Entertainment
'Bachelor in Paradise' Takes Tulum This Season So Here's Your Requisite Travel Porn
I mean, we're just doing this for the white sand beaches. Right? The inaugural season of ABC's series Bachelor in Paradise in underway and while we're all still trying to figure out why Marquel isn't the next Bachelor , the series' location kind of trumps all of that. Sure, there's drama and the usual reality show griping, but we're definitely not at the Jersey Shore anymore.
If you have any type of social media, I can guarantee that you've seen photos of friends or family members vacationing in the dreamland that is Tulum, Mexico in the past year. And you've definitely felt incredibly jealous that you weren't relaxing there with them on the postcard-worthy beaches the location has to offer. Tulum is the new Cancun (even though we all kind of stopped going to Cancun when we graduated from college).
So, here's everything to know about you're new favorite Mexican vacation spot. (And since I've basically done all of your vacation planning for you, you're welcome.)
Image: Francisco Roman/ABC
Where is Tulum?
Where can you actually find this perfect, picturesque beach? Tulum is a one-hour drive South of Playa del Carmen, another popular vacation spot on Mexico’s eastern coast, and within the boundaries of Riviera Maya. Essentially Mexico’s version of the French Riviera, which also includes the island of Cozumel.
What Can You Do In Tulum?
For starters, there are the ancient Mayan Ruins (pictured) that look out over that clear, blue Caribbean ocean. Is there really anything more you could need? But in addition to these ancient structures, there’s also the Tulum town and its beach strip.
But the great thing about Tulum’s location is that it’s a hop-skip-and-jump away from the other towns and cities on Riviera Maya. Where you can zip-line, explore underwater caves, and scuba dive. A variety of companies offer programs where you can combine experiences in Tulum and surrounding cities, like Tulum Xtreme.
The Tulum Ruins
These aren’t the biggest ruins in Mexico — you’ll have to travel further for those — but Tulum’s ruins offer dramatic and beautiful views of the Caribbean and double as a beach day when you get too hot. This particular archeological site offers the only ruins to be built overlooking the ocean, as Tulum was an ancient Mayan fortress city.
How Do You Feel About Eco-Tourism?
Tulum has an extensive array of eco-tourism activities and a number of parks devoted to activities that get you out there to appreciate the natural wonders of the area. The most popular eco park in the area is Xel ha, which is essentially a natural aquarium. Visitors can swim with dolphins in their natural habitat and experience natural and ancient lagoons, underwater caves, and coves.
The Tulum Beach Strip
If you’re going to Tulum, you’re probably going for the beach. Which is smart, considering it’s essentially everything from shops to the ruins are beachfront. The Tulum Strip is a road that runs along the town’s beaches and leads to the Sian Ka’an biosphere. The beach itself is public all the way down the strip.
Image: Rosanne Salvatore/Bustle
Can You Stay At Casa Palapa?
If you’re looking for the full Bachelor in Paradise experience, you can actually rent out Casa Palapa for yourself. But it’ll cost you — for five nights at the private house, it’ll run you about $17,500.
No, I’m not kidding. But don’t worry, there are plenty of resorts (some all-inclusive) that are a little more reasonably priced.
Image: ABC
The Tulum Town
According to LonelyPlanet, the biggest decision when planning a trip to Tulum is deciding whether or not to stay at the town center or in a beachfront hotel. During the day, the majority of the locale’s action takes place on the beach, at either the ruins or the beach itself (I mean, where else would you go). But in the evening, the town of Tulum is a hotspot, with a variety of restaurants and bars open into the late evening.
Luckily for you, there are literally hotels everywhere. (That are more afforadable than Casa Palapa.)
Image: Rosanne Salvatore/Bustle
