An Unforgettable Spring Break in Tulum, Mexico
We were in need of a Spring Break escape—somewhere with powdery white sand and that stunning turquoise Caribbean water. When I found out Tulum, Mexico had just opened a brand-new airport, making travel in and out a breeze, it felt like the perfect destination for our week-long getaway. Fitting this short vacation into our hectic schedules – school, work, dance, competitions, and baseball – it wasn’t easy to carve out time, but we managed to find six consecutive days that worked, so I jumped on it. I’d heard amazing things about La Zebra in Tulum’s hotel zone and decided on a beachside suite with a private plunge pool and a balcony overlooking the sea. I couldn’t wait for our family to unplug, relax, and simply enjoy a week with zero plans.
Day 1: Arrival in Tulum
We flew out of Raleigh-Durham with a quick layover in Miami.
We landed in Tulum around 11:30 a.m.—perfect timing for a delicious, authentic Mexican lunch.
Next time, I might opt for a direct flight into Cancun to save a bit of time overall, but I have to say – the Tulum airport was smaller, far less crowded, and a much more pleasant experience. We were greeted by Gabo, our friendly driver for the week, who helped with our bags, and we were quickly on our way. Keep reading for my top recommendation for a reliable and friendly driver in Tulum.
After checking in at La Zebra, we made a beeline for their open-air beachside restaurant for lunch—and it did not disappoint. The food was absolutely amazing. I can’t say enough about the food and drinks, amazing meals are a top priority for me when traveling, and La Zebra, went above and beyond our expectations.
We spent the rest of the afternoon settling in and exploring the hotel, fully embracing the laid-back vibes. It was that perfect moment of pure bliss—when you’ve officially arrived and can finally just relax.
For dinner, we headed back to the restaurant, and once again, the food was absolutely outstanding. I truly can’t rave enough about the food and drinks—everything was just perfect for kicking off our first day in Mexico. Afterward, we took a leisurely stroll down beach road and treated ourselves to some delicious ice cream from Aldo’s. Little D’s favorite ice cream in Mexico—he made sure to have some every night while we were in Tulum.
Estupendo!
Day 2: Spa and Wellness Day
We woke up to the most stunning sunrise over the Caribbean Sea, lounging on our balcony bed with coffee in hand.
Every morning at 8 a.m., La Zebra delivered a breakfast basket with coffee and shortbread cookies.
After breakfast, Maven and I strolled over to Lula’s Wellness, next door, to check out their schedule. We managed to get into a Pilates class, which was an excellent workout, especially with the beautiful sea views. The class is $20 USD per session.
At noon, we cooled off with an ice bath on the beach—the water was a chilly 48°F, while the air temperature was a warm 86°F. I lasted about a minute. Ha.
Afterward, we treated ourselves to a ginger shot from Lula’s restaurant and enjoyed massages there too. While massages are offered along the beach, Lula’s was able to accommodate us right away, so we booked with them.
We warmed up for a bit in our plunge pool with the heat cranked up!
For lunch, we headed back to La Zebra and spent the afternoon lounging on the beach bed. We grabbed local treats from the vendors who passed by—it was a fun way to immerse ourselves in the local culture.
In the evening, we walked to Rosa Negra for dinner. It was good, but not my favorite spot in Tulum.
We felt completely safe walking around Tulum at night.
We took a late-night swim and then relaxed on the balcony bed.
Day 3: Pure Relaxation and Mexican Cooking Experience
It was a day to fully soak in the beauty of Tulum. We watched the sunrise from our balcony, strolled along the beach, lounged on our beach bed, and sipped on margaritas.
For lunch, we enjoyed a leisurely meal by the beach, then took a stroll to Matcha Mama’s for smoothies and bowls.
After that, we visited the stunning sculpture in Tulum, Escultura Ven A La Luz, which is truly breathtaking. It powerfully represents nature, humanity, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It was $5 USD per person to enter the art walk and take a photo underneath the sculpture. We were able to walk there from our hotel, but if you’re driving and need to pay for parking, it might not be worth it. Personally, I absolutely loved it!
There was a bit of a line, and we waited about 20 minutes because our timing wasn’t ideal—we arrived after a tour bus.
We spent the rest of the afternoon simply relaxing and soaking in the tranquility.
That evening, we had a fantastic cooking experience with a local family through Riviera’s Kitchen. A driver picked us up and drove us about 30 minutes into the town of Tulum, where we entered a gated community and arrived at Lily’s house. We cooked alongside two other families, chopping ingredients, preparing a chicken and rice dish, and making tortillas and quesadillas. The meal was delicious, and we got to enjoy the fruits of our labor with a big, communal dinner. Afterward, we headed back to La Zebra and wrapped up the night with chocolate lava cake and margaritas at the open-air restaurant.
