Questions?

Are there mosquitos in Tulum?
During the rainy season, July through December, there are mosquitos. We recommend buying mosquito repellent sprays and spirals to make your stay more comfortable. Natural Mayatan repellent sprays and citronella candles are available for purchase at the Copal boutique. Please don´t forget your insect repellent and mosquito spirals to keep bite-free. However, once you tuck your mosquito net under the mattress at night, you will be separated from the outside world, nestled in your own little world. "There were a few mosquitos...it IS the jungle after all...but compared to the KING SIZE mosquitos in the Canadian Arctic where we live...they were pretty minimal."

Can I bring an ice chest?
We regret that due to local sanitary laws, it is prohibited to enter the cabañas with food and beverages. Food may not be stored inside the cabañas, as curiosity and hunger can make for unexpected roommates, such as mice, iguanas, and raccoons. For this reason, all coolers and ice chests will be stored in our general storeroom until check out. We are located in the jungle, and we appreciate your cooperation to maintain basic health standards in the accommodations.

How do I book a spa treatment online?
Please click here to book a spa treatment online for Maya Spa. Please note that not all treatments may be booked online. If you are interested in booking a treatment that is not available online, please email us with your question, or call us locally once you are within Mexico at 984 871 2750. You can book in person at the spa desk at Cabanas Copal. Please keep in mind that all therapists have changing schedules, so if you are coming from another hotel and have a specific therapist request, please give us a call beforehand so we can set up an appointment within that person´s schedule.

Where is the nude beach?
On the beach of the Riviera Maya many women go topless, and the beaches of Tulum have been known for years as nude beaches. Please do as you feel comfortable! On the beaches of Tulum, you can see nude sunbathers as well as topless or "fully dressed" people in swimsuits. However, each individual hotel has its own policies, and staff may request that you keep your clothes on if you are on their beach. Both Copal and Azulik are clothing optional facilities, and Zahra welcomes nude sunbathers. "Other concerns were about topless sunbathers. We found all to be discrete from our American point of view--we´d take the children."

Is the sea safe for swimming?
Of course! The sea in this area has no dangerous currents and is generally very calm. The reef is located about 300 m. from the land and is a great place to snorkel. Just head straight out from the beach; you can´t miss it! Please do not handle the coral, as many of them can leave you with a nasty rash...in addition to the fact that handling coral kills it. Don´t forget that coral are animals, not plants. They are delicate and extremely slow growing. Please also be aware of sea urchins nestled between the rocks on the sea floor. They are as prickly as they look. "There are no dangerous currents, and it stays relatively shallow, so you can swim all the way out to the reef if you like."

Are there any dangerous animals?
Tulum is located in the jungle and it is likely that you will see some animals in the surrounding area, such as raccoons, tejones, foxes, wild turkeys, and iguanas. All of them flee from the presence of humans and are not dangerous as long as humans are respectful. We request that you not leave food inside your cabañas, which can invite ants or mice to enter. Otherwise, critters are not generally a problem. Those staying in the cabañas with sand floors may notice hermit crab tracks as they make their way through the sand. Please keep in mind that this is the jungle, which implies some insects and spiders. If you have a strong aversion to wildlife, Tulum is probably not the best travel destination for you. "Take note and realize that if you´re at all adverse to wildlife...ie. iguanas, or geckos... mosquitos... hermit crabs... etc... this probably isn´t the place for you...there were geckos in our cabana and iguanas out in the pathways... they were soooo cute though...."

What about snakes?
They are rarely seen these days, except for an occasional boa constrictor, which are completely harmless and can even be handled gently. Don´t be alarmed by the sight of a tarantula or small scorpion, neither are poisonous. It is very likely that you will be alone in your cabaña, as the owner has seen more tarantulas and spiders in her former home in California than here in her cabaña, but please take into consideration that there is a chance you may have some visitors during your stay. "Only saw tarantulas on the road to town... none at the resort itself... and didn´t see a snake at all." Guests will hear the clicking of geckos at night, which scamper among the thatched roof and down the walls. Small flying insects and moths may flutter into your cabana, attracted by your candlelight. "We went to sleep each evening to the sounds of the breakers meeting the beach and geckos scurrying across our palm frond palapa roof."

Can I bring my pets?
Sorry, pets are not accepted at EcoTulum Resorts. If you find that you miss your pets, you can make friends with a local iguana (see photos above and right).

