We are a family of four. I was born in Yucatan, and have lived in the US since I was a child. I am an archaeologist that works in the Greater and Lesser Antilles and the Southeastern USA. My wife was born and raised in the USA and is a geologist. My wife and I met in college, married and have two children, who are now grown and happy to have a family vacation home in Tulum! Our primary home is in South Florida.

Carlos Solis purchased this house in 2014

Since I am originally from Yucatan and still have family here, we have always traveled to the area. We brought our children to Tulum when they were little and we have continued to travel to the area for 30 years. When we started looking for a vacation home, we traveled from Cancun south to Mahajual, Xcalak, and the Belize border and back, looking at properties and felt that the funky, bohemian nature of Tulum was for us. The residents tend to be young and free spirited.

We looked at various houses before picking this house to purchase. We wanted a free standing home, not a townhouse or condo and we liked the La Veleta neighborhood, as it offers a mix of both locals and expats.

You see small commercial businesses in the area, and people riding their bikes to school or to work. The neighborhood wasn't like the condo and apartment complexes that we saw that tended to be mostly empty during the week and then flooded with loud tourists on the weekend.

The house itself we liked mainly because of the floor plan that is open and overlooks the private pool outside. As of now, we have no neighbors on either side of our property,so the feeling is almost jungle-like when you look from the roof to the distance. We have a large chicozapote tree in the backyard. You will notice large X scars on the tree. These scars are where the tree has been 'tapped' for the resin that is used to make chewing gum (chicle). These trees have been used for their gum since Mayan times. We also have many birds that visit the property. We feel like it is a special place and we love that we are so close to stores and restaurants.

Tulum is what the rest of the Riviera Maya used to be. It's a destination where you still hear the Maya language spoken, where the locals take pride in the natural environment. The town is bordered by the Maya ruins on the north and the biosphere of Sian Ka'an on the south, meaning that future development will always be limited in this part of the coast.

This is a town where you can see the walled city Maya ruins of Tulum, a site that was of major economic importance to the commerce of the entire Yucatan Peninsula and beyond in the late 13th century.

Most of the beach area is still 'off the grid' using only solar and/or wind power to generate electricity, and the building code limits the height of the buildings to 3 stories. Though only an hour and half away from the busy tourist destination of Cancun, it feels like another world.

Tulum sits on a karst platform, providing numerous nearby cenotes (sinks) and caves for you adventurous or passive enjoyment. The area also contains large expanses of protected habitats with a rich flora and fauna for you to explore and appreciate.

Not enough can be said as to the eclectic mix of the people from all over the world coming together to share in the unparalleled beauty, uniqueness and friendliness of Tulum. We hope that you have the opportunity to experience it as our most respected guest.