I said goodbye to my tour group and had a few hours to kill before I could check into my hostel which was only a few hundred metres away. I visisted ‘Las Margaritas’ for lunch (one of a few visits during my time in Tulum) which was a recommendation from Jack. I indulged in my 400th plate of tacos for the trip which went down a treat.
Through my own research and various friends telling me, I had known not to have expectations too great of Tulum. A once idyllic Mexican beach town that has been swamped by mass tourism and instagram influencers, which of course has led to high prices and income inequality. Throughout the town you can see high rise luxury villas being erected and advertised, and then just mere metres away, people live in rundown, shanti huts. I stayed in Tulum town which is about 5kn from the beach and beachclub areas of Tulum. I didn’t actually even bother going to the beach during my time in Tulum, as I had been told it was a very difficult process to get there if I wanted to avoid paying the so called ‘Taxi Mafia’, which prayed on tourists and charged exorbitant fees for the short journey. Apparently even when you get there, the beach is difficult to access for free as beach clubs and hotels mark off sections of the beach for paying tourists and a minimum food and drink tax is actioned. I attempted to walk the journey on one of the days but after a kilometre or so, the path became non existent – a common theme with paths in Mexico – and I was practically walking on the side of the freeway. I quickly retreated. I would say the best way to do it is to is to rent a scooter which is probably what I would have done if I had more time (don’t worry Mum, I didn’t do this). Many beaches were to be seen on this trip moving forward so I was content staying in the town.
I enjoyed a fairly uneventful but relaxed few days in Tulum. I was a bit rundown from the early starts and drinking on my tour so used the time to chill and recharge, which was probably the best place to do this given the prices of Tulum (I paid $9 AUD for a roll on deodorant when I arrived).
I visited a very cool cenote one of the days which was probably the highlight!
Not many photos apologies
Good to hear about the non-event of the scooter!😂😂