Nestled amid Tulum’s lush jungle and pristine coastline, Our Habitas offers sustainable luxury with nature’s embrace. From the moment of arrival, greeted with genuine warmth and a ceremonial Copal welcome, every aspect of the experience resonates with a profound sense of belonging. Designed to leave minimal impact on the environment, the resort’s accommodations immerse guests in the rhythms of nature, with the gentle murmur of the sea serving as a soothing backdrop.
Tulum
04.16.2024
/
11 MIN Read
/
Tulum
04.16.2024
/
11 MIN Read
/
Tulum, Mexico: home to some of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders, a history deeply embedded within the culture, and a spiritual essence that permanently awakens the soul.
Often misconceived as simply a party destination, our adventures in Tulum profoundly enriched us, sparking newfound creativity and personal growth that we’re delighted to now share with you.
Hotels
Beyond its eco-conscious ethos, Habitas fosters a vibrant community of wellness and cultural immersion, offering daily yoga sessions, rituals, live music events and more. While the resort itself is breathtaking, it was the genuine hospitality and unwavering kindness of the staff that left the most lasting impression, embodying the true essence of “a home away from home.”
Our Habitas remains not just a boutique retreat, but a sanctuary where luxury meets authenticity, where sustainability intertwines with indulgence, and where every guest is embraced like family.
Read Spaced Magazine’s full Our Habitas feature here.
Located on the popular coastline of Tulum’s Hotel Zone, Xela emerges as a beacon of contemporary elegance amidst the typical bohemian architecture of the Hotel Zone. With its distinctive pink clay facade and seamless indoor-outdoor design, Xela offers a chic retreat that captivates all of the senses from the moment of arrival. Each of the 12 meticulously designed en-suite bedrooms exudes its own unique identity, marrying organic architecture with beach house minimalism to create an atmosphere of comfort and vibrancy. If you’re looking for a unique, aesthetic stay in Tulum’s Hotel Zone, Xela promises just that.
Read Spaced Magazine’s full Xela feature here.
We also had a brief stay at Nômade. Aside from the mesmerizing fusion of earthy tones and bohemian accents, the highlight for us was their restaurant and communal dining space, Macondo, as well as Jack Brasset’s DJ set they hosted, sponsored by Eminence Code.
You can view more about Nômade, a vast 110 room property with a seamless transition from jungle to beach, complete with an outdoor pool, yoga shala, the restaurant La Popular, and spectacular treehouse rooms here.
CENOTES
Cenotes are natural sinkholes found predominantly in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula – geological wonders steeped in history and myth. Formed over millions of years, these freshwater pools were revered by the ancient Mayans as sacred portals to the underworld. Today, cenotes offer visitors a chance to explore crystal-clear waters, underground caves, and hidden ecosystems, providing a fascinating glimpse into both natural beauty and ancient civilizations. Visiting at least one cenote is a must for any trip to Tulum.
The first cenote we visited was Cenote Corazon, a cenote appropriately named for its heart shape formation. With its crystal-clear waters and lush surrounding foliage, this spot definitely felt like a local hangout (we did go in the late afternoon near closing time – something we actually recommend to avoid any tourist crowds). The golden hour light, sounds of peaceful splashes, and echoes of soft laughter made for a magical afternoon.
Cenote Encantado is a true hidden gem within the Hotel Zone and was recommended to us by the staff at one of our stays. Off the main street of the Hotel Zone, we followed a path through the mangroves to Restaurante Pies Descalzos (or Barefoot Restaurant), which is a modest restaurant directly on the cenote. We came for lunch and ended up staying the entire afternoon, reading, swimming, and sunbathing in what felt like our own peaceful hiding spot.
Shibari is a spectacular hotel located in the Hotel Zone – but one of few with a secret within. The hotel is built around the Tuuch Cenote, which can be accessed by non-guests for a small entry fee. This cenote had a completely different vibe than the others we visited. Surrounding the cenote is Atta, the Cenote Club, where guests can eat, drink, and take in the cenote from sunbeds with live music or a DJ setting the tone.
Our visit to Naum, a stunning property next to an underground cenote, was one of the most surreal experiences we have had to date and we’re honored to be able to share it with you.
Naum is a four-room, off-grid villa, providing a secluded setting for meaningful experiences and retreats of all kinds.
The cenote next to Naum is fully enclosed in an underground cave; to reach the open part of the cenote with breaks in the cave for light to trickle in, we had to swim through narrow pathways with water so clear, it was almost eerie. Though, we found it nearly impossible to be fearful inside this natural wonder.
The owner joked that many of Naum’s guests visit with the intention of leaving the property to explore Tulum, but end up falling so in love with the natural wonders and energy of Naum that they end up staying put. After just a few hours on site, we began to feel the same.
EXPLORING
One very early morning, we managed to find our way into Papaya Playa and discovered a yoga shala nearby. From there, we witnessed the most unreal sunrise during our time in Tulum – which, given the sunrises we saw, says a lot.
The property itself is stunning, as shown within the media here, but we did not explore beyond the yoga shala and the communal dining and lounge area photographed. A day at Papaya Playa will be high on the itinerary for our next return to Tulum.
