First trip to Tulum

[bobbyct]

I will be in the area next week and wanted to go to the beach for a day. I have only been to Tulum once, and it was to the ruins, so I don't know much other than what I read here. Can anyone recommend a good beach club for a first timer? I hear a lot of people talk about El Paraiso but I have also heard some good things about another beach club that begins with an O (Ocho Tulum or something like that). I am just looking to lay back, relax, do a little people watching and generally just absorb everything. I think Doug mentioned that El Praiso was overcrowded so I would be interested in any feedback. Thanks everyone!

[DougSR]

El Paraiso was pretty crowded on the Saturday evening around 6pm when I was there...the 10th of May. However, we have begun moving into the true off-season now so it might not be so bad. Also, right down the beach towards the ruins you have Zacil Kin.

Other options which I would consider are Ana y Jose and Aki'in which is even further south. I chose Ana y Jose most of the time because I was staying right next door in Cabanas Tulum. But others (Beachwolverine) prefer Aki'in.

Also, La Zebras would be a great hang out for me. The bar is really cool and I like their chillin' music.

[beachreader]

I'd check out Paraiso first (and it's easy to find). If it's too crowded for your taste, turn left at the water and walk up (north) to Zacil Kin. I haven't been there, but they definitely have their fans! Not so much a beach club as a funky little bar on the sand with chairs and stuff.

If you turn your feet to the right at the water from Paraiso, the next hotel property to the south is La Vita e Bella. They have old chairs, but they run them as a beach club. No music (at least, in my experience) as there is at Paraiso, but the same lovely beach and clear water, just less of a party atmosphere.

If you want to see the big, wide-open (and rougher water) south beach, have your taxi take you to the Ana y Jose beach club (he'll turn right at the beach road instead of left for Paraiso). You can stay here if you like (I recommend the mixed taco platter), or just start walking south/right from there and see what appeals. Most places will let you hang in their chairs if you buy a beer or some food, and it's a great way to see the beach.

The Ak-iin beach club that Doug mentioned is about a kilometer (maybe a little more) walk along the beach to the south.


Check out a map of the beach road area (there are several, but off the top of my head, www.sac-be.com (http://www.sac-be.com)), and know that you can't walk the beach between Mezzanine and Maya Tulum. That whole stretch is filled with rocky outcroppings. That's why I suggested choosing between the north beach (Paraiso, et al), and the south.

[austxdan]

But others (Beachwolverine) prefer Aki'in.


Grrrrrrr.

If'n yer into it . . . apparently Ak'iin has a party on Saturday nights that begins around midnight and goes until well after 4 am. They have an extremely bright strobe light (I thought the cops were on the beach) and play a euro-techno-trash song that repeats itself for the 4+ hours. Soooo, if that's your thing, enjoy.

If, however, you are staying a couple property's down and trying to get a decent nights sleep . . . :mad: good luck.


Just my opinion,

D.

(Disclaimer - this may have been an isolated occurrence.)

[bobbyct]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I will need to check out my Mapchick map at home tonight to get an idea of the distance between these different places. Hopefully I can find one the one that is the most central so I can walk around and see other places. I have no idea how far apart these places are, it might be miles or yards so I will do some studing. Thanks

[AdGuy]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I will need to check out my Mapchick map at home tonight to get an idea of the distance between these different places. Hopefully I can find one the one that is the most central so I can walk around and see other places. I have no idea how far apart these places are, it might be miles or yards so I will do some studing. Thanks

Zazil Kin is definitely within walking distance of El Parasio (like maybe 3 minutes) so no worries there. I must admit my Riviera Maya map is the 2005 edition so my apologies to Perry and Laura if they've GREATLY updated the map. That said, poor Perry must have gotten tired by the time he got to Tulum as there's no coverage past Zamas! And don't tell me no properties at the south end (Tita Tulum, Ana y Jose, Amansala, Las Ranitas, Dos Ceibas, etc.) didn't exist!! As beachreader recommended, check the map on www.sac-be.com (http://www.sac-be.com) as it will probably be much more useful.

[bobbyct]

Zazil Kin is definitely within walking distance of El Parasio (like maybe 3 minutes) so no worries there. I must admit my Riviera Maya map is the 2005 edition so my apologies to Perry and Laura if they've GREATLY updated the map. That said, poor Perry must have gotten tired by the time he got to Tulum as there's no coverage past Zamas! And don't tell me no properties at the south end (Tita Tulum, Ana y Jose, Amansala, Las Ranitas, Dos Ceibas, etc.) didn't exist!! As beachreader recommended, check the map on www.sac-be.com (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sac-be.com) as it will probably be much more useful


I have the 2008 map but you are right, I think it still it ends at Zamas. It does give a listing os some properties south of Zamas but the map ends there. I will check out the sac-be link that you and beachreader provided. Thank you

[beachreader]

Grrrrrrr.

If'n yer into it . . . apparently Ak'iin has a party on Saturday nights that begins around midnight and goes until well after 4 am. They have an extremely bright strobe light (I thought the cops were on the beach) and play a euro-techno-trash song that repeats itself for the 4+ hours. Soooo, if that's your thing, enjoy.
(Disclaimer - this may have been an isolated occurrence.)



Oh, Dan, that's terrible!!! We were far enough away that it wouldn't have come anywhere near us, and I don't remember standing out on the beach late at night trying to see stars either (it was pretty bloody windy then).

I'm so sorry this happened, I certainly hope it's not a weekly occurrance!

Damned techno and strobe lights, no matter what time of day, just can't handle that, especially in a peaceful place like Tulum.

[minniemex]

The lights are the worst of it!! They just polute the night sky!! Ok, maybe loud music of any annoying type would bother me a lot also!!