A few months ago I picked up a new hobby to help with my wanderlust. Because travel is my love language. And I wanted to increase the ability to take incredible vacations but on a budget.
So I found something called credit card hacking and it changed the travel game for us.
So far this year…
👉🏼 2 Premium Economy flights to Italy worth $9,269 paid $740
👉🏼 4 First Class Tickets to Hawaii $11,681.16 paid $44.80
👉🏼 1 week hotel in Orlando for free
Have you heard about credit card hacking?
🌿Temazcal Ceremony🌿
The Temazcal, or sweat lodge, was the Mayans’ key to purifying body, mind, and spirit, forging a profound connection with Mother Earth generally before going to war. 🌍💫. Several cultures have similar rituals from the First Nations Plains to MesoAmerican to Celtic peoples. And many more enjoy banyas, bath houses and saunas for physical cleansing and warmth.
🌟 With the Mayans is a symbolic step into the “womb” of Mother Earth, represented by the dark, circular domed-shape hut, and emerge reborn, by this this ancient ritual. 🌟🌌
So what does this transformative journey into the heart of Mayan culture look like? 🌀✨
🌄 As the sun begins its descent, you’ll step into the sacred temazcal with a temazcalero or shaman guide. The temazcal is heated with steaming volcanic stones which are placed in the middle of the dome. Water is then poured over these stones to produce steam. Hydrate before hand and be prepare to sweat a lot! I’d suggest wearing something light such as a bathing suit.
During the ceremony, more hot rocks will be brought into the dome, at intervals, to keep the space hot. 🌅🔮 Yep, more sweating to detox and remove impurities from your body.
💧 After your ceremony, you get to take a refreshing nighttime dip in the nearby cenote. The cold limestone waters of the Yucatan never felt so good! 🌊🌌
🕯️ And then cap off your evening with a candlelit dinner, featuring freshly prepared, traditional Mayan dishes. Before our ceremony we were able to meet the family and learn how they prepared food. 🍽️🕯️ Terry had a celebratory cerveza and I had some champs post ceremony too.
🚗 Everything from transportation, selection of beverages including champagne, beer, tequila, and non-alcoholic options are all included from @authentic_tours_tulum
I love the experience! Terry said it was purely for me that he participated. LOL Ain’t love grand!
🏞️ Sian Ka’an and Muyil Ruins 🏛️🌿
Does floating through crystal clear waters in a natural lazy river pique your interest? Then this is for you… 🏞️🏛️
Sian Ka’an translates to “Entrance to the Sky” or “The Gate of Heaven” so it is easy to see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Mayans connected four large lagoons by channels in order to trade goods. Now the channels are used as a natural lazy river which takes about 30 minutes to float through. 🚤🌿🦩
Muyil Ruins, unlike Tulum Ruins, is well preserved since it is covered in lush forest. It gives Indiana Jone’s vibes but also means mosquitos! So bring biodegradable insect repellent. These ruins offers a beautiful journey into the heart of Mayan history. 🏛️🌄
Once past Muyil ruins you can climb the watch tower to get a heart pumping panoramic views of the surrounding lagoons. If you are afraid of heights I’d suggest passing on this.
After both tours we had a traditional Mayan lunch prepared for us with hibiscus tea. I had 3 refills!
