These are the only Mayan ruins in Mexico that boast a spectacular ocean view and considering they are so well preserved the Tulum ruins are an absolute must-visit on your trip to eastern Mexico.
For the best experience, and to beat both the heat and the crowds, plan on going early in the morning when the Tulum ruins first open. Not only will there be less people throughout the ruins but as the site is east-facing you can catch a beautiful sunrise. For photography buffs, make note that the site is very strict about collecting the tripod/monopod fee and will not allow them in without the supplementary ticket.
Hours and prices listed may change. These were accurate as of January 2017.
To get to the ruins you can drive, take a bus, join a tour, or even stay the night in Tulum. Driving was our preference, and GPS directions made it very easy to get to the entrance of the Tulum Ruins and find a parking space.
When you arrive there are several parking areas (some are out front of industrious businesses that cordon them off and collect a small fee), along with lots of souvenir stores and a few restaurants. Through the gate it is a 1-mile / 1.6km walk along a jungle-lined street to get to the entrance and ticket booth for the Tulum Mayan Ruins. There an option to ride a small train from the parking area to the gate if you don’t feel like walking, but its hours of operation vary and it likely won’t be running in time for an early-bird arrival.
To capture Tulum’s picture-perfect postcard shot for yourself, the 3 best photo opportunities are along the cliff path, overlooking the water around the Castillo watchtower. Head there first if you are trying to catch the view without the crowds!
See the map at the end of the post to find the best Tulum photo locations & more recommendations for your visit.
Once you have finished exploring Tulum’s Mayan ruins, it’s time for lunch! Here are some Tulum vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants near the ruins for you to enjoy.
Famous for a reason, there are some great cenotes located around Tulum. If you are in the area, make a visit to these unique underground fresh-water pools! There is usually a small access fee to get in, masks and fins available to rent, and a locker to place your things.
Some of the most popular cenotes near Tulum are:
Tulum’s beautiful views and incredible Mayan ruins are a must-visit day trip for anyone visiting Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. Did you just visit and have a great tip to share? Let us know in the comments below!
]]>It’s exciting planning a trip to Rottnest Island, or Rotto, as the locals call it. You know you’re in for an amazing day! There’s no wonder it was recently voted the Top Destinations in Australia to Experience. After a short Rottnest Express ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle, pick up your bike and a sandwich and spend the day exploring. Along the way you will find the most serene, deserted beaches. Take a dip, and savour the sparkling turquoise views… all while knowing there is an ice-cold cider and some cute little quokkas waiting for you at the pub when you finish your ride.
What could be better? The views are incredible, the water perfect hues of blues, and the beaches never crowded.
GETTING THERE
You can sense the excitement when you get to the B-Shed docks at Fremantle, 30 minutes from Perth. Friends and families gather and enjoy a coffee and a pastry as they get their tickets and wait for the ferry to arrive. Those going to Rottnest for several days all have coolers full of supplies to last them while they stay in one of the cottages spotted around the island.
The ferry takes about 25 minutes and before you know it, you are pulling up to the crystal clear waters of Thompson Bay. If you have your own bike this can easily be loaded onto the ferry (for a fee). Otherwise, include a bike rental with your ferry ticket and your rusty trusty bike will be there waiting for you on the pier when you arrive on Rottnest Island.
GETTING AROUND
The biggest choice you are going to have to make all day is deciding if you want to start your ride around the island clockwise or counterclockwise. The second biggest is which of the 60+ beaches you want to stop at for a swim. With no cars on the island, a bicycle is a great way to get around. Be prepared for a few steep climbs up the rolling hills and enjoy soaring down the other side. It is all so worth it.
TO-DO
Rottnest has a calm and relaxed vibe to it, a place where kids can run free and time holds still. Just don’t miss the ferry back! While you are there you feel a million miles away from Perth, even though you can just see it floating on the horizon. Riding along it’s only a matter of time before you spot a Quokka. Quokkas are the cutest little marsupials, a tiny relative of the Kangaroo. They are ridiculously friendly, and will come over for a visit if you stop your bike to say hi.
BEACHES
The best part of Rottnest is finding your favorite beach… often you will be the only person there. The water is a hundred shades of brilliant blues and invites you in with a siren’s song. Some of our absolute favorites are Little Parakeet Bay, the Grand Basin, Parker Point, and Salmon Bay.
FOOD & DRINK
When you are completely covered in salt and sand, it’s usually just one or two more bays before you reach the Hotel Rottnest Bar & Bistro (formerly the Quokka Arms). Relaxing on the patio is the great prize for all your hard work pedalling. Here people gather to talk about their day around the island, while enjoying Australia’s great cold ciders and some fresh hot chips. Don’t be surprised if the resident peacock wanders through the pub and a cute little Quokka runs by your feet.
ISALND INTERVIEW RATING
We dream of retiring to an island paradise, and we love interviewing the candidates! As an Australian A-Class Nature Reserve, you can’t actually live on Rottnest… but you could live in Perth or Fremantle, both very close!
