Shawn

We are planningto go to Yucatan for our anniversary, late Oct/early Nov. Will spend a few days in Merida, but also want to hit the beach in Akumal or Tulum. Would like a place for under $75/night, with authentic local character. Prefer very small hotel, B&B, or cabana on the beach. Has anyone stayed at Zamas in Tulum? Thanks for your help!

Carole Glab

We have great views with barrier reef just offshore, and a cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. <BR> <BR>Our villa is in a great location, being within driving distance to the Cancun airport, Playa del Carmen (you take the boat to Cozumel from there) Xel-ha, Tulum and Coba ruins,and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve starts just south of the Tulum ruins. You can also drive to several major archeological sites for a day trip. We have wonderful cenotes to swim, snorkel or dive in and the beaches are great. <BR> <BR>The town of Tulum ( 5 miles south) has restaurants, money exchanges, bus station, fax/phone/e-mail services, grocery stores, pharmacy, doctors office. Just about any thing you would need during your vacation can be found here. <BR> <BR>Our villa is tiled throughout with fully equipped kitchenettes, tiled baths, ceiling fans and Haitian artwork throughout. Hammocks, lounge chairs, books, radio/cassette player provided. Property manager, twice-weekly maid service, gardener. Two very separate and private units, sleeps 2 in each. <BR> <BR>Our 1st floor unit has a palapa-roofed porch with table and chairs for dining alfresco, private hammock palapa, and stained glass window. $85/nt for 2. <BR> <BR>Our 2nd floor unit has a small balcony, plus a very large 14'x29' rooftop, palapa roofed living area with hammocks, bar& sink, and seating area. $115/nt for 2 <BR> <BR>A confirmation, directions and travel tips are sent when payment or deposit <BR>is received. We would also need your expected arrival time to the Cancun <BR>airport for our property manager. Check in - 2:00p.m. Check out by 10:30 <BR>a.m. <BR> <BR>Please feel free to call or email with any questions you may have about Casa <BR>Tropical or our area. <BR> <BR>Best regards, <BR>Carole <BR>Casa Tropical <BR>http://CasaTropical.com <BR>http://sites.netscape.net/tankah/casatropical <BR>

Bill

Zamas and Maya Tulum (right next door) are both good choices for rustic beach cabanas. Maya has more rooms than Zamas and Maya's beach is a little better for swimming (less rocks), but the beach at Zamas is still very nice. Both have excellent restaurants with reasonable prices. The Zamas owners live on site and are very friendly. Check the web sites for more details. Great places to get away from the crowds, but don't expect a 5 star. There are quite a few small cabana type hotels in the area, some fancier than others. Send an e-mail if you need more.

Judy

We have stayed at Piedra Escondida a couple times a loved it. It is a couple places north of Zamas. I think you can find them at mayanriviera.com <BR>They have a wonderful restaurant, as does Zamas. Have a great time!

texasgirl

just back from tulum, etc. we stayed at piedras escondidas also, it was charming, and the attached italian restaurant was good. (the place is run by an italian, so it figures.) zamas also looked nice, as did several others. We liked even more a place called the Tankah Inn, on a stretch of beach a bit north of tulum; the beach was more beautiful here and even more uncrowded. This inn is run by a friendly texas couple; there is great diving and snorkeling. they have a little restaurant and also there is a pretty good beachside restaurant called casa cenote just a bit north, which you could walk to. if you really want privacy and a laidback atmosphere i would recommend tankah.

Sharon

Hi Shawn! <BR>You will love Merida, as well as Akumal and Tulum. I have a place located in South Buceo, Akumal, a private gated community of 20 villas a nd two condo complexes, one with 4 units and ours with 7. You can check us out at; www.akumal-sevenseas.com We aren a quiet neighborhood with a beautiful stretch of beach to walk on and the bay is full of colorful coral and tropical fish. We are only two miles south of the main part of Akumal where there are many wonderful restaurants. Very centrally located to everything and yet private when you want that special time together. Check out my website and if you have any questions just email me! Oh! Happy anniversary!