To read Part 1 of this post, click here!

…continued from Part 1 of my 5 day Tulum, Mexico itinerary

DAY 3:

In my ideal world we would have woken up at the crack of dawn to be the first ones at the Grand Cenote just outside Tulum when it opened at 8am. We ended up compromising, had a leisurely breakfast, and went just before mid-day. Although it was theoretically possible to bike there, we opted for a quick cab ride. Entrance to the Grand Cenote was 180 pesos ($10 USD – they take dollars if you’re short on pesos like we were!) and the locker rental was 30 pesos. We didn’t rent snorkels, but to be honest we were such wimps about the cold cenote water that we probably wouldn’t have used them anyway. I was ultimately glad that we decided to go later in the day once it had warmed up more, as I probably would have had an even harder time getting myself into the water (and into the mandatory pre-swim cold shower) during the chilly early morning hours. And don’t forget to bring a towel!

I found that the best spot to take photos was past the main cenote area down a second set of stairs. Connected to the busier area by a cave you can swim through, this side of the cenote was much quieter and honestly more picturesque. With a bit of patience, I got several photos without anyone else in them, and loved how serene it felt.

This January I spent five days in Tulum, Mexico with my boyfriend for a quick winter getaway. After what felt like an already long winter of final exams and law review assignments, we were ready for a warm-weather escape. With its boutique hotels, unique natural beauty, and amazing food (gourmet and street food alike), Tulum seemed like the perfect combo of adventurous and relaxing.

Although Tulum isn’t exactly “off the beaten track,” I ultimately decided that it struck the right balance of what we were looking for in this trip—a relaxing vibe, delicious food, and a chance to do a bit of exploring. Based on the amount of Tulum photos that constantly come up on my Instagram feed, part of me does feel that Tulum has become a bit too saturated—a tourist trap in its own way and perhaps too focused on “seeing and being seen.” That being said, after being introduced to Tulum on my first visit with the Nomoon Travel crew, I was eager to see more of this stylish beach destination and excited to share the beauty of the place with my boyfriend. Despite its flaws, Tulum is undoubtedly endowed with incredible natural beauty—from the beaches to the cenotes—as well as delicious food, friendly locals, and an all-around “cool” vibe.