Tulum Wedding & Honeymoon

Always ask the fare before getting into the taxi. This is easier in town than if waiting along the beach road. Especially at night when the fares are higher. Between La Zebra and town the fare is 80 pesos. We paid a variety of fares for the same trips, like 45 or 60 pesos.

I speak some Spanish and liked to chat with the every driver and ask where they are from. Many were from the state of Chiapas where I have been so we had something to talk about. The conversations were a highlight of our trip.

I have been to Tulum a few times and got my now husband to go almost two years ago. We both fell in love with La Zebra and knew it was the place. I brought many of the starfish decorations but the local wedding coordinator, Gwen with Destination Weddings Tulum, did a phenomenal job! A bride can't be too controlling of the details and have a destination wedding. Gwen listened to what I wanted and the orange, white and starfish theme was incorporated into many details and went off without a hitch.

We had salsa lessons for our guests while we took pictures on the beach. Everyone had a great time but few danced to the live band later.

Lina, the manager of La Zebra, did a fantastic job with the menu and our Tres Leches Wedding Cake. I really enjoyed chatting with her late night after the reception. They are members of the "Slow Food" movement and have an organic garden. Shrimp, chicken mole or an arrachera beef were the choices along with the "La Zebra Salad". All the food was great, especially the green ceviche. People remember the food most of all from a wedding, right?

I rented out all nine cabanas for our family and friends. They now also have a room above the restaurant and jungle rooms with a private pool across the road. The #1 beachfront cabana is divine, luxurious and the only sound is of the crashing waves. The hanging bed was okay but we wished the bigger bed was in the front room. There is a rock shower and sink, regular toilet but no door to the bathroom. La Zebra is an eco-friendly or "eco-amiga" place and runs on a quiet generator. Hair dryers are not allowed.

Ana y Jose is the top place to stay on the beach in Tulum and offers air conditioning. We did not stay here but did take a peek in a well appointed, beachfront room. Visited family staying here so we stopped by for a small meal one night. We chose to sit on the deck rather than the palapa restaurant. The mango margaritas were good and strong. I only wanted the lobster crepes without the black huitlacoche sauce. Rotten corn fungus maybe a delicacy, but just not for me. I'm somewhat adventurous and tried it before I knew what it was. The crepes were good with a creamy, light sauce. Some bites offered tender, sweet lobster meat that made the dish.

My husband had the grouper with shrimp. The bite I had was superb!

We did not get the bill so I have no idea the price but it was delicious.

This is a true "authentic' local restaurant across from the ADO bus station. Finally it was open as we were leaving town and hauled our luggage across the road to get there. Looks like two different places but they are one. Good thing because I wanted pork tacos Michoacan style and my husband wanted grilled chicken. The chicken was served with homemade corn tortillas, cabbage, beans and a little spaghetti. The tacos were muy rico and so moist and tender. The lime, cilantro, onion and salsas picante made the meal. Two sodas and two meals 79 pesos which was about $6.50 USD at that time. What a deal for a great lunch meal!

We didn't really have a plan for a late lunch one hot afternoon. Previously read reviews about Charlie's, a local place that now attracts many tourists, and remembered it seemed good when I saw the name. Glad we chose it! The margaritas were strong, salad fresh and the cheese enchiladas in mole sauce were the true highlight. The sauce was fresh, the spices blended well without a burnt taste at all.

Check out the bottle wall, Mayan decor and fun sign about not throwing toilet paper in la taza. Music on some nights and looks like a fun place in the evening. Recommended for fantastic margs and mole! On the main drag so it's a good place to experience local cuisine for those who do not wander farther into the neighborhood.

The service is attentive but not intrusive. As always, the check is not delivered until requested. "La Cuenta por favor" and a smile is a nice gesture. Be sure to leave a propina for service.

This hip, beachfront cabana hotel also has an onsite restaurant. We surprised them when 18 of us walked in late on a Thursday evening in slow season. The staff wasted no time putting tables together and getting our drink and appetizer order. We originally wanted the fire grilled pizza, was told it would take about 45 minutes and got the feeling it was too late for that. From their website it looks like they recommend doing more of a dining experience with plenty of time. Arrive before the sun goes down and enjoy the light show that happens as the the sun sets behind the trees. We couldn't see much beyond the palapa restaurant and chairs on the deck.

The fish tacos were a bit difficult to eat. The piece was too big for a taco and overcooked. The shrimp and homemade pasta was decent and can be seasoned to taste. One diner did not want spice, my husband should have asked for extra spicy.

The obvious signature house dish was the grouper listed at the top of the menu. All the ingredients were fresh and the red pepper was perfectly paired with the fish.

I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again but it is worthy if in the area for the grouper (and the gorgeous beach).

