We got an early start to get a full beach day in. Tulum beach runs the entire length of the coast, white sand and turquoise waters for miles. The beach is split into two sections - the public beach and the private beach for all the luxury resorts. We decided to spend the day on the public beach and having arrived so early in the morning we were pretty much the only people there for a while! We set up on the powdery white sand in a beautiful spot and decided it was pretty close to paradise. Unfortunately due to storming Tulum has a coastal seaweed problem at the minute, and with heaps of seaweed washed up and shore and being brought in with every wave it took away from the heavenly feel to the beach, but did not detract from the appeal of Tulum as a whole. Seaweed is gross though especially when it gets all tangled around your ankles.

We went for lunch at a beach resort after a perfect morning of sun, plus one minute of light rain (Caribbean weather) before continuing to sunbathe at a new spot. The beach here is really breathtaking, and it's commendable that such a wide stretch of sand has remained so pristine, and not ruined by tourism. On the public stretch we were on there was only a handful of restaurants and associated beach bars, and some lovely looking beach cabanas - but no shops or vendors at all.

We went for a drink at a nearby bar with a stunning setting where some very drunk Caribbean guys started chatting us up, and it did not take long to become very very weird! We made a quick escape to once again make the most of the sunshine. After a successful day of bronzing we walked down to the main road. The beachside road is lined with jungle plants and endless palm trees.

We went out for the evening in Tulum town and found ourselves in a classy bar drinking frozen piña coladas (two for £4) which were delicious and definitely a necessity in the extreme humid heat.