THE ETHICAL TRAVELER
At Nômade Tulum They Really Want You to Evolve
If you’re seeking a retreat beyond all retreats, bridging the gap between ancient knowledge and wellness with an extremely hip vibe, you’ll find it at Nômade, Tulum.
On the Caribbean coastline of Mexico, Tulum is known for its Mayan archaeological ruins, subsequent spiritual gatherings, full moon parties, and boutique hotels, and with its white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya stretching for six miles…. There’s room for growth, in many ways.
Far away from the bustle of the hotel zone, beach clubs, and bars, and five miles from the center of Tulum, where nature takes over and the jungle meets the cobalt blue sea, is where you’ll be greeted with open arms and a tall pineapple, watermelon, and chipotle chili drink. Heaven awaits.
Nômade is known for its magical properties, the whole vibe is Boho rustic luxury. You can stay in a treehouse or a suite with your own private pool. There are beach bungalows or large, sumptuous tents where you can sleep like Indiana Jones in the jungle. Modernities such as AC are installed however, and each room has its own private outdoor area, and locking doors.
In touch with earth and spirit, the proprietors encourage you to come and heal within. There’s no cell phone service, but there is Wi-Fi if you need it (although it’s not encouraged). They forgo single-use plastic, and all shower and body products are provided in reusable containers. We like that.
A weekly schedule includes varying forms of daily yoga, breathwork, Pilates, Qigong, meditation, sacred cacao ceremonies, and even ceramic and wine workshops.
Their award-winning Yaan Healing Sanctuary offers traditional Indigenous beauty and body treatments, energy healing, deep muscle relaxation techniques, herbal and flower baths in copper tubs, and a marble stone hammam. There are purified crystalline water pools and a steam room.
Are you relaxed yet? If not, try an Aztec Temazcal Ceremony performed on the new and full moons (although they can also be booked privately at other times. You know, the moon is the moon.)
A Temazcal is essentially a dome-shaped sweat lodge, usually made from volcanic rock and stone and heated inside with steam from hot lava rocks, that don’t explode at high temperatures – which is reassuring. In Maya traditions, they were created for warriors for their healing and therapeutic properties.
It’s like a rebirthing of sorts. First, covering you in Shamanic smoke from burning copal and sage, smudging with eagle feathers while chanting, the Shaman takes a variety of herbs and spices and makes a tea to pour over the lava rocks, and another tea (to drink) for healing.
It’s dark inside, there’s no ventilation in these things and it’s hotter than Hades. Imagine sitting in a pizza oven. When I did it the person next to me started clawing at the base of the dome trying to find a sliver of air. No chance. Although you can leave if you want but that’s not the point.
The good part here is that you can jump in the alkaline waters of the cenote to cool off. The Yucatan is dotted with cenotes, due to the high limestone content of the land which forms sinkholes, which then fill with emerald or cobalt blue clear water.
Cleanse body and spirit…and eat! Nômade provides three restaurants to satisfy diverse taste buds. Macondo takes inspiration from the colors and aromatic flavors of the Middle East — featuring a variety of small and large shared plates, as well as seasonal fresh cocktails, and daily live music.
La Popular their open-air beachside restaurant serves fresh seafood and tacos, with a few plant-based options. Sitting on the private beach under sisal canopies, toes playing with the sand, being served fresh seafood, waves lapping gently a few feet away. It’s blissful!
At Kuu, the chef creates a culinary journey in the Japanese Omakase style, where, in this case, Chef Hirokazu Sato will tailor the menu based on seasonality and the best available ingredients. Kuu is a Japanese expression referring to the connection between space, emptiness, and an opportunity for limitless creativity.
Tulum City is a 20 to 30-minute bike ride away, they’ll lend you the bikes and there are Bohemian shops and restaurants you can stop in along the way.
Nômade is also close to archaeological sites, and plenty of cenotes, where you can swim. There are around 10,000 of them in the Yucatan and many in Tulum that appear in the jungle or form in caves. Do watch out for stalactites however, for obvious reasons.
The nearby Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a peaceful and closely protected corner of paradise, and, since 1987, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The term Sian Kaʼan, from the Yucatec Mayan language, means “A Place Where Heaven Begins”, or “Origin of The Sky”. As the largest protected area on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, it contains tropical forests, pristine mangroves as well as large lagoons intersected by the barrier reef. It provides a habitat for vibrant flora and fauna, pumas and turtles, more than 300 bird species, dolphins, and manatees.
From December 28th – January 20th Nômade is holding their FESTIVE Festival 2024 – a festival of celebration and dance. Throughout the year, world-renowned talents go to Nômade Tulum, bringing a unique and organic-curated vibe that makes Tulum so exceptional and intimate.
Only three hours of flight time from New York, and a two-hour drive from Cancun International Airport. You can fly from anywhere in Europe to Cancun, and from most major cities in the US, Canada, and South America also.
Nomade Holbox and the more refined Be Tulum are part of the same group, where you’ll get similar but different vibes.
