Blonde Voyage's Tulum Travel Guide
Tulum is undoubtedly one of the top trending destinations in the world. It’s almost impossible to scroll through Instagram these days and NOT see one of your favorite bloggers posting about this bohemian-chic jungle town.
My friends and I were planning a quick “girlfriends getaway” to celebrate our birthdays and decided that Tulum would be the perfect escape. Of course, as soon as we chose a destination I began plotting and scheming!
For those who are contemplating Tulum as a travel destination or perhaps you are just curious about this Yucatan Peninsula gem, this will be the first of many posts sharing my experience in Tulum. From the best shrimp tacos and smoothies to those “instagrammable” locations, I’ll give you all the details. First, let’s start with the basics!
Alexa, where is Tulum?
Tulum is located on the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula approximately 90 minutes south of Cancun.
Let’s Book It!
For those filled with wanderlust and looking to book a flight, almost everyone flies into Cancun International Airport (CUN). While there is another smaller airport Chetumal, it’s almost twice as far and caters primarily to smaller flights. While I adore my hometown, we rarely have direct flights anywhere. I booked the earliest flight out of Nashville (BNA) which had me waking up at 2:45 A.M but it was worth every minute of lost sleep.
Planes, Trains And Automobiles ( well, no trains)
I’ve landed in Cancun, now what?
Since Tulum is only 90 minutes from the airport, there are a few different options available. However, if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to schlep and prefer the quickest and most efficient means of transportation. We arranged private transportation to and from the airport and honestly, it was money well spent.
We used Tucan Kin and I’d highly recommend using them. Not only was the reservation process effortless, but the drivers were also incredibly nice and more than willing to stop at the bank for us.
Bonus: If you are a heavy packer, Tucan Kin’s fleet is primarily comprised of large SUVs so your luggage will fit.
Contact Tucan Kin here.
Let’s Talk
Spanish is the primary or “official” language of Tulum but given the significant increase in tourism, travelers will find that many places, especially those catering to tourists, speak English quite well. I know " un poquito” Spanish and I managed.
If you’re feeling a little uneasy about navigating a country where you don’t speak the language, you can always download the Google Translate app for your phone and that will help with many of the situations you encounter.
Money, Money, Money, Money…. Money!
Everyone has different preferences when they travel. Some people order the local currency of their final destination from their bank while others travel with US Dollars and exchange it at the airport. I typically like to use the ATM at the airport when I arrive as I have found that to be the best in terms of the exchange rate. Tulum was rather different.
Fees. Yes, I know to expect fees when I withdraw money. I am often charged a foreign currency fee but that’s not the issue. The ATMs in the Cancun airport charge an exorbitant fee, upwards of $30.00 USD, simply to make a withdrawal. No thank you. Next!
Luckily our driver Javier from Tucan Kin was kind enough to take us to a bank where the fees were significantly less.
Taxis, Bikes, Scooters And Don’t Forget Those Sneaks!
Renting a car didn’t cross my mind when planning my trip to Tulum. And to be completely honest, I barely navigate Nashville traffic so I there’s no way in hell I would have survived in Tulum.
Do you need a car while you are in Tulum?
No. Taxis are a dime a dozen because I am pretty sure they are the only ones brave enough to drive up and down the narrow road. But if you are looking for something a little more scenic, there are several bike rentals and our hotel had them for guest use. But, I feel the best way to see a city is to get out and walk around. I don’t want to miss a thing so my friends know to bring their walking shoes!
Alright, gang, I realize this is the most basic of basic travel posts but for those of you who have never been Tulum, the research can be a little overwhelming. Hopefully, this answers a few of your questions.
Upcoming posts will include some of my favorite bites, restaurants and of course can’t miss photo-ops!
Until then, I’ll be vacuuming the sand out of my suitcase, doing MANY loads of laundry and pretending I am still on the beach drinking this amazing Margarita!
Until Next Time!
