Tita or Cabanas Tulum?

[nilambe]

Thank you for all of your wonderful info on this forum. The trip reports have been especially fun to read, and so full of the personality of the writers, I feel like I know some of you!

My sister, my 14-year-old son and I are going to the area next March. We are spending half of our time in Xcalak, and half in Tulum. I am trying to find the most reasonable beach accommodations in Tulum that also have three beds, which hasn't been easy.

I think I have narrowed it down to renting 2 rooms at Cabanas Tulum, or renting Cabana #8 at Tita Tulum. Do you prefer one over the other? Or do you have any other suggestions? (We aren't picky people, and price does matter).

Any advice would be lovely and appreciated.

Nilambe

[beachreader]

What is your price limit? Is it firm that no one wants to share a bed? 'Cuz depending on the size of the people involved, I'd say two adults could share a queen-sized bed (even a Mayan queen, which is really more like a US double...).

Hamaca Loca can do three separate beds in both Caracol and Tortuga, but Tortuga is by far the best room there.

There are other places, just wanted to confirm your price range before blathering on.

[nilambe]

Thanks for your reply. I think my sister and I would probably need our space if we want to continue to be a happy family, so three beds is a must. I would love to stay around the $150 range, but would be willing to go up to $200 for a good room.

[beachreader]

OK, so you can afford to get two rooms at Cabanas Tulum if that turns out to be necessary (and if they don't up their rates in the meantime--current high-season rates there are $70/room).

Check out Hamaca Loca, see what you think. The Tortuga unit is jutting right out onto the beach, great cross-breeze potential. Hard beds, but that's pretty common; it's a cool place.

I think there's a three-bed unit at Las Conchitas (someone else can chime in on that one), and there may be one or two at Nueva Vida de Ramiro. Most places will put in an extra bed for an extra rate, but I'd bet it wouldn't be a very good bed for whoever gets stuck sleeping on it (I assume that would be your son).

There's a house called Casa Tortuguita (check vacation rentals.com) that has three beds and is $200 year round, but the only bathroom is on the first floor, meaning the two people upstairs would have to climb down a spiral staircase (outdoors) to get to the bathroom in the other person's room. So maybe not.

You might also check out La Vita e Bella. Their beachfront units are large and have two large beds, but I can't remember if there's an extra daybed in there as well. There might be, and if I'm remembering it correctly, a person could actually sleep on it. Someone stayed there fairly recently, maybe do a search for their trip report and send them a PM asking about it (or you can PM people on Trip Advisor to ask questions, if you see a review you like).

I'm drawing a blank on other 3-bed options. Anyone else?

[nilambe]

I will definitely check out those other places, thanks so much. I had looked at Hamaca Loca, and the reason I was leaning more toward Cabanas Tulum, or Tita Tulum was because those two seemed more family-oriented, with more of a possibility of having other teenagers
around. Hamaca Loca looked better with a sweetie, but maybe I am wrong in this.

For some bizarre reason, it is 90 degrees and sunny :sun: today in Oregon; it got me thinking about this long time comin' vacation. But I guess in busy season you can't book too early.

[PhyllisB]

I think Tita Tulum is great for families. Whenever we've stayed there there have been kids around, although they have been younger than teenagers. But it's nice having the restaurant right there.

But Nueva Vida also has a restaurant (although it's on the jungle side). And I have also heard that Cabanas La Conchita has a 3br room -- Pepper was the one who knows about that one I think. La Conchita looks fabulous, but I like Tita's beach a lot better. La Conchita is on a bit of a cove with rocky outcroppings on either side. Tita's beach is great, wide, and close to lots of other things. So I'd probably lean that way. I think it's a nicer spot than Cabanas Tulum, but you can't beat CT for the price.

p.

[beachreader]

Good point. Hamaca Loca is pretty remote. I'm sure Tita's or even Conchita would be better for your son in terms of meeting people.

[TnTWalter]

I would look into NV also. They have a couple 2 bedrooms with 2 beds in each room and Ola has a loft but not sure if 2 beds or more.

For me, Tita Tulum looks much nicer than Cabanas Tulum although CT are all beach front.

I think Captain Dale's at La Luna might be big enough but it's more expensive in March...darn.

