Here’s a List of Activities You Can Do in Tulum

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There’s no question about it. When someone hears the word Tulum, they naturally paint a picture of this beautiful beach in their head. They then think of celebrities, hippies, posh cabanas, little boutique hotels and stores and much, much more. However, there are many activities you can do that are fun and you probably wouldn’t think of off the bat. Oh, the Mayan Ruins are something you must see when you are visiting Tulum… but you obviously knew that.

So, if you’re wondering what activities you can do in Tulum, here are a few ideas to have a wonderful day in this beautiful town:

 

Rent a bike in Tulum

We were thinking somewhere along the lines of biking around Tulum; seeing everything there is to see and going at your own pace. You can rent a bike daily for approximately $80 pesos, which is around $5.00 USD per day. If you rent on a weekly basis, you will get a better price.

Bike ride through Coba

Nonetheless, if you wanted to go for a bike ride through the jungle, we would point you in the direction of “Coba.” Coba is an archeological site that was open for public use in 1973. Coba has many different ruins to explore around. However, they do have one incredible ruin that you are actually able to climb to the very top to see the amazing views of the jungle above the trees. When you first arrive to Coba, you have the option of renting a bike or choosing to walk. We of course recommend to rent a bike, and make your time at Coba much more adventurous and fun. At the end of the day, you are doing enough walking if you choose to walk up the ruin, so biking to the ruin could be a good choice.

Activities you can do in Tulum

Yoga

One thing that you will notice in Tulum are the Yogi’s (people who like doing yoga.) Therefore, there are a lot of yoga studios. If you have never tried Yoga before, Tulum is the place to do so. With cheap prices, and being located right on the Caribbean Sea, it will be the best experience of your life. Classes usually start around 8:30 am or evening classes around 5:00 pm.

Activities you can do in Tulum

Cenotes

What is a cenote you may be wondering?

A cenote is a sinkhole that has water underneath the hole and we now use it for swimming purposes. A cenote formed when the limestone bedrock collapsed. What an innovative idea right? Well let me tell you, the Riviera Maya is filled with all these magnificent sinkholes that make the perfect snorkeling spot.

Make sure you research ahead of time which sink hole you would like to visit and be prepared with a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, so we don’t harm the fish, and your snorkeling gear. If you have an underwater camera, you should definitely bring that along too! There are people who come to the cenotes for diving purposes. If you like diving, this would be the perfect place to do so. If you have never done it before and would like to try, the shallower waters make it less frightening. Three great cenotes you can visit are:

  1. Gran Cenote
  2. Cenote Dos Ojos
  3. Cenote Calavera

Activities you can do in Tulum

If you have any other questions about Tulum or more activities to do there, or even investment opportunities in Tulum, please feel free to reach out to us. Our representatives will be happy to help you!

 

Day Of The Dead In Mexico

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Day of the dead is a big holiday we celebrate in Mexico. Some people even celebrate it in different countries all over the world. The day of the dead is exactly how it sounds. Mexicans take a day to remember all their loved ones that have past away. This particular day of course is important everyday but, here in Mexico people like to denote one day out of all the other days to be extra special. There are many different festivities that go on in Mexico too during the day of the dead. This ritual has been going on for thousands of years already.

Frances Ann Day puts this three day celebration of the day of the dead into perspective:

“On October 31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children’s altar to invite the angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1 is All Saints Day, and the adult spirits will come to visit. November 2 is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of their relatives. The three-day fiesta is filled with marigolds, the flowers of the dead; muertos (the bread of the dead); sugar skulls; cardboard skeletons; tissue paper decorations; fruit and nuts; incense, and other traditional foods and decorations.”

The day of the dead is actually a happy day here in Mexico. As a matter of fact, Mexicans celebrate all the fun events they had with their past ancestors and people they are remembering on this day. Many people bring their favorite food and beverages to the cemetery and say prayers. This helps to speak with the souls of the dead. They also drop of flowers and photographs and anything that helps represent their life. Most people on this day go to the gravesites and clean around their graves. Moreover, some people even spend the night next to their loved ones grave or have a picnic beside it.