Day 4: More Relaxation and Taco Thursday
Another day of pure relaxation—more beach time, poolside lounging, and sunbathing, all accompanied by delicious food and drinks. We were especially excited for the evening, as it was Taco Thursday at La Zebra. They went all out with an all-you-can-eat taco menu, offering about 25 different kinds of tacos. Freshly made churros, endless margaritas, a live band with dance floor, and even a wrestling match made it an unforgettable night of fun.
Day 5: Mayan Ruins and Cenotes
We kicked off the day with our usual walk along the beach road to get our steps in, followed by breakfast at La Zebra, where we enjoyed the freshest juices.
Afterward, our driver picked us up around 8:30 a.m., and our first stop was the Mayan Ruins. He was fantastic – he walked us directly to the ticket counter and helped us steer clear of the crowds of vendors. You can purchase in advance for a guided tour. The ruins were absolutely beautiful, rich with history and offering stunning views. By the time we left, though, it had turned into total chaos with long lines everywhere – glad we went early!
Next, we headed to Cenote Tortugas which features three different cenotes to explore. I usually prefer the smaller, quieter spots, but the kids were excited about this one, so we went for it. After a quick rinse to wash off any sunscreen, a guide led us to the first cenote—a cave—then we walked to the second, a stunning open cenote. The third was a mix of cave and open water. We had a blast, especially jumping off the rocks into the second cenote—it was definitely a highlight!
This jump was over 9 feet, and they just went for it.
Cenotes—pronounced se·no·tes—are natural underground swimming holes filled with fresh water. They’ve been a vital water source since ancient Mayan times, and there are over 6,000 of them scattered throughout the region. You can even spot some from the sky as you’re flying into Tulum International Airport!
Back to the hotel to relax for a minute.
That evening, we had reservations at the stunning Kin Toh at Azulik, but since it’s 18 and up, we switched gears and headed to Casa Banana for our final dinner in Tulum. Afterward, we couldn’t resist one last stop at Aldo’s for our daily ice cream fix – it was, without a doubt, the smoothest, creamiest ice cream I’ve ever had.
Day 6: Heading Home
We enjoyed our final breakfast at La Zebra, complete with the best fresh juices around. They even sent us off with a sweet little gift. We’re going to miss this place so much!
It was time to head home, but unfortunately, Gabo—who had been reliable all week—didn’t show up as planned. After multiple calls, he finally texted us 45 minutes later, saying he’d been in another accident in the jungle. Thankfully, La Zebra quickly arranged a taxi for us, and we made it to the airport without any issues.
My recommendation for a driver while in Tulum is Alvin on What’sApp at 52 984 108 6058. He was fun and engaging and made sure we were taken care of. We love Alvin! Please let him know that Chasin’ Surf recommended him.
Waiting for our flight at Tulum International Airport.
Boarding flight home in Tulum. We were really not that excited about it!
La Zebra truly made our stay unforgettable. The sense of safety, the warmth and kindness of the staff, and the overall vibe made everything feel just right. At one point, my husband lost his wallet, and when he checked with the front desk, they had it—every dollar still inside. This hotel is top-notch, incredibly family-friendly, and filled with genuinely wonderful people. It felt like coming home to family.
Although we focused on relaxation primarily, there were several places I wanted to visit but didn’t want to over-schedule ourselves. Next time, I’d love to check out a few other things:
- Swim with turtles at Akumal Beach
- Akumal Monkey Sanctuary
- Cenote Puerta Maya
- Cenote Ma’ax
- Cenote Taak Bi Ha
- Cenote Calavera
- Gran Cenote
- Cenote Yax Kin
- Cenote Dos Ojos
- Cenote Minotauro
- Rent Bikes
- Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
- Pool at Vagalume
- Holistika Hotel
We opted not to rent a car because we did not have a lot of plans too far from La Zebra – most things were walkable, but if you prefer to check out some cool cenotes, you can go by tours through GetYourGuide or rent a car.
I’ve been to several beach destinations in Mexico—Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and Cabo—but Tulum has officially stolen the top spot as my favorite. There are plenty of reasons why, but the biggest standout was our hotel and the overall vibe. La Zebra exceeded every expectation, offering the perfect space to unwind, disconnect from the world, and reconnect with each other—all while soaking in the natural beauty of Tulum. Our days were filled with peaceful walks along the beach and beach road, surrounded by lush nature and the calming sounds of birds, followed by slow, relaxing afternoons. I can’t recommend this dreamy, inspiring destination enough when you’re in need of a reset. Tulum is the heart of yoga, nature, and açaí bowls.
Drop me a line if you decide to go to Tulum. I would love to hear from you.
Next stop, Italy!
Love,
Kim
