The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
There is a place in Tulum where time slows so completely that your last staff meeting and conference call back home feel distant, almost irrelevant, if not forgotten. You’ve found a place to reset—where what matters is the natural world around you, being barefoot by the sea, and uninterrupted time with the person beside you. This remote retreat draws its name from libélula, the Spanish word for dragonfly. A stay at Libelula Tulum is a reminder that life is brief, and worth pausing for—away from the noise and the distractions. Surrounded by the untamed landscape of the Sian Ka’an biosphere, guests are brought back to what truly matters.
While Tulum has become synonymous with white sands, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife, there is another side of this destination—one that beckons the conscious traveler looking for something deeper than what the typical Tulum experience offers. Hidden away in the jungle, Libélula is a retreat grounded in the kind of peace that can only be found when you strip away the noise and replace it with peace.
Libélula sits within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches over 1.3 million acres of wild coastline, tropical forests, and wetlands. This protected reserve is home to jaguars, howler monkeys, and rare bird species—wildlife that roams freely, unaffected by the outside world. It’s here, in this untouched corner of the earth, that Libélula stands. Its seclusion offers guests a rare luxury: complete immersion in nature, far from the crowded beaches of Tulum’s hotel zone.
The beach here is pristine, untouched, and impossibly tranquil. Unlike other parts of Tulum where you might jockey for a spot and a lounge chair, at Libélula, you’ll often find the beach to yourself, save for the occasional stork walking the shore. Privacy is the truest luxury here. The expansive beach, dotted with comfortable loungers and hammocks, seems to stretch forever, and you’ll rarely see another soul. It’s not about exclusivity for exclusivity’s sake—it’s about offering the kind of space and stillness allowing guests to exhale without distraction.
At Libélula, the concept of luxury is understated. It’s not about high-thread-count sheets or the latest spa treatments, but about a return to simplicity and quiet comfort. It’s a place where less is more. This isn’t the kind of place with endless activities or curated experiences pushing you through an itinerary. Instead, it’s about space—space to relax, space to reflect, and space to live in the moment. For those who choose to visit, there is no rush. The day at this boutique hotel might start with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the beach, followed by a stroll through the jungle, or perhaps just a few hours spent reading in a hammock.
Karla, the owner, speaks often of the guests who come to Libélula from cities like New York, Chicago, and London—wound tight with the pressures of modern life. By the time they’ve spent a day or two here, that stress fades away. The pressures of the world seem trivial next to the vastness of the jungle and the expanse of the beach.
The vibe here is intimate. And with just nine accommodations, the resort never feels crowded. The service is unobtrusive but thoughtful. Staff are attentive, but there’s no sense of being rushed. Everything is done at a pace that allows for real relaxation.
What you’ll find at Libélula is a day spent with no demands. You’re not meant to check a lot of ‘been there done that’ boxes or endless sightseeing and excursions—you’re invited to simply chill. You might choose to spend your time in the beach club, where an intimate group of guests sip mezcal and chat beneath the shade of a thatched roof, or you could take a guided tour through the lush, wildlife-filled jungle. For most, the appeal lies in not needing to do anything at all.
The beach club at Libélula is the very essence of laid-back sophistication. With the brilliant clear blue ocean and cooling sea breezes, it offers an atmosphere that feels more like a private beach house than a resort. Cushioned loungers and the occasional hammock spread out across the vast stretch of sand, and with no other resorts in sight, you’ll feel like you have the beach to yourself.
It’s the perfect place to disconnect and reconnect—whether that means enjoying a perfectly crafted cocktail, sinking into a good book, or just gazing at the horizon. In the background, the tunes you’ll hear are always mellow, with a carefully curated playlist of mid-tempo Tulum lounge beats that set the perfect mood for the day. The pace is slow and chill, and that’s just what their guests are seeking.
The food at Libélula is an homage to the heart of Mexican cuisine. You won’t find fusion plates or complicated presentations—just authentic, fresh ingredients, cooked simply and beautifully. The menu is a celebration of street food staples elevated to a level of sophistication that remains grounded in their origins. Tacos filled with fresh fish, grilled shrimp served with tangy salsas, ceviche that sings with lime, and guacamole served just right—all are made with local, organic ingredients.
Communal dining is a hallmark of the Libélula experience. There’s a sense of togetherness at the long wooden tables where guests gather to share meals, exchange stories, and enjoy the simplicity of good food.
After dinner, guests often linger, gazing at the stars or watching the moon rise slowly over the sea—a sight just as mesmerizing as the sunset. It’s these moments, these simple pleasures, that define the Libélula experience.
Libélula’s nine rooms are as understated as the resort itself, yet they carry an undeniable sense of comfort and beauty. Designed with Wabi-Sabi principles in mind, each space is minimal yet inviting. The rooms are decorated in a way that highlights the beauty of imperfection—rough-hewn wood, handwoven textiles, and simple furnishings that make you feel at home without overwhelming your senses. There’s a strong emphasis on nature, with most rooms featuring private balconies or patios that look directly out onto the beach.
The beds are comfortable and the linens soft, but it’s the absence of excess that truly stands out. There are no unnecessary decorations, no digital distractions—just an invitation to relax and connect with the surroundings. The rooms encourage simplicity, with every detail chosen for its utility and its ability to enhance the feeling of being truly present.
Libélula offers a new kind of luxury. It’s not the luxury of fine jewelry or haute couture—it’s the luxury of time. The time to connect with nature, the time to heal, and the time to simply be present.
In a world that constantly demands more, Libélula offers a rare opportunity to step away from the pressure and embrace the magic of stillness. Here, amid the untamed beauty of Sian Ka’an, you’ll find space to breathe, to rest, and perhaps most importantly, to reconnect with what truly matters.
