Copal, Posada Lamar, or Playa Mambo?

[ashley]

Hello! :wave: I've been lurking on this board for a few months now, and I'd like to coming out of "hiding" to get your opinions on lodging.

My husband and I are headed to Tulum in April. We are both first-timers! I visited PDC and Cozumel back in 2001, and that is the extent of my experience with the Riveria Maya.

Our budget for lodging, food, activities, and transportation for 5 nights is less than $1K (less would be even better!). I've done lots of searching and I've narrowed our possibilities down to Copal (sea view king $115), Posada Lamar (Marfil $155...this option really pushes the budget though!), and Playa Mambo (Verde $140). Posada Lamar and Playa Mambo are obviously more expensive, but they do include breakfast. Copal actually has some specials that we might be able to take advantage of to save some cash.

We are very comfortable with not having electricity and other "luxuries". My husband and I enjoy camping (backcountry included), and we are looking forward to enjoying some R&R away from the modern luxuries we easily become accustomed to in our everyday lives!

Due to budgetary constraints, we will not be renting a car, even though I've read on your wonderful forum that it is the best way to get around. We plan on walking a lot and possibly renting bikes if necessary. We are a very active couple who run marathons and participate in triathlons, so we enjoy exercise! I guess my main concern with Playa Mambo is that it seems pretty far South. Copal seems like a great choice because of it's location (and price!), but reading that the beach gets better the further South you travel makes me tempted to go with Lamar or Mambo.

Any input or advice you have to offer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! :eat-drink:

[TnTWalter]

The beach near Copal is more rocky than other areas but you can walk somewhere else.

It's also clothing optional which some like.

If you search you should be able to find some information. Type in copal or Posada Lamar or Playa Mambo....

We had someone on here who LOVED it and stayed 2-3 times there.
Found one of his reports:
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?p=18271#post18271

I didn't rent a car nor will I in future visits. We enjoy not driving while on vacation and we do enjoy saving the money.

I also preferred the north beach area near Zazil Kin / El Paraiso. Heading North from Copal, you will have to leave the beach and cross a bridge at one point. We found the North Beach area water calmer and even prettier but both areas are wonderful.

It sounds like you're interested in Copal for various reasons, so I say GO FOR IT. Tripadvisor reviews have all been favorable.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150813-d220174-Reviews-Cabanas_Copal-Tulum_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

[beachreader]

I've heard great things about the seaview kings at Copal. If you're comfortable with the clothing optional thing and are OK with the beach being bordered by rocky outcroppings, I think Copal is a great option, and that's a lot of money you'll be saving. You'll be walking distance to the little beachtown area for plenty of other restaurants (be careful and stick to the little path, that's a very dark stretch of road there and cars go flying), and I believe they have bikes to rent (if not there, then beachtown) for your trips into the pueblo, which is closer from Copal than almost any other hotel.

Mambo will have a much better beach, and with breakfast included, the costs aren't too far apart, but you'd have to take taxis more often.

If you don't like the beach at Copal, it's easier to take bikes to go find a beautiful beach for the day than it would be to get into the pueblo from Mambo after dark.

[ashley]

Thanks! I had seen that trip report from Copal and I have read tons of great things on TA about Copal. I'm comfortable with the CO beach but not with partaking in it, but from what I've read that is not a problem.

I realize we would be saving a lot of money at Copal, but my main concern is the beach. If it has rocky outcroppings, is it "crowded" where the sand is? Also curious about what type of chairs they had on the beach. Have seen pics of some adirondaks but hoping they have loungers too!

I think I've counted Lamar out due to costs. Anything over $150 would really be pushing it for us, but since Mambo comes in under that I'd like to consider it.

Playa Mambo is a good deal on a great stretch of beach, it seems. Anyone know the the approximate distance from Playa Mambo into town? I've looked at a couple of different maps, but they don't have mile markers (or kilometer markers, I guess!).

[tcarter]

NV Tulum also has good pricing $110 for Ocean cabana with Breakfast included. It is near Playa Mambo (not sure how far it is from Copal).

[beachreader]

Nueva Vida's rates don't drop until May 1, so their only cheap cabanas in high season are the new gardenviews for $112. It does include breakfast, but I think Mambo does as well.

Mambo is about 4k from the little beachtown area that Copal is close to, it's about 8k from the downtown pueblo.

Playa Mambo is a good deal on a great stretch of beach, and there are good restaurants very close by if you don't feel like going to town (though town food is much cheaper).

If it's all about the beach, pick Mambo. It it's a bit more about saving money and access to town, pick Copal.

