BF and I are considering taking a 5 day vacation on the Mayan Riviera over Thanksgiving weekend-- we are looking for some solitude, not an area with wall-to-wall resorts/people. Having said that, it would be nice to be able to walk a mile or so to another hotel/resort so that we could experience a different restaurant or bar on one or two occasions. We're not into huge all-inclusives with shows, planned activities, etc. We really just want to lie on the beach, sip cocktails, maybe check out some of the nearby ruins. <BR><BR>Two places I've been looking at: Las Ranitas and Ana y Jose's Restaurant. Anyone have feedback on these resorts? Good food, nice beach? It appears that there are places near Ana y Jose if we want a change of pace, what about Las Ranitas?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance!

I dont have first hand knowledge of the hotels your looking at, but maybe you can check www.mytravelboard.com or www.locogringo.com...hope that helps some.

I'm a big fan of Cabanas Copal in Tulum, on a beautiful, secluded beach.<BR>They have a great restaurant, and it's in walking distance to several other nice, moderately priced restaurants.<BR>Check out CabanasCopal.com If you like it, book it with Holly, the owner, and tell her Ken sent you.

I stayed at Anna y Jose a few years back and really enjoyed it. I had just come from a cabana resort just up the road (right next to the ruins) and it was definitely a step up after that. The rooms are fairly basic but I liked it mostly because it just has a nice laid-back atmostphere (at least it did when I was there). We very much enjoyed the dinner there as well...nice setting on the beach at night with candle-lit tables right in the sand! We also did a guided trip to the ecological reserve nearby. the groups for this trip meet at Ana y Jose.

Thanks everyone--<BR>Kelly- what time of year were you at Ana y Jose? Was the beach pretty quiet, uncrowded? Finally, can you give me an idea of how much food cost at their restaurant-- say, for dinner?<BR><BR>Again, thanks so much!

las ranitas is the best vacation you'll ever take. the beach is stunning and isolated. the rooms are beautiful. the only negative is the food at the hotel isnt great--bfast and lunch are good but dinner stinks. however, zamas and ana y jose are great options. zamas has great breakfast too. there is so much to do or nothing to do--whichever your choice. but it is paradise.

Hi,<BR><BR>Both the places that you mention are very nice and they are along an unbeatable stretch of beach. It's absolutely gorgeous in this area, and not too many people at all.<BR><BR>If you want similar accomodations, but cheaper - try Tita Tulum www.titatulum.com (a little farther south along the same stretch of beach) or Dos Ceibas (www.dosceibas.com), Maya Tulum (www.mayatulum.com). All these places are at the south end of the Boca Paila road. There are even cheaper places at the north end, closer to the Tulum ruins, but they are generally not quite as &quot;luxurious&quot; and tend to be busier. The beaches at the north end are also not quite as nice. They're usually smaller, and sometimes rockier. Anything south of Maya Tulum will be on the best stretch of beach (look for places that have 5 km or more in their address - they're listed by their location along this road). The places I mention don't have pools, but who needs a pool with the gorgeous warm water. All have restaurants on site, and it's easy walking distance to a few others. If you're goign to stay along this road, it's nice to have a car.<BR><BR>I've personally stayed at Zamas (www.zamas.com) but they're getting a bit pricey now for what they offer. Beach here is also small and rocky. Great restaurant though.<BR><BR>I've also stayed at Tita Tulum. We really liked it there and the rooms are clean, modern (with Mexican decor) the service is good, and the restaurant is too. The hotel is nice and small and the beach goes on for miles and is gorgeous.<BR><BR>We were going to stay there again on our upcoming trip in January, but decided on Dos Ceibas instead. It's on the same stretch of beach, but their rates are better.<BR><BR>Have a great time. You won't regret going. It's stunning in the Tulum area.

I also stayed at Zamas and regreted that I did. I had lunch at Cabanas Ana y Jose and wished i had stayed there. Beautiful, and solitary ! I would not reccomend Cabanas Copal as they are extremely rustic, and not really in a good way. Also, another place that looks great is Maya Tulum resort. Las ranitas is not as secluded as Ana Y Jose. Another thing you might consider is not making reservations at all and just go to Tulum and find the accomidations that are most apealing to you. I am quite sure there will be vacancies almost everywhere ! Make sure you rent a jeep and drive into the Sian Kaan biosphere- talk about secluded and beautiful !As a matter of fact, Ana Y jose have a rental car company as well !