Ofrendas to the death

In addition, Mexicans also prepare an ofrenda, which is an altar they dedicate to the person they are remembering. They decorate this altars with traditional food, candies, candles and more. In Mexico, ofrendas are so important and meaningful that there are even contests. Basically, people dedicate to decorate an altar with objects that symbolizes a person. The result is actually amazing and ofrendas are really beautiful.

Also, public schools and different government offices prepare different arts and crafts on this day. This day is a big day in Mexico and it should not go without some sort of applause to your deceased. Some locations around Mexico even dress up and deceased or they wear seashells on their clothes, because they believe they will wake up the dead. Each person has his or her own way to celebrate this day and it is a neat holiday to be in Mexico for!

What is a Cenote?

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You might have heard the word ‘cenote’ when traveling to Mexico, or even read about it on one of our other blog posts – and wondered what is a cenote. Well, a it is actually a natural-hole underground which was caused by limestone bedrock collapsing. Another term for cenote is a sinkhole.

Cenotes are a very popular attraction in Mexico, especially in the Riviera Maya. People go swimming in the cenotes, and use them for snorkeling and diving. If you get tired of spending every day at the beach, and need to escape the hot sun for a couple day, we would highly recommend visiting a few different cenotes. Each sinkhole has a different entrance price. However, this is well worth it! When you research as to which one you want to visit during your time in the Riviera Maya, we would recommend packing your snorkeling gear or renting some before you come. Some cenotes offer gear for rent but most of them requires you to bring your own.

Cenote Sinkhole

Cenotes are amazing because the atmosphere is very natural

You are in the middle of nature, swimming in a natural sinkhole with hundreds of different fish swimming around you. It is definitely something you will want to experience during your time in Mexico. Depending on the cenote you decide to visit, there are cliffs that you can jump off of. This is for the daring travelers.

Packing list for a day at a Cenote:

  • Towel
  • Snorkeling gear or diving gear
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Biodegradable sunscreen
  • Water shoes
  • Underwater camera or any camera
  • Money for entrance fee

Top cenotes in the Riviera Maya:

  1. Cenote Azul
  2. Cenote Ponderosa
  3. Dos Ojos
  4. Gran Cenote
  5. Ik Il Cenote
  6. Rio Secreto

Cenote Sinkhole

Each one of these cenotes is driving distance from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Rio Secreto is a neat sinkhole because it is actually connected by a river underground.  Whether you want to experience this place on your own or book a tour and hear about the history, that’s totally up to you; nonetheless, we would recommend making time for this one. If you live in Playa del Carmen, Rio Secreto is only five minutes outside of town. If you are on a tight budget and don’t have money to pay for entrance fee’s, there is a small cenote on the beach towards the north end of 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.

 

 

Chichen Itza – The Largest Archaeological Site in the Yucatan Peninsula

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Mexico and the Riviera Maya have so many beautiful and exciting things to do. There are literally thousands of sites to see and places to go. However, if there’s one thing you should do when visiting Mexico, it should be a visit to the world-renowned site of Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza is Mexico’s largest archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula including the  Riviera Maya. UNESCO classified this site as a World Heritage Site, and is now considered as one of the New Seven Wonders of The World. With status’ like these, Chichen Itza is a must see for anyone travelling to Mexico.

Numerous ruins encompass the Kukulkan Pyramid in the Archaeological site. This pyramid is the main attraction of Chichen Itza with heights staggering up to 79 feet. Also, the pyramid is perfectly symmetrical, and the ancient Mayan people who once ruled the region built it with immaculate precision.

