little. To get to the beach will range between 40 pesos for the nearer hotels like to Mezzanine and Luna Maya. Going up to like 100 pesos to get all the way south towards the Sian Ka'an Bioreserve. It is always a good idea to check with the driver before you get going.

There are signs posted near the ADO bus station in Tulum that ill tell you how much a ride would cost. It is good to have a general idea.

Taxi drivers here are very nice. I have been to places where the taxis run you all over town because you do not know the town and try to charge you a lot. This was really common in San Francisco where I lived. Here that is not really possible. The town is very small and not that vast. So long as you have a general idea you should be fine.

Please remember that people here do live on tips. If you were really happy with your driver - tip - it is always appreciated.

one nice option around Tulum is to use taxi drivers for tours. I have many taxi driver friends that offer very popular tours to Tulum ruins, some cenotes, Coba ruins and the monkey reserve for fraction of the cost of a tour. You can have up to 4 people in a taxi and you have the driver at your disposal. rather then waiting around for a lot of people to gather together you can sit back with your friends or family and enjoy the day for A LOT less. Many taxi drivers work with another person and therefore can accomodate larger groups. I think that this is the very best option for seeing the ruins.

I know drivers that do tours to :

Tulum Ruins

Coba Ruins

Cenotes

Chichen Itza

Sian Ka'an Bioreserve

Playa del Carmen

and to the Cancun airport

etc. The taxi drivers are very flexible, most speak English and they provide a more relaxed and personal day.

Tulum Beach at Mezzanine

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:59:00 +0000

There are many areas of Tulum Beach that are amazing. One of our favorite spots is the beach that is just to the north of the Mezzanine hotel. The beach is clear and open and the sand is amazing. I have not eaten or stayed at Mezzanine but it looks beautiful and from what I have heard from friends it has the best Thai food around.

To access the beach area in Tulum (at least for now) you must travel down the only road that goes to the beach. When entering Tulum from the north (Cancun and Playa del Carmen areas) you will come to what is currently the only street light in Tulum. On this corner there is Super San Francisco, a Hertz, and a 7-11. When you come to the light you make a left. --Going right will take you on the road that leads to Coba--

At the end of about 2km there is fork in the road. You must go left or right. Mezzanine is to the left. You will pass a few hotels and cabana spots and shortly will pass Mezzanine. To take a taxi here from town is currently around 40 pesos. Just after the hotel there is an opening and a small spot on the side to park a car.

When you walk onto the beach you come upon a totally open and wide beach. It is so beautiful. There are few makeshift palapas set up here as well. They make a nice area to get a little shade.

The reason that we love this part of the beach so much is because there are not a lot of people around. Sometimes it is nice to have a lot of people but sometimes it is nice to have a quite day at the beach.

There is access to Mezzanine if you wanted to get a drink or a bite to eat. We usually bring a cooler with sandwiches and sodas and or beers.

Punta Laguna- Monkey Reserve

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:06:00 +0000

This past Sunday my family loaded up the car and headed due East for Punta Laguna. I had heard that Punta Laguna was a wonderful thing to do while visiting Tulum. What I had heard was right. It was a wonderful place and the whole family. Punta Laguna did not disappoint as a great thing to do in Tulum. **We know of some great taxi drivers that do this tour Coba ruins and the monkey reserve at a great price-- contact us for more info***

We started our adventure by having our favorite tacos from Tulum town and then we were off due West on the Coba road. After we got to Coba we decided to look around at some cenotes in the area. There were many cenotes to explore but most of them were cave cenotes. I do love cave cenotes but for this particular day we were looking for a wide open cenote that we could enjoy the warm day at. So we doubled back towards Tulum to go to Punta Laguna.

To get to Punta Laguna you take the Coba road from Tulum. After about 35 -40 minutes you will come to a round-a-bout. 1 direction leads you towards Cancun, 1 towards Chichen Itza and the last towards Coba. (The one you are on takes you back to Tulum- obviously!) You want to take the one that goes towards Cancun. You will drive for about 20-30 minutes on this road before you will see the sign for Punta Laguna. There were a number of other cenotes and spots of interest that I cannot wait to get out and see more of- but this trip was about Punta Laguna. So we continued past these places until we reached Punta Laguna.

