I'm leaving for Tulum next week and was wondering if I should plan on bringing a lot of cash, or if most restaurants take credit cards.. I know the hotel I'm staying at does not accept cards, though is it cash only throughout the area pretty much?

Also, how much would you say 6 days costs in Tulum for two people planning on having lunch and dinner every day and a few fun activities here and there? We also hope to rent a car (which we haven't set up yet -- can we do that right at the airport)?

Thanks for your help!

We just came back from 4 nights in Tulum last month. Realize that there are two distinct areas of Tulum - the beachfront strip of small hotels; and the downtown. They are about a 15 minute drive apart. We basically ate our dinners downtown. There are about a half dozen interesting options downtown, and they are all fairly casual and inexpensive. Our most expensive meal was at Charlie's, which ran about $44 for two with beers and tips. There are some very good Mexican places, and pizza places, and you could easly feed two for under $30. For lunch, we often went to the supermarket and bought yogurts, bread, cold cuts, etc and took them to the beach. I would think $75 a day would be adequate for two, except for excursions to Sian Ka'an, etc, which can run $60 apiece. Go to the Muyil ruins, and hire a boat ride to Sian Ka'an from there, it's cheaper.
A few places take plastic in town, but I wouldn't count on it. There are 2 ATM machines downtown. If you eat at some of the more upscale hotels along the beach, I suspect you could spend a lot more.
I would recommend reserving your car ahead of time, it will probably cost less that way. Check out Ace rentals. You definitely want a car if you are going to be there 6 days!

We plan for about $100/day for a family of four eating lunch and dinner - but we usually spend much less.

Along the beach rd, Ana y Jose is the only place that takes credit cards. Zamas may, I can't remember.

In town, Don Cafetos takes credit cards, not sure about the others.

Everything is pretty much cash only.

You will spend more money if you wait until you arrive to rent your car.

Keith

Thanks everyone! We booked our car and it's good to know that credit cards aren't widely accepted as I thought.