REST & RENEW

Tucked along a secluded stretch of Beach Road on the southern end of town, Nomade is a whimsical, white-sand eco-retreat focused on wellness. Guests can choose from an array of jungle-inspired rooms, from deluxe tents and intimate treehouses to spacious suites with large private terraces and plunge pools. All rooms feature all-natural furnishings and modern finishes like rainfall showers, premium linens, and plush bathrobes. Each stay begins with a complimentary consultation with one of the resort’s journey designers, who custom curates a program itinerary based on the guest. Available experiences include enlightenment sessions, ice bath therapy, yoga asanas, guided breath work, live musical performances, and more. Rooms begin around $360 per night. nomadetulum.com

JUNGLE JAM

Gitano is a bohemian-inspired hospitality brand with several locations throughout Tulum, plus addresses in NYC, Miami, and Dubai, but its original locale on Beach Road remains its most iconic. Buried deep in the Tulum jungle, where a pink neon sign and disco ball are half hidden by the fronds of overgrown palms, Gitano (Spanish for gypsy) Jungle Tulum serves a vibrant, seasonal menu of traditional Yucatan favorites. Start with the house-recipe guac and tostadas piled high with hamachi, grilled avocados, and fermented chiles before diving into black truffle tlayudas, roasted cauliflower al pipián, and Aegean short ribs that are smoked for 12 hours and served with lemon puree and ginger sauce. The beverage program is excellent, too, featuring signature sippers like Kisses in the Car, made with mezcal, rum, passion fruit, orange, and habanero. gitano.com/tulum

RIVIERA RETREAT

With 349 guestrooms, five pools, and 11 dining and drinking destinations, the Conrad might rank among the area’s larger luxury resorts, yet the Hilton-owned hotel still weaves local touches throughout the five-star property. Rooms and suites, for example, feature artisan beds crafted from local wood, hand-painted artworks, and rattan chandeliers. The spa is a highlight; in addition to a full suite of face and body treatments, guests have access to ancient, pre-Hispanic healing rituals inspired by the Mayan gods of sun and wisdom. The Itzamná Journey, modeled after the god for wisdom and health, begins with an energy cleanse with medicinal plants followed by a nopal and agave body wrap and massage of the 13 joints. Starting at $432 per night. hilton.com/en/hotels/cuncici-conrad

END OF THE TUNNEL

A beautiful shot of a cave of Two Eyes Cenote in Tulum Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula is famed for its sugary sand beaches and lush jungle, but perhaps its most impressive natural phenomena are the many cenotes (limestone sinkholes) hidden underground. There are tens of thousands scattered throughout the region, with 100 alone in the Tulum area. Filled with cool waters, cenotes offer delicious respite from the hot, tropical air, along with dramatic views. Some of the most popular include Dos Ojos, a pair of cenotes connected by 1,300 feet of explorable underwater passageways; the Gran Cenote, featuring clear turquoise waters filled with colorful fish and turtles (perfect for snorkeling); and the low-lit, cavernous Chaak Tun (note this one requires a guide).

FIELD TO FEAST

Founded in 2010 by NYC restaurant veterans Eric Werner and Mya Henry after a casual vacation to Tulum inspired the couple to uproot their lives from the East Coast to the Caribbean, Hartwood is one of Tulum’s most important restaurants, credited with putting the beach town on the culinary map. Located on the leafy side of Tulum’s main coastal drag, Hartwood is an open-air, off-grid, true farm-to-table concept. Multiple times per week, the owners make the hours-long trek to local markets and farms to hand-select ingredients for the day’s menu, thus every single item used is locally grown, raised, caught, or foraged. Meats and fish are cooked in a large wooden oven or open grill, and unexpected flavor combinations yield thrilling results. Be sure to book a table far in advance. hartwoodtulum.com