Mexican Villas in Tulum and Riviera Maya Vacations

Riviera Maya Vacations

Mexico's Riviera Maya coastal area has long been a popular vacation destination for North American travelers. It features 80 miles of beach stretching from the resort-town of Cancun down to the boho-chic village of Tulum. Just offshore is the island of Cozumel. Most vacationers fly into Cancun which has direct flights from New York, Boston, Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Miami, and more.

The vibe of this coast changes as you drive south from Cozumel where one finds beach-front hotels towering over the sand each with lively beach bars. As one moves south towards Playa del Carmen, you'll see massive resort communities along the coast, with some of the finest vacation rentals in the Riviera Maya within their walls. Billboards for adventure parks and golf courses line the highway in this area.

Tulum Vacations

The world of Tulum is entirely different. One arrives in Tulum on a modest two lane highway called RT 15. As you pass the Parc Nationale de Tulum with its Mayan ruins you are greeted by colorful single story restaurants, and surf shacks. Then, the magic starts as the road meets the coast. You wind through lush jungle that shades the road, Tulum beach on one side with its eco-friendly beach hotels, yoga retreats and beachfront vacation rentals; and funky restaurants and art galleries and clothing shops on the other side. There are no towering hotels or resorts in Tulum. Instead, it has a more modest profile, like St Barths or Jose Ignacio.

A vacation in Tulum features miles of white sand beaches to walk along, Robinson Caruso-like beach bars like Ziggy's to enjoy long lazy afternoons in, and a fun gallery scene to stroll through. Cultural and natural wonders are just a short drive from the coast including the Sian Kaan biosphere, dozens of Cenotes for snorkeling, and Mayan ruins to explore. Tulum has several beach hotels that we recommend, along with our portfolio of vacation rentals and private villas.