Copal

[gmay10]

My wife and are looking to visit Copal in June. I am wondering about the Casita cabana. Is it worth the $205 and what are some of the issues that were experienced by people at this place? Is the Casita private? I am just looking for some general info about Copal. I would also like to know if there are any other suggestions to stay at. We are not sure about the heat which is why we wanted the casita because it may get more air. We love the concept of the ecoresort and are definitely going in June. thanks

[TheWindyCity]

Personally, I would recommend Azulik, their neighboring property. You can save some money in the off season as well, but you would enjoy the private deck, the soaking tub, and the hanging deck bed, right on the Caribbean. The view is priceless. Here are links to our trip reports with photos. We were there in March of 2006, and returned for a longer visit this past May:

Trip Report Part 1
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=938 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=938)

Trip Report Part 2
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=942 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=942)

Trip Report Part 3
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=944 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=944)

Trip Report Part 4
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=948 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=948)

Trip Report Part 5
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=949 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=949)

Trip Report Part 6
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=957 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=957)

Trip Report Part 7
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=958 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=958)

Trip Report Part 8
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=959 (http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?t=959)

[mayaflya]

Not to disagree with my good friend Windycity, but the Copal casita is a very nice unit. We stayed at Azulik in cabana #2 last summer (in June) and the Copal casita was a near neighbor. It had nearly the same view and setting as the Azulik properties...and the same exposure to the prevailing breezes (an absolute must in June!). I'd still give Azulik the edge in romance, but the south end Copal options are very competitive. It looks like the current rate differential between the Azulik seaviews and the Copal casita is about $50/night. I don't think the Casita has the outdoor tubs that Azulik has, but it IS head and shoulders above the other Copal units.

[mayaflya]

Oh, in regards to privacy, the casita is much more private than the other Copal units...many of which have walkways very close by. There is virtually no traffic past the casita, as it is on the far south end of the Copal property. The unit and it's patio are visible however from several decks of the adjoining Azulik property. It is about as good as it gets for privacy, however.

[minniemex]

My wife and are looking to visit Copal in June. I am wondering about the Casita cabana. Is it worth the $205 and what are some of the issues that were experienced by people at this place? Is the Casita private? I am just looking for some general info about Copal. I would also like to know if there are any other suggestions to stay at. We are not sure about the heat which is why we wanted the casita because it may get more air. We love the concept of the ecoresort and are definitely going in June. thanks

Windy and Maya are doing a great job here with info for you, I just wanted to http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_3_36.gif you to the board!! We like answering questions, and we like pictures and trip reports when you return!!

[mayaflya]

Indeed...welcome to the board! I found a picture of the Copal casita taken from our Azulik stairs. Our deck (Azulik#2) is in the upper left of the photo. The stairs in the center lead up from the beach to the the first Azulik cabana (the Romance Villa). The Romance Villa sits back and out of view. The Copal casita is on the cliff beyond. Hope this helps!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1023/1442142185_bbe829756a_b.jpg

[TheWindyCity]

Here's another view looking past Azulik #1 stairs, at Copal's Casita, from Azulik #3's deck:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/IMGP0898.jpg

[mayaflya]

The Copal Casita is really "Azulik Lite", tastes great...less filling.

One factor to consider in choosing either Azulik or Copal vs other Tulum beach properties is that these two properties are the only "official" clothing optional venues in the area.

[gmay10]

I really want to thank all of you for your time in writing these responses. We are really struggling with what place to go to. We are going for 7 nights so money is an issue. Are there any other places to stay other than those two that would be worth looking into? I don't care if people walk around naked- it doesn't bother me or my wife. My other questions would be is it worth $205 dollars as opposed to spending $80 on the other cabanas? DO the other cabanas at Copal have baths?

[TheWindyCity]

There are so many nice places to stay that everyone here will have an opinion of and an experience at, but Azulik, and some of Copal's villas have the advantage of being right on the Caribbean, which can mean a lot depending on what time of year you go. The constant ocean breeze on the cliff top units keep you pretty comfortable...and then there's the romance of the Azulik villas, with the deck tubs, and deck beds............

Here are two videos that are online, my amateur one, and a pro video, to give you a better idea:

Amateur Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMRHepwU9z8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMRHepwU9z8)

Pro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxrMntDDJYw&mode=related&search (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxrMntDDJYw&mode=related&search)=

[mayaflya]

Others on the board all have their favorite recommendations..and are more knowledgeable of the pros and cons. You'll have many choices in a fairly wide price range if you are NOT looking for a clothing optional venue. Just let them know you're looking for other lodging recommendations, and your budget, and they'll be all over you!

Having said that, if you are staying seven nights in June (off season) Copal/Azulik have run specials in past summers where you can pay for five nights and stay seven. You might try emailing them to see if they'll do that for next summer.

[BP.]

is it worth $205 dollars as opposed to spending $80 on the other cabanas?

Do you mean to ask "the other cabanas ". . . at Copal? Or "the other cabanas" at other hotels? If the former, then yes, I think the casita is definitely worth it compared to the other cabanas at Copal.

[PhyllisB]

Hola, and welcome!!

They aren't kidding, there are so many options in Tulum it will probably seem overwhelming if you open yourself up to checking them all out. And yes, we all have our favorites and we LOVE to talk about them! LOL!

