Hello all! Looking to do my 1st true Vacation ever!!!

[Ross8447]

Hi everyone! My name is Ross and I'm making my first post on this amazing site! I've been reading numerous posts that were left by the members here and I'm completely falling in love with Tulum. I started looking into Tulum because I'm planning my 1st vacation ever at the ripe old age of 25.:D I haven't had the ability to travel much in my life and have only had a couple of mini vacations here and there. I live in New Jersey and lets just say, the Jersey shore isn't a vacation. (don't get me wrong I love to have a few :beerchug:). I've finally been able to pay off my school loans and I'm looking to spend some time in Mexico with my girlfriend. This will also be our first vacation together and we've been together over 7yrs. So I'm very excited and at the same time very nervous in picking the right time and place to stay in Tulum.

This is where all of you come in:
I need some suggestions. I read a lot of the posts here and I must admit that some of the reviews of hotels and the numerous Trip Reports are some of the most extensive and detailed reviews that I have ever seen. If you don't mind, can some of you reply back and kick over some suggestions of places to stay and some favorite activities that you took part in? In addition, how did you feel about the weather. I know the winds can be an issue but I was wondering how much an issue it is. (waves, sand blowing etc..)

I'm someone that is very detailed oriented, and planning the trip for me is almost as fun as experiencing it.(I guess I have a little OCD). I've found a few cabanas that caught my eye (Cabanas La Luna and Cabanas La Conchita) and I'm looking to travel somewhere around late March 2009 and mid May 2009. Unfortunately, a lot of places are already filling up mostly due to weddings.

I look forward to hearing from all of you and I'm excited to be officially part of the forum (and not a window shopper like I've been :D).

Sincerely,

Ross

[minniemex]

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Avitars/welcome.gif to the forum Ross!!

I agree you are going to love Tulum. My first suggestion is to use the search function and read all there is about the two places you are interested in ~ details on search function can be found here ~

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1663

There is also an excellent thread on the hotels on the beach ~ lists websites and links and shows where they are located ~ excellent!!

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=2034

My second suggestion is to ask "specific" questions about it over on the general forum where most of us hang out.

You have picked two favorite locations ~ IMHO there is no "bad" location in Tulum!! You just have to state what you want first and the rest will follow and you will find your dream lodging!!

After that you can concentrate on what you might like to do!! We also have an excellent restaurant section here ~

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=890

And then ~ when you know when you are going you can get your countdown ticker here!! http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=2075

Have fun!! I agree ~ planning it is half the fun!! ~ Almost.............

[TnTWalter]

Welcome Ross!

I lived in Cherry Hill during my 'growing up' years [8-14]. LOVED it. We went to Ocean City every summer. It was a blast...and when I first saw the Caribbean Ocean in real life I couldn't believe the difference! You are going to be BLOWN away! And not by the wind.

I really think you should read through trip reports, especially recent ones for great adventure ideas. It's time consuming but you'll learn a ton!! I loved La Luna. Suenos looks fantastic! Nueva Vida horizonte Perdido unit. What's your price range? Snorkeling a cenote was fantastic, we chose Dos Ojos. There are many others. Day trip to Cozumel PDC Akumal or Isla Mujeres would be fun. Akumal to swim with turtles and enjoy yal-ku lagoon. Ruins. etc.

Really enjoyed going early May. Weather was PERFECT. It was BREEZY more than windy if that makes sense, a constant fabulous ocean BREEZE so you were never HOT ocean side.

Congrats on paying off student loans. That's awesome at 25! [side note: Now start investing and let that interest COMPOUND. Woo hoo.]

:beerchug:

[PhyllisB]

Hola Ross! Welcome aboard!

Minnie's right, there are soooooo many good places. Let us know a little bit more about your price range & desired amenities and then you'll have more suggestions than you know what to do with.

Seems like folks around here visit Tulum at just about every time of year weather-wise. Favorites are fall (Novemberish) and spring (May) but lots of folks travel in the summer too. I don't dare -- I would be way too hot for sure. But folks from Texas don't seem to mind the heat then at all! :D

[beachreader]

Hi, and welcome, and congrats on paying off your student loans!! If you can live without that payment money, I agree with Trish, keep "paying" that bill, but invest it (start with a CD or something).

Having said that, you're probably already a financial genius and I've given incredibly basic advice. :)

Yes, please do let us know your price range and anything really specific you need in a place. Mid-May will generally be less expensive than late March or April, which are both still high season. Some places are extending their "high" season into May, but not all of them yet.

My first "real" vacation was to a Club Med. Glad you're starting off better than I did!

[AdGuy]

Okay...seriously you two...you tell the poor guy to invest? Hey, while we're at it let's remind him to floss! :D You're 25....you can still do stupid things and then use the excuse "Hey...I'm only 25...I didn't know!"

