Casa Banana | Tulum

I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. I always post thanksgiving photos but this year I didn't take any. There were so many memorable festivities with friends and family the entire week.

I really do have so much to be thankful for, and here, it is for you dear readers. Thank you for another year of reading Indulge Inspire Imbibe. I am so glad this little hobby is still going after all these (almost 5!!) years. 

Now what I did take an endless amount of photos of was my vacation in Tulum. Those posts shall continue!

We ate at Casa Banana on our first night in town and it was definitely one of my favorites. It is a tough margin with so many great spots nearby, but overall I would rate this meal second after Hartwood. 

We started with refreshing but not overly impressive cocktails, a Grapefruit Negroni for her and a Whiskey Miel for him. They have an excellent and fairly robust wine list that saves the day. We had an Argentinian red wine that paired beautifully with the food. 

The grilled octopus salad with asparagus, potato and balsamic was sensational. Man, there really is something about fresh octopus + a wood fired oven! It was a spot on preparation with flavors that were dramatic and exciting. Then there was a fresh caught, wood-fired red snapper with a parsley-ginger marinade, cauliflower, roasted zucchini, carrots and local squash. It was flaky and tender, another perfectly executed dish. Lastly, a slice of soft flan with heaps of sweet, creamy dulche de leche. 

Our waiter was great, too. His vibe of genuine happiness and refined hospitality made him one of my favorites and our visit memorable.

Mateo's | Tulum

A big shout out to Mateo's Mexican Grill, a lively spot full of good energy with a welcoming staff. Venture here for live music, to watch football, or to relax on the sunset lounge - a deck that's three stories up and overlooks the jungle. DON'T FORGET YOUR BUG SPRAY. Most restaurants do a great job of smoking the bugs out, but up on that jungle roof they were viscous the moment the sun set! Mateo's serves some of the best fish tacos and offers an impressive selection of mezcals, tequilas and cervezas - the locally brewed Akumal Pale Ale is a favorite!

Tulum Ruins

The Yucatan Peninsula is dense with ancient Mayan ruin sites - most of them located in the jungle. The Tulum ruins are special and were of great importance because of their location on the water. 

I was captivated. There's so much mystery. How did they build these grand structures? What did they look like in all their colorful glory? What really happened to the Mayans?  It was humbling and awe inspiring to be in the presence of these magnificent temples and homes.

Get here early in the morning (9am-ish). We only spent an hour here (that is really all you need to see everything) and as we were on our way out, the place was flooded with tourists - and this is the off season. It would certainly have detracted from the experience had we gotten there even a half hour later. 

Also, the weather this morning was incredible. We woke up to a passing storm and watched as it cleared out to the North. The skies in these photos were constantly changing as the heavy clouds passed over. 

Retiro Maya | Tulum

Defined by thatched roofs, stucco walls, concrete terra cotta floors and a bright hippy-chic bedspread with the bed surrounded in a mosquito net; Retiro Maya was rustic and earthy and one of the most relaxing places I have ever stayed. We fell asleep to the sound of the waves crashing. We woke up with the sun as it rose over the sea and streamed in through our bohemian orange curtains. Our raised patio housed a hammock and two lounge chairs, surrounded by lush vegetation and sandy pathways. 

Being here was also a little mysterious. I know I keep using that adjective to describe everything Tulum, but it was a constant for me. Retiro Maya is a small resort to begin with, and probably a quarter of the cabanas sat empty. The common breakfast area was bustling around 8 am, but otherwise Retiro was strangely serene and quiet. By that I mean, their awesome beach bar was never open. Neither was the open air yoga studio. 

I can attribute the overall mystery to a combination of: the vast jungle that stretched out behind us, the abandoned resorts and beachfront property nearby, the Mayan presence, the quiet spiritual ambiance, the dark road that we walked down at night with headlamps, the crazy storms that passed through...

This was such a cool vacation. Tulum is amazing. If you are traveling to Mexico, definitely consider this area of the Riviera Maya. Eco-friendly beachfront cabana accommodations are where it's at.

For additional details, read my review on trip advisor here.