When we reached the Laguna we went and paid our entrance fee which was very reasonable, something like 30 pesos. They advised us that we would have to walk a ways into the jungle to see the monkeys. Punta Laguna is a monkey reserve so you can easily spot these amazing creatures all around you if you pay attention. And hear them you most defiantly will. – Wow that sounded a bit like yoda- sorry. But you will. They are all around and you can hear the screeches and howls.

When we first started towards the Laguna- we noticed that there was a little corner store. It was the perfect place to buy a few more snacks and some ice. We had brought our cooler with us so we had stuff for sandwiches, juice and some beers- after and ice refill and some sweets for the kids we walked down towards the Laguna. The road is dirt and uneven and in her excitement to get to the water our daughter took a nose dive on the path. As a brand new 7 year old she is starting to get used to the scrapped knees and scuffed hands- but – a little hurt she picked herself back up. While she did so the wonderful family that lives there hurried to her rescue.

This is one of my favorite things about living in Mexico and the Mexican people in general—they love children and they love to help. In the states we have a very hands off approach to getting into each other’s lives. Here in Tulum- that is not the case- people are always there to help you and care for you at every turn. ESPECILLAY children. It is such a wonderful place to visit with kids. You never feel like your kids are imposing or that other people are annoyed with your kids. As a mother- and one who wants to enjoy herself too- I love this. But anyway… side note

As my daughter arose from her newly acquired injury- we were greeted by the warm smiles of a local Mayan woman and her husband who had rushed to her aid, followed closely by her 2 adorable kids. It was so sweet. They came out with tissue, smiles and a balm of some kind that they asked if they could put on her wounds. Knowing full well the magic of anything that Mayan women put on their kids I was willing and even a little eager. The balm they put on her immediately soothed her. I am sure that much of it was also the kindness of these people. After she was clearly okay, the family went one step further by the dad getting his tricycolo, often referred to as the Mayan Limousine, and giving Lena a ride down to the Laguna. It was so sweet.

After about 100 meters we were greeted with one of most beautiful images that I have seen. A large stunning Laguna- completely clear and empty. It was amazing. By the time that we had arrived it was about 1:00 in the afternoon. The sun was already casting shadows off the far end of the Laguna and the colors that rose off the water were incredible. We sat our cooler down and it took all of 4 seconds for the kids to go jumping off the dock into the amazing fresh water of the Laguna. We stayed there for about 2 hours- swimming- playing- talking and laying in the sun.

During our playing we had a few groups that were on walks in the reserve either coming or going stop for a moment to take some pictures. The Laguna does offer walking tours into the reserve and points out monkeys along the way and also give you information about the various plants and animals that you will find there. You can totally do the walk on your won- but you will get so much more out of it if you get the tour. They can tell you so many stories and facts that you would not otherwise hear or know.

We took the kids for a long walk in the jungle and it was so much fun. We walked and walked and took random turns and kept walking. It was great. You could hear the monkeys all around you. We saw many on our walk and such a fun time. Monkeys to kids are such magic. Well to anyone really and this place is full of them. It was a truly magical day and one that I think everyone who visits Tulum should experience.

Yaaj-Ximbal Jungle Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:24:00 +0000

I had the wonderful experience of taking a Yaaj-Ximbal tour. This was a truly amazing experience and opened up a whole side of Tulum that I have not seen before. I am so thankful for this unreal opportunity and would strongly recommend that people take the tour.

The day started with my friend picking me up and taking me to the store where all the cooks buy the food fresh for that days meal. I rode out with the crew to one of the locations so that they could work on preparing the food. While we were getting the food out to the location, the rest of the guests were getting picked up at their hotels.

As we all met up and were introduced to the tour guides and each other I could tell that I was in for a treat. We were riding in very comfortable Land Rovers and I knew that these vehicles could handle any road in Mexico.

Thanks god because as we set off into the jungle it became very clear just how off road we were going to get. The road was very bumpy and all over the place but in a very fun and safe way.

