ahau tulum - tulum, quintana roo, mexico
For the last couple of years, we have soaked up the Mayan sun during our spring break visits and loved every minute of it. We spent countless long walks along the beach, checking out all the different cabanas and there was one that continuously drew me in with its stunning design. I was so curious to get inside and see how they brought the outside in and to be a part of the energy that was so gently calling me. So we changed one main thing about this year's spring break jaunt and that was a new dwelling, Ahau (pronounced "a-how", the Mayan sun god).
Tulum holds the earth in high regard. It's an ecological and sustainable community that is protected by the people who have purposely chosen to call this magical place home. The food, the design, the approach to living is a natural, nurturing one and Ahau exudes that sensibility in every single detail, so much so that we didn't feel compelled to leave Ahau much at all.
We chose to stay in an upper level master suite on the beach. The room itself was clean, vibrant and spacious and included a large private deck with hammock and eating area (or dominoes table for us). The 20 ft. vaulted palapa ceiling and the view out to the sea make it appear instantly stunning, while the breeze floated in and out almost spiritually. Also available are Junior Suites and Bali Huts, all differing in size and amenities, but all designed just as beautifully.
The food and revitalizing juices are delicious and prepared with fresh, local ingredients. It was particularly nice to eat an incredible breakfast on the beach every single morning, followed by the best yoga sessions I've ever participated in. I practiced yoga in the lovely studio overlooking the beach every day with instructors who bring their inner beauty to their teaching and leave you feeling connected to them and to the blessings of life.
yoga studio
The people that inhabit Ahau are beautiful. Thierry excused their outward beauty as being granted with "good seeds", but that could not excuse their inner warmth. I have referred to Tulum as a vortex many times in the past, so I had a giggle when reading through the Ahau website only to find that "the Yucatan Peninsula is also known as an energy vortex. It has a strong electromagnetic field that was caused by a meteorite hitting the Yucatan Peninsula roughly 65 million years ago". I believe that Ahau and its people embrace that magnetic field like no other stay along the beach... and I like to think I was kissed by the sun god because I left there feeling a deep inner peace.
food & libations: Ahau breakfast is best in Tulum, delicious and freshly prepared raw food menu available in the courtyard of the Ahau cabanas (try the veggie pizza), El Tabano! for lunch and dinner as many times as you can (jungle side, 3 minute cab ride), Cetli for traditional Mexican dinner in town, Casa Jaguar for ambiance and cocktails
cool for kids: ocean swimming with boogie boards available for guests, hammocks in room and on beach, smoothies to order
must visit: a local Mayan astrologist for a reading (check the front desk), yoga classes at Ahau (don't miss the candlelight experience), kite and paddle surfing, snorkeling in local cenotes