Just over a hundred kilometers south of Cancun and about 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen is Oasis Hotels & Resorts‘ best kept secret and one of the jewels of the Mexican Caribbean; Oasis Tulum and Grand Oasis Tulum. The resort is the perfect locale to enjoy the most paradisiacal spot on the Mayan Riviera. The ideal place to relax, to get away from the daily grind, and to replace the hustle and bustle of the city for the relaxing sound of the waves, white sands and turquoise sea; characteristics of this Eden near the “Walled City” of Tulum.

Careyes

Just like the air here, the welcome we received was very warm. Feeling right at home is easy in this hotel and the exotic welcome cocktail was of course well received. The hotel’s lobby is large and beautifully decorated and only a few meters from the beach. Our vacation could not have got off to a better start.

No matter how far the journey, the stomach usually knows that it’s away from home and needs filling. The hotel’s staff must have known of our predicament, because shortly after arriving they were kindly letting us know about the restaurants at the hotel. We decided to go to Careyes, the first recommendation that was made to us. Tuna medallions, ceviche, langoustines; the menu is exceptional and the service superb. We left sated, content, and ready to enjoy other parts of the hotel.

Rooms

Our room was beautiful, tidy, and with plenty of natural light. The minibar was fully equipped, there were plenty of towels, and the air conditioning left the room lovely and cool. We could not have asked for more. It was time to check out that beach.

Let’s go to the beach

If everything up until this moment seemed perfect then we had not seen anything yet as there is nothing more perfect than mother nature; the beach and the crystal clear water invites you once again to forget all your responsibilities. We truly were in paradise; a beautiful beach of white sand and turquoise water in which some 50 meters from the shore you will find the Mesoamerican barrier reef, the world’s second largest barrier reef, and home to thousands of colorful fish.

The black night sky filled with bright white stars

As we enjoyed it so much at lunchtime we decided to make reservations at Careyes for dinner. The menu for dinner looked very appetizing. We decided to order the house special; breast of chicken filled with prawns and lobster meat in a squash blossom sauce, needless to say it was delicious. We also ordered a delightful sweetcorn and black mushroom soup, and for dessert perhaps the best apple strudel I have ever eaten, which came accompanied by vanilla ice cream and a beautiful chocolate sauce decoration; chocolate figures for the gentleman and a bed of roses for the lady. What more could you ask for?

Lights and colors in the nighttime show

Once we finished dinner it was time to watch the nighttime show. We were well entertained for more or less an hour with a performance full of color, music, and dance, always accompanied by a delicious cocktail; whether it was a chocolate martini, frozen tamarind and vodka, or a lemon daiquiri, in the beautiful and relaxed surroundings of the rooftop bar, Café del Mar. An excellent end to a great day.

Just a day in and I was already wondering how I would feel returning home, and how I would miss the place. At least, I thought to myself, I could return soon and spend more time in paradise.

Oasis Tulum