We learn about Beach Road's more genuine side from Karen Young of the Wild restaurant in South Tulum, who also offers helpful advice.

In 2010, Karen Young first traveled to Tulum, Mexico, while on vacation with friends. At the time, she was living in London and organizing international music festivals. By 2015, she was drawn back to the carefree beach town. She told Travel & Leisure, "My lifestyle was fairly hedonistic and Tulum was precisely what I needed." "I desired a more tranquil existence by the sea, where I could kite surf and practice yoga."

Since then, the stylish restaurateur has developed Wild, a location that properly captures South Tulum, the section of Beach Road that is closer to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere nature reserve than it is too loud beach clubs and influencer picture opportunities. Young refers to the neighborhood as having "barefoot luxury" since it has a more affluent population and more rustic environs.

At Wild, a concrete jungle canopy rises among the unspoiled natural jungle, Tulum's more affluent audience lingers over candle-lit drinks and Norman Fenton's wood-fired dishes, which combine Mexican-Caribbean ingredients and other global flavors. Fenton received a Michelin star.

Young credits her experience at music festivals, "which was always about giving people a good time," for her ability to create an atmosphere to remember. She still does that for the diners and couples planning destination weddings at Wild, and she and her staff work hard to spread the same encouragement to others in the surrounding Mayan community.

She informs us that during COVID-19, they raised over $20,000 to give emergency food parcels and PPE to thousands of people in need. She also says that right now, they are seeking money to build a school for Mayan children in Tulum in collaboration with the local children's NGO in the area, LADLE.

Young has a special connection to Tulum and the "wild" road that brought her there, and her desire to share that connection with others is evident. While exploring Tulum's rainforests or taking a stroll along the beaches' turquoise seas, she claims that all visitors experience a genuine sense of calm, tranquility, and wonder.

Here are Young's recommendations for the best places to eat, drink, shop, and stay in one of Mexico's most popular tourist areas.

Travel + Leisure: What distinguishes South Tulum?

In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, South Tulum's premium end of the beach also exudes peacefulness thanks to its numerous kilometers of coastline, spa alternatives, boutique boutiques, and dining establishments in the jungle and on the beach. Along with numerous eco-friendly tourist destinations, South Tulum is also home to Sian Ka'an, a sublime biosphere of natural beauty and home to thousands of species of indigenous plants and animals. Locals and companies are collaborating to promote the preservation of Tulum's rich coastal habitat in light of the region's rapid rise in tourism and development. Wild and several other nearby eateries and hotels use sustainable construction and building practices when creating their meals.

Through programs like The Tulum Pledge, which asks guests and locals to commit to being considerate and leaving South Tulum's natural surroundings better than they found them, we are all working together to safeguard this area. The commitment, which consists of 10 points, encourages locals and visitors to cycle and walk as frequently as possible, use sunscreen that is friendly to the coral reefs, and refrain from noisy parties that disturb wildlife. Red Tulum Sustainable, No Mas Plastik, Makers Global, and the Tulum Hotel and Restaurant Association are other projects.

Do you have any more local favorites that you like?

"Nü, a modern Mexican restaurant owned by Michelin-starred chef Cesar Castaeda and a well-known local chef, is one of my favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. Visitors to Nü can sample a fusion of contemporary and traditional Mexican and Mayan dishes prepared beautifully by the restaurant's seven talented chefs. Itzik, a relatively recent addition to South Tulum's culinary scene, is only a short distance away. It offers al fresco eating in the jungle and a menu of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean meals cooked with organic, nearby products from the Yucatán. One of my favorite late-night dining experiences is Itzik, which offers a chic jungle design, a varied live music schedule, and a Nakawe mezcal sampling.

What stores are your favorites?

"Spiritum is one of my favorite stores, and it's right next to Wild. It provides a decent assortment of males and a lovely collection of high-quality Tulum-style dresses, jewelry, and headgear for women. Designer summer clothes, jewelry, ceramics, and accessories may be found at Wanderlust, Kaya, Yeva Don, and Juun, and Zac Be offers magnificent handmade "modern ancient" jewelry.

Best lodging?

"Away from the throng, on the boutique end of Tulum Beach are some of the nicest hotels in the region. La Valise is an 11-room rustic luxury boutique hotel. For those who wish to watch the sunrise or stargaze from bed, the master suite has a king-sized bed that rolls out onto the balcony. One of Tulum's first boutique hotels, Encantada is a secluded haven with chic, boho cabanas that are located right on the sand. Nearby, Nest offers a more simple aesthetic combined with furnishings inspired by Mayan and ancient spirituality. Going into Nest is like going back in time to the history and way of life of the place before Instagram made it popular. The Radhoo Tulum, which is situated on the beach road's jungle side and offers a cool alternative to beachside lodging, is the last option.

Beach locations

"The magnificent, private beach fronts are a hallmark of all the hotels I listed above. One of my favorite unique experiences in South Tulum is spending the day at Casa Malca, the former home of Pablo Escobar, which is now home to Lio Malca, an art collector and gallerist, and his eclectic collection of works by some of the most renowned contemporary artists and designers, including Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Marco Brambilla, George Condo, and KAWS.

The Akashic Records Readings for a holistic reset, which reveal the priceless specifics about one's soul, mission, and life's purpose, the Mud Ritual, a two-hour journey for visitors to join their spirit with the energy of the earth to encourage inner harmony and outer joy, and the Lunar Ceremony, a nighttime couples massage that invokes the energy of the moon, are other popular activities.

Can you offer some insider advice to visitors that want to go to Tulum?

The greatest way to see the area is by renting a bike since you'll come across places that might not seem like much from the outside but have surprises within. For instance, Encantado, a sizable cenote, is located on the road's jungle side, near the Sian Ka'an arch, which serves as the entry to the region's biosphere reserve. There are several entry points on the jungle side that anyone can use to access the cenote. Visits to Sian Ka'an are essential. Visitors can snorkel inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and see dolphins, manatees, and crocodiles. I adore having ceviche and a beer in a local restaurant in Punta Allen, taking a sustainable boat tour with a local guide who can educate you about the gorgeous critters that live in the biosphere, and capping the day by watching the sun set over the jungle on the way home.

What is a common error visitors should avoid making?

Visitors to Tulum should refrain from visiting locations that they can experience at home. Unique cultural and environmental landmarks rooted in Mayan heritage can be found at Tulum. Additionally, the region has gorgeous, bohemian-styled hotels and eateries. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and our cenotes are both affected by numerous sunscreen components, therefore I would advise people to try to support small, local businesses, especially those that are socially and environmentally responsible.