[ashley]

Nueva Vida's rates don't drop until May 1, so their only cheap cabanas in high season are the new gardenviews for $112. It does include breakfast, but I think Mambo does as well.

Mambo is about 4k from the little beachtown area that Copal is close to, it's about 8k from the downtown pueblo.

Playa Mambo is a good deal on a great stretch of beach, and there are good restaurants very close by if you don't feel like going to town (though town food is much cheaper).

If it's all about the beach, pick Mambo. It it's a bit more about saving money and access to town, pick Copal.

Thanks Beachreader! That's exactly the ultimatum I was looking for. Of course, now I have to decide which is the most important. :D

I did look into NVR initally as well, but I really wanted to be on the beach instead of in a garden room.

[beachreader]

Oh, the other thing is that at Mambo, you'll open the door to sand and the beach straight ahead. I think at Copal, the rooms are actually perched up above the beach, so you walk down to get there. I haven't actually stayed there, but I visited and that's what I remember. Gives the rooms awesome water views, but a little less of a beach aspect IMO.

If you can't tell, I am ALL about the beach, with tiny little refinements on the requirement, like sand outside the door, no need for shoes anywhere on property, etc. It's a little OCD, actually. :rolleyes:

[beachreader]

Our budget for lodging, food, activities, and transportation for 5 nights is less than $1K (less would be even better!).


More random thoughts from me, seriously procrastinating from a work project:

I assume that's $1000 for both of you, not just one, right?

Copal is quite strict about a no-cooler rule in the cabanas to keep out critters. I don't know Mambo at all, but you might ask them if they have a cooler you can use during your stay (some places do this). If they do, you can buy food and beverages at the supermarket on the way in to help you on cost there. Much cheaper to go to your room to grab a cold beer than to buy one at a beach bar! Bring ziplock bags in multiple sizes so you can keep restaurant leftovers in your cooler for lunch the next day.

My main concern, budget-wise, is that most of the cheaper restaurants, the banks, the supermarket, are all in the pueblo, and that's a lot of time away from the beach if you're biking it back and forth from Mambo, even if you love biking (these will not be high-performance bikes, either). It will be SO much easier to get into the pueblo from Copal.

I also don't know what bike rentals cost, either, or if there's even a place near Playa Mambo. I know there's a place near Copal so you could pick and choose your days.

Taxis from the central beachtown area near Copal are plentiful and I think charge like 50p into and out of the pueblo. To call a taxi to pick you up at Mambo might be more like 100p or more if they're the type to charge an extra fee for sending a taxi. Ask Mambo, they should know for sure.

Don't forget hitchiking as an option. It's definitely possible, assuming you look clean and friendly and not too axe-murderish. I often pick people up hitching, just don't know if I'd want to rely on it as a mode of transportation. Getting friendly with your fellow guests can also rustle you up a few rides, or if you let your proprietors know that you'd like a ride sometimes, they might tell when they're going into town. At least that way you'd only have to taxi or hitch one way.

OK, I really need to get back to work now. Sorry if I've just muddied the waters for you! :o

[tcarter]

Playa Mambo does include breakfast which I love. Plus I know there is a little store right near the entrance of Mambo that sells drinks, alcohol and snacks (of course they will not have food for lunch or dinner) but it may help if you don't want to keep a lot of drinks in your room over night.

[ashley]

More random thoughts from me, seriously procrastinating from a work project:

I assume that's $1000 for both of you, not just one, right?

Copal is quite strict about a no-cooler rule in the cabanas to keep out critters. I don't know Mambo at all, but you might ask them if they have a cooler you can use during your stay (some places do this). If they do, you can buy food and beverages at the supermarket on the way in to help you on cost there. Much cheaper to go to your room to grab a cold beer than to buy one at a beach bar! Bring ziplock bags in multiple sizes so you can keep restaurant leftovers in your cooler for lunch the next day.

My main concern, budget-wise, is that most of the cheaper restaurants, the banks, the supermarket, are all in the pueblo, and that's a lot of time away from the beach if you're biking it back and forth from Mambo, even if you love biking (these will not be high-performance bikes, either). It will be SO much easier to get into the pueblo from Copal.

I also don't know what bike rentals cost, either, or if there's even a place near Playa Mambo. I know there's a place near Copal so you could pick and choose your days.

Taxis from the central beachtown area near Copal are plentiful and I think charge like 50p into and out of the pueblo. To call a taxi to pick you up at Mambo might be more like 100p or more if they're the type to charge an extra fee for sending a taxi. Ask Mambo, they should know for sure.

