Ocho Tulum's Yoga Retreat **Ocho is now operating out of Blue Tulum***

I have not been to the new Ocho by Blue Tulum. I have stayed at the Blue Tulum resort and it was very nice. If I do ever have the opportunity to stay at the new hotel I will bring you the report.




The yoga retreats at Ocho Tulum really are an amazing expereince and one that a few lucky people got to expereience this past week on the glistening beaches of Tulum, Mexico. Yoga retreats are renowned the world over as an amazing way to reconnect to your body, mind and spirit while harmonizing with the natural surroundings.

There is no better place to do this the Ocho Tulum. The whole mystic area that is the Rivera Maya envelopes one in a deep sense of history and connection to the Earth. The energy of the people of times long past are still felt in the waters of the cenotes and in the trees that flow calmly in the wind. The whole area of Tulum draws in a mystic and peaceful feeling.

The feeling and energy that this area has lends itself as the ideal place for such relaxing and rejuvinating activities such as the Ocho Tulum Yoga Retreats. Ocho Tulum as a hotel adds its own element with its dedication to the enviroment and haromnizing with the elemnts around them. To read more about the hotel Ocho Tulum, click here.



The Yoga retreats at Ocho Tulum bring focus and connection with mind, body and spirit with many different activities ranging from mantra beach walks, yoga workshops that connect thought and meditation to poses, beach boot camps designed to burn fat and increase your heart rate to day trips to amazing colonial towns like Villdolid to rejuvinating cenotes. An amazing spa on the premisis is the perfect place to pamper your tired feet, enjoy a healing massage or recieve an invigorating facial.

The meals prepared for the guests of the reatreat are prepared with as much love and flare as the rest of the menu the head chef, Eric Fischer, prepares each night. A commitment to vegitarian and vegan dishes is observed year round by this chef but is given special highlight during these beautiful retreats that they host.

The packages include 6 days, 5 nights, 2 yoga classes a day, 3 meals per day, a massage, a spa treatment (including the renowned Mayan Clay treatment) 1 day trip to a Mayan ruins site, and air port transfer. The schedule includes enough time to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach and surrounding jungles and sends guests home with a deeper connection to their bodys as well as their uncounscience, and retored and ready to take on the world that lays outside the Caribbean.

For more information about the amazing yoga retreats at visit the Ocho Tulum website here.

Ochoberfest!!! The best of Germany hits Tulum!

One thing that I really love about Ocho Tulum is that it is constantly hosting events that encompass a different feel then many of the run of the mill happy hour fiestas that you might think of when you think of the Rivera Maya.

After living in Munich, Germany- Tulum is defiantly not the place I would have expected an Oktoberfest invitation to be in my inbox. But there it was. The colors of Bavaria flew high over the beach chairs usually reflecting the red, green and white of the Mexican flag. And even better... the taste and smells of really amazing German beer and sausage filled the wind off the sea.



In speaking to head chef Eric Fischer I could hardly wait for the event to happen. The food sounded so amazing. The same well flavored sausage and potatoes dishes that I was used to eating in Munich were about to be served, by the amazing staff of Ocho Tulum's incredible kitchen, right there on the beaches of Tulum.

The beer in Germany is a special breed. It can be very different then beers here in Mexico. Not better- but very different. I got excited even seeing the bottles on the tables!


This event did not disappoint. The food was absolutely amazing- as I was expecting. And the deep rich beers of Germany kept the guests happy and dancing on the sand well in to the night. Ocho Tulum brought an exciting and worldly flavor to their already exciting and well reviewed restaurant and beach club. I cannot wait to see what event is going to be next.

Ocho Tulum- OCHO IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Ocho Tulum is one of the most popular hotels on Tulum beach and it is not hard to see why. You know the saying "the devil is in the details"? Well that is a perfect explanation as to why Ocho Tulum really stands out as an exceptional Tulum beach hotel.


Freshly cut fruit in the morning and steamed milk with really good coffee and beach bags for guests use were just a few of the things that Ocho Tulum did to really impress me.

Ocho Tulum sits towards the far south end of the beach road towards Sian Ka'an. The beach down in this area is as good as it gets in Tulum. The reception area was large and welcoming and beautifully decorated. The large sign behind the reception desk told of all the activities for the week including Yoga classes, wine tasting events and card reading sessions.

We were shown to our room which was beautiful. The view from our room was beautiful and was furnished with a comfortable seating area and a nice hammock. It was the perfect place to sit and enjoy the wonderful sounds of the Caribbean Sea.

