I am fortunate enough to take 5 days every year to go to Tulum, which is one of my favorite places on the planet. I just got back from my 5th annual escape and while I have pretty much exhausted my recs in the previous guide (read it here), I needed to add a few things that I was lucky to discover on this trip.

WHERE TO SLEEP

HOTEL NOMADE TULUM
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km.10.5,
+1 877 265 4139
With the same owners as my Beloved Be Tulum, Nomade Tulum is the more esoteric sibling. More hip commune than hotel, they call it a "human centered hotel, conceived as a temporary habitat for those ready to learn and share, ready to awake the soul, and free the mind." Rooms are all hand-built from natural local materials, creating a combination of modern eco-chic with upscale glamping. And with weekly retreats, workshops and talks alongside a "culinary shaman" who prepares raw and cooked organic fare, you're sure to return to real life a whole lot more centered than you were when you left.

SANARA TULUM
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km 8.2
"Space to heal, breathe and be free," Sanara may sound like your typical Yoga Retreat/Hotel, but it's far from ordinary. It's won a whole bunch of Architectural awards, boasts an incredibly beautiful (and healthy) restaurant called The Real Coconut and yes, the beachside yoga pavillion is pretty spectacular. Make sure to book a beachside room, though. The jungle side can prove to be a little dicey at night.

WHERE TO EAT

ARCA
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km. 7.6
I was wondering how long it would take someone to come in and give Eric Werner of Hartwood a run for his money. Well, these two Chefs: Maya from Mexico and Fausto from San Francisco have finally done it. The open air space is maybe even more gorgeous than its competition next door, and the food is as inventive and fresh, but is a lighter version of what Werner does at Hartwood. Everything is farm (and sea) to table, sustainable and delicious. And the drinks are on point as well. Arca is a welcome addition to the Tulum dining scene for sure.

LUNCH AT LA ZEBRA
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Km 8.2
+52 1 984 115 4726
I know I mentioned the new chef's table at La Zebra in my last Tulum post, but what I had never done before was go for lunch. I can't recommend it highly enough - the food is traditional Mexican, and there's nothing fancy about the menu, but the flavors are all just a little elevated and the food feels a bit more refined than most of what you'll find in Tulum. Tacos are all fantastic (pork cheek sous vide, anyone?) as are the ceviches, and I kid you not: the chicken quesadilla is the best I've ever had