Chichen Itza is the favorite archaeological site in Mexico for tourists

You can easily reach the archaeological site from surrounding cities such as Cancun, which is around 100 miles away. Chichen Itza is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, meaning it can get quite busy with crowds. The best time to see it is at opening time in the morning before the tourist buses arrive. Upon arriving, make sure to apply sunscreen, as there is very little shade. As well, bring enough water and wear proper footwear, as you will be doing a lot of walking. With that said, the site is something truly special, with so much beauty, architecture and history surrounding the Mayan culture. It’s a must see on anyone’s bucket-list.

Tourists who visit the site learn so much about the ancient city and the Mayan Culture through a very informative information center; as well as through friendly and knowledgeable tour guides. Tourists can also explore the ruins on their own without a tour guide. The entrance fee is $242 MXN. If you choose to go with a tour it’s not much more and varies in price.

As well, if you are traveling from the popular destinations of Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, there are various tour packages that bring you to the site and surrounding areas. If you’re more adventurous and prefer to site see on your own, you can either rent a car or take the ADO bus from the major cities in the Yucatan and Quintana Roo. Upon arriving, tourists can purchase various souvenirs from the gift shop or from numerous stands amongst the ancient city.

Getting Around Tulum Like a Local

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You stumbled upon the right blog post at the right time, because we are about to tell you how to get around Tulum like a Mexican!

When you arrive to a new place it’s always a struggle trying to get from point A to point B. Especially when you throw in the language barrier; that just adds a whole other whack of stress.

It doesn’t have to be like that… When you do the appropriate research before your trip, you would be surprised as to how easy it is to get around. A little research can make it seem like you’ve been to the place before. The easiest thing is to look on different forums and see what other travellers did when they traveled to that destination.

Getting around Tulum

Modes of transportation to get around Tulum:

Bus: There are a couple local buses and ADO buses that take you around Tulum and back and forth from Playa del Carmen and Cancun. You can find the ADO bus schedule here.

Bike: There are many different bike shops and hotels that rent out bikes for the day/week/month located all around Tulum. We would recommend this way of transportation. This way you get your exercise and get to where you need to be. Also, what better way to take advantage of the Caribbean heat than by using a bike

Getting around Tulum

Two feet: We just had to include this. Walking is a good way to get around Tulum. Depending on where you stay, you can walk to most places. If you stay somewhere on Tulum beach or close by, then you can definitely walk to and from the places you need to be. Everything here is in walking distance. From restaurants to supermarkets to boutique stores. You name it you can walk to it.

Colectivo: The colectivo is a large white van that takes you around the town and to Akumal, Playa and Cancun. You just have to be prepared and know where the colectivo stops are and stand there. This is an easy form of transportation. If you do not want to wait for a bus, the colectivo comes every few minutes. Don’t be alarmed to see a bunch of locals packed in tight in one of these vans. It just makes it that much more comfortable.

Now that you know how easy is to get around Tulum, go visit all the beautiful places this town has to offer. Moving around Tulum has never been this easy!

 

 

The Mayan Ruins in Tulum

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If you are visiting Tulum for the first time, the Mayan Ruins are a place you must check out. The ruins are located 1.5 hours away from Cancun International Airport, and approximately 40 minutes from Playa del Carmen; right in the middle of Tulum on the beach. The entrance fee into the ruins is $70 pesos or around $4.00 USD per person.

The Ruins are open everyday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. The last entrance of the day being is at 4:30 pm. We recommend arriving earlier than 4:30 pm because there is a lot of ruins to see and learn about. Some people spend hours upon hours looking around and learning about the Mayan history. It is interesting to visit because it was the only Mayan walled city built on the coast.

Mayan Ruins in Tulum

The Mayan Ruins in Tulum overlook that picturesque view of the turquoise water and white sandy beach. We are sure you have seen it before on the Internet. You can also swim at this beach for free if you would like to. Just bring your swimsuit and a towel for afterwards. You will want to see this beach on a calm day to experience the different tones of blue and to capture that picture that is circling the Internet.

