Cancun, Mexico: A Top 5 Hidden Beach Get-Away

Cancun, Mexico

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Photgraphy by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Jaclyn and I came to mexico on a Tuesday. We left NYC late ... Jaclyn got sick on the first day in Tulum sleeps for 20 hours... but the next day she wakes up well enough to go out. Its a sunny morning i am drinking coffee and we head out on the way to the ruins. We get there and no shit its raining... not raining pouring. Jaclyns first day out of bed and its pouring. we take shelter from the rain on the beach in the water... we meet some people from kansas and wait out the strom. we quickly take a few photos and leave after the storm. We want to swim with the dolphins we got free from the car rental. We get there its starting to rain but we go anyway.. we pull up the free dolphin ride actaully u have to pay 70 to get into the park before you can ride the dolphins busted. WE goto some underwater cave to swim and escape the rain before heading back to the hotel.

Tulum Ruins by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Myan Ruins

This is arguably the biggest cultural pull Tulum offers and it’s clear to see why year on year tourists continue to flock to these superbly located Mayan ruins. Perched high on a cliff with sweeping vistas of the jewel toned ocean below, you come for the culture but stay for the view at Tulum’s ruins. Does the view look familiar? That’s because it’s become one of the most emblematic images of Mexico in recent years, even serving as the cover for a Lonely Planet guidebook. Top tip: arrive early and beat the hordes of tour buses.

Tulum Ruins by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Cenotes

I had no idea until arriving in Mexico that there are roughly 1 billion cenotes to choose from. Well not really, but there are so many cenotes scattered just about everywhere that you could spend weeks only going cenote hunting. Each has a unique selling point as well – some are best for diving, others are deep in caves, and they vary in color as well. So how do you pick and choose? I asked a few of my friends who are familiar with the area to make recommendations before I went and ended up visiting five different cenotes:

Suytun is quite a drive away from Tulum but out of all of the cenotes I visited, this one was the dreamiest-looking. The platform is partially submerged under the water and walking out to it to be illuminated by a hole in the ceiling feels like you’re walking on nature’s cat walk.

Gulf of Mexico by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

I woke up at 6 AM to get to the cenote right when it opened so that I could get photos without anybody in them. I’m still not clear on whether it opens at 8 or 9 AM. They opened the gate for us at 8:20 and we were the first ones there. I think with even one or two other people in the shot it wouldn’t be nearly as special. Also, if you want to swim in the cenote you are required to wear a life jacket, which takes it off of the swimming list for me! Can’t stand wearing those orange abominations.

There are dozens of other cenotes in the vicinity of Tulum, and if you expand to the entire Yucatán peninsula, surely there are hundreds. However if you only have time to visit the ones I’ve mentioned here you will see a nice variety. Other honorable mentions include Jadin de Eden, Sac Atun, and Casa Cenote.

#Mexico #Tulum

Tulum, Mexico: Number 1 Place To Relax

Tulum, Mexico

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Photography by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

So we check in its beautiful hotel. I am over the moon and happy we chose this place. we goto the restarunt before it cloese and order food. Myan chicken ists awesome. We get bananans for dessert with chocolate sause... awesome. Jaclyn eats it all... even the decorative fig on the side fo the plate.

Tulum has been a firm favourite for national and international travellers for many years and will undoubtedly continue to be so, not least because of its prime location on Mexico’s azure blue Caribbean coastline. Even though it will forever play second fiddle to the infinitely more tourism driven Playa del Carmen and Cancún, there’s so much on offer; here’s everything you must see and do when in Tulum.

Tulum Mexico by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Due to the peculiar layout of Tulum – the coastline, its principal attraction, is separated from the centre of the town by a short drive or a rather much longer walk – it’s advisable to rent bikes for at least a couple of the days you’ll be there. This gives you far more freedom to explore the area without a reliance on taxis; plus, with the wind flowing through your hair as you cycle around, you’ll practically forget about the often humid climate.

If you’re into all things ecological, then this is undoubtedly one of the most unmissable things to take part in when visiting Tulum; each year, from May to October, most of this coastline sees the arrival of turtle nesting season. After the sun sets each evening, the mother turtles slowly make their way up the beach to lay their eggs, before carefully journeying back to the surf. If you want a more hands on turtle experience, day trip to Akumal instead, where you can snorkel with these magnificent creatures!

Gulf of Mexico by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

#Mexico #Tulum

Negril, Jamaica: Number 1 Yoga Retreat Jackie's On The Reef

Negril, Jamaica

Photography by Lucas Stoffel can be licensed on Shutterstock and Getty Images

Photography by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

Jackie's On The Reef

Beautiful trip at Jackie's On The Reef in Negril, Jamaica. Really wonderful lovely time with Lix Wexler Yoga. Here are some beautiful photos we took of Liz and the crew on the retreat.

Jackie’s on the Reef was created as a small temple of no particular faith. We are an eco-friendly, locavore environment amidst organic gardens and overlooking 180 degrees of the majestic Caribbean Sea and Mother Earth. Our serene, supportive, and loving environment was designed to allow your temple to reconnect to your special purpose. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey of life, ” We Say Welcome...

Jamaican Yoga by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

A number of spa treatments are available. We recently added two new treatments – one is the Ion Cleanse that detoxifies the body, and the other is a Reflexology Massage on feet, hands and head while soaking your feet in our mineral bath. All treatments are provided in a cabana on the Caribbean Sea while listening to the crashing of the waves and the chirping of birds.

Jamaican Yoga by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

In addition to five spacious guestrooms, our facility features an open veranda facing the Caribbean Sea. On the veranda, we provide morning yoga and meditation classes, as well as serve evening dinner. When not practicing or eating, you can laze around on a bamboo bed like a lazy lizard or lie in a colorful hammock.

Jamaican Yoga by Luke Stoffel - Fine art prints available on Etsy.

#Yoga #Jamaica