Hola Tulum Info

[JerseyBoy]

When researching for our trip to Merida and Tulum Last October for our 11th anniversary I found your site and all your insight invaluable. Was very close to joining and posting then but the whole trip seemed to come together easily. Not this time. We enjoyed Tulum so much that my wife and I are planning another trip for a milestone b-day for her. We rarely visit the same place twice as we feel there is so much to see in the world. But we don't have many days to get away and absolutely loved the laid-back somewhat bohemian aura of Tulum. We both relaxed like we had never before on vacation. So, she decided she would like to revisit Tulum but left us with very short time to arrange. This is what lead to the difficulties. We stayed at LaZebra last time and had a wonderful experience. Staff was friendly and helpful, met great people and we were a few steps from quenching our thirsts at a cool cantina (I especially admired the design and materials). Alas, LaZebra is booked on her B-day (March 28-April 1). So, this gives us a chance to experience another property at Tulum. However, several of our other choices are booked also. To add to our dilema others are not responding at all. Casa Violeta has only thier most expensive room available. Though the property and your comments make it sound great, not sure if $200 per night is justified (and no brkfst included). Cabanas La Conchita and Posada La Luna are booked through March (by one of the other new members for thier wedding it appears). This leaves only our other choices of Via Laktea, Posada Margherita, and Posada LaMar but no one is getting back to us so I don't know if they are booked or not. I was hoping someone had contacts at any of these properties they would share or perhaps other suggestions for other properties? Your help would be greatly appreciated. And my apologies for the lengthy post! Gracias. Jim

[minniemex]

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/GLITTERS/welcome.gif to the board long time lurker!!

In answer to your question, there are zillions of great places to stay in Tulum -

My first suggestion is to go to http://www.hotelstulum.com/beach_hotels.htm

and check out all the hotels that sound interesting to you. I would also suggest you post your inquiry in the General info section. We have been hearing that responses from some of the places are taking ages to happen. It seems that we like things to happen alittle faster than they do on Tulum Time. ;)

One of my first picks would be La Luna or Zulum - both properties are just north of Ana Y Joses and both offer the ambiance I think you might be seeking. Rene from La Luna posts on this board - you might want to message him.

[firecop680]

Welcome to the board!! Search and enjoy all that it has to offer!!:D

[kimba]

Probably because that is part of Easter vacation? Any other time of the year (excluding major Am. holidays) I would think you could just fly down and find a place without reservations.

Keep plugging away! Something will come through for you. You might have to have more of an adventure than you were thinking of, but hey, what's a vacation for?

I stayed at Zahra and hung out at Copal. Zahra really is more family oriented and not extremely private. What about Cabanas Tulum? Ana y Jose?

[JerseyBoy]

Thank you for all the quick responses. Your help is much appreciated.

Minniemex is correct when she said, I have been a "long time lurker" - I've done many many hrs of research here and on TA and almost every other website (didn't want to make a mess of our anniversary back in Oct and for my wifes b-day want to at least equal that Tulum trip!)

Minniemex - La Luna was one of our top choices and Rene was very prompt and helpful but unfortunately it is booked for our dates (as I mentioned I think one of the other members is getting married there). You suggest Zulum, which on first glance we liked but then saw it was two story bldgs. We were hoping for the single level palapa type room like those at LaZebra. But...I can be swayed. The rooms look pleasant and the beach nice and like the swings at the cantina. Have you stayed at Zulum? Does it offer some privacy? Are there fans in the room?

Kimba - I appreciate the positive outlook! I think it must be due to spring vacation - I had no problems finding places back in Oct low season. We ate dinner at Ana y Jose and thought the grounds were very nice but it seemed to crowded (bldgs and people) for what we are looking for. And though Cople is more in line with what we are looking for (individual one-story rooms) I've read too many bad reviews about Copal to chance it. It seems thier service has diminished over time.

From our research, your comments and photos we also liked Via Laktea, Casa Violeta, Posada Margherita, and Posada LaMar. But I'm getting conflicting information from Karla at Casa Violeta about availabilities on our dates and unfortunately it's been more than four days and no one is responding to me regading the other locations. So...I'll keep reading your comments and forums and be patient and hope something comes through
Gracias, Jim

[JerseyBoy]

Oh, and thanks for the welcome Firecop!

