Posada Yum Kin

When you turn off Tulum's shop- and restaurant-lined main road
and head toward Posada Yum Kin, you may think your GPS has led you astray. As
you ride on partially paved roads, passing children, stray dogs, and a
collection of shack shops, cement homes, and litter, remember that back in the
mid-90s when Posada was built, this family-friendly residential area was just a
simple dirt road that lead to the jungle (and don’t fret, you are indeed headed
in the right direction). At the end of the road, Posada will be on your left,
with its free parking on the right. Completely enclosed within white walls
containing arched wooden doorways and lots of plants, Posada is fairly low-profile from the outside. Upon entering, guests are greeted with lots of tropical plants, hanging wicker lights, varnished wooden benches,
and a rustic spiral staircase leading to a wooden bridge on the second floor.
It’s even more remarkable when you realize it’s been almost entirely built by
hand over the last 20 years.The vibe here is quiet, relaxed, and most of the guests are looking for a little something different than the tourist-filled streets of Tulum town or the hipster bohemian vibe on the beach. Posada is ideal for families and couples who seek a more authentic, local experience while traveling.

Posada Yum Kin’s location is ideal for getting out of the tourist
zone, but at the expense of a
slightly inconvenient (and sometimes sweltering) 20-minute walk to the main road (plus a 10-minute car ride to reach the beginnings of the beach). That said, you’ll probably want to rent a bike, car, or use taxis to reach
the strip, and will definitely need a car, either hired or cab, to reach Tulum’s beachside ruins, nearby cenotes, or to snorkel Akumal (all within a 10-, 20-, and 30-minute drive, respectively). Climbable ruins at Coba are almost two hours away, while popular adventure parks like Xplor and Xcaret are located off the main highway, roughly 45 minutes north. Cancun Airport is 90 minutes
north, and the club thumps of Playa del Carmen can be reached in just under an
hour. 

The owner’s hard work and heart is evident in hand-tiled
bathrooms; slight imperfections in the arched entryways, doorways, and (not-so)
straight lines; curved whitewashed walls; and shiny varnished woods and
hand-painted tiles found in the hotel’s 12 casita-style rooms. All units also feature
exposed wood beams and built-ins, terra-cotta and Talavera tiles, high ceilings,
and multiple screened windows. There are no televisions or telephones,
but there is free Wi-Fi that works when it wants to, and all rooms have
kitchens that at the very least contain mid-sized refrigerators, double burner
gas hotplates, coffeemakers, blenders, dishes, and sturdy dining room tables. On the whole, bathrooms are bright and have showers with low
water pressure, basic toiletries (including conditioner), and big, soft towels. Generally, all are spotless and in good condition with
only minor (but avoidable) signs of neglect like broken latches, empty gas
containers for the stove, or burnt out light bulbs. The older of the lot (the
solar powered bunch down in the garden) feel their age, have a slightly musty
smell in kitchen cabinets, and appear the most dated -- though it’s tough to
beat their enormous, garden-facing private patios. 

In addition to the self-catering units, there’s also a small
poolside palapa that serves as the hotel’s restaurant and lounge with its
lending library, selection of games, and speakers for an iPod. In the mornings,
a small but adequate free breakfast buffet is laid out with items like eggs,
pancakes, fruit, yogurt, cinnamon coffee, and fresh juice. If you plan on
having dinner here, let the staff know early enough as they shop on a meal-by-meal
basis.   The hotel’s pool is small, but still big enough to do short
laps or take a cool plunge to escape the heat. There’s also a small non-heated
jetted pool attached where you can bliss out in bubbles if you don’t feel like
treading water. However, if you’re looking to lounge in the sun, you’ll have to
hit the second floor sundeck, just above the restaurant. Up here, you’ll find
around eight sturdy plastic loungers lined up, facing a bright yellow privacy
wall and a built-in, cushioned bench with a table. On the other side of the property and one more level up,
there’s another deck set up as a quiet and private massage palapa. Two
treatment beds, a handful of wind chimes, and a nice breeze are ready and
waiting for the appointment-only massage services. A handful of good-condition
beach cruisers donning baskets are available for rent in the lobby. Inside the
lobby, you’ll also find a slightly larger selection in the lending library,
small convenience shop with snacks and toiletries, a few umbrellas, and usually
(but not always) a computer set up for guests to access the Internet and leave
reviews. Posada has free Wi-Fi throughout the property and a free
breakfast buffet served daily.