Tulum area lodging

[Phil]

Hi,
I am looking for accomodation in or near Tulum, mexico.
We generaly rent a condo near Villa De Rosa at Akumal but we would prefer to be in Tulum region next time.

Does anyone have some tips? Condos, villas or small hotel. We are not looking for a all inclusive since we will be cave diving all days!

Thanks
Phil

[gulfdiver]

I would also be interested in that region.

[Me]

Go here...... www.locogringo.com (http://www.locogringo.com)

Kay and her husband Gary, who run LocoGringo use to dive with Nancy and Tony DeRosa in the old days. Now they rep for several condos, AI's, casitas, etc in the area.

[syedmmarcotteca]

Check out:

Speleotech - Bil Phillips - http://www.speleotech.com/index.html

He has two rooms with a shop on site.

[Squirrel Girl]

Does anyone know where to go that is dirt cheap? I wanted to go down with Paul Heinerth over Thanksgiving, but the folks wanted a beach resort. I don't have the money for that kinda stuff. Cheap, cheap, cheap.... that's what I want.

[Me]

Does anyone know where to go that is dirt cheap? I wanted to go down with Paul Heinerth over Thanksgiving, but the folks wanted a beach resort. I don't have the money for that kinda stuff. Cheap, cheap, cheap.... that's what I want.

There's a hostel in Tulum. And a few hotels in Tulum that would make you shudder. Go to the LocoGringo site I posted previously and go to their message boards. There are quite a few people who frequent those boards who have been going to the Akumal area for years and years. I have seen the "cheap, cheap, cheap" request come up a few times.

Unfortunately the area is being highly developed and "cheap cheap cheap" is becoming less and less prevalent. Prior to the recent economic downturn, there was serious movement toward an international airport in Tulum...tho, I think that has been tabled for now.

[Squirrel Girl]

There's a hostel in Tulum. And a few hotels in Tulum that would make you shudder. Go to the LocoGringo site I posted previously and go to their message boards. There are quite a few people who frequent those boards who have been going to the Akumal area for years and years. I have seen the "cheap, cheap, cheap" request come up a few times.

Unfortunately the area is being highly developed and "cheap cheap cheap" is becoming less and less prevalent. Prior to the recent economic downturn, there was serious movement toward an international airport in Tulum...tho, I think that has been tabled for now.

Yeah, no kidding. I have only been in the off-the-beaten-path parts of Mexico and it took me by great surprise when I went to the Tulum area and found out how Americanized it was.

A hostel has the issue that when diving you want a little bit of security wrt gear.

Of course, I've only been there once, and didn't write directions to any of the caves I went to, so I have no idea how to get to any. I need to go with others who are tapped into the scene a little more, methinks. But I want similarly cheap buddies for the trip! :)

[FW]

One thing to consider for "cheap" is the cost of the whole trip. If you get a cheap room, but have to rent a car for an outragious price, the cheap room may not be that good a deal.

It is pretty hard to beat DeRosas, since they pick you up at the airport, drive you around to the divesites, feed you, supply tanks and air all for one price.

[Squirrel Girl]

One thing to consider for "cheap" is the cost of the whole trip. If you get a cheap room, but have to rent a car for an outragious price, the cheap room may not be that good a deal.

It is pretty hard to beat DeRosas, since they pick you up at the airport, drive you around to the divesites, feed you, supply tanks and air all for one price.

When are we going? :) (at 20' depth, you'll even get a decent dive with my crappy air consumption). Of course I'm going NOWHERE until I pay off my giant truck repair bill. :(

[Me]

Ya know, I go with Connie LoRe. It's easy and she does all the logistical work. She's been going there for freakin' forever and has all the land owner's on her side. She knows how to treat them with respect and they appreciate her. Her trips are really reasonable when you look at the cost and what's included.

All I have to worry about is making sure my gear is in the van each morning and rigged each night. Easy-peasy.

[Squirrel Girl]

Ya know, I go with Connie LoRe. It's easy and she does all the logistical work. She's been going there for freakin' forever and has all the land owner's on her side. She knows how to treat them with respect and they appreciate her. Her trips are really reasonable when you look at the cost and what's included.

All I have to worry about is making sure my gear is in the van each morning and rigged each night. Easy-peasy.
No she has not been there forever! I went on a dive with her at Little River before she went to Mexico!!!!
OK, so that just means I'm olddddddddddddddddddddddddd.

