The truth about tulum
It's hard to believe that it has officially been two weeks since I packed up all the little pieces of my life and fit them into my suitcase, donated everything in my studio apartment, took a leap of faith, and bought a one-way ticket. I landed in Tulum, Mexico, where I'll be staying for the next month.
I'll admit, I fell victim, like every other wanderlust-driven person who has a TikTok account and enjoys scrolling through travel vlogs. Social media always does such a great job of curating the perfect videos and photos, making us all experience extreme FOMO when it comes to a specific travel destination. I'm no exception! While I've been sharing beautiful photos and Instagram Reels of my time here, I haven't mentioned the negative aspects of being in Tulum.
So, in order to address this dilemma, I thought I'd write a quick blog post sharing my unfiltered opinion and candid journey in the influencer's paradise known as Tulum, Mexico.
The Location is deceiving
Often when seeing pictures of Tulum, the first thing you'll notice are the jaw-dropping beach photos, which can be a little deceiving considering that Tulum isn't inherently a beachfront metropolis. Unless you can afford to stay in a beach-front wellness retreat, you'll often find yourself sweaty and biking on a gravel road somewhere in the jungle, trying to reach the beach. This fast-growing city has yet to fully adapt to the influx of travelers, and the infrastructure doesn't quite match the population yet. It's fairly common to be walking on the shoulder of a narrow road, or the sidewalk might simply end. Many of the beaches in Tulum are privately owned, meaning you often have to pay for parking, entry, and potentially a locker. There are ways to find free entrances, but you'll find yourself taking strange twists and turns just to access the beach. Finally, when you do find a beach, it's often crowded with people trying to sell you boat tours, snorkel tours, and much more. After spending a couple of weeks here, I've discovered a few quieter beaches, such as the locals' favorite, Xcacel Beach – an oasis that seems to be sheltered from tourism.
The cost of living
My boyfriend and I are fairly young; being 20, we are always trying to save money wherever we can. Yet, our daydreams of experiencing 'Mexico on a Shoestring' received a reality check in Tulum. We naively thought that when coming to Tulum, we'd be encountering regular Mexico prices. I did some research and found that the average cost of a 7-day trip to Tulum is $1,891 for a SOLO TRAVELER! It would be around $3,396 for a couple and $6,367 for a family fiesta. But hey, where there's a price, there's a hack. I'm brewing up a blog to spill the tea on how we navigated this and made living here for a month sustainable.
The average hotel price in Tulum ranges from $60 to $387 per night, with vacation rentals anywhere from $150 to $1,000 per night for an entire home. And, of course, there's a cost for everything, such as parking and beach access. To me, there's a silver lining to these costs. Often, this money goes back to the community; I know that Akumal Beach gives back 20% of its profits to protect the beach and support the locals. However, if you're a budget traveler like myself, be prepared to have a tough time budgeting costs while trying to live here.
I thought to myself while booking the Airbnb, 'Well, maybe the food will be cheaper here,' to justify what I had just paid. Short answer: It's not really. I'd say we're paying similar prices here as we were in Austin, TX, at restaurants, but the overall aesthetics of the restaurants here are SO much better. Of course, this is easily fixable by grocery shopping. I'd suggest that if you were here for a week on vacation, you'd be fine eating out daily. However, for those staying long-term and wanting to make your pennies last, I'd recommend looking up some Pinterest recipes and getting cooking!
In my next blog post, I'm going to create a complete list of all the restaurants we visited (there are a lot), share my overall thoughts, and highlight the ones you NEED to visit on your next trip to Tulum.
The positive side
I don’t want to discourage anyone from booking their trip, but hopefully, this will help you see Tulum in a more realistic light. Consider me your friendly reality check, steering you away from glossy postcards and the highlights showcased on social media. Aside from the warnings, Tulum is still filled with beautiful architecture, lush jungles with ancient mysteries, fantastic snorkeling, inspiring individuals, art, and culture.
Here's the scoop: Tulum has a dual personality, like a coin with two sides. On one side, you have the glitzy influencer-worthy luxury vacation. But flip that coin, and you unveil the other side – a seemingly untouched part of town where tourists take a step back, allowing locals to go about their everyday lives. And this is where the plot thickens. Imagine this as your vacation: a six-day escapade where half your time is spent tucked away in a rustic jungle home, immersing yourself in the authenticity of Tulum. Then, for the other half, you spend your time in a tropical haven where piña coladas flow freely, and infinity pools stretch towards the horizon. It's the yin and yang of travel – a journey that lets you experience two different worlds. It’s the perfect comparison of travel vs. vacation.
Overall Thoughts
Thinking of the readers as my friends, I would still recommend coming to Tulum, Mexico. While it's important to be informed and educated about what to expect when visiting a place often highlighted as a popular travel destination, I believe the experience is worthwhile. Be prepared for a touristy environment, higher expenses, and being in AMAZING shape after walking or biking everywhere.
Personally, I've had many beautiful experiences here. I've swum with sea turtles, snorkeled in cenotes, relaxed on gorgeous beaches, and shared laughs with locals. As a woman, I have felt incredibly safe here, and not once have I encountered a situation that made me feel threatened. Moreover, I have been profoundly inspired since my time in Tulum. Perhaps it's the magnetic pull of other creators infusing their artistry into the fabric of this place, or maybe it's the serene surroundings. I'm not sure what's in the air, but every day I'm inspired to create.
Stay tuned for my next blog, where I'll unveil the ultimate guide on how to stretch your pesos like a true money magician. From wallet-friendly tricks to those off-the-beaten-path gems, I've got your back. As for our future plans – we have a couple more whirlwind weeks left in Tulum before we head to Playa Del Carmen. So buckle up, readers-turned-travel-buddies, as we embark on a rollercoaster ride of adventure, anecdotes, and perhaps a few piña coladas along the way. Be sure to follow my Instagram below and keep up with my travel journey.
Thanks For Reading,
Love Kadee
