Turquoise water, powdery white sand beaches as deep as a football field is long, and thatched-roof cabañas set back behind the dunes. The beach is as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen. It is the epitome of the Riviera Maya and you’d be a fool to miss it. But, it pays to be prepared here. (Click here for photos)

While there are plenty of places to rent a cabaña or set up camp on the beach, there is nowhere to buy groceries or reasonably priced food. For this you must get to town, close to a 10-minute taxi ride from the beach. There are decent places to sleep and delicious places to eat in town, but to come to Tulum and not stay at least one night under the clear night sky with the waves crashing in the distance would be a pity to miss.

GETTING // GOING

Belize — Tulum

Tulum — Cancun

SLEEPING

Lobo Inn

The Weary Traveler

Mar Caribe Cabañas

Playa Esperanza Cabañas and Camping

EATING

Grocery / Market buys

Antojitos la Chiapaneca

DOING

Akumal beach and snorkeling (sea turtles and coral!)

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

OUR STORY

Crickets — Mexico’s delicacy

Living on the beach can be dangerous

MAP