[Joe D]

One thing to consider for "cheap" is the cost of the whole trip. If you get a cheap room, but have to rent a car for an outragious price, the cheap room may not be that good a deal.

It is pretty hard to beat DeRosas, since they pick you up at the airport, drive you around to the divesites, feed you, supply tanks and air all for one price.

I've found cheap, cheap, cheap cars at Hertz - Cancun Airport......if you're willing to forego the insurance.

We've found that we can really do our trips at an incredibly low cost by having the car....grocery shopping in Playa.....condo in PA.....and going straight to the source for jungle fills.

Not only do the $$$ works but we have far more freedom to plan (and change plans) both day and nite.

[FW]

I've found cheap, cheap, cheap cars at Hertz - Cancun Airport......if you're willing to forego the insurance.

We've found that we can really do our trips at an incredibly low cost by having the car....grocery shopping in Playa.....condo in PA.....and going straight to the source for jungle fills.

Not only do the $$$ works but we have far more freedom to plan (and change plans) both day and nite.
Ok, how much does a week trip cost total, car, lodging, food, gear rental, air, etc. And do you get to see as much, and go to all the places that Connie goes?

[Joe D]

Ok, how much does a week trip cost total, car, lodging, food, gear rental, air, etc. And do you get to see as much, and go to all the places that Connie goes?

I'm not saying this is the way to go for everyone, nor am I saying anything about Connie....she provides a great service at a great price. That having been said.

Hertz - $21 per day (one week $147)

Condo - $42 per person per night (8 days, $675, 2 people)

Food - depends on the evenings. We do breakfast at the condo, and pack lunch, but we've been know to spend some money on the nights we go out.

Gear Rental - N/A - we pack Al30's for the Megs and I have a friend (he's guided me for years) that loans me bailout bottles.

Fills - it depends who is there but $10 is safe

Site Fees - $6 to $10 per site

Do we see as much?????? We see a lot and never get board. I've spent many weeks in the area with a guide, and still will go guided one or two days a trip.

Again, Connie offers a great service. All I'm saying is there are options. Actually, all I was say is that there are cheap cars.

[Me]

You are far braver than I am.....no way would I rent a car in Mexico without the added insurance.

Cave diving ain't as dangerous as driving in Mexico without the insurance!! :smt081

[Squirrel Girl]

You are far braver than I am.....no way would I rent a car in Mexico without the added insurance.

Cave diving ain't as dangerous as driving in Mexico without the insurance!! :smt081

http://www.deepcaves.net/smilies/panic.gif

No lie, me neither.

[FW]

I guess insurance is the killer, the best quote I got several years ago was $100/day (with insurance). If you have an acident without insurance in MX, you could end up in jail!

[Joe D]

You are far braver than I am.....no way would I rent a car in Mexico without the added insurance.

Cave diving ain't as dangerous as driving in Mexico without the insurance!! :smt081

I would never drive anywhere without insurance.

In fact, I would never drive in Mexico City with or without insurance, but between Cancun and Tulum I've very comfortable drive without the added insurance that the rental car companies offer. I still have collsion insurance, just not the additional riders.

[Me]

My buddy and I are heading down to Mexico this coming Friday. We're doing the tourist thing Fri, Sat and Sun. We're rented a Fiat Panda 4x4 for $50 a day and that includes all the insurance....especially liability.

[Me]

I still have collsion insurance, just not the additional riders.

It's not the collision that's the issue, it's not having liability that will get you thrown in a Mexican hoosgow!!

[L.A.]

Phil,

My girlfriend and I just returned tonight from an 11-day trip to Tulum where I took cavern and intro to cave from Bil Philips of Speleotech. We stayed the first six days at Posada Luna del Sur in Tulum and the remainder (after the course) south of Akumal at a place called Las Brisas. Las Brisas is a small villa located several villas south of Villas de Rosa. It's right on the beach and is spacious with a full kitchen. There are only four units for rent (two beach side). We stayed in the upper level (recommended for the view) beach side unit and the cost was $145/night. I can provide you with the owner's name and email if you like and also a recommendation for a local cave diving guide if you wish (as well as some caveats we learned of for the area.).

- Allen


Hi,
I am looking for accomodation in or near Tulum, mexico.
We generaly rent a condo near Villa De Rosa at Akumal but we would prefer to be in Tulum region next time.

