After a long and cold winter in Berlin, we were happy to finally pack our bags and escape to white sandy beaches in Mexico! 13hours later we landed at Cancun Airport where we rent a car and drove right away to our first destination, Holbox Island (northeast of the Mexican state Yucatàn). It took us nearly 3 hours to reach Chiquilà, where we parked the car and took the ferry. On the road we learned our lesson: having enough Pesos in the pocket and gas in the tank is crucial since it can take hundreds of miles till the next gas station appears and they only accept cash.

Next morning we woke up in paradise! Palm-trees and endless white sandy beaches. No cars are allowed on the island. Time for slowing down and facing the turquoise ocean. Holbox Island seems yet less overrun than Cancun or Playa del Carmen. A true oases of tranquility and stunning nature for those who like to be far from touristy crowds.

We stayed 3 nights on the island and continued our journey to Izamal, a picturesque small town famous for its yellow painted houses and Monastery built on top of the acropolis after the Spanish Conquista. It’s quite impressive and there are many things to discover and learn about the Mayan spirituality & culture. The region around Izamal is also known for its mystic fog, so be careful when driving in the night. We found a beautifully refurbished hacienda, Sacnicte, just outside of Izamal in the middle of green plantation. We loved the laid-back atmosphere facing tropical gardens. Definitely a place to come back and stay longer!

Next morning we headed northwest to Mérida, the capital of Yucatán. A charming city with old colonial buildings and some nice art galleries. Yucatecan food is delicious and there are many nice restaurants serving a variety of local dishes, my favorite: lime and tortilla soup & tacos con pollo. We stayed at Rosas & Xocolate, a tastefully decorated boutique hotel with a lot of attention to detail. The cocoa-based spa treatments are amazing & revitalizing. The thriving old town of Mérida has much to offer and I found a few pop up stores full of interior inspirations to take back home :-)
We didn’t feel the streets to be packed with visitors and really enjoyed the spirit of the city.
Although we could have stayed longer, it was time to drive south, direction Tulum! On the way we stopped by the impressive Mayan Ruins of Chichén Itzá. Make sure to go in the early morning to avoid the crowded buses. The Ruins of Cobà are also worth a visit as you can actually climb on the temple pyramids and enjoy stunning views over the surrounding jungle.

Finally we reached Tulum - a little piece of tropical paradise! Endless white sandy beaches facing turquoise caribbean ocean…you don’t need more than a hammock, Guacamole, a refreshing Pacífico (my favorite Mexican beer) and get yourself taken by the zen moods of the Mayan Riviera.
Our home for the next 5 days: an ocean-front cabana at Papaya Playa Project, a Design Hotels’ pop up hotel stretched on 900 meters between tropical jungle and the Caribbean coastline. Music plays a major role at Papaya Playa. There’s nothing like chill on the beach with some good music vibes in the air. Life is always better at the sea…well yes I agree :-)
The rough waves are ideal for kit surfing. With the first sun rise we went snorkeling in the Cenotes, our favorite one: Dos Ojos. Those water caves were sometimes used for sacrificial offerings by the ancient Maya. The crystal clear water is meant to purify the soul.
In Tulum you can easily find a bike rental station and explore the neighborhood. Mangoes, papayas, a freshly squeezed passion-fruit juice and off we drove to the ruins of Tulum, an archeological site situated on tall cliffs by the ocean. From up there you have stunning views on the Mayan Riviera.
There's only one main road in Tulum between the jungle and the beach where you'll find some nice shops, really good bars and excellent restaurants - Casa Banana, Hartwood, La Tropicana, Casa Jaguar and Gitano Bar are amongst my favorite ones!
There's something magical about Tulum that makes it really hard to leave...we'll definitely come back to discover & explore more of this beautiful country!