Matt & Sarah's Big Trip: Fun in Tulum

Our warm up to Mexico complete, our next stop was a two and a half hour bus ride away back on the coast, at Tulum. We had booked our accommodation in advance mainly due to the amazing reviews 'Posada Los Mapeches' had on Tripadvisor. We weren't disappointed as we spent three days being spoilt by our adopted Mexican mum Chelo (the guest house owner of amazing wooden houses on stilts) who fed us heartily at breakfast time, provided us with heaps of hints and tips on local attractions and made sure we were safe at night on the guest house provided bikes...

Heading off for a night out -
head torches and high vis vests = dorks

On our first night we decided (despite the cycling issue) that it was time to sample tequila with it being the national drink and all. Two margaritas later we were convinced that Caribbean cocktails are the way to go around here!

A bit tipsy on two sips!

Once we'd eaten we were fine to cycle home in the pitch black (don't worry mums!) and after a good night's sleep, spent the next day on the beach at Akumal, a short collectivos ride up the road. Akumal is home to lots of sunbathers and more importantly turtles hanging out near the beach underwater. The perfect place to test out our new waterproof camera!

Matt and turtle selfie, as you do

Turtle spotting is heaps of fun

Every 5 minutes or so they popped up for air!

Tans topped up, we were ready for day 2. With a bright and early start we quickly pedalled to the Tulum Ruinas to get ahead of the tour groups. These ruins aren't as impressive as Chichen Itza but oh boy were they spectacular looking over the coast.

Fortress like

Overlooking the Caribbean

Saying hi to one of Tulum's resident iguanas -
see if you can spot him

Amazing to think of this as a once bustling city...

...now deserted, or at least until the tour buses turn up!

That afternoon we decided to take Chelo's advice and head to the 'Dos Ojos' Cenote, one of the more impressive limestone sinkholes in the area. We weren't really sure what to expect but were absolutely blown away by the crystal clear water and almost Mars like scenery underwater in both of the pools at the cenote.