Don't forget hitchiking as an option. It's definitely possible, assuming you look clean and friendly and not too axe-murderish. I often pick people up hitching, just don't know if I'd want to rely on it as a mode of transportation. Getting friendly with your fellow guests can also rustle you up a few rides, or if you let your proprietors know that you'd like a ride sometimes, they might tell when they're going into town. At least that way you'd only have to taxi or hitch one way.

OK, I really need to get back to work now. Sorry if I've just muddied the waters for you! :o

Haha. Hopefully we don't look to axe-muderish. :rolleyes:

$1,000 is for both of us. I guess I am really torn between the convenience of Copal and the beauty of the beach at Playa Mambo. I am really curious about whether or not they have lounge chairs at Copal or just the adirondaks, so I might have to email them.

Financially, Copal seems to make the most sense, but if we are going alllllll the way from Maryland to Mexico, I want to make it worthwhile, and I don't want to let $30/night get in the way of us being able to enjoy our vacay.

Seems like Copal has a LOT of rooms, and I'm curious as to whether or not their beach is "crowded" as a result.

Thanks again for all of the great advice!!:beerchug:

[beachreader]

"Crowded" is a relative term in Tulum, but yes, the Copal beach will definitely have more people on it than Mambo.

I'm back to pushing Mambo on you today. :)

[minniemex]

I haven't thrown my :twocents: in yet. I vote for the room at Mambo. That part of the beach is gorgeous and you will just have to cut back on food!!:) I think you will manage just fine walking to the other restaurants around there. You are only there for 5 nights, so you will have more than enough options for dinner around you!!

Ok, I understand you say that a car isn't in your budget. Are you busing down to Tulum?? How are you getting there??

[TnTWalter]

Can you squeeze a little more out for the budget? If you could get closer to $1500 you'd be golden...plenty of wiggle room.

We went for 5 nights...3 in Tulum 2 in PDC....rooms were $150 & $120 per night {may}. We spent about $1700 on everything but airfare. We did several excursions and ate a couple $$$ dinners and lots of cocktails [budget was higher].....so if you could go a little above I think you would be ok. Our peso to $ was 10 to 1 and I think now it's like 14-15 to 1 so that's in your advantage as well!!!

:beerchug:
If not, have you considered other locations? Akumal, PDC, further south Costa Maya?? I know I know but CHEAPER.....
for example
http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Reservations_prices.htm (http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Reservations_prices.htm)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g499450-d616715-Reviews-Mayan_Beach_Garden-Majahual_Costa_Maya_Yucatan_Peninsula.html (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g499450-d616715-Reviews-Mayan_Beach_Garden-Majahual_Costa_Maya_Yucatan_Peninsula.html)


Back to Tulum....

You're really not too far to walk up and down the beach....do we have a list of restaurants and pricing ??

I think I remember people talking about a couple restaurants along the beach road but jungle side that were good and affordable?

We rented bikes for 1 day for $16 US for 2 bikes. Had a fun day! Did ruins, North Beach, Pueblo, etc. Another day we did taxi to town...I think it was $6 each way. Maybe cheaper to rent bikes in Pueblo? perhaps you could swing a deal after arrival and rent bikes [with lock] for the 5 days....just thinking out loud. Or even PM might be able to arrange for you and have at check-in?? Never hurts to ask.

We did ADO bus from airport to PDC to Tulum....cheap and easy.

[kcaraco]

If you can't tell, I am ALL about the beach, with tiny little refinements on the requirement, like sand outside the door, no need for shoes anywhere on property, etc. It's a little OCD, actually. :rolleyes:

My sentiments exactly...*sigh*...

Cheers,
Kat

[Beacher]

Hi. I just stayed at both Copal and a beach house down by Ana Y Jose Cabanas. I am a runner myself and had a great time walking all over the beach checking out all the places. You can grab a cab into Tulum at Copal by standing on the road normally in less than a couple minues for 40 pesos. I had no problem getting a cab by standing on the road down by Ana Y Jose Cabanas either. Most I ever waited was less than 5 minutes and even down there I could usually get in to Tulum for 50 pesos, never more than 60. When the cab pulls up just say - 50 pesos to Tulum? and most of the time the cabby will say yes. If you take off walking down the beach road it seemed you could get cabs a bit cheaper. I would flag one over while walking and hold out 20 or 30 pesos and ask them to take me somewhere on the beach road and they usually would. If you know where you want to go and just want to hang around the beach and Tulum and not explore much, cabs work great.

[Lynnette]

Thanks for the up to date taxi info, Beacher!!!

