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jessgreen
17th March 2008, 05:38 PM
Mostly want to send a big thank-you to everyone on this forum -- I had a fantastic trip, my best trip to Tulum ever, largely because of all the great advice here.

Some quick recommendations:

We were splurging (special occasion) so we stayed at Ocho Tulum. Somehow they manage to keep the "beach bum" feeling while introducing some luxuries that were new to me here: great bedding, doors on the bathroom (a shock!), constant electricity, super-clean everything, espresso machine, amazing masseuse, and shower water that is hot, strong, and feels a lot less brackish than what I've had elsewhere (e.g. Casa Magna).

We ate most of our meals elsewhere but did have severe red-meat cravings on our last night and loved the mixed-grill for two.

Favorite meals: Mayan Grill, La Luna.

Went to the Friday night party at Mezzanine. Yes, it's mostly the young, skinny and fabulous. But if you are not too terribly self-conscious, it's a wonderful place for dancing and people-watching.

Two things I'll do differently on my next trip:

1) Bring lots and lots of ten dollar bills. Remembered to bring a bunch of singles but it just seemed like several times a day, I was wishing I had tens, for a taxi at night or to pay for whatever.

2) Get a snorkel that automatically closes up when you go under water -- was jealous of anyone who had one of these.

Thanks again, everybody!

graceland
17th March 2008, 06:47 PM
Great tips Jessgreen - where did you find best snorkeling.
Did you eat at Cabanas La Luna? I was under the impression they did not have a restaurant.
I love to snorkel so appreciate the tip on auto-snorkel; seems like snorkeling right off Tulum Beach is not great, so I'd love to know your "spots"
.... and hope there are some pics of Ocho coming! :palmtree:Gracie

james
18th March 2008, 12:29 AM
I'd recommend just getting peso notes out of the ATM and spend them. Dollars are not as useful in Mexico as are pesos. If you use pesos, you'll have just a little better luck projecting a facade of 'knowing the ropes.' ;)

On the snorkel, exhale as you break the surface and you'll never wish you had a so-called dry snorkel (which are more cumbersome and floaty underwater, two things you don't want). Get one with a purge valve at the mouthpiece. The purge valve combined with the exhale technique (just as the tube is breaking the surface) is the enthusiast's choice. :tropicalfish:

Lynnette
18th March 2008, 06:57 AM
Thanks for the report! :) The Mayan Grill aka Nachos) has always been closed while we're in the area. I'm so looking forward to trying it....thanks for another good recommendation.

FITZ
18th March 2008, 08:02 AM
I think I should buy stock in Mayan Grille. I've never heard a negative word!

jessgreen
19th March 2008, 03:12 PM
Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks to everyone for their additional tips, they'll definitely help on my next trip!

Snorkeling: did the cenotes, and the coral reef with the Dive Tulum guides. I don't have much to compare it to except New York/New England, so perhaps I am easily impressed.

(No pictures, was too busy having fun.)

AdGuy
19th March 2008, 03:39 PM
Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks to everyone for their additional tips, they'll definitely help on my next trip!

Snorkeling: did the cenotes, and the coral reef with the Dive Tulum guides. I don't have much to compare it to except New York/New England, so perhaps I am easily impressed.

(No pictures, was too busy having fun.)

You're right, jessgreen, on Luna Maya. For some reason, not many folks go but it's on my top five best restaurant list...
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i317/FloridaAdGuy/December2006TulumPictureson16MB316.jpg