Does anyone have some tips? Condos, villas or small hotel. We are not looking for a all inclusive since we will be cave diving all days!

Thanks
Phil

[L.A.]

I've found cheap, cheap, cheap cars at Hertz - Cancun Airport......if you're willing to forego the insurance.

We've found that we can really do our trips at an incredibly low cost by having the car....grocery shopping in Playa.....condo in PA.....and going straight to the source for jungle fills.

Not only do the $$$ works but we have far more freedom to plan (and change plans) both day and nite.

My advice is not to rent from Hertz...we just returned from Tulum and had a terrible experience with their airport rental office. We were not the only ones who had trouble. A guy from the states in front of us in the return line this morning was pissed because they were charging him double what he had agreed in the contract. He called Hertz US corporate on his cell phone while in line and they advised him to pay and they would credit him on his return. We've rented from Avis at the Cancun Airport last August and didn't have a problem.

[Phil]

and going straight to the source for jungle fills.



Where do you take your tanks and fills?
Every year is a problem for me to find doubles...
Phil

[Phil]

Phil,

My girlfriend and I just returned tonight from an 11-day trip to Tulum where I took cavern and intro to cave from Bil Philips of Speleotech. We stayed the first six days at Posada Luna del Sur in Tulum and the remainder (after the course) south of Akumal at a place called Las Brisas. Las Brisas is a small villa located several villas south of Villas de Rosa. It's right on the beach and is spacious with a full kitchen. There are only four units for rent (two beach side). We stayed in the upper level (recommended for the view) beach side unit and the cost was $145/night. I can provide you with the owner's name and email if you like and also a recommendation for a local cave diving guide if you wish (as well as some caveats we learned of for the area.).

- Allen

Hi Allen,
I know Kiersten and her husband from Las Brisas. This is where i generaly stay. But in the dates I want to go they are full. So I am looking for something else. Considerint I generaly rent my tanks and fill at Tulum, I was trying to find something in that region.

What car did you rented at AVIS. I generaly do buisiness with Hertz but I am planing on a change since last year we had to change the car 3 times during the week. I try to rent Jeep Liberty or similar for the jungle part...

Phil

[Mart]

Where do you take your tanks and fills?
Every year is a problem for me to find doubles...
Phil

In Tulum go to Robbie http://www.xibalbadivecenter.com/english/home.htm

[Phil]

My buddy and I are heading down to Mexico this coming Friday. We're doing the tourist thing Fri, Sat and Sun. We're rented a Fiat Panda 4x4 for $50 a day and that includes all the insurance....especially liability.

where did you rented that car?

Phil

[Me]

Cancun Rentacar

http://www.cancunrentacar.com/

We're picking up the car this Friday. I'll repost about service when we get back!

[charlieo]

http://www.momshotel.com/ THis hotel is above this shop WWW.PROTECPLAYA.COM It's been a couple of years but the hotel cost $40/night and was clean. I used protec for diving,air fills etc.

[Joe D]

My advice is not to rent from Hertz...we just returned from Tulum and had a terrible experience with their airport rental office. We were not the only ones who had trouble. A guy from the states in front of us in the return line this morning was pissed because they were charging him double what he had agreed in the contract. He called Hertz US corporate on his cell phone while in line and they advised him to pay and they would credit him on his return. We've rented from Avis at the Cancun Airport last August and didn't have a problem.

It probably all comes down to luck. Personally I've been lucky a total of 11 times in a row with Hertz out of Cancun over the past few years

I could share a few nightmares with you regarding other rental agencies I've tried down there.....but not with Hertz.

It might also be worth noting that I travel for a living......(I've been in 7 major cities this week since my last post (Dallas to....Irvine, San Diego, Escondido, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, Denver and back to DFW) and throughout all of my travels over my career I have never rent through Hertz in the US. In fact, I rent almost exclusively through Avis (I'm a member of their Presidents Club which means that I get free double upgrades)

Again, I really have no reason to endorse Hertz since I don't use them anywhere else but I can tell you that if I'm fly into Cancun I'm driving away with Hertz.

Just one man's opinion.

[Joe D]

Where do you take your tanks and fills?
Every year is a problem for me to find doubles...
Phil

It really depends upon where you are stay as to whom you should rent your double.

Up until a few years ago I stayed in Akumal. In recent years I've stayed in Puerto Aventuras. If you were to stay in PA you should plan on renting your doubles from Dennis.

