Fun Times in Tulum! October 28 - November 1, 2010

[Mel]

Tulum Newbies - October 28, 2010

It was our first trip to Tulum’s beach and we had a GREAT time! We had visited Cancun all-inclusive resorts 15 previous times and had only come close to Tulum twice while visiting the Tulum ruins. This time, we again booked a resort in Cancun (Me Cancun) for 8 nights. But, after booking this trip many months earlier, I began searching for an escape to get away from Cancun. We had stayed at PDC and Puerto Aventuras previously and visited Akumal for a day beach trip back in June.
Discovering Tulum.info online was instrumental in my decision to visit and stay in Tulum. I just had to make a decision on where to stay. After a good bit of reading on Tulum.info and TripAdvisor.com, I narrowed my choices to Cabanas Tulum, NVR, OM Tulum and La Luna. In the end, I picked Cabanas Tulum for our 3 night stay. Before our travel to Mexico, I met some nice Tulum.info members online: UTMCK was going to be in Tulum during part of our stay (they were staying at NVR), Margo was going to be our massage therapist and a couple from our hometown, Columbia (SC), provided tips and suggestions.

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After two nights in Cancun, we were ready for our drive down to Tulum on the morning of October 28th. We wanted to be in Tulum around mid-day to meet UTMCK for margaritas (pre-arranged through Tulum.info). We rented our car from Executive in Cancun. After our approximately 2 hour drive from Cancun, we stopped at San Francisco in Tulum for a Styrofoam cooler and ice. We had already secured our supply of tequila, limes and water in Cancun. It appeared that San Francisco had a really good supply of tequila. Best bets in Cancun for tequila: Sam’s Wholesale Club (also located in PDC) and Hacienda Tequila (Kukulcan Plaza) (click to view my tequila video (http://video214.com/play/DeBKGO7oNWcyAYbWAja23Q/s/dark)).

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Upon arrival at Cabanas Tulum around 11:30 a.m., we found that our room was not quite ready. So, we walked straight out to take a look at the beautiful beach. We’re out there about 2 minutes and UTMCK (Chuck and Lainie) walk up to us with a correct guess that they have found Mel and Barbara. Chuck had just finished with a massage by Margo. We walked with Chuck and Lainie to NVR to meet Margo and Guylene. NVR is about 6/10 mile South from Cabanas Tulum. After greetings were exchanged at NVR and a few cervezas enjoyed as provided by Chuck and Lainie, we were ready for lunch. I think we ate at Casa Violeta. Lunch and margaritas were very good (took a good while to prepare our lunch). We were ready to leave at this point to return to our room at Cabanas Tulum. We decided to meet Chuck and Lainie again on Saturday night at Ziggy Beach for the Halloween Party. After our walk back to Cabanas Tulum, we found our room was ready. We were in #22 for 3 nights. Dinner at El Bistro that night was very good.



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[Mel]

The next morning we were up early for our first breakfast at El Bistro and it was great. Seems we enjoyed our breakfast so much that we had the same thing each morning. After breakfast, we’re ready for our appointments with Margo for a great beachside massage. Barabara went first and then I was next. The massage was great! My massage ended with the last 8-10 minutes with a light sprinkle and then rain. Margo kept going (after she said she would allow me to move inside if I wished). I chose to do the “wet” massage.


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Beach views from our room: to ocean, north, south

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After our massage, the weather cleared and we’re ready for a long beach walk and we decide to head south. Somehow as we walk by NVR, we apparently miss the wild man from Texas (Chuck) and Lainie. They are apparently just starting on a long day of cerveza consumption. We stop at OM Tulum for pictures and Barbara came close to burning her buns on the dark wood seat near the elephant. It’s a great place for pics. We continued walking for quite a distance. We finally decide to turn around and head back north towards Cabanas Tulum. At NVR, Chuck and Lainie wave us over. Chuck describes his enjoyment during the day drinking cervezas and waiting on us to walk by again. He had even visited the convenience store to re-supply cerveza. He was really happy to get a picture of my cerveza in a Longhorn’s koozie and me wearing my Gamecock’s cap. Two of our group eventually streak towards to the ocean in front of a group of surprised ladies. The other two soon follow and we enjoy drinking cerveza out in the beautiful ocean. Chuck was very kind to explain the difference between an American toast and Mexican toast… what great fun!

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That evening we get together for a great meal at OM Tulum (no cameras???) and to plot our next day’s adventure. We conclude (really Chuck) that we should visit a different section of beach. The choice is Copal. Someone came up with a possible meaning for COpal: Clothing Optional Pal.

