Picolo recommends · Wooden villas in Tulum
Azulik
No light switch, no TV, just wood, vines, candles and the sound of waves against the rocks. Azulik in Tulum is the hotel that looks like something a bird built.
When the sun goes down in Tulum, the candles are lit. They are the only lighting in the villa, flickering across walls of bent wood and vines that twist around the window. Below you the Caribbean breaks against the rocks, and somewhere in the dark a bird you do not recognise is calling.
The whole place looks as if it grew by itself. Wooden walkways wind between the villas, and there is hardly a straight line anywhere. The rooms open onto the sea, and nature sets the mood: sun in the morning, wind and waves in the evening.
It suits couples who want something completely different from a standard beach hotel and are happy to trade a little comfort for an experience they will talk about for years. Bring a head torch or use your phone, as the paths are dark after sunset.
Things to do in Tulum
The Mayan ruins of Tulum stand on a cliff right above the sea and are one of the most photographed sights on the Yucatán. Inland you will find cenotes, the natural sinkholes of crystal-clear water, and further away lies Chichén Itzá. Read more in our guides to Tulum and the Riviera Maya and the cenotes and Chichén Itzá, or start with our Mexico travel guide.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Azulik
The whole place looks as if it grew by itself. Wooden walkways wind between the villas, and there is hardly a straight line anywhere.
The rooms open onto the sea, and nature sets the mood. It suits couples who trade a little comfort for an experience. Bring a head torch, the paths are dark after sunset.
What you get
- Wooden villas open to the sea
- Candlelight instead of light switches and TV
- The Caribbean right below the villas
- Wooden walkways winding between the villas
A day at Azulik
- Morning
- Wake to the sun over the sea, with no screen in sight.
- Late morning
- The Maya ruins on the cliff at Tulum.
- Afternoon
- A swim in a cenote inland.
- Evening
- Candles in the villa and the sound of the waves against the rocks.
Location
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open in MapsWhen is the best time to visit Tulum?
Winter and early spring are the driest and most popular months. The Caribbean hurricane season runs from June to November, and at times of year seaweed (sargassum) can wash up on the beaches. Check conditions before you travel.
December to April: high season, so book several months ahead.
May and November: fewer guests and often easier to get a sea-view villa.
Mix it up: spend a few nights at Azulik and the rest somewhere more traditional, for both the adventure and the comfort.
Questions about Azulik
Is Azulik Tulum worth it?
Yes, for couples who want an experience more than conventional comfort. The architecture and the candlelit atmosphere exist nowhere else. If you want air conditioning and a TV in your room, choose another hotel in Tulum.
Do the rooms at Azulik have electricity?
The villas at Azulik are known for being lit by candles and have no TV. Check the hotel's own description of the room you book if you need to charge devices or work.
Is Azulik adults only?
Yes, Azulik is an adults-only hotel, and the atmosphere is calm and romantic.
Where is Azulik?
Azulik is on the beach road in Tulum on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, on the rocks right above the Caribbean.
Where should I stay in Tulum?
Stay along the beach for the sea and nature hotels such as Azulik and Papaya Playa Project, or in Tulum town for restaurants and lower prices.
When is sargassum season in Tulum?
Seaweed can wash ashore at certain times of year, most often in the warmer months. The amount varies from year to year, so check up-to-date information before you travel.
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
Two other places in Tulum, chosen for different reasons.
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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