That said, welcome to the board. You're decision to head to Tulum is a great idea. As was stated above, give us a bit more info and we can tailor recommendations on where to stay, places to eat, and great activities. This board is made up of a diverse set of helpful folks. Some like to hang on the beach, while others like to explore the far reaches of the country. Several seek hole-in-the-wall authentic restaurants and a select few go for the ultra-culinary experiences. No one way is right (except for mine...you'll learn that eventually) :p but, depending on your interests, some will be more appropriate for your style.

Again, http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_3_36.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[beachreader]

[quote=AdGuy;25172]Okay...seriously you two...you tell the poor guy to invest? Hey, while we're at it let's remind him to floss! :D /quote]



Oh, yeah, don't forget to floss--it'll make a big difference in your health insurance down the road!


Sorry, just channeling my dad there (again). :rolleyes:

[Ross8447]

I'm loving these responses. I'm a good boy when it comes to finance. Heck, paying off those Rutgers College loans landed me a job as an analyst for Dow Jones. But on a different note::D


When I was looking into Cabanas La Luna, I was really interested in there Casablanca room which I believe is $170/night. I feel that this is the max that I am willing to go. My plans are to go 5nights/6days. I wish I could stay longer but at 5 nights, 2 plane tickets and car service round trip from Tulum to Cancun and back (not comfortable yet to take a rental car in mexico), I'll be a little over $2000 already. (I start adjusting my budget as I watch oil prices rising all day while I'm at work.)

As far as amenities, I believe I'm going to need the 24hr electricity in the room. My girlfriend may not be able to handle not using a hair dryer and I know I want to do at least a couple of nice nights out. I believe this narrows down a lot of the choices since most of the cabanas do not carry 24hr electricity. I'm not too worried about having a restaurant and bar on premise. Just a central location that I can walk to some nice restaurants. Nice=Good Food!


I'll have 4 full days to hang out and I really want to do the following:

1) The ruins in Tulum. (its pretty much the single reason that I chose Tulum.)

2) Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park. I heard excellent things about this place on Trip Advisor and I'm really excited to snorkel for the first time and zipline through the jungle.

My girlfriend and I love taking pictures of beautiful scenery and trying out cool little restaurants. Any other suggestions for exploring and beautiful places to go would be great.

We both want to sneak a night in for drinks and some dancing. Maybe we swing over to Mezzanine for their Friday night party. Anyone know when they start that party?

That's all I can think of right now, I'm pretty fried from the beach. I look forward to hearing from all of you. :wave:

-Ross

[TnTWalter]

Sounds like a great plan.

Note about the 'parties' ...we assumed they wouldn't start until about 10pm but in fact they start around 8pm and end 10:30 pm. Perhaps the Fri night disco is different [check with others]. But we were bummed one night when we went up North to hear live bands and arrived just in time to see the band leaving. Doug and Margo and others had a great evening from about 8-10 enjoying the band. LOL.

I think for only having 4 days you're good. Spend one day at ruins and North beach area; spend one day at Hidden Worlds [good deal right now for $59 all inclusive]; that gives you 2 days to CHILL. If you need more adventure but still close by so you have some chill time...Sian Ka'an biosphere looks FAB or head to Akumal, an inexpensive boat ride might be fun and inexpensive and you'll be sure to swim with a turtle [unlike poor moi!] Check trip reports for the above adventures.

[minniemex]

Say Ross, why not move your questions over to the general forum?? Lots more of us hang out there and you will get lots of suggestions what to do with your time!! We all have our favorite things to do ~ mine is to walk the beach ~ sit on the beach ~ swim at the beach ~ sit under a palapa and read at the beach ~ So from me, you will get the suggestion to hang out on the beach:D

[minniemex]

Oh, and I forgot....... about the hair dryer.. I am not sure of anyplace that can handle the electricity that will demand. Maybe Ana Y Joses, not sure.

[beachreader]

Ditto Minnie. She is definitely going to have to deal with NO hairdryer.

This is what big old hair clips are made for. I shower, dress, and put my mostly-wet hair up into a clip. It looks stylish enough for down there. You can wear makeup if you want.

At the end of the night, your hair will still be damp, but you can shake it out and stand out on the beach under the moonlight and use the "Tulum hairdryer" for a while. It really works and then you go to bed!

Next day, the hair will be wet with seawater or up in a ponytail anyway, won't it? What kind of hair is she expecting?



As a side note, the reason that even a place with 24-hour electricity will not allow hairdryers is that anything with a heating unit (hairdryers, coffemakers, etc.) will take WAY too much energy out of the system and could risk blowing the whole place. Recharging cameras and phones, that's OK, but nothing with a heating element.

