Cool neighborhood bar with a flower shop in the front and a nice array of plants hanging in the front windows. It's a fun spot at night as well as during the day, especially if the weather is nice and you can snag a spot on the fairly large back patio. You can bring takeout or food with you to enjoy with your drinks which is great. And if you're a whiskey fan, they have a huge selection.
Mimi's hummus is a delicious Israeli place. We got carry-out but the space itself is really nice too, very appealing and inviting. While the food is delicious, the price is also a bit high for the portion so keep that in mind. We ordered the beet salad, a vegetarian cous cous entree and lamb patties with tzatziki which were all really good.
Such a cool place to camp! We spent the day at Rockaway beach enjoying the sunshine and the people watching and then took the 5 minute bus ride back to the camp grounds. It's an old military aviation field with tons of history and now part of the grounds are converted into campsites with grills and firepits. You can buy firewood there but the little shop closes at 8pm so make sure to get it before then. The camping areas are great, little clearings with anywhere from 1 - 8 campsites (6 people per campsite max), connected to each other with paths that meander through the overgrown fields. Really beautiful, nice place to camp and explore and only a 45-minute bus ride from Brooklyn. Definitely a cool, secret escape from the city that's worth visiting if you're into camping. The rangers were super friendly, although technically alcohol isn't allowed so if you plan on drinking I'd be really discreet about it.
There's also free kayaking included with the price of the campsite (be sure to reserve a site in advance) in the 2 nearby bays, ask the rangers about it and they can point you in the right direction.
We stopped in for a beer while waiting on a table somewhere else, had some really great beers all on tap and a good little plate of mezzes with hummus, yogurt sauce and delicious bread. There were a lot of people sitting at the big indoor picnic tables working on their laptops, seems like it'd be a good, chill spot for some beers, bite to eat and just a generally good vibe. Cool skylight too.
Haven't been since I was a kid but a very cool place to go. You can either hike up or take a donkey ride (not sure how long the hike is, we opted for donkeys). You stand in the middle of a pine forest and literally the only sound is the flutter of butterfly wings all around you. If you stand still for a few minutes the butterflies will start landing all over you. It's a pretty cool experience if you're anywhere in the area during the migration season (it varies a little bit, but if you go sometime between November and February you should get to see them).
If you're looking for understated luxury then this is your spot. It outside of Acapulco's main drag which, if you've ever been to Acapulco, is a great thing. It's perched high above the sea which offers absolutely stunning views in every direction. The hotel also has a private beach club (they drive you down in golf carts) where you can swim in a beautiful, private little cove with warm, crystal clear water. The pool and pool deck are so comfortable and beautiful though that you may never even want to venture down to the sea. My favorite are the sunbeds covered in terry cloth with lightweight curtains that float in the breeze, so you can get as much or as little sun as you like and literally not move a finger all day long.
There's a full restaurant serving every meal and all of it is delicious. I highly recommend the tostadas de ceviche while you're lounging by the pool and the sopa de robalo for dinner.
Beautiful, impeccable service, amazing design, stunning architecture. Treat yourself, you won't regret it.
This cenote is a really cool place to go whether it's just for a swim or for cave diving. If you go and swim, the water is crystal clear as the caved cenotes have less debris floating around than the open ones. There isn't really any life in here, but the cool, clear water is just so awesome.
For cave diving, it was the first time I'd ever done it and it's a relatively good one to start in as it's just a short, fairly wide tunnel that connects the two "eyes" of the cenote. You resurface on the other side where there's a hole that lets light in but no access for swimmers like where you enter. Most of the dive shops in Tulum take groups here.
I think it's just one of those things people feel like they have to see because it's so famous, but it's a big of a let-down. There are far more spectacular things to see at Yellow Stone, Old Faithful just happens to be really accessible and easy to get to. I'd spend the time going elsewhere like the Norris Geyser Basin, the Grand Canyon (especially the lower falls, the views are spectacular) and Mammoth Hot Springs which is really cool.
Bacalar is one of Mexico's best-kept secrets. It's a fresh-water lagoon that's protected by a swath of mangroves to the east, separating it from the Caribbean Sea. It's a turquoise lagoon just a 30-minute drive from Mexico's border with Belize and absolutely stunning. There aren't any large hotels or touristy places nearby, it's all pretty rustic and not super developed, but there are some really upscale hotels and eco-friendly hotels. As it's very rustic, it's also very quiet and not the place to go if you're looking for a party. Much more ideal for a romantic get-away or a meditation retreat type of vacation to disconnect.
There are a few cenotes nearby and you can take a boat tour around the lagoon which is worth it because it's beautiful and it's also a good way to get more information about the history and the surrounding areas.
If you're doing a trip around the Yucatán visiting different beaches, diving or Mayan sites you should definitely spend a day or two relaxing in Bacalar.
A lot of people will tell you that you can get better seafood for far less money elsewhere in Mexico City, and they're probably right, but I've been going to Contramar for over 10 years and it's remained one of, if not my absolute, favorite restaurant in Mexico City. Snag a table outside and you're golden. In order to do this you'll have to arrive on the early side because they get very crowded throughout the day. They're only open for lunch (closed for dinner) and don't take reservations.
My favorites are a michelada with the 'tostadas de atún' (raw tuna on a crispy corn tortilla) and softshell crab tacos to start. I'd order appetizers all day long if I could, but if you're not trying to spend a small fortune, you'd best avoid doing that. The whole fish with the red and green spice rub is really delicious and a very Mexican dish that you won't find elsewhere. Squeeze a little lime on there, ask for some corn tortillas (they're handmade fresh everyday), slather on some green sauce and enjoy your fish tacos. For dessert the fig cheescake is delicious, just the right balance of tart and sweet. Order that with a 'carajillo' (espresso with a sweet liquor called Licór del 43) and you'll never want to eat anywhere else.
Impeccable service. Tip your waiter well, they work really hard for it!