Transformative Tulum

Serenity, spirituality and sophistication meet at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club

A ribbon-shaped pool flows into a cenote-inspired oasis, echoing Yucatán’s underground rivers 
Photo: Francisco Sanchez

I’m seated at a beachside table, sipping a perfectly chilled glass of rosé with my toes tucked in sand as soft as chiffon. At water’s edge, a plover bobs its head, foraging for food.

Just then, a young woman strides past, stopping to transform her sarong into an elegant sheath dress with a practiced sweep of her arm. She strikes a pose, the parchment-white dress silhouetted against the deep blue of the Caribbean. It’s not until her second pose that I realize I’m watching an impromptu fashion show. In Tulum, creative inspiration comes effortlessly — even when unexpected.

Nature-Inspired Architecture

A 40-minute drive from Mexico’s new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, Tulum serves as a boho-chic playground to celebrities, A-listers and wellness enthusiasts seeking its unique blend of style, natural beauty and spirit.

But as I’m discovering it isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a way of life, where moments of discovery and connection unfold with ease.

Guests enjoy exclusive access to the Secrets Tulum Beach Club set on a prime stretch of the famous white sands
Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas

My base for explorations, Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club (part of the World of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection) isn’t your typical beachfront resort. Instead, its main buildings are located inland within a lush jungle setting, its circular shape drawing inspiration from the natural limestone cenotes (natural sinkholes considered sacred by the Maya people), mangroves and forest that define the Yucatan Peninsula.

Loungers and Bali beds surround the serene pools, offering a peaceful retreat
Photo: Francisco Sanchez

Designed by Michael Edmonds, an award-winning architect celebrated for his innovative, sustainable designs, this luxury resort feels like a part of the landscape. Natural materials connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.

In the lobby, we walk across sand and wooden pathways rather than tile. In the courtyards, vines tumble over limestone walls, firepits glow at twilight, and waterways wind like natural rivers.

For the ultimate retreat, upgrade to Villa Zamna, a private beach house with five bedrooms
Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas

Inviting Accommodation

The main buildings for adults-only, all-inclusive Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club features 300 suites set within the upscale Aldea Zama community located between the town and beach. A complimentary shuttle departs every 30 minutes to the Zamna Beach Club, where you can enjoy the turquoise Caribbean waters along with beachside service and dining.

For guests seeking elevated luxury there’s also Villa Zamna, a five-bedroom beachfront haven complete with a plunge pool, private chef and concierge. For larger groups, Casa Zamna provides a 21-suite retreat perfect for intimate gatherings.

Enjoy a jungle setting at a Preferred Club Suite with Swim Out 
Photo: Secrets Resorts & Spas

Many suites feature deep soaking tubs on the terrace, while our accommodation, the Preferred Club Junior Suite Swim Out category, is an expansive suite overlooking a jungle pool with direct access to a swim-up pool from the terrace.

The earthy decor incorporates polished stone, marble, and chukum, a semi-hardwood native to the Yucatan Peninsula. Modern amenities such as Nespresso machines, flat screen TVs and a complimentary, fully stocked mini-bar add convenience to the natural elegance. Preferred Club rooms offer additional amenities and services including access to the exclusive lounge with continental breakfast service and afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, desserts and drinks.

A floating breakfast is a signature Tulum experience, blending luxury and nature 
Photo: Francisco Sanchez

Atmospheric Dining

The all-inclusive dining options at Secrets Tulum are thoughtfully curated, offering a variety of culinary experiences from casual to fine-dining without the need for reservations. The resort’s eight restaurants include a range of global cuisines, regional specialties, and dietary options such as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian dishes. The bars feature top shelf liquor and finely crafted cocktails.

One of the most atmospheric dining experiences takes place at the Bluewater Grill, an Argentinian steakhouse set in the jungle surrounded by mangroves. Here, guests dine under the stars on dishes like smoked sea bass ceviche and beetroot carpaccio, followed by mains such as T-bone or ribeye grilled over charcoal.

