I’ve been having a lot of fun going through the photos from Tulum, and this time around I am crafting a fun recap video (with a lot of help from my brother… he’s doing most of the work). While I’ve been focused on writing a comprehensive guide, I still want to share some photos and stories from each day. I flew into Tulum two days before my brother and Summer, and the time was mostly spent relaxing on the beach. If you want to go somewhere and do nothing but bask in the beauty of nature, Tulum is the place to do it.

On my very first morning I rose with the sun (around 6 am) and walked on the beach as the sun rose. What’s interesting in Tulum is the sky gets bright before the sun is even visible above the horizon.

As I walked along the beach, I had it almost entirely to myself save for a gentleman flying his drone and a honeymoon couple snuggling on the beach in their hotel robes. Otherwise it was deserted and peaceful. The pastel colors and softly crashing waves make for an ethereal scene.

As the sun got higher a few joggers joined us on the beach. The soft colors of sunrise are my absolute favorite.

After a long walk, I headed back to my hotel to grab my swimsuit and a book. If there’s one thing I forgot to bring it was a water bottle. Lots of the beach hotels and restaurants have 5 gallon water dispensers set out so you can fill your water bottle with purified water. Luckily they usually set out some glasses as well, so you can fill up for a quick sip of water.

On my way back to the beach, I walked over to Raw Love for an acai smoothie bowl. It cost 160 pesos plus tax and I left a little tip. It’s pricey but so convenient and exactly what I was craving.

And they have a perfectly curated outdoor space. The little hut that hides the kitchen is painted a cheery orange. Dream catchers hang from the trees and the tables and seats are a variety of wooden stumps, swinging benches and hammocks. The staff rake the sand and put out fresh flowers each morning.

In front of Ahau Tulum there’s a collection of hammocks, chairs and beach beds shaded by umbrellas. I grabbed a bed and quickly settled in for hours split between dipping in the amazingly clear water and reading a booked I picked up in Yoga Shala’s little shared library. After a while I walked down to Taqueria la Eufemia for a taco lunch.

I ordered mushroom and garlic tacos, veggie tacos (each 20 pesos) and fish tacos (30 pesos) with a bottle of water (20 pesos). The grilled fish tacos are so good. I don’t eat fish often, but it’s always fun to try when it’s the specialty of a destination. And that’s always where you’ll experience the best quality. At the end of lunch I learned “la quinta” = the bill. I got la quinta squared away and then set off to walk the beach.

I wandered down the southern end of the beach until I found a quiet and deserted spot to finish my book. I can’t remember the last time I had the time to read an entire book in a day! My first day in Tulum was so peaceful and relaxing, exactly what I’d hoped for!