Don’t forget to bring your camera and something to keep the sun beating down on you – like a sunhat. There is not much shade when you are walking around the ruins, so it is always good to come prepared. Packing a water bottle to stay hydrated is a smart idea too!

This place is truly magical, and the history is unbelievable

Knowing that Mayans used to live in this ‘city’ will completely amaze you. We also recommend hiring a guide to explain to you everything you would ever want to know about the ruins and the history of the Mayans. These guides are well educated and will be able to answer you questions. You can hire a guide at the entrance of the ruins at a negotiable price, depending on the season and the demand. If you do not want to hire a guide, there are boards with useful information you can read all along the ruins.

Mayan Ruins in Tulum

In regards to staying close to the Mayan Ruins, there are many beautiful boutique hotels that are walking distance to the ruins. They are located along the south beach of Tulum. Booking ahead of time will secure you a preferable place. Tulum does get busy; so don’t wait till the last minute. Although there is always room for everyone, it will just take some time to find a place.

Get ready to be in total awe of the Mayan culture and all the uniqueness that Tulum has to offer. There is never a bad day to visit Tulum, so whenever you decide to go, spend as much time as you need.

Basic Spanish Sentences to Learn for Fun

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The Riviera Maya is a great place to retire. It has great weather all year round and also there’s a lot of English speaking people both expats and locals. As a result, it’s easy to go on your daily activities, even if you don’t speak Spanish.

But it’s always a good idea to have some basics of the local language. It’s useful to have at least a few spanish sentences to ask or answer common questions. Also, local people actually appreciate when you do an effort to communicate in Spanish.

Here we have included some basic spanish sentences to practice for fun!

See if you can pick up on it. They will make your life in Mexico a lot easier!

Buenos días – Good morning

Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

Buenas noches – Good evening

¿Cómo te llamas? – What is your name?

Me llamo… – My name is…

¿Cómo estás? – How are you?

Estoy bien, ¡gracias! – I am fine, thanks!

¿Y tú? – And you?

Muy bien – Very good

¿Qué haces? – What are you doing?

Thank you – Gracias

Muchas gracias – Thank you very much

De nada – You’re welcome

Perdone – Excuse me

Disculpe – Sorry

¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?

No entiendo – I don’t understand

No hablo español – I don’t speak Spanish

Estoy perdido – I am lost

¿Dónde vives? – Where do you live?

¿Qué edad tienes? – How old are you?

¿Qué hora tienes? – What time is it?

¿Cuánto cuesta eso? – How much is that?

¿Qué es esto? What is this?

¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?

¡Bienvenidos! – Welcome!

¡Feliz cumpleaños! – Happy Birthday!

¡Muy bien! – Well done!

¡Cuídate! – Take care!

¡Diviértete! – Have fun!

¡Buen provecho! – Bon appetite!

¡Nos vemos! – See you!

¡Hasta pronto! – See you soon!

¡Hasta mañana! – See you tomorrow!

¡Hasta luego! – See you later!

Spanish sentences

Practice these spanish sentences and soon you’ll be using them confidently.

It is important pronouncing the words correctly, so people can understand what you are saying. Some words sound the same but mean completely different things, so pronunciation is very important in the Spanish language! Just remember to have fun. You will not be fluent in one day, so don’t give up. Learning something new takes time and practice.

Also, there are many applications you can use to become fluent in Spanish, like “Duolingo”, an app that you can download on your cell phone to practice basic words and phrases every day. This app also has different levels that you have to pass before you move on, making the learning process a bit more challenging.

Are you ready to start? ¡Qué bueno!

Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Playa del Carmen

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When you move to a new place, it’s always hard transitioning from what you are use to. That also includes finding new restaurants to enjoy. Playa del Carmen is home to several delicious cuisines, from Mexican, to Italian and even French. However, if one day you feel hungry and want to find a delicious and budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen, you will surely have many options.

