It's been real, Tulum

Tulum has been growing on us by the day. There is something in the air that gives us a feelings of peace and tranquility. Chantal and I kept expressing similarities Tulum has to parts of Bali. Each shop along the roads had its own spice and flavor that differentiates from the next.

Tulum street food

Getting ready for dinner, Chantal and I had this brilliant idea to bring small change and hit all the local street food carts sprinkled throughout the pueblo: a street food crawl, Mexico style! Each cart was surrounded by groups of locals enjoying the delicious servings for next to nothing. The locals thought it was strange that we stopped at these carts because the "tourists" usually go to sit down restaurants, but we put on our friendly smiles and conversed with the locals in our broken Spanish. Carnitas tacos in freshly made tortillas, hotdogs wrapped with bacon, chicken tostadas, el pastor con queso with a side of the most delicious horchata are just a few of the flavors to name. Each place was better than the next, and it was almost impossible not to get filled up on the first stop. Patience was, indeed, a virtue this time.  Total cost: $5.

After some brainstorming, Chantal and I decided to rent a car for 2 days so we could explore more of Tulum's wonders and also get to Merida the next day (3 hours, 160 miles inland). Grabbing our mini, white Ford Ikon, we raced south to Cenote Kaan Luum, just south of Tulum (recommended by a local restaurant owner). This place was pure magic, as we walked down the 50 foot pier that opened up to the most beautiful aquamarine colored water. Families gathered on the pier, as everyone swam around the cenote. The bottom had soft clay that exfoliated the skin. Chantal and I swam and lay on the dock taking in the amazing views. 

Cenote Kaan Luum 

Where's Jay? Hint: Upside down. In the air.

Cenote Cristalino was our 2nd stop, located between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. Entering the cenote, you could feel the energy- kids splashing, people snorkeling, families conversing, and kids jumping off ledges. There were easily 4 different sunken fresh water pits that people could swim in. The water was so clear, and it had this sense of rejuvenation once you got out.

The large pit had a cliff, at least 20 feet high, that people would crowd around until they had the courage to jump. This scene had at least a hundred people watching, and the first thing that came to my mind was, "I have to do a backflip." I took the trail up, analyzed the scene, and watched as people built the nerve to jump. I asked around, "Has anybody flipped yet?" No. I took the stage, heels of my feet dangling off the ledge, and hit the gnarliest backflip as locals cheered! Great ending to our last day full day in Tulum.

The next day was the beginning to our adventure inland to Merida. We woke early, drove west a few kilometers, and stopped at a smaller, much more private cenote, Calavera. We got there at 8am, which is when Google told us it opened. We arrived and it was still closed. It stayed that way until 8:45..."Mexico flexico" in full effect. We payed our entrance fee, excitedly; as the first people to get in, we would have some tranquility in the fresh waters.

It got dark and eerie quickly. We were greeted by a massive iguana that looked like a dinosaur from Jurassic Park- it had Chantal shaking in her boots (sandals). This sunken pit had a ladder and a swing, and I was determined to get in. This place had a scary energy; bats flying in and out, fish nibbling at my feet, and strange bubbles surfacing from the bottom. My mind was racing, and as I descended down Chantal nervously took pictures from above. Not going to lie, I scurried to the rope, got a few picture for the Insta, and swam out of there for dear life. There was just something off being there alone, and after researching, Cenote Calavera translates to  "Temple of Doom" and has apparently inherited 125 skeletons from scuba divers who didn't make it out. Scary in the moment, laughing at it after.  El jefe, the iguana, watched up suspiciously the entire time.

Must eats in Tulum:

El Camelo - Mixed ceviche and Coca-Cola in a glass bottle

Umi Sushi Mix - If you need a break from Mexican food

Manglar - Best pizza and pasta in Tulum! 

Xscape Tulum - Huevos Motuleños and banana bread

Dessert Street Cart - Banana, strawberry, caramel, and Nutella crepe wrapped for $1

From Cenotes to Cozumel

Cenotes Dos Ojos 

Underwater Cenotes shot

Scuba diving a cenote was a must for me and Chantal, and we arranged a trip to make it happen. Researching best companies, we fell upon Tank-Ha Dive Center as our go-to. They catered to our needs, and assembled a van to take us to Cenotes Dos Ojos for scuba (Chantal and I) and snorkel (Karen, Hunter, Cheyenne) tours. We made our way into the jungle with our dive master, Irati.

30 minutes later we arrived at the site near Tulum filled with palm trees, iguanas, and local Mayan housing. Dos Ojos is one of the most extravagant diving sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, and is one of the largest underwater cave systems. This cenote gets its name from 2 massive sinkholes ranging 70 meters in diameter shaped like "2-eyes." This was our first fresh-water dive in tight quarters as we floated through stalactites and stalagmites. Fossils were imprinted in the limestone as we followed a yellow rope with only flashlights to look ahead. The breath-taking views had us feeling like we entered another world. At one point, we had Hunter free-diving above, giving us the "hang-loose" sign. Definitely memorable moments never to forget. If you haven't dived a cenote in the past, put it on your bucket list and check it off ASAP.

Irati, our dive master, was so informative, warm, and fun to be around. It was an A+ day overall, and if you are in Playa, you must go to Tank-Ha Dive Center for tours- 5 Star!

The next day, the family decided to pick up round-trip ferry tickets to Cozumel, an island off the coast of Playa. A 45 minute boat excursion led us to one of the best days of our trip. We hopped off and satisfied our growling stomachs at Amparo's Breakfast Bistro. The freshly squeezed juice smoothies, Mexican skillets, cheese hash browns, and lobster benedict (topped with bacon and caramelized onions) satisfied every craving possible.

The west-side of the island, where we docked, is full of tourists and shops. We had better plans... We rented our very own soft-top Jeep for the day and drove east across the island, where it was more private and secluded. This was probably the best move of our life as we hit Punta Morena, a calm and quiet beach with colorful hammocks swinging from every direction.  There were maybe two other people on this whole beach as we played music, laughed, and floated in the crystal blue waters. Hunter was flying his drone, Cheyenne found a local with a machete to open her coconut, Karen peacefully relaxed in the shade, and Chantal and I swung in neon-colored hammocks... Something out of a movie.

After spending a few hours in our magical paradise, we adventured north to check out new spots. We pulled off the side of the road to set up Hunter's drone to follow the Jeep when, all of a sudden, we were pinned by a frenzy of vans and cars. Little kids and parents jumped out excitedly and ran to the beach. We were puzzled and distraught at first, until we noticed everyone wearing matching shirts. After asking a few questions, we noticed that we'd stopped at a turtle conservation area, where turtle nests were marked in the sand, pinned by red flag markers. We couldn't help but be a part of this movement.

The timing was perfect. The camp leader gathered a group of at least 50  as they uncovered over 100 freshly hatched sea turtles in the sand. Everyone cheered as the babies made their way to their ocean home. It was one of the most moving events we have ever witnessed, and felt like we were supposed to be there at that moment.

When we travel, instead of making strict plans and following itineraries, we end up where we're supposed to be and notice how life's surprises are endless when you take time to be present.