An Interior Designer's Guide to Tulum

 is an experienced world traveler and the founder of 

, a New York-based design studio specializing in luxury residential and commercial environments. With offices in NYC and Miami, her designs can be found nationwide. 

Among Oliva’s top travel highlights are glamorous getaways to France, Spain, Italy, The Bahamas, and many more of the world’s most sought-after destinations (you can read a bit about these experiences in her Insider Profile). Her eye for design and exquisite taste—in food, fashion, and accommodation—give her a unique and interesting perspective on one of her all time favorite destinations: Tulum, Mexico.

Read on for her insider tips on food, nightlife, R&R, and more. 

 – one of my favorite Tulum hotels and it’s located on the main road, so you don’t need a car, just your feet to walk everywhere. 

 – another favorite, also conveniently located on the main road, so no car needed. This is also one of the oldest hotels in Tulum – it’s a treasure. 

 – this one is about 40 minutes away from Tulum. It’s a destination, and once you’re there, you’re not leaving. Which is incredibly relaxing to me!

When you’re there, you adopt a truly bohemian life. If you don’t bring shoes, that’s actually okay, they aren’t needed. The food is local and fresh. The water is beautifully turquoise. What else do you need? 

The jungle, too, is another major draw. And if you’re lucky, you will be able to smell the copal incense that most of the hotels burn each night around 7 p.m. 

Breakfast: I usually lean on the hotel I’m staying at for this. Just get some coffee, walk to the beach barefoot, and sip!

Lunch: 

 for the pasta or 

 at the Sanara Hotel for some extremely yummy/vegan options.

Dinner: 

, 

, 

 (more for the ambiance than the food), 

, 

 (located in town), and 

 (they will make you dinner on the beach if you ask!)

 is always fun and has great mezcal, too! (Pro Tip: This is the original Gitano, there are locations in New York and Miami now, too.)

I’m wearing a dress from 

. I’m inviting all my friends and the yoga instructor from my class that morning. 

 is DJ-ing. We’re staying out until sunrise. My new friends are Tulum locals who will read the stars above your head, then tell you what it all means. 

Be Tulum’s in-house spa, 

 The atmosphere is top-notch and the entire staff is honestly great. 

Book a Temazcal—a traditional sweat lodge ceremony used for health and therapeutic benefits—and do it during the full moon.

So many hotels in Tulum still stay true to their initial eco-friendly ways from 30 years ago, letting a nice fan and the breeze from the ocean give you all the air-conditioning you need. 

 and 

. I don’t even think Hartwood owns a refrigerator! 

Also, 

 and 

 are both owned and run by a group of amazing girls in Tulum. 

 and its owner, Karla Gutierrez, also really champion young, up-and-coming designers in a truly powerful way. 

The 

 as well as the new structures at 

, and 

All of the cenotes in the area are amazing: Gran Cenote, Casa Tortuga, Dos Ojos, and Casa Cenote (which is the closest one to town).

On the beach or in the turquoise water. Or maybe in front of some outrageous art piece at 

 🙂

This may seem weird, but the main road at the end of town is awfully stunning and bare—just one simple road lined with overgrown palm trees.

To learn more about Olivia, follow her on IG