[kimba]

FWIW: I think Copal has gotten a few bad reviews not because of the level of service, but because of the expectations of the person who went there. I think the idea of 'rustic' combined with being the home of the Maya Spa doesn't compute somehow. Maybe people think of 'rustic' when it comes to places to stay in Tulum as being on par with the word 'charming' and as being a word that defines high-end hippie/yuppie, rather than just an earthy place to be or something, I don't know.

I'm definitely going to check it out on my next trip though to make sure my info is up to date.

But it's definitely a lesson I've learned on my travels - never take on some one else's opinion as your own before you've experienced something yourself. It's why I rarely travel with reservations. I go and check out a place and if I like what I see I take a room.

That's just my travel philosophy - not a good idea for Easter week :)

[JerseyBoy]

I agree completely with your thoughts (my wife will find it frightening that someone may think like me). In reading others reviews I've often laughed and shook my head wondering how anyone traveling to a tropical beach jungle could find it "shocking" to find mosquitos, hot sun, and sand and/or critters in thier room. I read the reviews as just a part of my overall research. However, I did put weight to one couples recent review of Copal. They had stayed at Copal a number of times in past years but with thier recent visit were very disappointed and found it no longer "rustic" but run down.
We fell in love with Tulum, the relaxed vibe and earthiness but would also be disappointed if a property is run-down due to neglect and service was aloof.
And at this rate we may just be flying down and crossing our fingers that we can find a room. Or the kindness of someone to allow us to pitch a tent on thier property!

[JerseyBoy]

Haha. This is the one thing I was not always able to follow on your forum - all the acronyms! I'm clearly a newbie - could someone decipher FWIW?
Thanks.

[kimba]

FWIW = for what it's worth

I wonder if the run down vibe had to do with the last hurricane? Or the fact that the owners are not currently living in the area?

[JerseyBoy]

FWIW = for what it's worth

I wonder if the run down vibe had to do with the last hurricane? Or the fact that the owners are not currently living in the area?

Haha! I knew it would be something as obvious as that:). Well, the info I've received on this forum is worth quite a bit to me.

Maybe the hurricane (we went just a couple weeks after it hit and Tulum exceeded our expectations). But the description sounded more like neglect (large holes in the mosquito netting, uncleaned room, multiple requests for an item that went unheeded, etc). There were others reviews just after that were glowing. But when someone loves a particular place so much to stay there again and again and then states they will no longer go it puts enough doubt in my mind not to risk it. I'll be checking out Copal myself out of curiousity.

[minniemex]

Have you tried Nueva Vida de Ramiro?? or Tita's? - they both get good reviews on this board.

Yes, I did stay at Zulum - here is a link to my report -

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1334&page=2

Just scroll down and you will see a report on Zulum -

[Gale in KY]

I have to agree with Kimba about Copal...they get a bad rap because people are unprepared for what they find there when they arrive. I have only one complaint about Copal (No coolers in the cabanas...Holly..are you around to address this one?)..and it wasn't a problem when I stayed there..the place was and is amazing as long as you keep in mind that it IS rustic, not luxury. If you go there expecting more than a comfortable bed, candlelight in place of electricity, the sound of the waves instead of music jamming all day/night, you might be disappointed. If you want a comfortable place to kick back and enjoy the beauty of nature, Copal is a wonderful place.

And they still rank #1 in comfortable beds for me in all of Mexico! That's a definite bonus after a hard day's work lounging in the sun and enjoying the beach!

[JerseyBoy]

I think joining your forum brought me great karma! I finally got word regarding three of the properties and all have some type of availability so hope is restored :D.

The good news brought more questions. I'm hoping you will indulge a few more from me to allow us to make a final decision:

Posada LaMar: One of our preferred locations and Marfil is available. Not oceanfront like I was hoping but ocean view and I don't think I can be picky this time of the year. Jake28 was there recently and had very good things to say. But...I thought I read on one of the threads that there are no screens?! Could this be accurate?

Via Laktea: Though these are not single story cabanas the finishes, rooms and beach appeal to us. But prices seem high with no brkfst included (beachfront $200 lower level, $220 upper). Whew! Does the property and room justify the price?

Posada Margherita:Ocean view room #6 is available. We like that there is a restaurant/cantina on premises but nor do we want to be on top of the restaraunt noise and smells drowning out the sound of the surf and smell of salt breezes. Does anyone know how close #6 is to the restaurant and how many cabanas back from beachfront?

