Robbos World

There are some days on your travels when you know you’ve experienced somewhere pretty special, and not quite your everyday bit of history, and then there are days when you’re thinking…“Bloody hell, it’s hot!”

My trip from Cancún to Tulum, Mexico, was definitely one of those days, Tulum is one of those destinations that seems to have a little bit of everything — ancient Mayan history, incredible beaches, crystal-clear cenotes, lush jungle and that unmistakable laid-back Mexican beach culture.

But let me tell you… on a seriously hot Mexican day, plenty of water and a few cold beers become essential travel equipment – Trust me, it was HOT!

Tulum Mayan Ruins — History With A View

Our first stop was the incredible Tulum Mayan Ruins, theres not many historical sites where you can wander through an ancient civilisation while looking out over one of the most spectacular stretches of Caribbean coastline imaginable, the ancient walled city sits dramatically on a 12-metre-high cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

And what a view.

Walking around the ruins, you really get a sense of how important Tulum must have been.

The buildings, temples and defensive walls tell the story of a major Mayan settlement, while the sea below provides one of those picture-perfect backdrops that almost doesn’t look real, it’s history, culture and Caribbean paradise all rolled into one.

Just remember… Take water!

Walking around ancient ruins in the Mexican sunshine is thirsty work!

Cenotes — Nature’s Swimming Pools

After soaking up the history, it was time for something a little more refreshing, the cenotes, these incredible natural limestone sinkholes are one of the things that make the Yucatán Peninsula so fascinating.

Some are open-air pools surrounded by jungle, while others disappear underground into a magical network of caves and rock formations, and the water? absolutely crystal clear.

Places such as Gran Cenote, Cenote Calavera and Cenote Zacil-Ha offer the chance to swim, snorkel or dive in some truly spectacular surroundings, after spending hours in the Mexican heat, jumping into that cool, clear water feels like nature has just handed you the world’s best air conditioning system!

Just imagine the feeling, there’s something so peaceful about floating around underground or surrounded by jungle, knowing these places have been part of the landscape for thousands of years.

Then It’s Time For The Beach…

You can’t come all the way to Tulum without experiencing the beach culture, and this is where Tulum really changes personality, the history and jungle give way to bohemian beach life, stylish restaurants, boutique hotels and fantastic beach clubs.

Imagine finishing a day of exploring ancient ruins and swimming in cenotes, then settling down on the beach with your feet in the sand, looking out across the Caribbean, that’s the Tulum experience, with such popular beachfront spots such as Playa Paraíso Beach Club and Ziggy’s offer that perfect combination of sunshine, beach, food, drinks and relaxed Mexican vibes, And yes…that cold beer suddenly becomes VERY important!

It’s a reminder that there’s so much more to this part of Mexico than the obvious tourist hotspots.

🇲🇽 So, Would I Go Back?

Absolutely!

Tulum surprised me because it’s not just one destination.

It’s several experiences rolled into one.

🏛️ Ancient Mayan history
💦 Crystal-clear cenotes
🏖️ Beautiful Caribbean beaches
🍹 Bohemian beach clubs
🌿 Wild jungle and protected nature
🌊 Turquoise Caribbean waters
🍺 And plenty of opportunities for a cold Mexican beer!

But perhaps that’s part of what made the day so memorable – One minute you’re standing among ancient Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean, the next you’re swimming in a crystal-clear cenote, and later you’re sitting on a beautiful beach watching the sun go down with a cold beer in your hand.

And that’s exactly why I love travelling.

You don’t just visit places — you collect experiences.

✈️ Robbo’s Travel Tip

Don’t try to cram everything into one rushed day.

If you have the time, give Tulum longer, its worth combining the ruins with a cenote experience, spend some time on the beach and, if you’re an adventure lover, explore Sian Ka’an, Tulum isn’t somewhere I’d simply tick off a list – It’s somewhere I’d slow down, explore, swim, eat, drink and enjoy.