[Gale in KY]

The original options you mentioned, CT or TT:

Either of the two would work well, it all depends on what you want to pay.
Cabanas Tulum would afford you two rooms, side by side that could work perfectly with kids. Be sure to ask for a room in the 1-16 numbers, as they are the large rooms that BR and I shared and have nice wide patios, two side by side in a block. What to expect:
Clean, very comfy beds, working bathroom, built in the 70's and it shows. Nothing luxury about this place, but it really does have everything you need..good sized clothing storage area, large bathroom with a good sized window that helps circulate the air, great big windows on the front facing the beach to let in lots of breeze. Decent resturant on site, fair prices on food/drink. Wonderful covered patio with hooks for hammocks, a table and chairs just 50 feet from the waters edge. All rooms face the water. This place is definitely beachfront.

What not to expect:
Service. Non existant. If you like to stay in a place that leaves you alone, this is the right place to be. The boys who cleaned our room did a great job, but other than that, there are no frills to be found here service wise.

Fancy/Luxury/Extras..Nothing about this place is fancy or luxurious.

Full time electricity: You have a fan..but the electric is off from 11pm till 7am, is on till around 11am till 7pm. It truly isn't a big deal for those used to the electric situation in Tulum..but it would be nice if they left it on all night for the fan.


Tita Tulum-Wonderful little place, but it's feels a bit crowded to me, rooms are very close together in a horseshoe facing the beach. Quite a bit "nicer" in style than CT, but still not what I would call luxury by any means.

Restaurant is excellent and reasonably priced. You can see the water from the restaurant thru the garden, while CT's restaurant is behind the rooms close to the road.

Very clean, but I think the beds at CT are better..lol..you will be hard pressed to find a better bed in Tulum than CT. I rank Good Beds at the top of my "must have" list..lol...especially after staying at an AI in Xpuha with rock hard Mexico beds.

MUCH better beach furniture is found at Tita..those hard plastic things at CT are just horrible if you want to lie on the beach..you are better off with just a beachtowel.
I just hung out on the patio and enjoyed the breeze and people watching..bonus here..no sunburn..lol.

At Tita, some of the rooms are upstairs/downstairs rooms, I would probably go with that and book two rooms to have plenty of space and two bathrooms, but it will be alot more expensive than CT.

I am hoping to get to take all three grandkids to Tulum in a couple of years..with the major expense of just getting there..I know we will stay at CT to save a bit on lodging expense. It will work well for us with the kids to have side by side rooms and won't blow the budget on accomodations, but we don't require constant service..in fact, I kind of like being left alone by the staff..lol...to do what I want without constant monitoring!
When we were there in Feb/March, although they were close to full up,it didnt' feel crowded at all, an added bonus.

[DougSR]

CT is starting to want to get $70 in the low season. That was the starting point for my negotiation. Tita's is much nicer than CT. MUCH.

[PhyllisB]

You specifically mentioned room #8 at Tita's right? That's going to be a bit more in from the beach, probably right across from the restaurant. Picture a V -- with the top of the V being the beach. So there are two cabanas that are really right on the beach, #1 and #5. 6/7 are a two-story building, the first one in behind #5, then 8 would be the next one in. Because it's a V, you still do get a view of the beach from pretty much every room (you aren't blocked by the room next to you).

But Gale is right, they are a bit close together.

Still, I think I'd prefer it to CT. But if you do want to be right on the beach (as opposed to, maybe, 15 or 20 feet away) you may prefer CT.

I would do a search on the forum for Nueva Vida. I posted their price list not too long ago, it's probably a page or two back.

[minniemex]

Just an additional comment on Cabanas Tulum. The restaurant is in back, but we always had our food brought to our room and we added our own beverages from our cooler. It was the best beachfront restaurant going right there on our own patio!
And the cheapest!!

[pepper]

Sorry guys...La Conchita has a 2br only - king downstairs and a queen upstairs.

We're considering a 3 bed option for our next trip since my teen son wants to bring a friend...whenever that will be...

And we've been looking at the one Tita option, Nueva Vida...and had been looking at Casa Magna :mad:
Or possibly renting a half of Zamna.

[Gale in KY]

:DGreat Idea Minnie! With those wonderful covered patios facing the beach and water, it's the perfect place to have "room service" even if you bring your food there yourself.