Minniemex - your Zulum trip notes were very informative. And thank you for the Tita Tulum suggestion - it looks great. I don't know how I overlooked it with all my research. I sent them an availability inquiry but I just may be too late.

Well, I do feel less stressed now that I know at least there is a room available somewhere. Thank you again for all your assistance - I definitely would have been much more worried without your advice and encouraging words. Jim

[JerseyBoy]

If you want a comfortable place to kick back and enjoy the beauty of nature, Copal is a wonderful place.

And they still rank #1 in comfortable beds for me in all of Mexico! That's a definite bonus after a hard day's work lounging in the sun and enjoying the beach!

Gale - after reading your thoughts I sent an inquiry to Copal also. Copal sounds ideal. And what irony it would be if that's where we end up. Even if we don't I'm def going to stroll over and take a look myself. Thanks!

[JerseyBoy]

I must have bored everyone with my lengthy posts;). I'm sorry if I'm being impatient but I'm worried that with the few room availabilities that they will go fast. Could anyone offer insite to the questions I posed in yesterdays post? It will be much appreciated! Gracias, Jim

[PhyllisB]

Hey Jersey Boy! Welcome!

I stayed at La Via Laktea (aka "LVL") in the fall. I agree with you... too pricey. You can read about my trip (linked in my signature) and see some pix. The rooms are very nice, but I didn't think they were THAT much better than other places that you can find for less. I liked the bed, I liked the lighting in the room, I loved the big patio with the hammocks, and it's on a nice quiet stretch of beach. The folks there are very nice and friendly. But because of the price, I probably won't go back. Too many other places to try that are easier on the budget.

Unfortunately I don't know much about the other places on your list. You may want to re-post the question on the main forum -- I don't know how many folks come over here to the Intros thread.

I haven't really wanted to stay at Copal mainly because I prefer the wide open stretches of white sand that you find further south along the beach road, and the smaller places. You might also look for Dan's comments on Copal using search feature - I'd do an Advanced Search for "Copal" and username = austxdan. He wasn't as big a fan of Copal either, and he's someone who does get the Tulum vibe. If you don't find it, drop him a PM (private message).

I think seasweetie or someone else stayed at Posada Margherita recently and wasn't overly impressed.

The only bad thing about LVL is the price -- the rooms & beach are quite good.

Anyway, hope this helps a bit. Definitely post over on the main forum and you might get more responses. I'm happy to answer any other questions about LVL too. SoKaiBeachBoy also stayed there too, I believe -- his report is over on the trip report forum... I think he sorta thought the same thing we think... too much money! Maybe if people stop paying these ridiculous prices, they'll go down a little?!?!?!?!? (A girl can dream can't she???) :)

Phyllis

[minniemex]

I think joining your forum brought me great karma! I finally got word regarding three of the properties and all have some type of availability so hope is restored :D.

The good news brought more questions. I'm hoping you will indulge a few more from me to allow us to make a final decision:

Posada LaMar: One of our preferred locations and Marfil is available. Not oceanfront like I was hoping but ocean view and I don't think I can be picky this time of the year. Jake28 was there recently and had very good things to say. But...I thought I read on one of the threads that there are no screens?! Could this be accurate?

Via Laktea: Though these are not single story cabanas the finishes, rooms and beach appeal to us. But prices seem high with no brkfst included (beachfront $200 lower level, $220 upper). Whew! Does the property and room justify the price?

Posada Margherita:Ocean view room #6 is available. We like that there is a restaurant/cantina on premises but nor do we want to be on top of the restaraunt noise and smells drowning out the sound of the surf and smell of salt breezes. Does anyone know how close #6 is to the restaurant and how many cabanas back from beachfront?

Minniemex - your Zulum trip notes were very informative. And thank you for the Tita Tulum suggestion - it looks great. I don't know how I overlooked it with all my research. I sent them an availability inquiry but I just may be too late.

Well, I do feel less stressed now that I know at least there is a room available somewhere. Thank you again for all your assistance - I definitely would have been much more worried without your advice and encouraging words. Jim

Jersey Boy - I am going to copy this post and put it over on the "General Info" Forum - that way alot more members will see the post and maybe have some ideas for you!!

Here is a direct link for you to find it -

http://tulum.info/forumdisplay.php?f=2