Here’s a list of a few budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen:

  • Papa Charly

This exquisite Pasta Factory is perfect for anyone looking for a delicious Italian restaurant. You can find Papa Charly in Calle 30 Nte and 25 Avenue. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Ferron’s Jerk Chicken

Nothing like a delicious chicken with a Jamaican style! If you like spicy grilled chicken, then Ferron’s Jerk Chicken is the perfect restaurant in Playa del Carmen to visit. Make sure to try the delicious smashed potatoes.

Visit Ferron’s Jerk Chicken in 105 Nte Local 3, entre Constituyentes y 30 Bis, Col. Ejido.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Chez Céline

Chez Céline offers lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks. This French cuisine has home-made  bakery products. Its croissants and bagels are definitely worth trying! To eat in Chez Céline, head to the 5th Avenue and calle 34 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Piola

Who doesn’t enjoy a delicious but also inexpensive slice of pizza? Alternatively, Piola also offers a vast menu with salads, pasta, paninis, etc. Make sure you visit this delicious and budget-friendly restaurant right in the center of town between 5th ave and 1st ave North and Calle 38 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Pizza Renzo

Pizza Renzo offers diverse pizza toppings. You can pick as many slices as you can eat! This pizza restaurant is one of the favorites for locals, not to mention it is completely budget-friendly!

Visit Pizza Renzo in 10th ave, inbetween Calle 24 and Calle 26 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • El Fogon

If you want to try authentic Mexican food, specially tacos, we highly recommend to visit El Fogon. This place offers delicious food at an amazing price. We also recommend trying the vast variety of tacos El Fogon offers. If you want to visit this place, head to Costituyentes Ave. and 30th Avenue.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • La Brocherie

This place not only offers great food but also an amazing atmosphere! La Brocherie has delicious gourmet grilled chicken. In addition, La Brocherie offers the best selection of French wines and beers.

If you want to try some French grilled chicken, go to 15th avenue, between Calle 6 and Calle 4 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Don Sirloin

Don Sirloin is a popular place amongst tourist and locals and there are several locations in Playa del Carmen. Don Sirloin also offers Mexican food and its speciality are tacos. The most popular and close to downtown Playa is in 10th ave between Calle 12 and Calle 14 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • El Nativo

The best place in town for breakfast and brunch! In addition, El Nativo offers delicious and nutritive juices and milkshakes for an amazing price. You can find this place in 30th Avenue and Calle 20 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Chiltepin

We highly recommend Chiltepin when it comes to delicious fajitas and fish tacos. Also, this place has a great atmosphere to have fun while enjoying a delicious taco. There are a few of these restaurants located around the town, though the one in 20th Ave and Calle 34 Nte is a great option!

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

Each of these restaurants offers plates under 100 pesos. We included a mix of restaurants like Italian, French, Mexican, and Jamaican.

If you’re not looking to spend a high amount of money on food but you still enjoy good cuisine, we would recommend staying off of 5th avenue. Eating on 5th avenue is amazing, but it is a little more expensive than eating on 10th avenue, 20th avenue, or even 30th avenue. Each Avenue past fifth offer delicious and budget-friendly restaurants!

If you eat on 30th avenue at El Nativo sometime, don’t be alarmed to see mostly locals enjoying their dinners too! As you’ve probably heard before, locals know the best spots in town. So it’s always good to ask locals for more budget-friendly restaurants around Playa del Carmen!

 

Daily Activities You Can Do in Playa del Carmen

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What comes to mind first when you are thinking of something to do in Playa del Carmen? Would it happen to be the beach? But let us tell you, there are way more activities to do other than just spending all your day at the beach.

Here are some ideas of daily activities you can do in Playa del Carmen

Have you ever thought of renting a bike, joining a gym or salsa class? Maybe even a sports team if you’re into that. What makes Playa del Carmen so special is that there are so many activities here for all ages. Whether you are a child and looking for swimming lessons or you are in your teens and you would like to try out a new sport. Maybe you are in your early 50s-70s and you would like to get out and play tennis a couple times a week.

