Tulum Q's
 

I have spent a fair amount of time on the Mayan Riviera, but need some help. We have been to Tulum twice, but just to the ruins. We have never stayed there. Notice there are a bunch of hotels along the beach. We are going the first two weeks in December.

Could you tell me of a hotel you stayed at and liked and why?

Are any of them all-inclusive? Is there a good 3 r 4 star AI there?

How about non-AI's?

Since this would be shoulder season and there seem to be a lot of hotels, how is occupancy/availability at a typical mid-range hotel along the beach? Or is reservation absolutely necessary?

We figured we would take the bus down from the airport to PdC, then hop on one to Tulum.

After that we are going from Tulum back up to Akumal. Can we do this by bus? Any idea of the taxi fare roughly from Tulum to Akumal?

Thanks much.
Norm

There are no AI's along the Boca Paila Rd - Tulum beach road. Electricity is very limited, most places are run by solar or wind power only - if they have electricity at all.

Most of the places are small cabana hotels that vary in comforts - you can have a place that is merely a stick hut with a hammock and shared bathroom to a luxurious honeymoon-style cabana.

Your chances of finding a place to stay just by dropping in is pretty good considering the time of year, but if there is a place in particular that you want to stay - I would make a reservation to make sure you get what you want.

I've stayed at Ana y Jose and La Conchita - highly recommend both for their excellent service and quality of rooms.

Pepper,

Thanks for the info.

Norm

I believe the Sunscape Tulum--soon to be Dreams Tulum is the closest AI to Tulum.

We enjoyed out stay there. However, it has been almost 2 years and I know there has been construction.

Both of the ones pepper suggested are nice and get good reviews.

They were booked when we went this spring, so we stayed at Los Lirios and liked it very much.

Norbrad- Did you take the bus from Cancun airport to Tulum? Did you take the bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen and then take another bus from PDC to Tulum? I am going to Tulum this Thursday and would like to take a bus from Cancun airport to Tulum. Please let me know. Thanks.

ATTY,

No, we decided to go to Akumal for four days instead of Tulum. Took airport bus to PdC and taxi to Akumal (taxi-$22+tip). Return--took taxi to Playacar (fase uno) Xamanha Condos for our second stop. ($25+tip). After another 6 days, took airport bus from PdC as we always do from PdC. Good service.

However, someone else (Catalina) asked about bus to Tulum via PdC. She said she would be ariving airport at 3:30 PM--when could she expect to be in Tulum? Just based upon my experience in the area (30 years), I gave her the following.

Someone said there were no buses to Tulum.

Catalina, He (or she) may have meant that there were no buses from the airport to Tulum but I agree there certainly are buses from PdC to Tulum. In Mexico there are buses from anywhere to anywhere. It may be one that goes to Chetumal--the end of the coast road in Mexico, but stops in Tulum. It will be listed on the big board at the PdC bus station in any case.

Q...I will arrive Cancun airport (supposedly) at 3:30 p.m. If I take the bus (busses?) when do you think I will arrive in Tulum? C.

A... That is a busy time, but I think you could count on 40 min. migracion and customs, half hour wait for bus to leave. 45 min. to PdC. Arr. PdC. 20 minutes to get off, get luggage, get ticket to Tulum. Half hour waiting for Tulum bus, 50 min. to Tulum. You could be there by seven. Maybe 7:30--Maybe before 7. Just my estimate based upon quite few years of experience in the area. A taxi would be faster but much more expensive.

Norm

Norbrad393-
Thanks for answering both of my posts -this one and the one entitled "Bus to Tulum?"
I love this forum. It has helped me "gilde" through trips to London, Paris, Spain, Costa Rica and now, Tulum.
Thanks again.
Catalina