Looking for a weekend get away with your besties? Look no further than Tulum, Mexico. Tulum has become an epicenter for popular getaways. Namely due to its unique combination of sustainability with dining, shopping, beaches, and nightlife. It is the perfect destination if you want a happy medium between relaxing on the beach and partying until the sun comes up. If you are planning a trip, I am here to help guide you with a couple of tips, as well as my favorite places that we visited, that might be helpful before you begin packing your passport and your favorite BFAW swimmies!

Getting There:
One of the things that keeps Tulum alluring is the difficulty of getting there. Unfortunately, Tulum does not yet have its own airport, which then requires you to fly into the Cancun International Airport. From there, you and your crew will have to either taxi, bus, or use a private transportation company. The trip is roughly a two hour drive. Through the help of our villa, they provided private transportation for us. I would expect to spend around 100-150 USD. (But, if your like me, you’ll always use your negotiating skills!)

Where We Stayed:
My BEST piece of advice. If your party is over four people, I would definitely recommend renting a villa for two reasons.
Firstly, it is much more affordable for a large group! Secondly, who doesn't want to be in a private villa with only you and your best friends?!
A company that I use time and ti ime again is Luxury Retreats. This
company has always been extremely reliable for me, and has hundreds of homes to choose from in any price range! Also, their customer service is beyond helpful and resourceful, especially if you don’t speak the language. Upon speaking with one of their lovely representatives, we chose Casa Maya Kaan for our stay. The villa was exceptional and also Eco- Friendly, as it sits in among the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. A big shout out to Victor and his fabulous team at Luxury Retreats for the best weekend ever!

Food/Drink/Nightlife

Friday
Drinks: The Azulik Hotel. Let me begin by saying, this place is the coolest hotel that I have ever seen! Whether your looking for sunset drinks or a late-night party, this place is exactly where you need to be. Tip: DO NOT WEAR HEELS. I promise. You’ll thank me later...
Dinner: Gitano. Ok. Seriously, guys, this place is also a MUST! It’s a combination of authentic Mexican food and an incredible atmosphere. I recommend grabbing dinner here on the later side, maybe 9 or 10pm. The restaurant turns into a nightclub upon the later hours of the night and into the early morning. It’s a one-stop- shop for a full night out! Friday nights are also what this place is known for.

Saturday
Lunch: Taboo Day Club. If you enjoy mediterranean food and good
music, then this place is for you! Be sure to also expect flowing champagne for hours.
Dinner: We made a reservation at Casa Jaguar because we heard this was the place to be on a Saturday night (if you haven’t picked up on this yet, Tulum definitely has an “it” spot each night of the week). We ended up having a catered meal at the house instead. I cannot speak much on this place, but I've heard amazing things!
Club: We went out to Papaya Playa Project, and let me tell you. This place is INSANE. Dancing, food, and overall a 10/10 experience. Tip:You want to show up midnight or later. And, if you have a group over four, I would highly recommend reserving a table. Table reservations can be made a month in advance*

Sunday
Breakfast: Matcha Mama. If you are an avid matcha drinker like me, then this is your absolute heaven on earth! Make sure to order the matcha acai bowl.
Lunch: The Real Coconut. The perfect place for a healthy meal after a long weekend. It also has an amazing view and sits right on the beach. They also have a D.J. ocean-side every Sunday!

— Get cash out before! This is so important and I cannot stress it enough! Everything for the most part in Tulum is cash only!
— If you are staying in a villa, make sure to stop in Cancun to get all household necessities. Once you leave Cancun, there are little to no grocery stores.
— Get a driver for the weekend. Transportation here is not easy, especially if you are planning on exploring. Many of the villas are hard to find!