I just want a shack on the beach

[LeavingLA]

Hi everyone. Firstly thank you all so much for this wonderful site. Quite helpful. And it's fun to join in the enthusiasm (dare I say fanaticism? :p) about Tulum here!

Sept 2 will be my first moment in Tulum, and I'm very very excited not only to leave LA's noise and mess but to lose my Tulum virginity.

I had been to Coz on a cruise as a youngster and always remembered it, so my bf and I were trying to plan a trip there when we accidentally happened across a brief mention of Tulum. Earlier in the day I had said, exasperatedly, "I don't want a resort, just a shack on the beach with peace and quiet!" We were both giddy when we seemed to have found it in Tulum -- beauty, quiet and LACK of amenities, niceties, luxury etc.

Anyway, that's me. Tulum for 8 nights at Cabanas la Conchita. I wish I could leave TODAY!

[Lynnette]

Welcome.....Cabanas La Conchita are VERY nice beach shacks!!! ;):)I'm sure you'll love Tulum as much as we all do!!

[minniemex]

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/GLITTERS/welcome-3.gif LeavingLA!! I have no doubts you are going to love Tulum!!

[beachreader]

Cabanas La Conchita are "shacks"? Don't let them hear you say that! :D

Don't mind me, you picked a fabulous place and you'll have a wonderful time. While you're down there, do check out the real "shacks" on the beach at some of the other places like Tribal Village or Zacil Kin (or even Copal, which will be fairly near you, if they still have shacks).

I completely agree with the need to be away from the usual amenities for a while. I spend a lot of time in mid-level hotels (Courtyards and the like) and the last thing I want on my vacation is a hotel that reminds me even a little bit of that kind of chain mentality. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to stay at Courtyards on most of my trips, just not on vacation! :sun:

[Hammock Girl]

Hey LeavingLA - I did just that (leave LA) a couple of weeks ago, and it was GREAT!! I didn't stay in a shack on the beach but I'd like to on another visit. I fell in love with Tulum. I suspect the same thing will happen to you.

[marjan]

I've just booked 4 nights at Cabanas La Conchita for myself & 3 friends in March. The reviews and pix look fantastic - exactly what we're looking for. Send pix, reviews.....

[December]

I've just booked 4 nights at Cabanas La Conchita for myself & 3 friends in March. The reviews and pix look fantastic - exactly what we're looking for. Send pix, reviews.....
Wow, these look great, you guy are gonna have a great time.

Am I correct that the rate for these "shacks" is $150 USD per room per night, as listed on this website: http://www.differentworld.com/mexico-hotels/cabanas-la-conchita/rates-Cabanas-la-Conchita-Tulum-Mexico.htm ??

My SO and I would also like to fly down to this area for 4 or 5 nights and also want a rustic beach hut-type thing. We're experienced ultralight backpackers and are fine with no electricity, sand floors, communal bathhouse, etc, etc. But we were hoping to find something actually quite a bit cheaper than $150 USD a night (eek!). Like, more like $15 or $20 a night or less. Are we being totally unrealistic?

We have never been to Mexico, are hoping to go next month sometime, on a last-minute flight deal.

[beachreader]

Hi, December! Cabanas Las Conchitas is actually a very nice hotel, which is why we all thought it funny to refer to them as "shacks". There are actual shacks available, though I'm not sure you can do $15-$20 a night anymore. Maybe, though.

Check out Zacil Kin, Papaya Playa, Tribal Village, and I'm sure there are a few more. One site to look at is hotelstulum.com, which has a wide selection of properties, but they've changed their site and the pictures are tiny now. Or Google can help I'm sure.

If you want a better beach than those places offer, I believe the off-season rate for the shacks at Los Arrecifes is $50 (not sure about their high season or when it ends). The advantage here is that you'd be staying on a great stretch of beach with other units that go up to $150 or higher, so you get nicer beach chairs and hammocks and a restaurant on site.

Or, if you really like camping and don't mind being behind the dune (i.e., out of the sea breeze), Uno Astrolodge is a very cool place that now offers a "tipi" camping option where you sleep in their tents but I believe there are beds. There are other full-on camping sites, but I don't know about them, sorry.

On the sea breeze thing, I've never really thought about those shacks on the beach in a stiff breeze. Many of them are just sticks bound together, with gaps. That would be nice when it's warm out and the breeze keeps you cool, but I've been down there some nights in the winter when I've closed the windows on my full-walled cabana and slept with a blanket. On a night like that, I'd freeze in a stick-walled hut.

Though I suppose it's no worse than camping when it's cold, so I'm sure you'd be prepared anyway.

[December]

On the sea breeze thing, I've never really thought about those shacks on the beach in a stiff breeze. Many of them are just sticks bound together, with gaps. That would be nice when it's warm out and the breeze keeps you cool, but I've been down there some nights in the winter when I've closed the windows on my full-walled cabana and slept with a blanket. On a night like that, I'd freeze in a stick-walled hut.

Though I suppose it's no worse than camping when it's cold, so I'm sure you'd be prepared anyway.Thanks, Beachreader!

Hmm, I hope we don't end up too cold. I do get cold easily and usually need to change into warmer clothes way before most people do.

We have 55-degree rated REI TravelSacks, which are basically very lightweight sleeping bags. Now I'm wondering if these will be too light for February beach cabana sleeping...

[beachreader]

I doubt it would get into the 50s, but I like to bundle up if the temps inside my house here gets into the low 60s. I'm sure you'll be fine in your light bags, especially with your SO to keep you warm!

Also, the hotels will provide you with blankets and such.

Oh, and someone, Kimba maybe?, developed a system of tying or draping a beach towel on the windward side of the cabana, said it helped cut the wind on windy nights.

Or you could stay somewhere a bit back off the beachfront, but then you risk being too hot, and when you wake up you really want that sun and sand right there (I do, anyway). You'll be fine!

[zelda]

The netting around the beds also provides warmth, since it's a bit of a wind break.