[Mel]

The next morning Barbara and I are up early for another great El Bistro breakfast. We take a short walk and then get a couple of Cabanas Tulum bicycles for a ride North up the beach road. We end up riding up to Copal which will be our beach destination later in the morning. On the way back, we stop at El Tabano to check out the menu board. I’m suddenly ready to eat again (but, I’ll have to wait). Back to our room and we’re now ready to drive down to pick up Chuck and Lainie. We needed to stop at a local store for Chuck to go shopping! (Seems he forgot to take sunglasses and needed a wide brimmed hat).
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We arrive at Copal for another great beach day. This is a relatively short stretch of beach with rocks on either end of the beach that makes it somewhat secluded. We did see some nudity here. Chuck noticed that Barbara kept moving her chair and lounge bed around constantly and gave her some good-natured ribbing. We had a great day of fun on the beach and were ready to leave soon to get something to eat. We stopped at El Tabano and had a great meal. It’s another place where Chuck was able to get a quote of the day. Read his trip report: “Cool Laid Back Vibe”. Please understand that some of Chuck’s “quote of the day” remarks may have been misunderstood due to cerveza and margarita consumption. We really enjoyed the El Tabano meal. Barbara and I thought the salsa was the best ever!

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Later that night, we got together again with Chuck and Lainie for the last time at the Ziggy Beach Halloween Party. We arrived early and had a few drinks. It was a very sparse crowd while we were there. Later we said our goodbyes. Chuck and Lainie were leaving the next morning for Soliman Bay.

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[Mel]

The next morning after our El Bistro breakfast, we walked the beach North. Along the way, we were able to tour Casa Tranquilla (http://www.tulumbeachparadise.com/), a beautiful 3 bedroom private home for rental directly on the beach just past Cabanas Tulum. We called the number on a sign out front and a co-owner was there and allowed us to take a tour. This could be a place to stay on a future visit. Later we walked about one mile up the beach to the large rock outcroppings in the ocean.
Friendly El Bistro staff:
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From the roof of Casa Tranquilla:
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Getting back to Cabanas Tulum, we made a last second decision to stay another day! Three nights were not enough. We did decide to change rooms for one night and moved to just behind our room #22 to a 2nd floor room #32. This room was also very nice and had two queen beds.

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We’re glad we stayed another night… more time on Tulum’s great beach. We did more walking that day and had spent more time on the beach near Cabanas Tulum. I also participated in some beach cleanup with a local lady. That night we walked to dinner at Dos Ciebas. It was a great meal. This walk was about 1.2 miles. On the way back we stopped to view the Sunday night salsa dancing at La Zebra.

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[Mel]

On Monday we enjoyed more time on the beach and another long beach walk. Log jumping also became a new Tulum beach activity for us. We checked out of Cabanas Tulum and drove the beach road to view other places. We ate at El Tabanos again. As a last minute decision, we drive into town, parked and walked down through town a bit. We had a great margarita at El Capitan’s. After leaving town, we use the MapChick’s Tulum map (http://www.cancunmap.com/) to select a cenote to visit. We chose Zazil Ha just a few miles out of Tulum. We arrived mid-afternoon for a short visit. It was very refreshing and I took several jumps into the water. On the way back to Cancun, we stopped in Puerto Morelos for dinner and a short walk around town. Then we headed back to Cancun for 2 more nights.
Tequila makes us jump higher!
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Our first trip to Tulum was great. We definitely want to return. Our tentative plan is for a return in May, June or October of 2011. Would we stay at Cabanas Tulum (http://www.cabanastulum.com/) again? Definitely. But, we would also consider another place or split time between places for a future 7 or 8 night stay. What we enjoyed about Cabanas Tulum: friendly staff, reasonable rate, nice room with air conditioning from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. each day, central location on the Tulum beach, complimentary full breakfast each day, complimentary use of bikes, and 2 for 1 drinks.

http://www.melcoker.com/tulum23.jpg


Thank you Tulum.info (forum participants) for the inspiration to visit Tulum for our first time!
CLICK HERE for my Cancun/Tulum Music Video (http://video214.com/play/pFOTMlZhdTPnjx1PoWRAkg/s/dark)

Mel (and Barbara) Coker
Chapin, SC

[beachreader]

Hey, Mel, thanks for the great report! What a fun thing to do instead of trimming brussels sprouts this Thanksgiving morning.

