This section will be short as we haven’t eaten all that many meals in Tulum. But as a general observation, the seafood we’ve eaten there has been very fresh and the local Mexican eateries still offer good values.
The European influence is being felt in some of the more upscale restaurants in the town that results in some very imaginative if a bit expensive alternatives.
On our drives through Tulum, we’ve eaten several times at Don Cafeto, one of the oldest restaurants in town. It’s located right on Highway 307. This place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring traditional Mexican cuisine. It’s nothing fancy but the food is good, the portions are large and the price won’t put a big dent in your wallet.
We had a terrific seafood dinner at Zama’s restaurant located about 5 km down the road known as “Boca Paila”. Boca Paila crosses Highway 307 just on the north side of Tulum village. If traveling from the north (from Cancun), a right turn would take you to the village and Mayan ruins at Coba and a left turn will lead you to a beachside entrance of the Tulum ruins on one side and a narrow beachside road on the other (right) side. As you drive down the Boca Paila road, you’ll pass beach front hotels, hostels, cabanas and restaurants on both sides of the road.
Once you bear to the right at the sign that says Zona Archeolgica to the left, Zama’s will be among the first group of buildings you will pass and includes cabanas as well as the restaurant. Most nights, there is a band playing classic rock standards and a brisk breeze off the ocean.
The first time we drove down Boca Paila, it was at night and we were about to turn around as it felt like we had gone too far. But just keep going. It’s impossible to miss.
We also enjoyed a very nice breakfast at Don Diego de la Selva, the hotel we stayed in. The French owners also serve dinner on most nights. Dinner reservations are suggested.