MENU
SEARCHThe bohemian beach town of Tulum, Mexico isn’t exactly known for its salon services. But MayaSpa Wellness Center had manicures and pedicures on its salon menu so I decided to give it a try.
My Kind of Bohemian Town
There is one road that runs parallel to the ocean in the hotel zone of Tulum, Mexico. That road is dotted with “eco-chic” hotels, bungalows, restaurants/bars, yoga huts, and the occasional boutique. MayaSpa Wellness Center is part of the EcoTulum Resorts & Spa group. The entire area is quite rustic, with most establishments running off solar- and wind-generated power. MayaSpa isn’t exactly the sort of spa you might find back home. It’s simply an outdoor check-in desk on the side of the road and a series of open-air “rooms” outfitted with massage tables or wooden soaking tubs.
Two hours south of bustling Cancun, MayaSpa sits on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean. If I had known how beautiful the setting was, I definitely would have booked a traditional Mayan Clay service in addition to my pedicure.
A Pedicure Without Polish
Obviously, as the editor of NAILS, I feel obligated to get a manicure or pedicure when I’m “on the road”, so I booked a pedicure before arriving in Tulum. Unfortunately due to some scheduling conflicts with my family, I had to cancel my original appointment and being such a laid back type of place, I “rescheduled” by walking up the beach to see when I could rebook my service. Marcela Trejo was available to give me a pedicure — a simple soak and scrub followed by a wonderful leg massage. Being that my pedicure was performed in the sand, I opted for a natural buff instead of the hassle of polish.
Now that’s what I call a view!
Massage with a View
Massage and body treatments are way more common in the resort town of Tulum, and MayaSpa offers them in quaint structures on the cliffs over the ocean. Trejo told me there is a lot of competition in the area for therapists and during the high season (November-February) business is usually steady, but it obviously dies down in the hotter/wetter months of the summer. She said most massage therapists sign three-month contracts, which they have to renegotiate at the end of the term. Like many people I met while in Tulum, Trejo was open and friendly. I only wish I would have had time for one of her body treatments before I had to return to the real world.
Fun Facts
> The Mayan Clay treatments are obviously the way to go when in Tulum. After being coated in clay and allowing it to dry, clients are given the option of rinsing off in one of the open air tubs, or simply running down for a (naked) dip in the ocean.
> Therapists are required to get a license and at MayaSpa they work on commission. During the high season they are required to be at the spa for eight-hour shifts in case people (like me) walk up off the beach looking for an appointment.
> Without an actual indoor spa and with very few requests for pedicures, my pedicure was set up in a shaded area among palm trees and hammocks.
Menu Highlights
Manicure: $39
Pedicure: $39
Mayan Clay Massage: $85
Private Temazcal (indigenous sweat lodge): $200-$250
Product Highlights
A few baskets of products (and baggies of polish) were brought out for my pedicure. I didn’t really get a good look at any of the brands they were using.
You Might Also Like:
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.
This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