Can I bring my kids?
Children are welcome at Copal and Zahra, but Azulik is an adults-only resort."This is a wonderful beach for children, and the atmosphere is very family friendly. We will bring our grandkids on the next visit."

Which airport should I fly into?
The closest international airport is the Cancun International Airport (CUN), located 120 km. to the north.

How else can I get down to Cancun?
Check out the new ferry service from Tampa, FL to Cancun. It makes bringing your own car down for a longer trip easier.

How do I get back to the Cancún airport for my flight?
When you´re ready to return to the Cancún airport, you can either arrange for a ground transfer or you can take a bus: either a first- or second-class bus to Playa del Carmen, then the special Riviera bus that goes straight to the airport (10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20.30, 21:30 hrs.)

How early should I start reserving for the holidays?
We usually start receiving requests by February for the holidays (December-January), and most seaview cabanas are usually fully booked by September. Please plan ahead so you can ensure that you reserve just what you want for the end of the year.

Do I need to rent a car? How can I get around?
If you are looking to relax on the beach for a week, you won´t need a car. You can catch a taxi just outside Copal, or you can rent a bicycle or scooter to get to some of the area´s attractions. If, however, you prefer a more active vacation and want to be on the move, you will appreciate the convenience of having a rental car.

What is the weather like?
Guests should understand that Tulum is located in the middle of the jungle with a tropical climate, and that they may experience more heat and humidity than they are used to at home. This is especially true during the summer months. If you are into sunny, hot days, this is the place for you! May is usually the warmest month of the year. The rainy season usually kicks in for June, July, and August making these months generally a bit cooler. Check out weather.com for year-round averages in the area, or consult The Weather Network, which shows averages for Akumal, just a half hour north of Tulum.

What kind of transportation is available between the beach and Tulum pueblo?
There are taxis available to get into town. No need to call one; they pass by the road every few minutes. Or you can walk down to the taxi stop at Zahra.

Can I walk to the Tulum pueblo? How far is it?
Yes, you can. It´s about 6 km. from the hotel zone to Tulum pueblo. Don´t forget to bring a bottle of water for the walk!

Where can turtles be seen?
From April to September, our beach is the best place in Tulum to see the sea turtles lay their eggs. Each night turtles crawl out of the sea to lay their eggs on the beaches. We invite you to witness this beautiful experience, following the instruction of our employees. Because any kind of light will startle the turtles, we request that flashlights not be used. Also please do not smoke on the beach at night. If nesting turtles are scared into returning to the sea, they will not return to the beaches to nest again this season.

Where is the nearest ATM?
Four ATMs have opened in Tulum pueblo, three of them near the Palacio Municipal and one close to the ADO bus station. In Tulum there are several money exchange booths for exchanging cash and travelers checks, and an HSBC bank is located next to the Palacio Municipal. There is also a money exchange booth at Zahra.

What time does it get dark at night?
During standard time, it gets dark around 17:00 hrs. During daylight savings, there are a couple of more hours of daylight.

Can I rent a motorcycle while I´m in the area?
Yes. Please call +52 984 803 3060 or +52 984 804 6532. Or check out www.harleyadventures.com for more information.

Do all the rooms have electricity?
Due to demand by our guests, Cabanas Copal removed electric lighting from the cabañas during our first year, and have received many compliments since. Most guests enjoy the romantic candlelight in the cabañas. Those who like to read at night often do so in the restaurant or in our lobby. Azulik was designed along the same lines, in an attempt to maintain a romantic atmosphere. "The only thing you have to get used to is remembering where you put your things before the sun goes down as there is nothing but candlelight after sunset."

Do the bathrooms have hot water?
Yes! All bathrooms at EcoTulum Resorts have hot water. Gas tanks are brought in to heat water for the bathrooms, and bath water is brought from town in trucks. This well water is stored in ground-level tanks and pumped several times a day to upper tanks to provide running water in all bathrooms. Water pressure may not be as strong as you are used to at home, and the water quality may vary from what you are used to. In an effort to conserve water, we request that guests not wash clothing in their rooms. There are several laundromats in town that can wash and dry your clothes for you with a 24 hour return.