For anyone who has ever been on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland can totally relate to the journey. This is just real and much more fun. There was a younger child in our group but I am not sure how much fun it was for him.

I would say that for both the parents and the kids to have the best of the experience probably kids 10 and older would be good. (If you need a babysitter you can contact mindyintulum@yahoo.com for babysitters in the area.)

As we forged ahead on the trail we were pointed out various trees and important foliage and given a lot of history and mythical tradition along the way. There were many beautiful sites to see along the trail.

There were stunning cenotes filled with lilies and beautiful foliage all around. At one point we came to a watchtower that was built of Zapote trees. This wood is amazingly strong and durable not to mention stunningly beautiful. The views from this tower were so beautiful.

Just beneath the tower is a cenote that also has a repel from the middle of the tower. I can imagine that would be very cool to do. We explored a cave and the Aluxes that lived there. These are mythical spirits, resembling trolls, that are believed to live all over the Yucatan. They are associated with nature such as jungles and caves which are numerous in the Tulum area. These mischievous little spirits are known to move things around a lot and cause quite a ruckus. Taking the form of stone during the day, they awaken at night to cause their mischief. You can see the old man in stone in this picture.

After continuing on our journey we made our way over to the location of the cenote, dry cave and zip line. This was very cool. With the help of our tour guides we got into our harnesses.

There was a group of 12 of us. All 4 daughters ranging with high school age all went on as did almost everyone else in the group. Including the 7 year old boy although he went tandem with one of the guides.

The zip line was very easy, fun and was over quick. Definitely not too bad for all who go on the tour. The "Mayan brakes" were large pieces of wood that would help to slow you down. One of the guides was also down at the bottom with the secondary and emergency breaks. I felt very safe and we all had a really good time.

This is probably a good time to mention one of my favorite parts of the tour... There is professional photographer following you around through out the whole thing taking great pictures. This is particularly handy at the moment when you are flying down the zip line. But you also get to pose at the bottom just in case your face is doing some crazy face.

After the zip line you continue the tour into a dry cave. For people who do not want to do the zip line there is an easy way to join the group at the bottom. The dry cave was beautiful. You could clearly see the stalagmites and stalactites. They are so beautiful and the guides are really full of knowledge and are a lot of fun.

We headed off to get in our swim suits for the cenote part of the day. Almost all of my favorite days involve a cenote and this day was no exception. We walked down a long steep stair case and came into a beautiful cave. The water was as clear and perfect as you could imagine.

There was a very nice area to swim right then we were taken around a little area, through a tunnel area that showed some really beautiful roots, stalagmites and stalactites.

There was one point were once the roots of the trees above ground reach the water they eventually build a base. These bases are floating. It is a very cool site. I wish I had a waterproof camera with me at the time. It was very beautiful and such a unique look at the under side of Yucatan. I am not a cave diver as of yet but the guides did take me and show me some of the entrances to the caves. Once I try my hands at diving I really want to go back and explore.

After we all climbed up and dried off it was time to eat. I have been on tours before that included lunch and it was usually some bagged lunch or something. This meal was amazing. There was a very large grill on which a very traditional meal was being prepared.

There was pot of black beans, fluffy rice, a fantastic salsa and warm tortillas. There were 2 different meats on the grill. One was a marinated chicken and the other a flat steak. There was also a large amount of cut fruit and salad. Lunch was truly amazing and the perfect conclusion to the day.

The group loaded up into the van to get taken back to their hotels. It was a wonderful tour and one that really shows a side of the jungle that not many people get to see. Tulum and the whole Rivera Maya have so much to offer and this tour really puts some of the best parts into one trip.

Some important things to note when you go... 1) Take bug spray but please make sure that it is eco-friendly and or biodegradable. You will be in contact with a very delicate eco system. The waters of the cenotes feed the lively hood of the entire Yucatan peninsula. It is important to respect them and care for them. and 2)I would start your day off with a good meal. Lunch is the last part of the day and you do not want to be hungry. This tour is a full day thing.

This tour is amazing. Again, probably best for kids 10 and over although they will accommodate children, it will probably be more fun for parents and kids if there is a babysitter. Again... if you are looking for a babysitter you can email mindyintulum@yahoo.com to find a babysitter in the Tulum area.

