Carretera Tulum - Boca Paila km 8, Tulum, Mexico | (+52) 1 984 157 4830
Location convenient to dining and shopping on the Boca Paila beach road
On the beach, with activities like snorkeling and swimming
Many cabana-like rooms have balconies and some open onto the sand
Spa services and Temazcal available on-site
Yoga classes are offered through resort
Casual on-site restaurant is open for all three meals
Beach road has a well-maintained bike path; bike rentals are available
Spa services can be arranged, and guests can also order room service
Free Wi-Fi has a strong signal
Shared bathroom and shower
facilities for some rooms may not be suitable for all travelers
Guests must remember to dispose
of toilet paper in waste cans
Sand path walkways could present
challenges for rolling luggage, or wheelchair dependent guests
Rooms lack TVs and air-conditioning
Cramped parking area
Beach has considerable seaweed
Toiletries not provided
Cocu Tulum is a resort for those who want to get out and about, either to enjoy the beach and outdoors, or to explore the local culture of Tulum. Room furnishings are sparse, and resort amenities are even more so; there's no air-conditioning, television, or pools (though Wi-Fi access is surprisingly good). However, the beachfront property offers many opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, or witnessing the wildlife of the Sian-Ka'an biosphere. Guests can hear the ocean from their rooms, and beachfront cabins open directly onto the shore.
Scene
Stucco huts in a tropical seaside garden, but beware of sensitive plumbing
Coco Tulum could be thought of as a bunch of stucco huts in a tropical seaside garden. Buildings are round, with palapa-style thatched roofs. Tower buildings have two floors, connected by raised wooden walkways, with gnarled wood railings, while others are free-standing structures. Palm trees and lush foliage grow between the buildings, partially concealing some huts and creating an increased sense of privacy on the grounds of this small resort. Pathways between palapas, and out onto the beach, are made of sand. While these are nice for walking barefoot, attempting to move rolling luggage, or navigate in a wheelchair, may prove difficult. Communal bathrooms are located around the property (some rooms have private bathrooms), and feature conch shells that have been fashioned into sink spigots. Guests at Coco Tulum must remember to dispose of toilet paper in wastebaskets, rather than by flushing, as the eco-friendly plumbing system can be fragile. Lounge chairs, and a covered seating area, line the beach. While the atmosphere here is relaxed and laid-back, the close proximity of the huts to one another is convenient for groups traveling together. Large iguanas who live on the resort grounds like to hang out at the on-site Italian restaurant to wait for snacks from generous guests.
Location
In the Tulum Hotel Zone, a five-minute walk from shopping and dining
Coco Tulum is conveniently located in the Tulum Hotel Zone, along the Boca Paila beach road. This road is narrow and can get busy with traffic, including taxis that rely on the business of the area's many tourists. While the resort is only a five to 10 minutes' walk from shopping and dining, guests might find commuting by bike a bit safer and more enjoyable than going on foot. A bike path runs along large sections of the beach road, and bicycles are available for rent through the resort. About a 10-minute drive north of Coco Tulum, guests can visit historical Mayan ruins at the Tulum Archeological Site. The Sian-Ka'an biosphere is protected land that runs along the coast to the South, as well as inland. Visitors to Tulum can see exotic birds, monkeys, and remarkable jungle flora in the preserve. The Cancun International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half's drive north of the resort. Private transportation to and from the airport can be arranged through the resort for a fee.
Rooms
For those who just need a comfy, laid-back place to sleep
Accommodations at Coco Tulum are designed for sleeping, and little else. While rooms are quite spacious, most include nothing except beds with mosquito netting, pillows, and wooden trunks with locks for storing valuables. Empty storage shelves are built into the stucco walls, and some rooms feature benches that are also shaped from the stucco into curving designs. Some floors are tile, while others are concrete. Fans are included in all rooms, as are private decks with hammocks or chairs. Bowls of water are left outside huts, so that guests can clean their feet before entering. Otherwise, the floors can quickly become gritty with sand. Each room has large, square windows with glass panes, and conventional fabric curtains. This resort has shared bathroom facilities for all lodging, except for Tower Rooms. Tower Rooms have panoramic views of the beach and jungle, plus their own private bathrooms. Toiletries are not provided in bathing facilities here, so guests are advised to bring their own soap and hair care products.
Features
Basic offerings for low-maintenance travelers
Offerings at Coco Tulum, much like the amenities offered in individual rooms, are basic. There are no tennis courts, organized outings, pools, or fitness centers here. The resort does have an on-site restaurant, Juanita Diavola, which offers brick oven pizza, bakery breads, smoothies, and Italian dishes. All meals can be purchased at the restaurant, and room service is available. Bikes can be rented through the resort. For additional charges, guests can take advantage of spa services, offered in open-air locations around the resort. Temazcal, a Mayan detoxification practice, and yoga classes are available through the resort as well, but additional fees apply. Coco Tulum offers free Wi-Fi, with a reliable signal for the area. Free parking is also provided, but the lot is small and drivers should be cautious when entering and exiting spaces. For an extra charge, private transportation to and from the airport can be arranged.