Are the thatched roofs watertight?
Our palapas are based on the traditional Mayan style, with thatched palm roofs. These thatched roofs are generally watertight, however there is a chance that the fronds may be moved during a strong wind, allowing some moisture to enter your cabana. Any such problems can be fixed immediately (within about a half hour) with extra palms. If you are planning to bring expensive silk clothing, for example, we recommend storing it in a watertight bag such as a Ziploc.

Do any of the hotels have air conditioning?
None of the EcoTulum Resorts have air conditioning, though Zahra does have ceiling fans in all rooms.

Where can I recharge batteries?
In the reception of your hotel you can request to recharge batteries during the hours of the generator.

How can I contact reception?
All receptions are on MSN Messenger: copaldesk@hotmail.com, zahradesk@hotmail.com, and azulik@hotmail.com. Please note that these emails are for Messenger contact only, and all reservations requests should be directed to ecotulum@eco-res.com.

How far away is the spa?
Most Maya Spa services can be requested for in-room service. However, if you would like to have them in our spa therapy rooms, you have two options to choose from: the Copal beach spa (near the seaview cabanas) or jungle spa (near the gardenview cabanas), or the Zahra cliff spa (near the Tunich cabanas). All spa facilities are within 2-3 minutes walking distance within Copal, or maximum 5 minutes between hotels.

Is what I read on TripAdvisor about poor service really true?
All quotes on this page were taken from TripAdvisor.com. If you look at the date that comments are posted, you will notice that recent comments are positive. We recently employed a full time concierge to address the requests of guests at Azulik, for example. There is a flag on the outside of each villa and if you are in need of assistance (as we do not have telephones in the villas), you raise the flag and within the hour, our concierge will tend to your wishes. Please remember, we are in a fairly rustic environment and in some cases , we have had to initiate creative methods of providing modern conveniences. We are always interested in improving guest service, and request that all guests fill out their questionnaire upon check-out to help us refine details in our guest service. Yes, we actually do read them all, and we really appreciate it when guests take the time to fill them out.

Should I go or not?
Please keep in mind that we embrace the jungle and make every effort to help guests feel at home in this natural experience. "This is not the Hilton. This is a nature-dominated getaway. If you expect that going in, then you´ll be happy here." However, if you prefer air conditioning and your hair dryer to the fresh sea breeze and candlelight, then Copal is probably not the best choice for your vacation. "I highly suggest enjoying the natural blow dryer for your hair you will find in the warm breezes that flow from the sea." Tulum is a very unique destination, and it is important that guests thoroughly research the websites before booking in order to ensure that expectations are reasonable. One Trip Advisor poster comments that "I think other reviews are very funny, that they expected Miami Beach Sheraton style room service in a jungle cabana."

How do I choose between Zahra, Copal, and Azulik?
Cabanas Copal is the first of the EcoTulum hotels, and it´s the largest hotel on the largest property: 47 cabanas on 200 meters of beachfront. It has a rustic, jungle feel, and the cabanas are all situated among palm trees and thick vegetation. There is a mix of seaview and gardenview cabanas. Copal is popular among couples and families seeking an adventure. The Copal restaurant, Maya Spa, bikes, snorkel gear, kayaks and yoga classes are accessible no matter which hotel you stay at.
Azulik was designed with couples in mind, 15 villas on 65 meters of beachfront. All villas are perched on a cliff or are beachfront. Azulik is most popular with couples and honeymooners, as it is an adults-only property. Although it has no restaurant, Zahra and Copal are within a 5 minute walk and room service is available.
Zahra is a much smaller property than Cabanas Copal and Azulik. The cabanas and rooms are grouped together near the restaurant, so everything is conveniently close by. This also lends to a more social and family atmosphere. While the property is filled with palm trees and lilies, there is not much other vegetation, so the hotel has less of a jungle feel. Zahra has a boutique hotel atmosphere and most of the rooms and cabanas face the garden courtyard. The beach is close to all the rooms, and Zahra has 5 cabanas which sit right on the beach.

See what´s been said about EcoTulum Resorts in the media, including magazine articles and online reviews.

What credit cards are accepted at the hotels?
At this time, we only accept Visa and MasterCard. While American Express is accepted for online reservations, we do NOT accept it in Tulum. Thanks!

Where do you stay when you go on vacation?
We have received emails from EcoTulum guests asking for travel recommendations. Unfortunately, we do´t get out much, but we recommend the following hotels.

What is your cancellation policy?
Please click here to read.