Solo Travel – Take me to Tulum…A Journey to Self in Mexico

I’m in the spirit of spontaneity recently, so when I found myself hundreds of images deep in a #Tulum search on Instagram, I decided to book a last minute trip. Four days later I was headed to the airport to explore Tulum, a place I’d heard a lot about but yet to visit.
People often ask me how I manage to go to places alone. My answer is simple – I just go. We can spend our lives waiting to live, or we can choose to do so every moment of every day. Besides, if you can’t enjoy your own company, why should anyone else?! That’s not to say I don’t have my freak out moments, I just do it anyway, I do it scared.

Day 1

I arrived to my Airbnb and as the host left me with the key, I had a “umm, now what?” moment. I put my fears and insecurities about being alone in a new place aside, and decided to bike ride around town to get acquainted with my surroundings. I’d looked up places to eat beforehand, and the reviews of El Rincon Chiapaneco told me everything I needed to know. For less than $5 I had three tacos, guacamole + chips, a tamale, and a fresh fruit smoothie. Yes, I ate it all. Happily.

Before I came to Tulum, I was in need of some R&R. So with a full day ahead of me, I rode my bike to the beach and after checking out a few options online, I decided on El Paraiso Beach Club. I rented a beach chair for $10, ordered a few way too sweet cocktails (the kind we only ever drink on vacation…hellllloooo Miami Vice), and settled in for some sun time. I noticed a group of women were offering massages on the beach, so for $30 I got a 90 minute full body massage under a shaded canopy…pure bliss.

 

Day 2

I decided to find a new beach home today, and read good things online about Papaya Playa Project. This gem became my home for the rest of my trip. For $20, you get your own double bed canopy right on the beach and order all the food and drinks you can stomach which will be brought to you while a DJ spins all day. Umm, heaven – is this you?

Everyone I asked told me I had to go to Hartwood for dinner. I looked online and saw they take reservations a month out…and that if you didn’t book that far out your only option is luck via walk in. Being solo, I had hope it wouldn’t be too difficult, but decided to go by before they opened to be safe. I walked from Papaya Playa Project and stopped at a few stores, cafes, and a Origami Gelato shop along the way. Sure enough, Hartwood was able to seat me at the bar, there was already a line of people waiting that I got to skip…being solo has it’s benefits sometimes :-). The food was delicious (and expensive), the vibe was great, and mosquitos were leaving me alone for a blissful 90 minutes as I enjoyed a 5 course meal. Yes, I ate it all.

Day 3

Tulum is known for balancing luxury indulgence and simplistic wellness, so obviously I wasn’t going to leave without a dose of morning yoga. I am NOT a morning person, but alas, I’m here for the experience. So up I got at 7:30AM to bike to the beach and join a 8:00AM yoga class overlooking the ocean. Who am I?! The view alone put me in a state of immediate bliss, but balancing my less than great downward dog while being eaten alive by mosquitos from my ear (literally) to my toes definitely put my ability to stay present to the test.

After yoga, I decided I had to see some of the tourist must haves. So I stopped by a Cenote and the Ruins of Tulum. It was 95 degrees this day with no clouds in site, so by the end of my bike ride to and from (30minutes each way) I was a disgusting, sweaty, irritable mess. Could I have taken a cab? Sure, they are cheap, but I wanted to really experience all of Tulum. I’m glad I did, but was more than ready for a nap by the time I finished.

For dinner, I decided to check out the other heavily recommended ‘hot spot’, Posada Margherita. They are known for their pasta, and I was more than excited given pasta is my first true love. Looking at the reviews everyone seemed to recommend what appeared to be a very simple, bland, tomato sauce with noodles. Let’s just say my taste buds did a praise dance because it was absolutely amazing. Teaching me again, that the best things are often found in simplicity.

After dinner I biked back to my Airbnb when the sun suddenly went down.  With no street lights and a reminder that I was alone in Mexico, I started biking faster…when the chain on the bike popped off. I was on a main road, but it was pitch black, cars were zooming by, and there were no pedestrians in sight. I tried to fix it myself but between mosquitos swarming me, sweat covering my body, a very rusty bike chain, and what seemed like pitch black darkness I couldn’t get the chain back on. I started to freak out (in my head of course) as I remembered that I was alone, in Mexico (where travel warnings are currently in place for mexican gang/drug cartel violence in tourist areas), and my cell phone was on 3%.

I took a few deep breaths and told myself to “PULL IT TOGETHER WOMAN” (in my head of course), I’m competent…it’s just a broken bike chain….I can and WILL figure this out. My worst case scenario was that I would have to walk the bike back….a 30minute walk, in the dark, alone…hmm suddenly I replayed every movie with a kidnapping scene. So, I decided I would just stop the next person that rode/walked by. Thankfully, a semi normal looking gentleman stopped and sat with me for 15minutes while we fixed the chain. I was cautious since you never know someones motives, but somewhat comforted in the fact that he was an American living in Mexico, and seemed genuinely happy to help. Besides, I didn’t really have a choice and I was ready to throw a grown woman temper tantrum from frustration. Needless to say, I made it back safe and sound.

I came back from Tulum with an even deeper appreciation for spending time taking care of myself, exploring a new place by myself, and my ability to “figure it out”. Pasta, Yoga, and Sun…Tulum, I think I like you.