Preferred Club guests also enjoy exclusive access to The Grotto, a serene poolside venue offering inventive tapas like truffled mushrooms and Oaxacan cheese fondue. For breakfast, dishes like huevos motuleños – a Yucatan specialty of ham, peas, and eggs on tortillas with salsa—provide a delicious start to the day.

Room service, available 24 hours, is delivered discreetly through a privacy cabinet, adds an intimate touch. One morning, we enjoyed a floating breakfast by the pool, accompanied by the sounds of birds and jungle life.

Swimming Pools and Spa

The serene spa’s hydrotherapy circuit offering relaxation in harmony with nature
Photo: Francisco Sanchez

Despite not being seaside, the main buildings of Secrets Tulum feel like an oasis. The resort features four secluded courtyard pools, including one for Preferred Club guests, two rooftop pools and winding ribbon pools.

Activities range from foam parties and aqua spinning at the lively pool to yoga sessions in a peaceful grotto. At night, there are movies under the stars in an open-air amphitheatre poolside. Download the “World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection” app before you go for a full listing of activities.

The onsite spa, inspired by natural grottoes, offers an intimate retreat with three treatment rooms, saunas, a cold plunge, steam rooms, and a relaxation lounge. Treatments draw from Mayan traditions, promoting wellbeing in harmony with nature.

Offsite Adventures

The ancient city of Coba was once an important trade centre 
Photo: Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ)

Guests looking to explore beyond the resort will find plenty of diversions. Not only is there a vast 16 kilometre stretch of white sandy beach stretching all the way to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, but there’s lots to explore beyond the shore.

One of the best ways to experience the region’s natural beauty, history, and adventure is by taking a guided bike tour of Tulum’s back streets. There’s actually a cenote and some hidden Maya ruins within the Aldea Zama residential community that you can discover on the complimentary bike tours leaving the main lobby twice daily. Bicycles are also available for independent explorations.

For adventure seekers, the area’s many cenotes — Gran Cenote, Yax-Muul, Sagrado, and Dos Ojos – to name a few – offer opportunities for snorkeling, swimming and unique experiences such as mystic sound healing sessions led by DJs and ancient rituals led by Mayan shamans.

The Tulum archeological ruins overlook the blue waters of the Caribbean
Photo: Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ)

One evening, we headed off-resort to dine at Tuuch cenote, arriving at ATTA Restaurant and Cenote Club, just as dusk was painting the sky shades of purple and pink.

As we sipped inventive cocktails crafted of pox, the potent Maya liquor, and dined on grilled fish paired with yucca puree, the sacred waters in the cenote appeared to shape shift in the light. As they transformed from crystalline to indigo, it was easy to imagine how sinkholes were considered portals to the underworld.

Further afield, other intriguing day trip options include exploring archaeological sites like Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Coba. Or, you can set off into the Caribbean Sea on a catamaran sailing adventure along the coastline.

Whether you’re taking in Tulum’s happening beach scene or exploring the mysteries of its dense jungle, Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club is ideally located to connect with the spirit of the Yucatan. It’s a place where modern comforts blend seamlessly with nature’s rhythms.

Dine overlooking a sacred cenote at ATTA Restaurant and Cenote Club
Photo: Shibari Tulum

Travel Planner

Hyatt All-Inclusive Collection: www.hyattinclusivecollection.com

Location: Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club is located in the heart of Tulum, approximately 40 minutes from Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO) and 1 hour and 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport.

Getting There: AirTransat offers direct flights from Montreal (YUL) to Tulum (TQO) several times weekly on a seasonal basis.

Tuuch Cenote: Open to the public this fine-dining restaurant and lounge is set overlooking Tuuch cenote. Make reservations at ATTA Restaurant and Cenote Club.

Official Tourism Website: www.mexicancaribbean.travel/

Michele Peterson is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in food, drink and sun destinations. Her work has appeared in major magazines, guidebooks and travel anthologies. Get recipes, travel tips and inspiration on her A Taste for Travel blog or via X/Instagram/TikTok @atastefortravel