I always think that it's all in what you make it..a good example is the two older ladies that stayed in the cabana next to ours at CT. Even though the patio table and chairs are just those platic things, not very stylish..every evening they spread a table cloth over the table, set the table with wine glasses or shot glasses..etc. and had a wonderful time on the patio..spruced it up really nice they did!

I myself would love to volunteer to paint the rooms at CT in exchange for letting me stay there while I am doing it..I can just see those rooms decorated in caribbean colors and some pretty stenciling..first thing I would do is cover every inch of that worn wood furniture with some paint..lol. I have gotten pretty good at stenciling..hehe..and just a good paint job and some new hardware in the bathroom would make a world of difference in the style factor at CT!

Wonder if they would go for that?

[minniemex]

Can I be you helper puuleeeeease!!:wave:

[beachreader]

Add some quarter-cut beams to the corners and ceiling edges, and you'd have some pretty good-looking rooms after we're done with them. New bathroom fixtures too, since theirs are all corroded. Yes, I know that corrosion happens really fast down there, but new fixtures would be a plus. Maybe some new caulking on the showers too. And maybe some new bedspreads and sheets, and maybe...


Oh yeah, definitely some new beach chairs.


I am all about buying CT next time I win the lottery. :cool:

[nilambe]

You folks are great, and I do so appreciate the time and thoughtfulness it took to answer. It doesn't seem that I can go wrong with either place:

CT: concrete 70's style, minimal service, two rooms for the price of one, good and reasonable restaurant, horrible beach furniture, great beds, low prices.
TT: step or two up from CT, close together cabanas, 3-bed cabana farther from beach, good restaurant, good service, higher prices.

Both seem to have some strengths and challenges, so I will see where they are pricing out for high season next year. Though if one place had both good beds and good beach chairs, that would probably clinch it! I used to be able to sleep on anything, even straw mats, but I will leave that to the distant past and younger body of my backpacking days. I am not so worried about room atmosphere, though, though I did like your redecorating ideas. The beach, friendly neighbors, and good food and drink are the top three preferences.

Thanks again, I'll post what I find out about any new pricing.

Nilambe

[PhyllisB]

I haven't stayed at CT, so I trust Gale's assessment of their beds. I have stayed at Tita's, and don't really remember anything about the beds in terms of their comfort level---so they must have been fine. We did use the mosquito netting, tho'. The beds also have wheels (at least ours did) which I found interesting. We ended up turning ours around to catch the breeze a little better.

I think you're right though, you can't really go wrong with either one!

[Gale in KY]

I would love to stay at Tita's..couldnt' believe they gave our room away..:rolleyes: and I believe it is a good price for what you get there. It really is hard to recommend one over the other when comparing these two places.

CT reminds me of the little strip hotels my dad used to take me to when we were on fishing trips back when I was a kid..no not that long ago, but yes, I am a child of the '60's..one of the reasons I love Tulum so much..it's like all those quirky out of the way places my dad used to find on our various adventures.
It's basic, no frills, but it's a place to sleep and honestly, it's great for the price of lodging in Tulum these days. Less money for bed means more money for food and drink, an extra adventure somewhere, or even buying yourself something really kewl. If budget is a serious concern, CT is your place, over and above any other place along the beachroad. Just keep in mind you get what you pay for.


Tita-Very low key and I trust Phyllis' assessment, as well as Dan in Austin's.
I also count Tita as a very good value, a bit more costly than CT, but you get alot more ambience. and Tulum style here..and I just love their unique little restaurant. Food is better at this place than CT..but I am really no judge as I didn't have many meals at CT. I was truly amazed at how good the beds and especially the pillows were at CT. For that alone, I will return there..lol. Having experienced the mega hard beds in Mexico, this was a true pleasure for someone with a problem back.

I have been lucky though, the beds at Copal were indeed excellent..it wasn't until I stayed at that AI that I found a problem with a bed in Mexico...it was like sleeping on a rock, literally and I did not sleep well, woke up with that all too familiar pain and stiffness.

As I have turned this into a bed report..lol..I have to report that Vista Del Mar in Akumal has very comfy beds..and Pelicano's in Playa beds weren't horrible.

Beachreader needs her good pillows and I need a good mattress. LOL. We found both at CT.

Tita's Pina Colada was Excellent!