Anything and everything is possible in Playa del Carmen

There is one unique Canadian restaurant whose owners are a couple and each week they have a trivia night, along with other charitable events throughout the year. This restaurant is called ‘Moms.’ Let us tell you, if you are a Canadian and you are used to Mom’s homemade cookin, then we would highly recommend visiting this place. It’s not just great for Canadians. This couple welcomes each and every person here with open arms. There are also pool tables here too, which makes the perfect games night.

Getting back to the activities we had mentioned before. If you are looking at bike rentals in Playa del Carmen there are many different shops scattered around the town.

Activities in Playa del Carmen

One place in Playa del Carmen that has great reviews is Playa Bike Rentals. You can find this place in 24 street between streets 10 and 15. They charge the following prices below:

1-3   Days = $10.00 USD per day

4-7   Days = $38.00 USD for the period

7-14 Days = $5.00 USD per day

This company is opened 9am-9pm Monday-Saturday.

If you’d like to play tennis, there are many tennis courts all around the town. Some places you have to reserve ahead of time, and some are on a come and go basis. We would recommend reviewing the times online prior to heading to the courts.

For swimming lessons, we would recommend ‘Kiin Ha’ indoor pool and sports center based on their reviews. They open from Monday-Friday from 7:00am-10:00pm and Saturdays from 7:00am-1:00pm. Depending on how many classes you would want to enroll in the prices vary. They are located just off Constituyentes Avenue, one block north between 85th and 90th avenue.

Activities in Playa del Carmen

If you woud like to do a water activity, we would recommend trying SUP (stand up paddle-boarding.) If you haven’t already done it before, “Aloha Paddle Club” offers lessons and board deliveries. They are located at: Inti Beach club which is located at Calle 4 and Calle 6 in the center of town.

Now that you know about amazing activities you can do in Playa del Carme, go out and have fun! Living in paradise has this and many more incredible advantages!

 

Powerful Earthquake Affects Mexico City, Puebla and Morelos

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This month two devastating earthquakes affected Mexico. Just a few days ago Oaxaca and Chiapas were severely affected, and yesterday another 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico City, exactly 32 years after a devastating earthquake struck the city in 1985.

The government sources have reported that at least 224 people were killed. Also, thousands have been rushed to hospitals due to severe wounds. As a result to this overwhelming disaster, Mexico is going through tough times, and really needs the help of its citizens to raise above. Once again.

The total account of damage can’t be yet estimated. Nevertheless, the result may be devastating. This is our opportunity to help, above all, showing we are Mexican citizens who will help our country through good and bad.

Earthquake Mexico City

If you want to help, there are several collection centers where you can bring the following products and items:

  • Bottled water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Canned food
  • Gauzes
  • Lanterns
  • Batteries
  • Baby food
  • Animal food
  • Clothing
  • Blankets and towels

You can bring these products to the following collection centers:

  • Frida Kahlo Museum in 5th and 8 street – Playa del Carmen from 8:00-23:00.
  • Spinny Grooves in 20 street between 10 street and 10 bis – Playa del Carmen
  • La Verbena in 34 street between 5 street and 10 – Playa del Carmen
  • Reaccion Expeditions in Cozumel Ave. between streets 28 and 30 – Playa del Carmen from 10:00 to 20:00
  • Mega supermarket in Constituyentes Ave. with 30th street – Playa del Carmen

You can also donate money to the non-profit Mexican organization Topos (The Moles), which is a professional rescue team, to:

Santander – Account: 92-00070929-4
CLABE: 014180920007092942
Reference: Brigada de Rescate Topos Tlaltelolco, A.C.

Anywhere else:
Paypal: donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org

Also, you can donate money to UNICEF Mexico on their website.

Don’t forget that Oaxaca and Chiapas are still in need of help too. Spread the voice and help as much as you can. Mexico needs your help more than ever!