That having been said, if you have your own tanks (and I always do) then I'd suggest have them filled where everyone does.

PM me if you need help finding the radio tower.

[Phil]

Cancun Rentacar

http://www.cancunrentacar.com/

We're picking up the car this Friday. I'll repost about service when we get back!

I just checked the prices...
They have lower prices that Hertz (jeep liberty, 1 week) 456$ US. Hertz price is 572$ Us with a discount I have. At hertz you have to add 32$ per day for the full insurances... Cancun Rent a Car sais that all the insurances are included see by yourself...
OUR COMPREHENSIVE RATES INCLUDE
A) Full Insurance Zero Deductible Fee (Zero Excess).
1) Theft and collision damage waiver (TP/CDW)
2) Loss damage waiver (LDW)
3) Liability insurance (ALI)
4) Medical insurance (PAI)
B) Legal assistance in case of an accident
C) Airport tax
D) Local tax
E) Free milage
F) 2 Aditional drivers
G) 1 Baby seat if required
H) Vehicle licensing cost

Did anyone ever tried that company?

Phil

[Phil]

Ok, how much does a week trip cost total, car, lodging, food, gear rental, air, etc. And do you get to see as much, and go to all the places that Connie goes?

I just foud my cost sheet from december 2007. Al the cost below are for two person.
Flight from montréal : 1375$
Condo for the week : 490$
Car, jeep liberty,650$, including full insurances.
Diving, 550$ for dive shop fees
Diving sites fees 150$
Food, resto, ice cream, and all the rest, 350$.

total 3565$
so 1782$ per person including the flight.
I dont know how much is a organized trip, but personally I prefer doing my things, at the time I want, at the speed I want. I never mised a cave entrance, eaven at places like Car Wash.

Phil

[Me]

I just checked the prices...
They have lower prices that Hertz (jeep liberty, 1 week) 456$ US. Hertz price is 572$ Us with a discount I have. At hertz you have to add 32$ per day for the full insurances... Cancun Rent a Car sais that all the insurances are included see by yourself...
OUR COMPREHENSIVE RATES INCLUDE
A) Full Insurance Zero Deductible Fee (Zero Excess).
1) Theft and collision damage waiver (TP/CDW)
2) Loss damage waiver (LDW)
3) Liability insurance (ALI)
4) Medical insurance (PAI)
B) Legal assistance in case of an accident
C) Airport tax
D) Local tax
E) Free milage
F) 2 Aditional drivers
G) 1 Baby seat if required
H) Vehicle licensing cost

Did anyone ever tried that company?

Phil

I rented from them this past weekend. Excellent customer service and a nice clean car. Julio in customer service is great, as is Julio the manager at the pickup office. (yes, 2 Julio's).

They are offsite from the airport and can therefore offer better pricing. They track your flight over the internet and meet you when you land and take you to their office to sign paperwork....and zip, you are out the door! We were delayed and missed our connection, a quick call to their customer service with our rescheduled flight and they tracked us the rest of the way. Our new flight was late too, :smt013 but not too worry, they were waiting for us.

[ami]

I just checked the prices...
They have lower prices that Hertz (jeep liberty, 1 week) 456$ US. Hertz price is 572$ Us with a discount I have. At hertz you have to add 32$ per day for the full insurances... Cancun Rent a Car sais that all the insurances are included see by yourself...
OUR COMPREHENSIVE RATES INCLUDE
A) Full Insurance Zero Deductible Fee (Zero Excess).
1) Theft and collision damage waiver (TP/CDW)
2) Loss damage waiver (LDW)
3) Liability insurance (ALI)
4) Medical insurance (PAI)
B) Legal assistance in case of an accident
C) Airport tax
D) Local tax
E) Free milage
F) 2 Aditional drivers
G) 1 Baby seat if required
H) Vehicle licensing cost

Did anyone ever tried that company?

Phil

Also rented from them last month and were very satisfied. Cancun Rent a Car is one of several alias names for the same company (America Rent a Car, Continental Rent a Car, and Caribbean are others). We were picked up late-night in Cancun airport, drove to their office and got the car in no time at all. Returned it two weeks later in Playa, no problems whatsoever. Will definitely use their services again.

[phillip1]

try Hotel La Mariposa 011-52-984-802-5304 http://www.hotellamariposatulum.com/, very nice rooms, ac cable tv and quiet, that is were I stay every time and I really like it.