Tulum, Mexico

[NeverMarryAStripper 22302]

10 years ago was the last time the kids and I went.  We rented a condo in Akumal and drove all over the area.  We did several day trips to Tulum where we spent the day at one of the beach clubs, and then got cleaned up and changed clothes for dinner that evening.  The beaches were great, it wasn't overcrowded, and definitely not over priced.

Edited June 10 by NeverMarryAStripper

[Hollywood 412]

Isla Holbox is the old Tulum, but probably not for much longer. The first Marriott property has arrived. 

[rage-a-holic 4733]

1 hour ago, Hollywood said:

Isla Holbox is the old Tulum, but probably not for much longer. The first Marriott property has arrived. 

Holbox is on the Gulf and has Gulf beaches/ocean. I'd rather go to South Padre than Holbox.

[threesheets 1690]

On 6/8/2024 at 9:24 PM, CHIEF said:

Don't go in using your same account. Create a new one, or if a family member has an account have them look up flights. Airlines and travel sites are notorious for pulling that shit. Its a tactic to make you go ahead and book to avoid the prices going up again. Ask me how I know. We have three accounts to look at, mine, my wife, and my son.

And yeah, those transfer fees are absolutely insane. I think ours was like $150 total from Cancun, roundtrip, two adults and a child.

CHIEF

Thanks. I went back in and was able to get the old rates, but only for Spirit/Sun Country/Frontier going to Cancun. I was able to get American at the old rates to Tulum. So fuck it, I'm out a couple hundy for the ride to/from I guess. 

[CHIEF 5228]

It happened to us several times. If I were some of the higher end places, I would be plenty pissed. We had an amount we wanted to spend, would have stayed at that resort, but the price went up $1200. So we did the logical thing and dropped our expectations to not stay at their resort to get something in our price range. 
 

CHIEF

[rage-a-holic 4733]

7 hours ago, threesheets said:

Thanks. I went back in and was able to get the old rates, but only for Spirit/Sun Country/Frontier going to Cancun. I was able to get American at the old rates to Tulum. So fuck it, I'm out a couple hundy for the ride to/from I guess. 

Keep in mind that's the price for 2 passengers. If you're taking the whole family, it'll be more.

Edited June 12 by rage-a-holic

[rage-a-holic 4733]

Honestly, you could be looking at $500+ just for shuttle transfers. How bad were the Cancun prices?

 

Edited June 12 by rage-a-holic
fucking surly

[Jimbaround 987]

We flew into Tulum at the beginning of the month. Flying to Tulum saved us $1,000 for the four of us so it covered the $200+ cost of the car to Playa.

The new airport is great, not as much of a shitshow as CUN and immigration was a breeze. They were still sorting out the car rental situation and there was an hour long line to get your car (only Hertz and no Golf desk).

[threesheets 1690]

I should probably take this and run right? TQO to Puerto Adventuras. Tahoe was $600+

[threesheets 1690]

Actually no. Canada transfers is $206 and has way, way better reviews.

[rage-a-holic 4733]

10 minutes ago, threesheets said:

Actually no. Canada transfers is $206 and has way, way better reviews.

$412 for a round trip is still better than what the Tulum shuttle charges.

[threesheets 1690]

@rage-a-holic The $206 was a r/t quote. Should I be skeptical?

[rage-a-holic 4733]

2 hours ago, threesheets said:

@rage-a-holic The $206 was a r/t quote. Should I be skeptical?

That's about what you should pay with them for a Cancun/Playa RT shuttle. I would just verify that they're allowed to pick up at the Tulum airport.

That airport is doing the same BS that Cozumel and other small Mexican airports do, where they grant exclusive transport rights to a single shuttle company and taxis/Uber/transfers are not allowed to pick up on airport grounds. In Cozumel, you have to drag your luggage 1/4 mile from the airport before a taxi will pick you up.

[wild_turkey 3296]

The food at the hotel was overpriced, but we expected that. But the food outside the hotel along the beach was not good and over-priced. We went to a restaurant our last night and it was easily $180 without drinks. A few simple lunches (think sandwiches) were easily $60.

Where did you eat? We’ve had some excellent meals in Tulum. I have no doubt there are bad places like anywhere else, but there are also some really good places.

