A Girls Night Out in Tulum, Mexico – with Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

Tulum is a hidden gem in the Yucatan peninsula – Have you heard of it? Want to go? It sounds like paradise -the perfect place to go for a  girls holiday doesn’t it? Well…

Girls Night Out

Tulum, located two hours outside the busy tourist town of Cancun, is a diamond nestled in between the jungle and the ocean. It is still blissfully untouched by huge all-inclusive resorts, making it a quaint and relaxing retreat for both body and soul.

Encantada (c) Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

We stayed at Encantada while researching Girls’ Night Out—a small, eight bungalow hotel with billowy beds and decadent sandy beaches. The staff was extremely attentive! Delicious food was served on colorful hand-painted plates and strong coffee in thick mugs. We feasted on spicy chilequiles for breakfast with homemade Mexican pastries while watching the waves break on the pristine sand each morning. Our characters also stayed in a small hotel modeled after this incredible property—it was a perfect backdrop as the hours clicked by as Natalie and Lauren scrambled to find their missing friend Ashley.

Encantada (c) Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

We then traveled a few hours east to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. Lauren, Ashley and Natalie take a private after-hours tour while there and we wanted to make sure every detail was spot-on.

The Maya civilization is fascinating, and we could feel their quiet energy as we toured the grounds and braved the breathtaking humidity. There are still many unsolved mysteries of Chichen Itza—from the secret underground cenotes, to their uncanny astronomical prowess, and to their eventual disappearance. These answered questions seemed like a great jumping off point to help build tension in Girls’ Night Out.

Chichen Itza (c) Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

On the way back to Tulum, we stopped at a Cenote. It was a true juxtaposition, with its dark and dank entrance and the light that shone brightly down from the small opening above, lighting the water perfectly. The stairs were small and slippery, and we were careful as we made our way down to the warm water, forcing ourselves to push through our initial uneasiness and swim to the center.

Cenote close to Tulum (c) Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

We knew right away that cenotes would need to play a role in Girls’ Night Out—there was something fun and light but also dark and creepy about them all at the same time that we found fascinating!

Tulum is an amazing town filled with kind people and delicious food. We recommend noshing homemade pasta beachside at Posada Margarita, sipping on sweet mojitos and a dance party at Batey’s and then gaining some inner peace while mediating and taking a yoga class at Maya Tulum. You will not be disappointed!

Thanks ladies! Just not sure I’d want to go on a holiday with you both after reading the book hehe

BookTrail Boarding Pass: Girls Night Out

Twitter: @LizandLisa