Casa Cenote

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:12:00 +0000

Casa Cenote is a beautiful cenote just north of Dreams Tulum and about 10 minutes north of downtown Tulum. It is down a road about 3 km from the main road. We took a collectivo from Tulum to the entrance road for 15 pesos per person. The kids sat on our lap so they were free.

Once out of the collectivo, we walked down the dirt road towards the cenote. It was a long walk but not terrible. There were some beautiful houses down this way and many of them seemed to be for rent.

The cenote was 20 pesos per person. I think if you are scuba diving it is a little more, around 40 pesos. This cenote is very near the ocean so you can hear all of those beautiful sounds and the water is more salty then some of the other cenotes.

The cenote extends back into the jungle about 200 meters. It was a beautiful swim. The cenote is very deep and crystal clear. Make sure to bring your snorkel masks.

There were many houses in this area that are for rent. It is a very peaceful area, far away from any troubles in the world.

There is a few restaurants in the area as well. We ate at the Casa Cenote restaurant. The food was great and the margarita was perfect. Not served in that crazy tourist fishbowl but in the correct short glass. The restaurant is under a beautiful palapa and is right on the beach.

This is also a hotel with newly renovated rooms. It listed the prices in the restaurant menu and the prices for the rooms were very reasonable. It also stated that the cost of the room included breakfast, snorkel and kayak rental.

This part of the beach is called Tankah Bay. It is beautiful. A car would be very handy here though.

Cenote Cristal

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Tulum has so many beautiful cenotes. Cenotes are underground freshwater sink holes that are all over the Yucatan peninsula. They are wonderful places to swim, snorkel or scuba dive. The water is so fresh and clear. It is a truly amazing experience to swim in the cenotes around Tulum.

One cenote that we love to go to is Cenote Cristal. Cenote Cristal is about 3km south of Tulum town. To get to Cenote Cristal you can take a taxi for about 40 pesos. We do not see the collectivos that go south to Carrillo Puerto as often and it less expansive for the 3 or 4 of us to take a taxi. Entrance cost to the cenote may vary but when we went to the cenote the cost was 40 pesos for an adult and 20 pesos for kids. The prices of the cenotes vary.

There are also some rules to remember when going to a cenote. One of the biggest ones is that you should not wear sunscreen or bug spray. There are some all natural ones on the market but really none is best. These cenotes are so beautiful and full of so many beautiful animals and we really do not want to damage that. This cenote is smaller then some others. I over heard a snorkel guide saying that the use of fins in this cenote may be damaging to plant and animal life in the water so you may not want to use them.

After paying our fee and walking down the pathway we came upon the cenote. It was beautiful. There were not a ton of people and it was very relaxing. There are 2 step entrances into the water. Do be careful because they do get very slippery. There was a rope to hold onto that crossed one section of the water and I saw a rope down at the bottom as well for those who are diving.

This is an amazing website that gives wonderful detail about many cenotes in this area. http://www.cenotesoftherivieramaya.com/5-5-caveguide.htm It gives the most in depth information on cenotes that I have found on the web.

Cenote Cristal is directly across the street from Cenote Escondido. Payment into Cristal gains you entrance into Escondido as well.

Cabanas Copal Tulum

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:47:00 +0000

I LOVE this picture of Cabanas Copal. You can see the reflection of the beach and I love it. Tell me that does not look like a dream come true. I LOVE LIVING HERE!

I recently had friends come into town from the USA and they were staying at Cabanas Copal. This is a well advertised and popular spot on the Tulum beach road. Once I went to the hotel with my friends it was not hard to see why this spot is so popular.

The people were very nice and polite and check in went very smooth. We were shown to their cabana and we were all very happy. This spot has several types of rooms that range from chic minimum to elegant & romantic simplicity..

My friends stayed in the cheapest cabana. This was one that did not have a bathroom or shower in the room. The bathroom was nearby, easy to get to, was very clean and well stocked. For anyone who has recently lived in dorms and with room mates this would not be that big of a deal, especially for the cost of the room.