Your neighbors will not appreciate having no electricity because someone thought they needed a hairdryer. :D

[Ross8447]

Thanks for the heads up. I let her know about the hairdryer and she's cool with it. This may give her an excuse to cut it now. (god, I hope not!)

I heard that you don't flush the toilet paper. Can someone shine a light on what exactly the toilet does then? :p Is there even water in the thing, or is the toilet just a cosmetic touch for a hole in the ground. I've camped about 500 times so I really don't care.

[minniemex]

Too funny!! Yes, it is more than a "hole" in the ground. It is exactly like our toliets, it is just that their systems cannot handle the toliet paper. There is always a basket of sorts next to the stool to put the paper in. It really doesn't smell and the housekeepers always empty it daily. I know it sounds kinda gross, but you get used to it real easy.

Ok, now my question - why is it guys like longer hair so much?? Actually, longer hair works just as well in Tulum, I just put it up in clips. Just don't ever expect it to dry.:)

[AdGuy]

Ok, now my question - why is it guys like longer hair so much?? Actually, longer hair works just as well in Tulum, I just put it up in clips. Just don't ever expect it to dry.:)

Ahhh...the long hair question. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_60.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS) I'm one of those guys (probably in the majority) that thinks long hair looks a lot better on women than those pixie cut-Dorthy Hammil style dos that most ladies want to have cuz they're easy to maintain. Not sure why...mom had short hair so we can throw the Freudian thing out the window. I guess it just plays into my preconceived notions of what a gal should look like and what a guy should look like. Who knows?

[DougSR]

I like longer hair on the fairer sex. I just like long hair period. My rock and roll heroes always had long hair and I always tried to follow in their footsteps. Circa 1989 maybe. :p
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s153/Stars_Fan/me.jpg

But there is this notion in some men, that their woman should remain exactly as she was when she walked down the aisle. I think thats bunk. I enjoy a change from time to time. Just leave the length. I am trying hard to think of one really hot female with short hair and I'm drawing a blank.

[Ross8447]

Thanks minnie for clearing that all up. I'm sure she'll be relieved that it's similar to our toilets.

In regards to the long hair: I think it has a more exotic look. She has long, dark beautiful hair. In fact, she rarely cuts it and it has never been dyed. (how many 25yr old girls do you know that have never dyed their hair). She's actually looking to donate it to "Locks of Love" but she's struggling to keeping it long enough since she puts layers in her hair.

[PhyllisB]

Minnie, all that wind and your hair never dries?!?!? I know it's humid, but it's also verrrrry windy! :)

I also just do the clip thing too though. God I love Tulum, everything just feels so easy and relaxed!

[beachreader]

Phyllis, you've got to see Minnie's hair! I can totally believe it never dries down there. I bet it takes 30 minutes on high to get it dry at home!

Mine's just long enough for a pony tail, so it dries pretty well in the night breeze, at least enough that my pillow doesn't get too damp!

[minniemex]

Minnie, all that wind and your hair never dries?!?!? I know it's humid, but it's also verrrrry windy! :)

I also just do the clip thing too though. God I love Tulum, everything just feels so easy and relaxed!

I have really thick hair and keep it clipped the whole time. Just never dries. If I were to leave it down it acts like a horse blanket on my back!! I die from the heat ~ it also frizzes terribly.

[kimba]

Ross, you might have to leave the OCD at home ... they don't allow it in Tulum, or in Mexico for that matter!

With only four days I'd say go to the ruins, eat some good food, and hang on the beach, drink some local cervesa and down a few margaritas. Tulum is a place to relax. Oh, and go the Maya Spa at Copal and get a massage.

I have long hair (I recently cut some bangs onto the front of my head) and it's the best for travel. It's a who cares kind of hairstyle. Wash and go drip dry. I also don't wear makeup and the only electronics I take with me are my laptop and the battery recharger for my camera.

[beachreader]

In fact, she rarely cuts it and it has never been dyed. (how many 25yr old girls do you know that have never dyed their hair).



I never put any color or anything in my hair until I was well past 35, and then not to cover gray, just to give it some life and have some fun with a change. I'm now 46 and I don't use it for gray, just fun.

So there are plenty of 25 year olds who haven't effed with their hair much, but I'm glad your girlfriend's is long and lovely for you. :)

[TnTWalter]

Sadly I have to cover my grays...those darn kids..flab and grays. LOL. I didn't cut my hair for the longest time because DH liked it long...I'm so glad I finally did though...it was a pain in the tush.

Oh and I totally forgot a brush and DH is bald so no help there. :rolleyes:

Ross you enjoy your vacation however you want....we all have our own ways...you're in Tulum, so whatever you choose to do, beach, adventure, whatever, you'll have a blast.

:beerchug: