The Mexico town of Tulum, about two hours south of Cancún, has experienced gentrification like few other tourism destinations in Mexico.

Mexican tourism officials declared Tulum a World Yoga Capital in 2017, and yoga is certainly a major draw here, but the quiet and sublime atmosphere is now changing due to the many new restaurants, music clubs and hotels playing up the tropical town as an international party and celebrity destination, much like the Ibiza scene in Spain. New and pricey hotel brands like Hilton, Conrad and Hyatt have opened recently, and other international properties have quickly responded to Tulum’s growing popularity among today’s hipsters with modern properties and loads of activities.

© Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel

Because of Tulum’s beautiful beaches, lush surroundings and proximity to ancient Mayan ruins, there are still properties that look and feel like the former affordable, mostly peaceful Tulum. Now part of Colibri Boutique Hotels portfolio, the 19-room and -suite Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel offers both seaside and jungle accommodations as well as an excellent, open-all-day Lula’s Kitchen Mediterranean al-fresco restaurant; day spa; and seafront wellness center. Spa and wellness activities run from morning to late afternoon.

The hotel is not a new-build; CBH purchased the building (former Sanara Tulum boutique property) in early 2023 and, after completing a lovely and complete rebrand and redesign renovation, opened to the public this spring.

Today, new and repeat visitors to Tulum will find the newly refreshed Lula Seaside to be a modern hotel with blues and yellows offering a tropical Caribbean color scheme and seaside spaces for eating, drinking and relaxing under the sun.

© Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel

“Lula has been a joy to bring to life,” said Laura Avila, designer and general manager, Lula Seaside Boutique Hotel. “Every color, every bite of food, and every program offering has been created to bring a sense of wonder and inspiration to our guests. I love Lula and our visitors will too.”

In Tulum, in the state of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, millions of tourists have been arriving into the state’s airports compared to the previous several years, and with the recent opening of a new airport in Tulum, tourist numbers and condo sales are continuing to rise dramatically.

Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, also known as Tulum International Airport, officially opened last December. Delta Air Lines launched non-stop service to Tulum this March, and other U.S. carriers have followed, cutting the travel time from major U.S. cities to Tulum considerably.