We booked through Authentic Tours Tulum at $145/person. Which included pickup and drop off from our Air BnB, non-alcoholic beverages, tour guide, entry fees, and lunch. We absolutely loved our guide and he did a fantastic job. Even better we were the only ones on the tour since it was off season. @authentic_tours_tulum
🌮✨ Exploring Tulum’s Culinary Wonders with Rivera’s Kitchen! 🍲👨🍳
Love amazing food and incredible experiences? Us too! And when they come together we just can’t pass that up. 🌎🍽️
👩🍳 Imagine a warm, sun-kissed kitchen filled with the aroma of traditional Mexican spices, laughter, and authentic flavors. That’s exactly what you get with a cooking class at Rivera’s Kitchen. And each class is different! 🌞👨🍳
No matter where you start authentic flavor begins with the perfect home made tortillas. There’s something magical about feeling the masa dough between your hands and watching it transform into these pillowy, golden delights. 🌽🌮
And queso always makes things better so we stuffed half those tortillas to make quesadillas! 🧀🤤 And the other half we filled with succulent chicken al pastor, and topped them off with ahuacamolli. 😋🥑
Finally, we made sopa de mama, a comforting and belly warming soup. 🍲❤️
Thank you, Rivera’s Kitchen, for sharing your passion and culture with us. 🙏❤️ If you’re ever in Tulum, be sure to check book this for a taste of the real Mexico. Comment COOKING CLASS for the link. 🗺️🏝️
✨CASA PATCHOULI: Just go ahead and book here now! ✨
Casa Patchouli is one of 7 beautiful apartments in the Altar-Building located in La Veleta. Only 8 minutes from the beach. Each apartment has a separate entrance from the courtyard. There is 24 hour security as well and parking on premises.
✨🏡 Details and design push this place over the top and not in a gaudy way. Its very clean and minimal but in the same moment elegant. Every item has clearly been hand selected for the space from the mexican antique pieces to the quality of the textiles and equipped kitchenette.
🛏️ Had zero problems drifting off to sleep in the incredibly comfortable King-Size Bed and luxurious linens. Normally sleeping out of your own bed comes with a learning curve… not the case here.
🚿🌿 Eco friendly collection of organic Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap and Lotion with amazing scents in the spa like bathroom. Plus the rainfall shower is nice and hot with a beautiful view to the pool outside.
🏊♀️ Each apartment comes with its own private salt water pool and patio! I can not tell you how many times this came in handy for late night swims, cooling off after excursions or just a morning dip. I loved laying under the beautiful Arch Jungle Lounge surrounded by beautiful vegetation… and bugs. Real life… it’s the jungle so bring your bug spray and burn the incense.
🧺 Equipped with a washer and dryer! My Norwex Laundry Strips worked perfectly and I didn’t have to worry about toxic chemicals on our clothing. If these aren’t always ready in your travel bag you need to add them now!
🍴 Walking distance from plenty of delicious restaurants, shopping, yoga and groceries. We loved Traspatio (for Coffee), Gypsea Market (equivalent of the mexican Whole Foods), Holistika (yoga) and Canova (Italian food) were in the neighborhood.
The owners are your travel partners, offering invaluable tips, seamless communication, and the chance to enhance your trip with excursions, transportation, and soothing massages. Your experience 100% matters to them!
Thank you for an amazing experience! @altartulum
🌴🏖️ Where to stay in Tulum 🏡✨
🌅 Zona Hotelera: Running along the ocean, It`s home to posh resorts, luxurious hotels, and pristine beach clubs. The beach is practically at your doorstep, accessible by a breezy bike ride or a quick taxi hop. This is where clubs abound and you’ll find lots of nightlife. 🚴♂️🌴
📍 Tulum Centro: Along Highway 307, this area buzzes with new cafes, restaurants, and hotels. You`ll find budget-friendly accommodations here, although the beach is a bit of a walk away. 🚶♀️🌊
🌳 Aldea Zama: Nestled just outside the downtown hub, Aldea Zama offers a fresh residential haven. Though it`s partly under construction, there are already remarkable options available – from penthouses to condos and even new residential properties. This neighborhood strikes a balance with a closer proximity to the beach, a tight-knit community feel, and an abundance of amenities like gyms, restaurants, and bars. 🏖️🏋️♂️
💎 La Veleta: This is the ultimate spot for those planning a more extended stay in Tulum. This neighborhood boasts lavish hotels, elegant villas, and chic apartments that redefine comfort. Here, you`ll find a fusion of upscale living and a laid-back atmosphere, making it perfect for unwinding both day and night. 🛌🌃
From wellness activities to vibrant nightlife, Tulum caters to all your desires. And don`t miss the infectious energy that takes over Calle 7 Sur street after sunset – it`s where the night comes alive with music! 🌙🎶
We went with a gorgeous AirBnB in La Veleta!! Next post is all about it. 🌞🌴❤️
Exploring Tulum like a pro! 🌴🚗 Let’s chat about the best ways to get around this tropical paradise and make the most of your adventure!”
