I’m already looking forward seeing everyone in Tulum, Mexico in June of 2009. The last time I was there I was newly pregnant with my daughter in 2006. I haven’t had a vacation since and am in desperate need of the salt air and the sand between my toes.

My husband and I lived in Tulum in 2005 where I worked as the holistic services director at a one of the mega beach resorts, Bahia Principe. In my downtime, wanting to escape the all inclusive tourist trappings of the large resort, I’d beat a path to the quiet, remote beaches of the Maya Tulum Resort. Maya Tulum is one of those places where you feel like life has slowed down to a much more breathable pace. I would do my yoga practice in one of the two beautiful yoga studios with a clear sight of the ocean and, on occasion, drink Margaritas and eat totopos with fresh guacamole well into the afternoon. Life before motherhood. The sweet and remote luxuries of leisure time and drinking in the afternoon. 

I’m most looking forward to being the tour guide to some of my favorite places in the area. We have an optional group excursion planned to the Mayan Ruins of Coba, former home of some 50,000 residents of the Mayan civilization in its heyday. If you venture the climb to the top of Nohoc Mul, the tallest Mayan pyramid in Mexico, you can get a panoramic view of the jungle and the ruins for miles around. Near the Coba ruins is a little known cave cenote (Mayan underground river) called Cho Ha. The year we were living in Tulum the locals had only recently discovered this spectacular cenote and made it public. Locals are still trying to keep its location on the down low so it doesn’t become over-touristed.

We also have an excursion planned to visit my friends Heidi and Joel at Kuxi K’aax in the Akumal Jungle. They run a Spider Monkey Reserve that my husband and I lived on for several months during our time in the Yucatan. The last time we visited, there were eleven rescued monkeys and two new babies, one born on the reserve (Spider Monkeys rarely breed in captivity). The babies were a hoot to watch as they tried to mimic my yoga practice. They can drop back to Urdvha Dhanurasana like seasoned yogis.

Near Akumal is another little known gem called Ya-Kul Lagoon, a beautiful lagoon and sculpture garden, a nesting ground for sea turtles and a favorite spot for snorkeling.

This is just a taste of all the things to do and explore in this part of the Yucatan. I can’t wait to experience it again with all of you.

~ Jenn