Tulum

Bikes, Bumps & Beautiful Cenotes

The next logical stop was Tulum — a place known for jungle vibes, ancient ruins, wellness retreats, and cenotes that look straight out of a movie. We weren’t totally sure what to expect, but it seemed like everyone went there, so… we did too.

La Veleta: Off the Beaten Path (Literally)

We booked an Airbnb in La Veleta, a quieter area outside of the main town. We were hoping for peace and calm — and we definitely got that… along with potholes, stray dogs, and taxis that didn’t want to come near our road.

Walking anywhere meant braving traffic and uneven dirt tracks, which wasn’t ideal with a child. And public transport? Let’s just say it didn’t quite reach our corner of the jungle.

But the Airbnb? Amazing.

Luckily, our Airbnb was one of the highlights of our time in Tulum.

It was spacious, spotless, and super relaxing. We almost always had the pool to ourselves, which felt like our own little oasis. Outside, there were massive beanbags to lounge on, perfect for an afternoon chill or an evening under the stars. The whole place just screamed relax and enjoy — and after our bumpy bike rides and long walks, it was exactly what we needed.

The Bike Diaries

With taxis being a no-go and walking being... well, dangerous, we turned to bike rentals. After some searching, we found a local guy offering bikes for a decent price. Quads were available too, but not quite in our family-of-three budget.

We’d never really ridden bikes before (at least not like this), but we gave it a go. And, somehow, we ended up cycling through jungle roads with a week’s food shop strapped to the back. It was messy, funny, and actually ALOT of fun!

The Beach: A Bit Tricky

We tried visiting Tulum’s famous beaches, but most had been taken over by resorts and beach clubs. Access usually required buying a drink or paying to park — not ideal when you just want a swim.

Thankfully, we found a quieter public stretch near the far end of the beach. There were no frills — just sand, a big rock, some pelicans, and one of the most peaceful sunrises we’ve ever watched. Simple but perfect.

Cenotes: Nature’s Swimming Pools

Now let’s talk about the real magic of Tulum: Cenotes!

💧 Cenotes Are An Absolute Must!
A cenote is a natural freshwater sinkhole formed when limestone caves collapse. The Maya considered them sacred, and today they’re top spots for swimming, snorkelling, or pretending you’re in a nature documentary. They range from open-air pools to underground caves — all incredibly unique.

First Swim: Hammocks & Medicinal Tea

We stumbled upon a hippy café offering medicinal teas opposite the beach (near a huge mushroom statue), and when you bought a drink, you got access to their private Cenote out back.

This place was a dream. The cenote was open-air with hammocks, huge fish swimming around, and a chill jungle vibe. Tilly splashed, we snorkelled, and we stayed long enough to catch the sunset from the water — unreal.

Second Swim: Into the Cave (Cenote Calavera)

The next Cenote we visited was underground, in a huge cave with bats flying above and deep, echoey water below. It was a bit eerie at first, but once we jumped in (okay, once worked up the courage), we were all in.

We snorkelled with little fish and explored the cave. Outside, giant iguanas lounged in the sun like they owned the place, and a small café offered food, drinks, and photo opportunities. If you go, try visiting later in the day — it’s quieter and even more magical.

Final Thoughts

Tulum had its ups and downs. It wasn’t the easiest place to navigate on a budget, especially as a family. But in between the chaos were some truly amazing moments — floating in ancient waters, watching sunrises, and relaxing in a perfect Airbnb.

Would we go back? Probably not, it didn’t fit a family- it was more about partying and blowing a lot of money! But we’re leaving with great memories and never any regrets!