A lot depends on the kind of amenities you want, and the feel you want. Eg., some of us like the smaller places that have just a few rooms/cabanas, some have stayed at the larger hotels with more people and more rooms, some of us like to be at the least crowded end of the beach and some of us like to have more folks around. Some are fine with "just the basics" and others of us prefer some artsy decor and other kinds of amenities.

So tell us a little more about yourselves and your preferences, we'll see what kinds of places we think will fit the bill!

There are places you can get and be right on the water for about $120, give or take, depending on the seasonal rates. Does the $200 at Copal include any meals?

Phyllis

[gmay10]

We don't care if people are wearing clothing or not- I am not going to see naked people, my wife may be going to see naked people though:). We want a place that is quiet and we want to be on the beach. Copal has cabanas on the beach that are $80 a night. I have tried to email them about the 7 for 5 special and they will not offer it. I said that if they offered us that, we would book in the next week but they said it wasn't an option yet. We do not even have to stay in Copal but we want a restaurant/bar at the place. I will say that money is a factor. We will not be staying at Azulik due to that. The questions becomes if we get the Casita ($205 a night) verses the cabanas on the beach ($80). We are talking a difference of $1400 for the week versus $560. That is a big difference. We want to stay at an ecoresort but it does not have to be Copal, but we want to stay in that area. We are not fans a huge resort at this time in our lives.I would like our place to have a tub, I am not sure if they have them in Copal other than the Casita room. I think that pretty much says it all (I think). I really want to thank all of your for the help.THis is our first trip there and it really means a lot.

[beachreader]

I personally wouldn't stay at Copal or Azulik because I like a wide open beach without limits, and the beaches in that area are blocked by rocky outcroppings. South of Maya Tulum, the beach opens up for miles and miles of uninterrupted walking. If you want calmer water, the places north of the 'T' have the reef a bit closer in and also a decent expanse of beach with calmer waters, but I've heard that La Vita e Bella is closed for the time being and that's where I would have pointed you up there.

I don't know how many places have tubs; many just have showers as I think they're easier to maintain, but I'm not a tub person so it's not something I've looked at.

If Copal/Azulik are the only properties you've investigated, I'd say it's worth a few more hours of looking at other places. Do you have a map? Check out www.sac-be.com (http://www.sac-be.com) and click on the map of the Tulum beach area. That'll give you an idea of location and proximity.

Then, I'd check out La Zebra and Tita Tulum, good solid places with restaurants on site. Zulum is gaining fans and is right next door to Ana y Jose, though that's an expensive restaurant to eat at often.

Dos Ceibas has a great restaurant and beach, but I'd only want to stay in the two large units at the top of the bluff. The other units are behind the primary dune and I think would be a bit warm. They're much cheaper, though.

If you don't really need a restaurant on site (though they will do breakfast) and want to save tons of money, check out Hamaca Loca. Gorgeous beach and very low rates. For the money you'd save there you could rent a car and eat wherever you like.

Shambala Petit also has breakfast and very cool rooms and beach furniture, but no tubs I'm pretty sure.

So many options, I'd just really recommend spending some time on research before deciding on one place.

[Lulu in CA]

We stayed at the Casita for 3 nights last year when we got engaged and fell in love with it. It honestly, architecturally and view-wise and deck-wise, is my favorite place I've stayed in Tulum. Beach-wise, however, I don't like the beach at Copal. Rocky and rough and fairly crowded, at least compared to some of the other places. And the Copal restaurant is low on my list, as well.

But yes, compared to the other cabanas at Copal (we stayed in an oceanfront king as well) is so much more wonderful and worth the extra.

But Posada Lamar's Zarife is a close second, architecturally and room-wise. The beach there can be a little stinky at times, but I still think I'd choose it over Copal. And it's less $$ too.

[dcap]

GMAY dont be confused with "on the beach" at Copal there is no such thing. All Cabanas sit on a rocky bluff 12-20 ft above the beach. There are some that are closer to the beach or to the edge but there are not any on the beach. The beach there is narrow and rocky in places. We stayed in the ocean view King in June and it was behind the "beach" bar it was beach front and I use that term meaning it was closer to the water than those in the jungle. If you really want to be on the beach, step out the door and your in the sand, go farther south as mentioned by some of the other posts, youll find wide, smooth white sand beaches and a whole lot less people.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/dcap06/CIMG0427.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/dcap06/CIMG0530.jpg

[TheWindyCity]

Here are some updated photos of Copal's Tun Tun Bar new brick wall and deck, as well as the beach at Ana Y Jose, all after Dean.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollyworton/

[pepper]

Not a lot of bathtubs in Tulum. I've seen them only at Azulik, Los Lirios, Casa Magna (some rooms), Zahra (in the family units)....if that matters much.

[gmay10]

We have no clue where we are staying yet, but our plane tickets were bought on Friday night. We are going June 18th to the 24th. I am researching all places and I thank you all for your advice. It has really been a big help. This is a wonderful site.

[mariposa]

I know there's one room at posada margherita that has a tub..I've been
hearing negative stuff about them lately though not sure what that's all about...We almost stayed there except they gave our room to someone who wanted two rooms including the one with the tub..Hmm if it's that kind of thing people are feeling negative about I can understand. It made me mad at first and then I thought, if they'd do that before we even booked how would we be treated once we checked in..