Wellness Is a Journey You Design Yourself at This Bespoke Tulum Resort

Later, I learned that the dragonfly symbolizes change, rebirth, honoring your emotions, self-realization, and good fortune — powerful themes that echoed the transformative journey that’s been unfolding for me in life recently, emphasized during my recent stay at Nômade Tulum in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

This delicate balance between transformation and self-compassion lies at the heart of Nômade Tulum’s philosophy. Its intentionally curated team of healers fosters a space where every guest feels seen, supported, and held, encouraging exploration of the soul’s depths while honoring personal limits.

At this special wellness resort in the heart of the Tulum beach town, the team invites you to push your boundaries but always with a gentle reminder to respect them — a balance that leaves space for profound growth without losing sight of where you are in the process.

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Before arriving at Nômade Tulum, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’d heard whispers about its Journey Designers, but the term still felt mysterious. After spending time with a few throughout my stay, I realized they’re not even comparable to your average concierge; these guides act as intuitive curators of each guest’s stay, crafting personalized journeys far beyond traditional resort offerings.

They didn’t limit our conversations to yoga classes or the best dishes at Macondo Restaurant. Instead, they asked meaningful questions about where I was in life, what I hoped to uncover, and how my experiences had shaped me. Their intuitive questions and thoughtful suggestions made me feel seen in a way I wasn’t expecting.

When you book a stay, a Journey Designer contacts you before arrival to create a tentative itinerary tailored to your desires. I say tentative because, as Pablo Porta, Nômade Tulum’s Head Journey Designer, explained to me, he encourages guests to adjust their schedules during their stay. “I love when people start canceling or adding activities,” he shared. “It shows they’re tuning into their true needs and desires. That’s the whole point.”

This sentiment underscores the property’s ethos: autonomy and flexibility.

Guests have the freedom to fully engage in deep healing work or relax and soak up the sun and sand — there’s no wrong way to experience Nômade Tulum.

Photo: Nômade Tulum

Every stay at Nômade Tulum includes access to a thoughtfully curated selection of healing workshops and classes. The weekly calendar features everything from Kundalini yoga and meditation to breathwork and stargazing at the firepit. Many of these offerings, including movement classes, are complimentary, while more specialized experiences can be booked for an additional fee. Some of the most popular experiences I tried during my stay included:

Temezcal ceremony: A temezcal is a Maya sweat lodge ritual that purifies the body and clears the mind. Transparently, this experience was a bit too intense for me at this point in my healing journey. But the rest of the group absolutely loved it. So, if you feel called to it, at least try it. You can always leave whenever you want, and the temezcalera was very supportive and understanding.

Cacao ceremony: Held in the hotel’s Gratitude Tent, where much of the programming takes place, this sacred ceremony brings guests together through music, song, and storytelling, celebrating cacao’s connection to Mother Earth and its heart-opening properties. The experience culminates in drinking ceremonial-grade cacao as a group, fostering a sense of unity and reflection among strangers. Having never tried a cacao ceremony before, I can’t say how traditional it was, but it was a genuinely enjoyable and memorable experience.

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Human design reading: In my group session, we dove into the five aura types and profiles, exploring how they shape how we show up in the world. It was wild how accurate it all felt — everyone was nodding along in awe. The hotel also offers private readings and can even tweak your itinerary to match your design, which adds an even more personal touch to the experience.

Sound bath: One of the most profound experiences during my stay was the sound bath session held in the Gratitude Tent. Lying on a mat beneath the soft glow of candlelight, I felt waves of sound from crystal bowls, chimes, and gongs wash over me, each note resonating deeply through my body. The vibrations were both grounding and overwhelming at times, stirring subtle twitches that felt like my body letting go of hidden trauma. By the end, an essential oil head massage brought it all together, leaving me restored, reset, and profoundly at peace.

Yäan healing sanctuary: Shared with its sister property, Be Tulum, the Yäan Healing Sanctuary is a spa where ancient wisdom meets modern wellness. For my treatment, I chose the Sobada Maya Massage. This traditional form of massage combines deep, targeted bodywork and abdominal techniques to realign energy and organs, enhanced by the cleansing properties of freshly picked native herbs and sacred copal. With just a few precise strokes, the practitioner uncovered truths about my chronic fatigue and health issues I’d been battling for over a year. She was able to leave me with advice to continue my treatment at home. As someone who has recently delved into energy work, this experience reaffirmed why traditional healing methods like Sobada Maya hold such profound power.

Other experiences include private breathwork sessions, water therapies, Mayan astrology and soul reading sessions, Reiki, tarot readings, calligraphy lessons, and so much more. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re seeking profound spiritual growth or you’re simply curious about new experiences.

Photo: Nômade Tulum

During my stay, I was in awe of how seamlessly the property blends into its natural surroundings — and the guest rooms were no exception. The 99 rooms are nestled in a jungle labyrinth, perched in the treetops, or steps from the Caribbean Sea, drawing inspiration from nature, Tulum’s bohemian charm, and Moroccan nomadic culture.

Depending on the season, bungalows start at around $440 per night, treehouses at $560, and premier suites with private pools around $1,200, making the property accessible to a range of budgets.

I stayed in an Aire Suite, a second-floor retreat tucked among palm trees and open sky. My back door led to a private plunge pool and deck, a tranquil spot perfect for unwinding after intense healing conversations or workshops. Although it rained frequently during my stay, taking a dip in the rain became an unexpected favorite — a calming, almost meditative ritual that made the experience even more memorable.

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Truthfully, after staying in tens of hotels in Mexico, you never know what to expect from the restaurants. But Nômade Tulum’s three on-site restaurants didn’t disappoint.

Each morning at Macondo, Nômade Tulum’s open-air breakfast spot, began with fresh fruit, a bread basket, and house-made guava jam. The chia pudding quickly became my go-to while the other women I traveled with raved about the açaí bowls with fresh coconut cream.

Lunch is on the sand at La Popular, the beachfront eatery steps from the azure Caribbean waters. My favorite dishes were the salmon tartar with passionfruit and guajillo sauce, pistachio, and garlic; the portabella and burrata salad with arugula, lemon, and sundried tomatoes; and, of course, the steak tacos. Since all the seating is outside, it does close for weather. But when that happens, the same menu is served inside at Macondo for the best of both worlds.

Photo: Sara Iannacone

And then there’s Kuu, what I’d call the wildcard of the property. This Japanese omakase spot might be the last thing you’d expect at a Mexican retreat, but it delivered some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. I don’t typically go for sashimi, especially before a day of flying. Still, I decided to give it a shot, and every bite was a revelation — impeccably fresh and beautifully crafted. One important thing to note is that if you have a vegetarian or pescatarian in your group, make a reservation in advance and note the dietary restrictions because the chef has to prep for this in advance and can’t do it on the fly.

The hotel’s sister property, Be Tulum, is just steps away and has a rooftop terrace perfect for sunset cocktails or mocktails.

Photo: Sara Iannacone

Whether you’re seeking a profound spiritual awakening or a tranquil weekend on a perfect white sand beach, Nômade Tulum has never been easier to reach. The new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), located just outside of Tulum, places this beachfront wellness haven within a scenic 40-minute drive through lush jungle and rustic roads.

While its prime location along the main strip of the Tulum beach town makes exploring on foot effortless, you might find it hard to leave. Instead, let yourself sink into the magic of Nômade Tulum — barefoot, unhurried, and fully immersed in the experiences that invite you to lose yourself while rediscovering who you truly are.

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