Julia greeted me with a big hug, gorgeous smile and an ice cold cocojito (read: coconut mojito).  After traveling four hours by plane to Cancun and another 127km to Tulum via taxi, I was thrilled to be shown to my oceanfront-facing cabana at the ecoluxe and rustic chic El Pez hotel.

After refueling on delicious fish tacos in the hotel lobby, I explored the hotel grounds, and was particularly impressed with the attention to detail the staff and owners had with respect to creating a world-class boutique experience: fresh local coffee hand-delivered in wooden baskets to the guests, colorful ceramic fish made to dip sandy feet adorning room doors, a little wooden bench facing turquoise-jade waters, bright punchy pillows, ornate woodwork, and adirondack style deck chairs.