There is a very minimalist and very organic feeling throughout the whole hotel. There was a very nice little sitting area and an area to put our cloths. On this piece of furniture were some extra blankets, towels and a large beach bag with 2 beach towels. This was a very nice touch as it made it much easier to bring our things down to the beach.

The bathroom was simple and very clean. The water pressure was great and the access to hot water was fantastic. The towels, hand towels and sheets were of excellent quality and the mattress made for a fantastic nights sleep.

There was one moment in the evening that i woke up feeling very warm and realized that I did not have my windows open and all the warms air could not get pushed out of my room. Within moments of opening the large and beautiful wooden slats the cool Caribbean breeze blew effortlessly through the room. We remained comfortable for the rest of the night. The ceiling fan also helped the room stay perfectly comfortable.

The spa palapa is beautiful and cozy and just the right place to get a relaxing spa treatment. The menu was very impressive. From tradition massage and specialty Ocho massage to Mayan Clay and facials. The Ocho Scrub (Cucumber, Cantaloupe and Mint)looked fantastic!!! Something for me to look forward to.

The yoga palapa at this Tulum beach hotel was a large and inviting space. It was shoji screens almost all the way around and let in a beautiful light. The screens pulled back to review the breathtaking garden with the sounds of the Caribbean in the background.

The yoga retreats at Ocho Tulum look simply amazing. From the spa treatments yoga classes to the tours and available vegan and vegetarian menus, they really seem to think of everything.

The whole hotel has a strong sense of harmony with its location and surroundings. and the raw organic feeling of the hotel blends beautifully with the elegant and luxurious details.


The beach at this hotel is one of the very best parts of the beach in Tulum. The beach is clear and open and the sand is as soft as you could imagine. The water is warm and refreshing. There were some nice beach beds and some cushioned beach chairs with umbrellas. The bar and menu service on the beach was wonderful. People were attentive and kind and the drinks were well made.

There were some kayaks available to play in the sea but the water was a little to rough when we were there. The winds did make it the perfect day for kite boarding though. There is a kite boarding school right there in front of the hotel and it makes for wonderful watching.

When it came to the restaurant this place really shinned. I had seen their wine list before, as had my husband who is a sommelier, and we were both very eager to try some of the wines.

The kitchen was very helpful and accommodating when they plated a selection of fine cheeses that we had received as a gift. The chef made a beautiful presentation and brought some bread as well.

During this time the kitchen sent out its appetizer plate. This is most traditionally simply chips and salsa but once again Ocho Tulum really surprised me. The large tray had 6 small containers ranging from pico, guacamole and some prepared cactus which was wonderful. There was also some lightly seasoned crisp veggies. I do not recall the name of one but the other was cucumber. It was really wonderful. There was also a dark chili salsa that was really wonderful and smoky tasting served with seasoned nuts.


I must say that guacamole is one of the things that I really use to evaluate a place. I mean, the ingredients are very simple and it is a dish that when well and with care then it is a real treat. The guacamole was amazing. Sweet and citrus with large bits of avocado. None of that creamed stuff, just fresh and simply perfect guacamole.

For the kids we ordered the cheeseburger which was wonderful. The meat was large and well seasoned and cooked the way that we asked. It was served with Monterrey jack cheese and a fajita type mixture of onions and bell pepper that really made the burger come alive. The french fries were crisp and very tasty.

We ordered a chicken quesadilla which was exactly what it should be, simply chicken and cheese with some guacamole and jalapenos. It was perfect for the kids but for almost the same cost you can get so many other wonderful and adventurous dishes.

The servers were kind and worked really hard to make sure that we had everything that we wanted or needed.

The view from this restaurant on Tulum beach is breathtaking. There are a few palm trees swaying peacefully in front of you and then nothing but the perfect Caribbean Sea. And the large round palapa roof really creates an intimate and refreshing ambiance.

The next morning when we had breakfast I was again blown away by the attention to luxurious details.

The included continental breakfast is warm bread and croissants with spreads of nutella, jam and butter. The coffee is freshly made and served with steamed milk. The fruit bowl was full of freshly cut melons, mango and pineapple and was a substantial size.


For the kids we ordered an omelet with everything which included ham, cheese, spinach, mushrooms and tomato and some pancakes served with jam and some fruit. Both dishes were wonderful.

