dream destination

Dream Destination: Tulum, Mexico

Good morning travelers! I hope this post will help you get through this Monday. In this post I will go over some of the really unique places to stay in Tulum, Mexico. Have you ever been to Tulum? It seems enchanting with the ruins, cenotes, turquoise waters, and eco resorts.

So you want to stay in a treehouse… on the beach?? YES please!

Before we get there, have you ever heard of an Eco Resort? Well, an Eco-Resort by definition is as follows: a tourist resort whose facilities are intended to have a minimal impact on the local environment. Many eco resorts try to conserve the natural environment while improving life of the local people. That means they promote recycling, energy and water conservation, and create economic opportunities for the community. There are many variations of eco resorts. For example, some have no electric what-so-ever while some have air conditioner but only at night.

By being at an eco resort it is also important to be an eco-tourist. That means while hiking remember to pick up your own trash, stay on designated trails so you do not disturb fragile ecosystems, learn about the area you are visiting before you get there, leave wild animals in peace, and shop from local businesses. I would say these are simple and easy to do so be a good person and do the right thing :).

For more info about EcoTourism click → here!

Now for the fun part! Let’s discover some awesome, exciting, and unique places in Tulum! The three resorts I have listed below are not your typical resorts in Mexico where they have huge pools, crowds of people, and all the luxuries of the modern world.  Instead, you get to be in a more intimate setting, closer to nature, and you get to stay in distinctive lodging. To get to Tulum, most would fly into Cancun and its about a 2 hour drive from there. Read on to discover if an eco resort is something you would give a try!

Papaya Playa Project

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Maya Oceanfront Cabana

If you want rustic yet sophisticated, the jungle, and the beach then go to Papaya Playa Project. All of their rooms are built with local materials and construction techniques. You can choose to stay in villas, beach houses or a treehouse! Prices range from $160/night and up (depending on when you go). Most of the lodging has its own plunge pool and air conditioning, but wifi is only in the beach houses. I think a great deal is the Maya Oceanfront Cabana for $225 a night. You get oceanfront, your own terrace, and air conditioning. If you want to spend $1,000/night then you can stay in the exceptional treehouse! Its really cool though. To learn more about the Papaya Playa Project check out their website here.

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Treehouse!
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Private Casita Oceanfront

*All pictures are from the Papaya Playa Project website

Azulik

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Candlelight only

Azulik: An eco-lux resort, where premises are lit only by candlelight and adults can for a relax in the natural and magical ambiance. It is a place where you get reconnected to what matters to you most. What attracted me to this place was the abundance of hammocks, the rustic treehouse look, and the colorful interiors. The 9 wooden crafted villas are made from native materials and each is different but all come with private mosaic bathtub, a bed with mosquito net, private terrace, and will fit 2 adults. Sorry, no air conditioning but you will get great ocean breezes. For those looking for honeymoon ideas check out the honeymoon villa (so cool!)

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Honeymoon Villa
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Look at that view!

Now, lets talk money. Prices are $400 and up depending on when you go. Try to book at least 2-3 months in advance. A 50 min deep tissue massage will cost around $140 and a 60 min group yoga class will cost around $15. Lastly, there are three remarkable restaurants at the resort but prices were not available online. For more information on this magical resort check the website here!

Mi Amor Colibri Boutique Hotel and Spa

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Mi Amor. Picture from Booking.com

You can consider this hotel to be a boutique, luxury small hotel (total 18 rooms). Prices are around $370 and up. I am attracted its low key sophistication and I love its interior design. It has wifi but no TV’s but who cares when you have the beautiful ocean at your doorstep. You can kite board, check out the ruins, scuba dive, or take cooking classes. Breakfast entrees run around $8, cocktails are about $13, and beers are $3-$7. Dinner entrees and pasta cost anywhere from $13-$25. I would say prices are not too bad but I guess that depends on what you like to eat and drink.

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Sunset at Mi Amor. Picture from Booking.com

If Mi Amor does not appeal to you the Colibri hotel group has 4 other options to choose from and they look just as incredible as this one. To look at the website for Mi Amor click here and to check out the other hotels of the Colibri group just scroll to the bottom of the website and they are listed there. If Colibri hotels are not your thing and you want to check out other small luxury hotels click here.

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Mi Amor, part of Colibri Boutique Hotels. Picture from Trip Advisor.

I realize these places would be great for a romantic getaway.  I wonder if romance is on my mind?? Or perhaps the stresses of city living have inspired my desire to experience the all encompassing nature that Tulum can provide. All in all, my suggestion would be to stay in a less expensive hotel for half your trip then stay in one of these unique places for a night or two. Or stay the whole time. YOLO!

Let me know if you have been to these places or know of any other unique and rustic eco resorts! Have a great day adventurers!

♥Jillian

dream destination

Dream Destination: Exumas

The Exumas are located 35 miles southeast of Nassau and only 40 min from Florida! They are part of an archipelago of 365 cays and islands in the Bahamas. That means, in a year, you can visit one cay/island a day!

Why is this a dream destination? Imagine crystal clear, warm ocean water (my favorite), a place where nature outnumbers people, and swimming pigs! That’s correct.  Pigs that swim in the Caribbean are a real thing. So, would you want to swim with pigs? Whenever I ask that question, I get a mixed response. If your willing to give it a try, then you will be in for a unique island adventure. The swimming pigs are located on Big Major’s Cay. No one quite knows how they got there, but who cares.  It is amazing! For more information on the Exumas check out the Bahamas official website here!

Before you book your trip watch this award winning short film called “When Pigs Swim” directed by Charlie Smith and produced by GIV Bahamas Inc. 🙂

I would love to hear stories of anyone who has been there or has plans to go. Let me know! Have a great monday!

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Swimming pigs on Exuma

 

 

 

dream destination

Dream Destination: Palau

Palau,

You seem magical.

With your maze of rock islands, your lush,green scenery, and don’t forget about those crystal clear waters!

Now lets get to the fun facts: Locally the island nation is known as Belau and it was actually the Germans who gave it is current name. Palau used to be a U.S territory but became in independent nation in 1994. It is also a great diving spot. What I really would love to do is kayak through the rock islands!

So how do you get there?

Palau is 2.5hrs from the Philippines and 7.5 hrs from Hawaii. From Chicago, it looks like it would take about 25 hrs :/

I think the best way to do these trips is to break the trip up. By that I mean spend a night or two in California, perhaps visit some friends or check out Hollywood. Then make your way to your final destination. For more information about Palau you can visit http://pristineparadisepalau.com/main.html