Traveling to Tulum for My Birthday Was the Ultimate Act of Self-Love
How I made Tulum a budget-friendly, soul-refreshing escape for my milestone birthday.
“Where ru traveling to?” a friend texted me the morning of my birthday.
“I’m in Tulum,” I casually responded—not out of pretentiousness, but from a place of cautiousness. These days, I’m never quite sure if people inquire about my travels out of genuine interest or silent criticism.
“Iktr!!! One thing about you, you gon find a dollar to travel for ur bday.”
And will.
It’s no secret that these past couple of years have been a heavy financial burden for me as I worked hard to plant seeds of residual income through real estate—seeds that will be a blessing to myself and my family for years to come. People clapped for me when I climbed my way out of debt four years ago. What would they think if they knew I was back in six figures deep? God has a way of reminding you that you’re not the one in control and that even the most carefully thought-out plans may not go accordingly.
I ended 2024 exhaling as I put the final touches on a vision I thought would come to fruition two years prior and walked into 2025 knowing in my spirit that this was the year my life was going to change.
Waking up in Tulum was the result of strategic execution to do the very thing that I love. Traveling isn’t just something I do to take cute Instagram photos and boast about how many passport stamps I have. It’s one of the few things that breathes life into me. It restores my soul after the demands of life deplete it. It fuels my creativity and encourages me to dream without limitations. It reminds me that life is meant to be lived with great enthusiasm—not with mere existence. For that reason, I make it a mission to prioritize hopping on planes to destinations both known and unplanned. The decision to travel is not one of reckless disregard for one’s circumstances but an act of self-love.
Sometimes that means getting creative with how I get to my destination. In this case, I cashed in a $500 Delta gift card I was given for excelling at work. Switching from a pricey hotel to a beautiful four-bedroom villa in the heart of the city—shared with four friends—saved me nearly $2,000 in lodging. (For a four-night stay, I paid $284!)
Our airport transportation was complimentary, and each villa had two free round-trip shuttles to most of our destinations throughout the stay. We only paid for transportation twice, which was split among the group. And what could’ve been a great annoyance turned out to be an unexpected blessing. The ongoing construction during our stay gifted us free after-hours transportation, a small dinner credit, and daily margaritas—who could ask for more?!
Tulum served as the backdrop for a joyous celebration as I welcomed #thirtyfine with childhood and college friends. We cast aside the cares of home and filled each moment with incessant laughter. Shades of brown skin glowed under the Caribbean sun as carefree toes touched the soft sand. We filled our bellies with deliciously fresh delicacies while dining in beautiful spaces and danced in the heat of the night with Black In Tulum (I hit the Tamia line dance at every venue).
We also held vulnerable conversations that allowed for deeper connections. Memories were captured that will forever remain a part of me, reminding me just how important it is to share these experiences with others.
So here’s a toast to Tulum—for the sun-kissed memories, the soulful connections, and the beautiful reminder that even in the midst of life’s uncertainties, there’s always room for joy, adventure, and one more spicy margarita.
If you’ve been to Tulum I’d love to hear about your experience below! Visiting Tulum soon? Check out my curated collection of must-do excursions before you go!
ah this post took me right back to a life-changing trip I took to tulum last year. I came back an entirely new. let's stay connected
This post was beautifully written. I love that you had such a glorious birthday trip with your friends and that you were transparent about the creative ways you made it happen financially as well as why such measures were necessary.