I have also eaten the huevos rancheros at this Tulum beach restaurant and it is wonderful. It was not as spicy as I would have liked. I do tend to like my food a little on the super spicy side. Next time I will order a side of salsa to go with this dish. After tasting the wonderful salsa it would have spiced it to my liking perfectly.

Our visit to this hotel on Tulum beach reminded me that the attention to details is where places really set themselves apart and Ocho Tulum has done that very well.

Ocho Tulum is a beautiful hotel on Tulum beach and one that I would definatly recommend to friends that visit.

Millamores, *** paradise at the end of the road

Millamores, formally Casa Magna, in Tulum is an absolutely beautiful piece of paradise at the end of the road towards Sian Ka'an. These 2 beautiful mansions have been fully renovated from their original life as Pablo Escobar's home. After being seized by the Mexican Government these 2 villas sat empty and bare until one woman's devotion and attention to details stepped in.

The new owners of this property have continued with the decor and feel set forth in the home. It is in perfect harmony with it's surroundings using so many natural and organic pieces.

When we first arrived at the house I was so excited. I had heard so many thing about it. The history obviously, but more about how unique and amazing it was. As the economy is recovering from the panic of the swine flu and the massive loss in tourism from all the hype, only 1 of the houses was open at the time. From the entrance way, you can tell that you are in for something different. The large dining table made in a Caribbean style and from natural woods really made me want to sit down for a beautiful meal. Of course The huge sliding door leading right onto the beach and over looking the incredible waters of the caribbean really did not hurt either.

The lobby area was open, simple and beautifully decorated. Everything from the stunning sculpted table to the wood seals on the open windows, and further to the seashell light cover and rough tree truck staircase supports- the whole place gave me a feeling of being someplace special.



The decor throughout the whole property but particularly in the more communal areas reflect a global taste and unity. All of the items speak so well together and really compliment each other and also bring in so much of the tropical beach decor in such a way that it worked with everything else.

We walked over to the small restaurant to the right and admired it's openness. it is almost identical to the kitchen that we would want in our home. the details from the tiles mosaic designs and the wooden bowls lined with palm leaves. We ordered a quesadilla for the kids and 2 beers for us. Little did we know that the incredibly kind guy bringing us our beer was the owner. He was so personable and just sat and chatted with us. The restaurant was small and beautifully decorated and the menu had a great mix of everything. The civiches really caught our eye, but they always do.


Carolina, the manager was wonderful. She spoke great English and was so kind and helpful. She showed me around the property to show me all of the great details. Ruben and I stayed in a room with 2 double beds on the main level. There were 2 small lounge chairs and a built in love seat. The closets utilized natural materials to create shelves and hangers and there was a huge sliding door that lead directly onto the beach. The bathroom was HUGE and had 2 sinks which is Ruben's all time dream for his bathroom.

As Carolina showed me some of the other rooms I could see how each one had its own style and feel. The same aesthetic is all the way throughout the property but each room has its own identity, layout and point of view. There were some that had several beds, perfect for families and groups and then there were incredibly intimate and romantic ones with Large King beds that looked directly out over the patio and into the ocean. Every bed had the bed canopy which I love.

the bathrooms in every room were amazing. Many featured a gigantic tiled mosaic tub that was far more the size of a plunge pool then a bathtub and were beautifully done in tile. All had huge mirrors,nice towels and candles as well as bottles of water.

The natural elements through flowed beautifully. Mostly made of stones and tiles, the simple designs flowed along the walls with ease and worked so well. These natural elements were complemented nicely by the brightly colored tapastries through out. Dedication to detail, even down to the doors and the beautiful designs in them made of natural woods, made every spot on the property interesting to look at.

Even though there was no air conditioning, which is totally normal for this area, the breeze came in off the Caribbean waters and cooled the whole space. The large open air terrace under a palapa in the smaller house was the perfect place to sit with Ruben and enjoy our drinks while the kids slept. It was simply beautiful. There was a large roof top terrace on the larger house and it would be perfect for a restaurant or wedding. I do not think I have ever seen so much, so far or more beautiful waters then that day.

There is a beautiful space in the larger house that I know they have done large wedding receptions in but have also done yoga classes.
it is a beautiful space for either. There was also a larger restaurant but this one was closed for the time being. This has just been part of the reality for so many places in town. It is slow so there is no way to keep everyone on, it is a tough cycle.