By the way, where were you for this shot? I've been scratching my head trying to identify the buildings, and the one with the stairs running up from the back. I mean, they look familiar, but not in conjunction with the Hotel sign.

http://www.melcoker.com/tulum24.jpg

[Mel]

By the way, where were you for this shot? I've been scratching my head trying to identify the buildings, and the one with the stairs running up from the back. I mean, they look familiar, but not in conjunction with the Hotel sign.



Not sure... it's just "up" the beach a short distance from Cabanas Tulum. My guess would be Los Arrecifes or something very close by. Here is another shot of the hotel and observation deck.

http://www.melcoker.com/tulum24b.jpg

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:Loved your report and Photos, Barbara makes a beautiful model! She looks particularly relaxed after the massages! Love all your photos with the local people, I love them too. Have made lots of wonderful friends here.

Was fun meeting you guys and glad you had a great trip and liked Tulum...how could you NOT!

Was doing massages on Playa Ixcacel the other day and we had another one of those down pours during the last 10 minutes of the massage,and my client ALSO chose to continue....later she asked if that had ever happend before and I just smiled and said yes, thinking of you!

Thanks for everything, MUCHO GUSTO:beerchug:

Peace adn FEEL GOOD!

margo:sun:

[beachreader]

Ah, si, Los Arrecifes for sure, thanks. I just didn't recognize the little fence in front, maybe that's new.

Thanks again for the report and great pictures!

[utmck]

Hey guys -

It is great reading your TR and reliving some of the fun/good times we shared!!! There was plenty of beer/marg consumption going on!!

We will have to meet up again on the beaches in Tulum someday!!!!

Chuck & Lainie

[Westybchbum]

Thanks Mel, for another wonderful perspective of Tulum! I find it so cool that we all do it a little differently and then come back and share it with the others... let's us think about things we might not have otherwise... I LOVE the Copal acronym you came up with- the pics of the 4 of you are awesome. LOVE the "tequila makes you jump higher"... We always say tequila makes our clothes fall off lol... Thanks for sharing- so glad you enjoyed your time in Tulum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheWindyCity]

Really enjoyed your report, remembering our first time there as well. Looks like you really enjoyed yourselves and got "hooked" like the rest of us!

[PhoenixDad]

Tulum looks great. I am planning on spending a month in Tulum next June with my wife and two girls. We'd like to explore and do as much snorkeling as possible. In your experience, is a month too long?

[utmck]

In your experience, is a month too long?

Considering I am trying to figure out a way to buy La Ola and live there........NO.

Chuck

[Mel]

Tulum looks great. I am planning on spending a month in Tulum next June with my wife and two girls. We'd like to explore and do as much snorkeling as possible. In your experience, is a month too long?

No... I'd love to stay for a month! We really had a GREAT time in Tulum and I want to return as soon as possible. I'm going to ask Lainie if I can live with Chuck if he moves there!

With a month, you'll have plenty of time for snorkeling different places and beach time. Also, plenty of time to explore the great places to eat (on the beach and in town). You can also visit centoes (we visited one for the first time). Be sure to visit the Tulum ruins. Also, we did not get to Sian Ka'an and take one or more tours:
http://www.visitsiankaan.com/index.html
I really wanted to do the Sian Ka'an and Muyil Tour, but, we ran out of time. We may be back in June too. We're doing Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) in April, but, I'm trying to get my boss to return to Tulum in May or June.

Mel
http://animoto.com/play/pFOTMlZhdTPnjx1PoWRAkg

[Mel]

Chuck & Lainie,

When???? I'm ready to book again. Barbara says same time next year (late October or early November). I say, I can't wait that long. I'm ready for late May or early June.

Mel

[equik8]

Really enjoyed your trip report and all your great pics! Where was "The only chair you will remember for the rest of your life". :)

Kate

[Mel]

Really enjoyed your trip report and all your great pics! Where was "The only chair you will remember for the rest of your life". :)

Kate

Kate,
Thanks! The chair is at OM Tulum (http://www.tulum-playa.com/).

[Westybchbum]

Mel.... 2012!!! We are trying to collectively get another tulum.info group to be there at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mel]

Mel.... 2012!!! We are trying to collectively get another tulum.info group to be there at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm in! But, I'll have to return next year for practice.
As Bob Parsons little brother said, "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a GOOD TIME!"

[pmcolorado]

Wow, what a great informative report. Lots of fun things to add to the to-do list for our upcoming trip. Given the choice, since you seemed to have made the rounds of various places, would you stay at Cabanas Tulum or NVR? So many people on this board seem to stay at NVR ... just wondering. Any other resorts look good??

Thanks again!