Yes, Tulum is somewhat expensive. People should probably expect that by now. If anyone is looking for a cheap Mexico vacation, Tulum is not the place for that.

[Hank_Hill 20052]

Close friend just bought a new build condo in Tulum set for early 2025 completion. Very excited to exploit that. 

[threesheets 1690]

Trip was awesome and went off without a single hitch. @Jimbaround- you were spot on re: TQO. Maybe the smoothest airport experience ever. Only complaint I had was there isn't really anywhere to eat when you're flying out. Carl's Jr. and a Mexican place was pretty much it. 

Transfer to Puerto Aventuras was a legit $239 r/t before tip. Canada Transfers. Will use them again. 

Really enjoyed our stay at Barcelo Maya Palace. That hotel sits on a fairly rocky cove, but once you get a few feet out into the water it's all soft sand. We got to swim with the sea turtles every day, which made the trip for my wife and kids. So cool. They just swim right up and will eat out of your hand. And if you're staying at the Palace you have access to the other 4 Barcelo resorts, so you can just walk down the beach a bit to get away from the rocks. It wasn't an issue for us. 

We made reservations at three different restaurants, and all were really good. Surprisingly good. I'm used to being underwhelmed at AI resort restaurants, to put it lightly. Buffet was decent, with some sleeper dishes (sopes were greatness).

Only a couple of issues, but they were small. No private bar on the beach like you get with Diamond Club at Royalton. No drink service at all on the beach actually. But there were no lines for drinks at all, so no big deal. We didn't even bother upgrading to premium. Only real perk with that was no-charge room service. The other thing we didn't like was there's no poolside grill serving burgers, dogs, etc. To eat pretty much anything you had to go to a buffet and get a table. 

Thanks for the tips.

[wood 11766]

Stayed in Akumal a few days ago like we always do, bouncing from cenote to cenote. Went to Tulum, and it's insane how much it's blown up even just since we were there two years ago. Fucking overrun with dipshit hipster dufuses & wannabe social media stars. 

[NeverMarryAStripper 22302]

Yeah, nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded

[wood 11766]

18 hours ago, NeverMarryAStripper said:

Yeah, nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded

[midtown 3355]

Well back in here.  The crazy florida nurse is back after a year away and we are going to Tulum. I'm already annoyed.  Anyway the question is.  She booked some nice dinners and told me I need to bring some dressier shoes.  I understand some restuarnts dont allow flip flops but will I be ok with some black or grey vans or Addidas? Or some boat shoe? I really dont want to drag dress shoes all the way down there

[Deej 77832]

Undefeated.

[rage-a-holic 4733]

5 hours ago, midtown said:

Well back in here.  The crazy florida nurse is back after a year away and we are going to Tulum. I'm already annoyed.  Anyway the question is.  She booked some nice dinners and told me I need to bring some dressier shoes.  I understand some restuarnts dont allow flip flops but will I be ok with some black or grey vans or Addidas? Or some boat shoe? I really dont want to drag dress shoes all the way down there

I doubt they will even check to see if you're wearing shoes.

[midtown 3355]

Well overall I like Tulum a lot.  Great vibe. I didn't seem too douche. I like the jungleness of it.  Our arbnb was great.  Private balcony with splash pool.  We  definitely took advantage of that.  10 mins from town and  20 from the beach.  BUt holy shit is this place crazy expensive.

[RDCanecutter 26893]

On 1/18/2022 at 4:36 PM, MirrOlure said:

In my defense....we did plan to go to the nearest ruins just to the north of the Hotel Zone on Sunday morning, but the very bottom of the big US Winter storm dragged through and it was raining.  And we had to be at the hotel at 11:30 for our stupid Covid tests.

Well it's not as if the ruins are going anywhere.

[RDCanecutter 26893]

On 6/7/2024 at 7:59 PM, Deej said:

I have a friend who was kidnapped and held for ransom in Tulum earlier this year, if that helps. 

How much did they get for him, what was their approach and technique, and would they apprentice a gringo assistant because all the gringos trust the gringo...

[wild_turkey 3296]

I’m considering a trip down in February. I like Tulum quite a bit for a short weekend getaway to escape the Texas winters. It’s great for that kind of thing and beats the hell out of a mega resort in Cancun or Cabo.