🚲 Bike Bliss: Embrace the chill vibes of Tulum by renting a bike. Pedal your way through the town, along the beachside paths, and even to some of the nearby cenotes. It’s eco-friendly and gives you a front-row seat to Tulum’s beauty. This runs about $12 a day.
🛵 Scootin’ Around: Rent a moped in Tulum and explore the town and beaches on two wheels. It’s a great way to soak in the local vibes, go at your own pace and get parking easily. This will run you about $35 a day.
🚶♀️ Strollin’ in Style: Tulum’s compact size makes it perfect for leisurely walks. Wander through vibrant streets, pop into boutiques, and savor the local flavors as you go. Heads up: If you are going from the hotel zone to the pueblo is a bit of a jaunt. but the bonus… this option is free!
🛺 ATV Adventures: you’ll see lots of ATVs and the nice thing is they can go on road as well as off roading! So if you are looking to add an extra dose of adventure to your journey, this might be for you. This runs $65 - $100 a day depending where you rent from.
Pro tip: Cash is King in Mexico. Bring your Pesos! You can get a discount and avoid eating the credit card processing fees. Most places communicated with us through whatsapp for our rentals.
However you choose to roam Tulum, each mode of transportation adds to the adventure! Share your favorite way to get around in the comments below and let’s inspire others to explore this paradise. 🌞🌴✨
Ready for a Tulum adventure? 🌴🌞 Let`s talk about how to get there…
✈️ By Air: Currently you have to fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), and from there, you can hop on a shuttle, rent a car, or take a bus to for the 2 hour drive to Tulum. Starting Dec 1st, 2023 there will be 14 weekly flights from Mexico City International Airport to Tulum International!
🚗 Road Trip Vibes: We always opt to grab the wheel and hit the highway. Keep in mind to rent with a reputable company and use a credit car that comes with rental insurance. We’ve never been pressured to buy additional insurance. The drive from Cancún to Tulum is about 1.5 to 2 hours. Playlist? Check. Snacks? Double-check. Mexican Coke? Triple Check!
🚌 Bus Adventures: Traveling on a budget? ADO buses provide a comfortable and affordable option for $11-$70 one way depending on the ticket you choose. Keep in mind you will need to change buses once during the 2 hour and 45 minute trip.
🚴♂️ Private Transfer: You can hire private transfer from Cancun international airport to Tulum for about $180 for one way or $345 for round trip.
However you choose to get to Tulum, the journey is all part of the experience. 🛤️🌅 Share your travel tips and tricks in the comments, and let`s get inspired to wander! ✈️❤️
Dreaming of a getaway to Tulum? 🌴🌞 Wondering when`s the perfect time to pack your bags? Let`s break it down:
🌟 High Season: If you`re all about that sun-soaked perfection, mark your calendar for late November to mid-April. High season brings sunshine with warm temperatures and minimal rain. Keep in mind it`s a magnet for fellow sun-seekers and adventure lovers. Everyone flocking to escape the chilly vibes elsewhere can lead to higher hotel/AirBnB prices and busy attractions. ☀️🏖️
☔ Off-Season: Up for a bit of adventure? Late April to early November brings the off-season charm. AKA - the rainy season. Before you cross it off you timeline here is what that meant for us. 🌧️💦 We caught a few quick rain showers and some extra humidity, but the silver lining?Accommodation prices were low, and the crowds eased up at the hotspots, and on tours. We had private tours all week long since it was off season! Just remember, some spots might have shorter hours or take a siesta during this period. We did miss out on a couple restaurants we wanted to try out because of this. 🍹🌧️
High-energy adventure or laid-back budget vibes in Tulum. Which would be your choice? ✈️🌎