How early is too early?

[patmex]

Are all you guys gonna laugh at me if I make reservations now for NEXT April. As in 2009?

I'm thinking Marrakech at La Luna. And they have availability. Imagine that!

I'm already excited.

And it will be the 3rd straight year in Tulum for the boy, who will be 12 by then. He went last year with me and his dad; this year with his mom and stepdad, and next year with us again.

Spoiled, I tell ya! :)

[Gale in KY]

It's NEVER too early to book a Tulum trip! Nor too late, unless the plane has taken off, and hey..there's always another flight ready to depart!

He will be 12 already? Wow, seems like he was just a youngster when you guys visited Tita Tulum!

I would love to spoil my grandkids this way! :)

[mgsipa]

Unless a hurricane hits again this season and completely wipes out your resort...:raincloud::raincloud::raincloud: and the owners shut it down for lack of funds to rebuild and skip out on you :running::running::running::wave:.....

[DougSR]

I'm the opposite. I say it's never too late. Why book when you can walk up and get a better rate?

[Lynnette]

Unless a hurricane hits again this season and completely wipes out your resort...:raincloud::raincloud::raincloud: and the owners shut it down for lack of funds to rebuild and skip out on you :running::running::running::wave:.....

Ya just had to mention the "H" word...no evil foreboding, now. ;) :)

I say book as soon as you know you can...Tulum is getting so popular, you might not get exactly what you want if you don't.

[debski]

It's never to early to be thinking about your next trip. I am about to leave on one and already planning the next!!!!

[skiptown]

12 years old and 3 trips to Mexico, can you adopt me? I am a lot of fun and my wife says I act like a 12 year old sometimes.:)

[beachreader]

I'm with you, Skiptown, Patmex, adopt me please!!!


And no, especially considering how popular La Luna is getting, it's not too soon. I would do some kind of insurance or something, but not too early.

DougSR, I love the walk-up, I really do, but if I really really want to stay in one particular place, I gotta have it!

[HAWKEYE]

12 years old and 3 trips to Mexico, can you adopt me? I am a lot of fun and my wife says I act like a 12 year old sometimes.:)
:D:D:D

[DougSR]

You know, I retract my previous post simply because of how popular Tulum has become. Once the airport is in and the hoards of people have come calling walking up will be impossible.

[beachreader]

I meant to mention this in my TR, and I honestly can't remember if I did or not, but in the first week in March, which is high season, there was plenty of availability up and down the beach road. When I say "plenty", though, it was sporadic. A night here, two nights there, that sort of thing. If you don't mind moving around, it would work even in high season (at least, for now). But there was much less bargaining than I'd imagined. Giddy was asking around to see what she could find for her last two nights (she ended up staying at Miel the whole time), and most places only came down $20 or $30 for the walk-up, not the 50% kind of thing I think a lot of us imagine.

[PhyllisB]

That's interesting, BR. You'd think they'd be willing to take just about any money they can get at the last minute.

[beachreader]

We didn't do an exhaustive test by any means, but I was surprised. When we stopped at Playa Azul, for example, the gal quoted $165, which is their posted high season rate. Giddy asked for a better price, and she came down to I think $145 or $140. That's not a terrible price, but we didn't exactly hold her feet to the fire, if you know what I mean. Maybe a strong negotiator would do better. I think by that time Giddy was pretty much settled at Miel in the back of her mind, so her heart may not have been in it.

[DougSR]

That's very cool. I'm going down sans reservations in May. Can't wait to see how it works out. I'm able to roam from place to place just for fun, and even though I don't negotiate very well I'll be interested to see what I can get.

I may even look at DiamanteK just for old times sake...stick walls, public showers and all. I can pretend like I haven't gotten a promotion in the last seven years.:)

[beachreader]

How long are you staying in Tulum, Doug? I know you're checking out some other regions as well, but I can't remember the Tulum part. I really liked saving a lot of money at CT and then moving up to the beauty of Casa de Miel. I don't like moving in the middle of a trip, but it definitely helped the budget!

[AdGuy]

Doug...I admire your adventuresome spirit. I scuba dive and barrel race horses at breakneck speeds but can't bring myself to go on vacation without reservations. I gotta know I have a bed at the one and only perfect place I want to stay at (even at the risk of paying a higher rate and tying up my money for several months). I'm curious, though, to see how it works for you so definitely let us know!!

[DougSR]

Here is my plan guys. Starting May 6th...

Tuesday-Thursday = Isla Mujeres
Thursday - Saturday = Tulum
Saturday - Wednesday = reservation already in Akumal

Obviously the first part is completely open. If I'm not feeling Isla I am going to head to Tulum a day early. I'm purposefully not looking at public transportation options as that is always something I enjoy. My last trip with the date, we did taxis. I like buses and bus stations and people watching and struggling with spanish speaking ticket sales ladies. All good for me.

[Lynnette]

Here is my plan guys. Starting May 6th...

Tuesday-Thursday = Isla Mujeres
Thursday - Saturday = Tulum
Saturday - Wednesday = reservation already in Akumal

Obviously the first part is completely open. If I'm not feeling Isla I am going to head to Tulum a day early. I'm purposefully not looking at public transportation options as that is always something I enjoy. My last trip with the date, we did taxis. I like buses and bus stations and people watching and struggling with spanish speaking ticket sales ladies. All good for me.

Great itinerary!!! Isla in May should be quiet and many properties available for a walk-up! I think the days of 50% discounts are long gone, but they should knock off a significant amount, especially at the less popular places.