An itch for a lift brought us to the Tulum Jungle Gym – “a real life Flintstone gym.” Located directly on the beach in the Hotel Zone, this open-air gym is truly one of a kind. Everything is made of wood, from the dumbbells to the squat racks. To increase weight on the lat-pulldown machine, you fill baskets with bags of rocks, labeled with their corresponding weights. Tulum Jungle Gym has been listed by Men’s Health as one of the “Best Gyms in the World,” and is frequented by influencers, professional weight-lifters, and those like us just tryna get a good workout in. There’s an additional location in town, but it’s hard to imagine beating the beach location.
Located north of the Hotel Zone, SFER IK is an art center where visitors can experience the connection between the arts and nature in an awe-inspiring architectural landscape that effortlessly captivates the mind, body, and spirit. The structure itself was crafted to orchestrate a symphony of materials and natural elements for a one-of-a-kind art-viewing experience.
In an interview, the founder, Eduardo Neira, explained that the purpose of the architecture is for “nature and art [to] complement each other to create meditation.” As we walked through the exhibit, our bare feet rooting into the various floor textures, we felt exactly that. When asked in the same interview about the request for visitors to remove their shoes, curator Claudia Paetzold explained that the museum “provides a space that favors connection and collective intelligence that engages with senses, and this process starts with removing of shoes.”
We’ll let the photos finish speaking for this extremely unique, sensory experience.
The Mayan Ruins are an enormous piece of Tulum’s cultural significance. With Tulum being one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Maya, the ruins represent a unique blend of historical, architectural, geographical, and spiritual significance, serving as a testament to the advanced civilization of the Maya. Their strategic location for alignment with astronomical events leave us in awe.
We visited Muyil, an ancient Mayan city hidden amidst the dense jungle of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Our adventure began with a tour of the Mayan structures within the jungle. Muyil is still relatively quiet in regards to tourism, and we highly recommend an afternoon here over a more popular site like Chichen Itza, for example.
The tour brought us deep into the jungle, where we then hiked through to Sian Ka’an, walking a small wooden bridge through the dense jungle trees.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity and natural beauty. The lush mangroves, sparkling lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs converge to create a diverse haven for wildlife such as manatees, jaguars, and countless species of birds, snakes, fish and more.
Our hike from Muyil through the jungle brought us to the most vibrant blue water we’ve ever seen. The tour then took us on a short boat ride to a lazy river, hidden deep within the mangroves, where we floated peacefully for what felt like the most surreal hour of our lives.
One of the most interesting things we learned about Sian Ka’an is the water filtration system of the reserve – a natural phenomenon that relies on the mangrove forests, wetlands, and underground aquifers to naturally purify waters – a process that is rarely found elsewhere but is vital for maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, sustaining human communities, and even mitigating climate change. Its preservation and protection are crucial for the environmental health of the region and for the well-being of future generations. A visit to Sian Ka’an during your time in Tulum is non-negotiable.
*We recommend Mexico Kan Tours for visiting Muyil Ruins and Sian Ka’an. Not only was the facilitation of the excursion flawless, we were in absolute awe of how knowledgeable our tour guide, Martin, was.
DINING
Xela’s sister restaurant, NÜ, showcases a unique menu of fresh, locally-sourced, and sustainable ingredients. Nestled in a captivating jungle setting, NÜ has earned acclaim as one of the top five restaurants in Riviera Maya, according to Travel + Leisure, and has now made it into The Guide, by Spaced Magazine. From the unique, handcrafted cocktails to the delectable, artfully crafted meals, we fully support NÜ’s top-five acclaim.
Moro, the restaurant of Our Habitas, is described by the resort as “the heartbeat of our home.” As the central hub of Habitas, its design mirrors the resort’s ethos, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. The restaurant’s open-air concept allows the gentle sea breeze to weave through its rustic-chic interiors. From fresh seafood platters sourced from nearby waters to vibrant vegetable dishes bursting with indigenous ingredients, each dish, prepared with wood fire techniques, tells a story of tradition and innovation.
La Guarida is a popular restaurant, bar, and gathering place in town, notorious for its events and live music performances, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike to enjoy a night out. The unique layout provides a wide variety of spaces to lounge, work, lay, dance, or dine, depending on the time of day and your reason for visiting. The restaurant’s menu typically features a mix of Mexican and international cuisine, with a focus on fresh seafood and traditional flavors. We visited for an early dinner before the nightlife took over, but from what we hear, it is a must for an authentic night out in Tulum.
While visiting SFER IK, I found myself particularly drawn to one specific exhibit, The Defeat: Losing a Game of Pre-Hispanic Handball. On our way out, I snapped a picture of the exhibit’s description. At the time, I wasn’t sure why I felt inclined to do so, but now as I write this conclusion, I see the connection.
The exhibit displayed spheres of tobacco ash, ocote wood and morning glory; a piece of the description explained: “Tobacco stimulates the nervous system, but also acts as a relaxant. Inhalation produces serotonin and dopamine and, in turn, pleasure and deep states of altered consciousness.”
This line reflects how we feel about our time in Tulum. There was such stimulation throughout the trip – emotionally, energetically, mentally – and yet, we felt complete and utter relaxation. Tulum brought us the deepest pleasure, and a reconnection with ourselves that we didn’t know we needed.
Recent Features
View All