After marrying at their sister hotel on 09/09/09 and staying two nights we moved to Mezz to continue our honeymoon. I just knew they would upgrade us to the Master Suite and sure enough we skipped check in and were led straight up to the stunning suite #10. The friendly front desk worker, Yuki, showed us our gorgeous room and a bottle of champagne arrived. We really appreciated it and the room. This new bride could hardly hold back the tears.

The room has the most comfortable king size bed, wi-fi internet, Bulgari products, robes, rainshower and soaking tub, DVD player (bring movies for late night) and the private deck. The view of the water and the privacy is fantastic. No key to enter the Master Suites but instead a code on a keypad. Very Handy! The mini- bar is stocked with frozen candy, mini-coca cola bottles, beer and condoms. Cosmo-Kama Sutra Book in the bureau and products available for sale in the shop downstairs that is open during high season. Beach bag with towels and more in a chest in the hallway.

The Thai restaurant grows herbs using seeds from Thailand. The menu was created by a well known Thai TV chef. Breafast one morning was Eggs Benedict with chaya and mushrooms. The Pad Thai was average and the Drunken Noodles with Shrimp were out of this world! Wish we had time to try more things. The staff was not intrusive but very efficient.

No Friday Night Party as it was low season. We were looking forward to it but it was no big deal that it did not happen. Be aware that usually it attracts hundreds of partiers, a dj, entertainers like a fire show or stilt walkers until 3 am.

The water was a bit rough but we took the snorkel gear out anyway. On a good day, it's a ways out to the reef but there is coral and fish to see along the way. We walked along the rocks and enjoyed looking at the life along the way. Wish there was a little less trash.

It was HOT! Just didn't get much of a breeze and my new husband was very uncomfortable the second night and ended up on the sofa by a window. The fans and taking a quick shower to cool off helps but it was hot at night. If we were to stay again it would be in the winter months and hope for a direct breeze.

Not directly on the beach, but perched atop stairs overlooking sand to the left and rocks to the right. There are two master suites, four rooms with lofts and four rooms without a view. A small pool is nice for soaking. The only beds are on different decks on the property to be shared between guests. It would be nice to add loungers for the beach.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Awesome Coffee- Best of the trip!
Mint Water served poolside in the afternoon
Sign everything to the room and run a tab until the end of stay
Book Exchange
Free snorkel gear, bikes and kayaks
Small pool is nice for a dip
Ice Water delivered to the room in the afternoon


Highly recommend this boutique hotel for adults looking for a high end getaway or celebrating a romantic occasion.

I first wrote about our phenomenal dinner while watching the sunrise on our private deck overlooking the ocean at Tulum, still feel filled with love from Claudia's food and not wanting to miss a detail. She is true chef that has mastered her family's Nahuatl cuisine. Organic ingredients sourced locally are used whenever possible.

Housed in an old home in el centro Tulum. Indoor seating or a small patio with a about 6 tables is a better choice in the heat of summer. As the only table later in the evening, Claudia spent a lot of time with us in between preparing our courses. She spoke of all the native ingredients to Mexico such as cinnamon, chocolate, vanilla. "Burritos, tacos and nachos are not Mexican food" was one of my favorite things she said and so true. Chef Claudia's love of food, history and giving people a pleasurable dining experience shines through.

The house appetizers are panella cheese with a red beet sauce, a spectacular, homemade, seeded bread with garlic butter wrapped in corn husks, a traditional green salsa and something like a frijoles tart. We tried one and kept adding new flavors and mixing sauces. My tastebuds were the happiest they have ever!

We shared a delicious salad with warm proscuitto, nuts, cheese, tomatoes and spinach. My new husband had the house specialty, Chile en Nogada, that has the colors of the Mexican flag. Pepper stuffed with beef, raisins, pinapple and topped with a creamy sauce with parsley and pomegranite seeds. I don't eat beef and I had a big bite and then another. The seeds really made it pop. I had the grouper in tamarind sweet sauce and would add the spicy green sauce on some bites with the white rice.

We were pleasantly full but I really wanted a dessert also. I let my husband choose and of course it was the ice cream and a crispy fried dough covered in chocolate sauce.

The entire menu looks phenomenal, inventive yet traditional.. There are three types of mole and a cactus jelly that I wish we had time to try.

Only open for breakfast in the high season, dinner 5pm-10pm and closed Wednesdays. No liquor for now but that can be worked around.

It was the meal of our trip and a highlight of our honeymoon. I sugggest while in Tulum to visit Claudia early in your trip because you might want to go back.

600 pesos for two with 2 sodas and a bottle of water plus tip. Very reasonable for the high calibur meal and worth twice as much. Highly recommended when in Tulum or the area!