The beach in front of both of the homes is amazing. The area nearer to the house is shaded and blocked well by palm trees giving it a little privacy which I really liked. There were beach chairs, lounge chairs and lounge beds. It was great. And the beach in front of Millamores is considered one of the best in all of Tulum. The sand is as soft as powdered sugar and is clear from all little rocks and seaweed. It is simply stunning. It is just North of the Sian ka'an Reserve and ... I really cannot say how incredible the beach is the further south you go.


As dinner approached there was unfortunately no one to cook, as most of the staff goes home at 5:00. The owner was so accommodating to us and the other family staying and started calling around for a chef. Now, we know that this is not how it usually goes. This is a direct effect of the current drastic change that has been going on here and on top of slow season. But I thought that it was so nice that they started calling around to find us a chef.



After a little bit, Ruben told the owner that he has worked in a kitchen- restaurant and bar most of his life. When Ruben asked him what he had to work with, that part was easy. There was a full fridge of all sorts of stuff so Ruben got back behind the counter and made a killer arrachera steak fajita, some camarones diablo and some lobster tails with this great sauce. We all had a lot of fun talking while Ruben and the owner mixed it up in the kitchen.

The feeling at this hotel was do different because we felt so much more like we had a home on the beach. Everything flowed so well together and it was amazing. I would love to have my Mayan wedding ceremony here. (We are having a Mayan ceremony on our 5 year anniversary.) This is where I want to have it. It was incredible.

Teetotum Hotel- Restaurant - Lounge ***

I love going to Teetotum Hotel. This was one of the first places that we went to when we moved to Tulum. We had not been many places or met many people yet and this place put a HUGE smile on our faces. From the very cool laid back style of the whole place, the great food and amazing people who worked and owned it- we knew we were going to love Tulum.


From the first impression of the restaurant you can tell you are in for a treat. The sign in front tells you all the good details... Breakfast all day, happy hour 5-7,King beds, a/c, ipod dock, wi-fi --Breakfast INCLUDED!!! What. I already loved this place! Then it occurred to me that this was the perfect place for our family and friends to stay at when they visit. Due to its location, it is an easy walk to my little neighborhood (Villa Tulum- behind Super San Francisco) It is also easy to walk to town or get a cab to town or the beach. Perfect! I also found out that they have free bike rentals which I thought was really great. Tulum is a great place to bike around.


Anyway. As we walked into the large open metal archway door we could see that the decor was very cool. There is a minimalist and simple feel about the place and all of the things that are in the room go together very well. There are very cool I guess 60s mod style painting on the wall. The use of a very good color scheme makes the place blend well with the Caribbean surroundings and yet uses pops of great color for reflect the lifestyle.


When we first ate here it was breakfast, we ordered a few huevos rancheros and a BLT sandwich. I had been craving a good BLT and had a good feeling about this place. The portions were large, clearly fresh and very well presented. After complimenting the chef we all started talking and having a really enjoyable time.

Once past the restaurant the archways open to this very nice courtyard and the plunge pool with a great palapa. The pool was very clean and sat above ground. I really liked this especially because it eliminated the concern for me that my kids were going to fall in. They may jump in voluntarily but they would not accidentlay fall. The palapa was large and had a great little sitting area as well as a hammock. We have had many enjoyable nights sipping cocktails and relaxing right here.



The courtyard that sits just beyond the palapa and just before the 4 rooms is so tranquil. There are wonderful little chairs and beautiful hurricane lanterns with candles. I could sit here and read for hours. Well, with out the kids obviously.

Above the restaurant there is a very large open deck. It would be the perfect place to catch some sun during the day but at night, a few nights a week the owners show hit movies up here. I have not gotten a chance to watch one all the way through. Anyone reading this with little kids can understand why. But while I was able to sit up there it was great. There area also some great snacks that you can get get from the restaurant.


I asked to see the rooms and was very impressed. The rooms are very large and have nice simple decor. There was a rack that you could put your cloths on (not always the case at hotels here) and on that rack was a small safe. The bathroom was large and clean and the sink and vanity were on the outside of the bathroom. I have always liked bathrooms with this type of design. The room also had a small bench that had an ipod dock, some hotel and town info as well as a candle. The colors that started in the restaurant carry threw very nicely to the rooms. I also liked that I could see some electric plug ins. This is not the easiest thing to find in some older hotels.


After talking to the owners a while we found out that they also do messages here as well as a morning yoga class. The class is open to anyone so call them and ask if you are interested. The owners are very nice and helpful and speak English. Everyone that we end up talking to when we are here always says how wonderful of a stay it has been.

I look forward to my family staying here when they come and visit.