The cabana had a sand floor (and the sand here in Tulum is amazing!) and it had simple furnishings. The bed was dressed in simple white and had a white mosquito net. There are certain times of the year, like the rainy season, that this is more of a needed item then a romantic addition. There was also a simple chair right in front of the window.

The view of the beach, although partially blocked from this particular cabana is stunning. Even after living here there are times when you feel a real sense of peace and calm come over you and this spot was one where that easily happened.

The walkways were nice and clear pretty to easy to get around although persons with disabilities would probably have a hard time. But there might be another area of the hotel that is better suited for these guests.

This hotel is also linked with 2 others here on the beach road that consistently get good reviews. They are Zahra and Azulik. They are under the EcoTulum Resorts and Spa. There is what appears to be an amazing spa. (These are the kinds of things that living here we cannot afford, but I will tell you all about it.) :)

Power is supplied via solar and wind power in the evening but it is dark around the whole area. Candles also add a romantic touch.

There was a nice little restaurant and my friends enjoyed their dinner a lot. I hear that they have a pretty good chef but I have not eaten there. It also seems that there are some fun night activities at the hotel. I have seen announcements around town from time to time but there was nothing the nights that my friends were there. I did just read on the website that outside food and drinks are not allowed. The reason for this is that it may bring in unwanted room mates. While I am sure no one is going to raise a stink over a bottle of tequila that you are finishing off, be mindful of this. You would not to wake up with and iguana eating your limes. (I am not even sure if iguana's eat limes but anyway!)

We did run into an iguana or 2 but they are just part of the decor here. We watched them as we swung in the hammock outside the room.

The beach here is amazing. It is clear of rocks and sea grass and spreads seemingly endless in front of you. There are some nice palapas and chairs on the beach and a nice beach bar. I did not check but I am sure there is also food service on the beach. Most of us who live here know that as soon as people get on the beach... they do not want to get off it. Yep... I just checked and there is a bar menu and the prices are very reasonable. There are some spots on the beach that are just outrageous. But these prices seemed beachy but reasonable. you can see the menu from their website here.

This brings me to another point... tipping. After moving to Mexico from San Francisco we have learned to survive on much less income (to put it mildly) In most parts of Mexico, this is not too much of a problem. However, in the more tourist areas the prices can often be just as expensive as in the US. My point is this... if you get good service, if your server is engaging and helpful, show your appreciation to them. If your room was cleaned and you appreciate it, show that. With the current exchange rate Americans and Europeans can have a very cost effective vacation. Help your Karma and show your appreciation. You would be amazed at how far it can go.

El Camellos! Some of the best fish tacos in Tulum!!!!~

noreply@blogger.com (Tulum Living) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:46:00 +0000

When talking about the very best fish tacos in town you might get a few different answers. But one that you will hear again and again form the locals is El Camellos!!! This wonderful ALL FISH RESTAURANT is absolutely amazing. Considering that as of about 10 am you can see it packed with local fisherman- that should really be your first clue to how great this spot is. Not to mention that the fisherman just got down unloading their daily catch at the pescaderia (fish store) that shares this location.

When this hot spots needs a whole fish for their pescado frito entrée it is served fresh out of the cooler from this pescaderia. The most amazing part of the whole experience- is that you would never be able to tell that there were 5 massive coolers filled with fish. That is how fresh the fish at this spot is.

During the day this is many locals’ favorite spot for fish tacos. Coming 3 to a plate you can get these beauties cooked any number of ways from breaded to grilled. One of my favorites is Yucatecan style with tomatoes, peppers and onions. You should give it a try. And for only 60 or 70 pesos a plate—you can afford to try them all.

After 5:00 p.m. there are no more tacos but the various ceviche plates – that are HUGE by the way- along with the shrimp, octopus and let’s not forget the fresh fish dinners keep people happy throughout the night.

This is one of those spots that serves up the very best of the shores of Tulum to happy people eager to eat it. With various salsas and hot sauces ready on the table-my table is never quite complete without the chopped habenero they bring me drenched in lime stop

El Camellos is toward the south end of town a little past Rancho Tranquilo. This is a great spot that the whole family will love!