Island Livability Score: Not Eligible
This is a great place to visit for the day, or stay the week for a relaxing vacation in paradise.
Island Dream Vacation Score: 5 / 5
GETTING TO ROTTNEST ISLAND
SAILS & SPICES TIPS
LAST WORD
Rottnest was one of my absolute favorite parts of Western Australia. It’s hard to believe that a little island paradise can be just 18k offshore from Perth. I can’t wait to go again soon!
]]>After a challenging year at work with a relocation and new role, we had one goal: ultimate relaxation. The turquoise waters of the Turks & Caicos Islands beckoned. Not content to settle in with the holiday crowds, we opted to go off the beaten path passing up the popular island of Providenciales (Provo) for Salt Cay and Grand Turk.
Getting to Salt Cay is a multi-day adventure. On advice we stayed one night at Grace Bay on Providenciales (Provo) to pick up fresh groceries and load them up in a cooler bag. One couple we met tried to make the direct connection through Provo and got jammed in the immigration line up, missing their connection… predictably, the last of the evening.
Graceway Gourmet will be a (pricey) must-make stop on Provo. Having most of what you would expect from a community-sized Whole Foods, we recommend packing your bags light from home and filling them up on arrival in Provo. Your puddle jumper to Salt Cay or Grand Turk has luggage weight limits and the shopping options are minimal once you arrive.
The flight to Salt Cay takes around 20 minutes on a tiny single-prop 10-seater plane that touches down on Grand Turk on the way over. Keep your camera handy… The views of the blue, tranquil waters are incredible and may be a trip highlight!
If you’re lucky, as we were, you may even get the co-pilot seat.
~~~~~~~~~~~
VISITING SALT CAY … NEED TO KNOW
OVERVIEW
Salt Cay is an underdeveloped off-the-beaten-path getaway ideal for empty nesters (young or old) looking for quiet diving, snorkeling, or beach relaxation. Expectations of high-end modern amenities will leave you disappointed, but the stunning North Beach makes a few days on this tranquil island most worthwhile.
FOOD & DRINK
There are 3-4 restaurants on the island serving lunch and dinner daily. If you want dinner, you’ll need to let them know your intent to join by around 2:00pm so they can prepare… your visit will no doubt be one of the highlights of their night. Vegetarians will find tasty and authentic Caribbean Rice & Peas at Pat’s.
Several accommodations on the island include kitchens or kitchenettes. If you, like us, don’t fancy Conch three ways and generally want to be in the drivers’ seat for your meals we recommend packing some simple cooking supplies in and being self-sufficient. We enjoyed frequenting the restaurants for a happy hour cocktail and light appetizer.
While we were there we discovered some great recipes. The Bajan Seasoning is a delicious caribbean marinade, the ‘secret-sauce’ of local cuisine. For happy hour, the island’s slow afternoon pace inspired us to mix up the refreshing Coco Loco Cocktail. It’s a must-try whether you’re in the caribbean, or just wishing!
BEACHES
North Beach is the star of the island. Untouched and undeveloped you can walk along it for ages. For maximum beach enjoyment, we recommend staying up there.
Snorkeling is easy and accessible from the leeward side of the island. Walk-in sites are accessible at Lighthouse Point (our favourite), Deane’s Dock, and the “Swimming Pool” near the old government wharf.
Snorkel gear is available for rental from the dive shop, though you may prefer to bring your own and use it as you please.
Stay tuned for our upcoming post on Salt Cay diving!
TO-DO
Relax! If you are in a hurry on Salt Cay, you’re lost…
GETTING AROUND
Your own two feet will be the most reliable, but not the only mode of transport on the island.
Bicycles are available with many accommodations, and may be hired on island.
Golf carts (pricey) are available for rent and are recommended if you are staying several nights up at North Beach, as without it will be a 30 minute walk down a rocky path. Island living is tough on a golf cart, and replacement parts must make the same long journey you did to arrive. Expect your cart to be in well-worn condition.
~~~~~~~~~~~
ISLAND INTERVIEW RATING
We dream of retiring to an island paradise, and we love interviewing the candidates!
For us, Salt Cay lacks the infrastructure to be a long term home. Real Estate prices are a bargain for the caribbean, but existing structures offer only the basics. The gravel airstrip and lack of deep water mooring for a container ship or barge (building supplies) means even the most adventuresome home builders will run into logistics nightmares until the access improves.
Island Livability Score: 2 / 5
That said, Salt Cay, and particular North Beach, is a gorgeous place to get off the grid for a few days and enjoy the sound of the lapping waves, without the crowds that come with a typical built-up destination. We have great memories of riding off into the sunset on our golf cart with a drink for the road, going to explore the island’s views, among the donkeys.
Island Dream Vacation Score: 4 / 5
SAILS & SPICES TIPS
LAST WORD
Worth 2-3 days to enjoy North Beach, a good book, and a bit of snorkelling or diving.
]]>