[minniemex]

First off http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/A1/welcome.gif to the board Beacher!!

Great information on the taxi's!! I haven't taken one in over 2 years, so it is nice to have updated info!!

[beachreader]

Thanks for the info, Beacher. Did you stay at Tortuguita? That looks like a cute house, how did you like it?

[Beacher]

Thanks for the welcomes. This is a great site and wanted to try to gvie a little something back!

I did not stay at Tortuguita but rather at Casa Tranquillo with a larger group. It worked very well for our purposes which included having a 2-yearold in the group. So the 24-hour electricity, kitchen and fridge were helpful. I prefer cabanas myself, but the little private beach in front of the house is super. The house is set back and owners have planted scattered palm trees around so lots of shade, some chairs and hammocks. Just great if you want your very own private little beach...

[Kenster]

Ashley, I reckon I can speak with as much experience with Copal as anyone here. I have been staying there (or next door at Copal's sister hotel-Azulik) for ten or eleven years and will be at Copal again in mid April.
I have absolutely no experience, and thus no comment, with any other property but I assure you I wouldn't be returning to Copal year after year if I didn't love it.
The cabanas all sit up above the beach, giving you a great view and a great breeze, too. Any sea view king will be good but see if you can get #26 or #27. $115 for a sea view king is a great rate.
It will not be crowded in April. April is my favorite time to go but I've been several times in June, too, and though they may be close to capacity, I've never found the beach to be overly crowded.
The beach at Copal is rarely rocky. Sometimes, after a storm some of the sand gets washed away. Supposedly due to a break in the reef off shore.
But I've seen the beach rebuild itself almost over night. Otherwise, I've always found the beach to be great.
Now, it is a bit rocky as you wade out into the surf but that never seems to keep folks from going out into the water. And...you can easily walk a few minutes north for even better swimming. Also, a short walk south to the other end of Azulik will get you a very nice beach, too.
Copal is very nicely located, just a few minutes walk from several nice restaurants and little shops. Ideally located if you're wheelless.
The C/O thing is no big deal. The mix of nude/topless/textile varies from day to day I don't think I've ever seen it more than 50/50.
Copal has a nice beach bar with snacks and light meals and the wait staff will serve you down on the beach. There are different types of chairs on the beach: adirondacks, lounges-- hanging beds, too.

Well, of course you have to make your own decisions. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great time. And if you choose Copal and are there between April 14-23 stop by the Casita and have a beer with me.

[ashley]

Whew, more great info to take in again!:eat-drink:

That is great info to know about the taxis. Also figured that "crowded" is a relative term in Tulum (we are used to Ocean City, MD beaches in the summer where families are packed on the beach like sardines!).

As for increasing our budget, we could, but we'd really like to keep it more affordable based on the current ecomony. Boring, I know, but I promised my hubby that we'd keep the trip under $1500 including flights.

We plan on taking the ADO to Playa and then connecting in Playa to another ADO or Colectivo. I tried look at schedules for our dates, but when I put our dates into the calender on the TicketBus website, it kept saying that there were no available routes (I made sure to choose Cancun airport to PDC). Not sure if it's just too far out or if the site is malfunctioning. If anyone has a link to the actual ADO bus schedule I would LOVE to see it!

We are thinking about spending the last night in Cancun so that we'll be closer to the airport in the morning, as our flight leaves a little before 10am. That would save us some money, I think, as I've seen rates for $100/night at hotels near the airport.

[minniemex]

As I am sure you have read, Puerto Morales is actually closer to the airport than a lot of accommodations in Cancun. You would still retain the beautiful beach and small town ambiance there. They also have very modest cost accommodations.

[ashley]

As I am sure you have read, Puerto Morales is actually closer to the airport than a lot of accommodations in Cancun. You would still retain the beautiful beach and small town ambiance there. They also have very modest cost accommodations.

I actually had not read that, as we just recently talked about spending that last night near the airport, so I really appreciate that tip!!!:D

[minniemex]

I guess I had you confused with another poster!! Sorry!!

Yes, PM is actually closer than Cancun and much less stressful!! You can google PM and come up with lots of accommodations!! I haven't as yet stayed there, but plan on it in June. We have had some discussion on PM here on the board, maybe you can search here and see what has been said.

[beachreader]

PM is really appealing to me, and next time I have an early flight I'll definitely be spending the night there. This time I actually have a really late flight and intend to go wander around PM before I leave and get a sense of the place. From a quick drive-through in December, it definitely looks like a very comfortable place. It's easy to get to the highway that you'll take to Merida as well, if I'm thinking of the right highway. I need to go Google a map for that.