How to Find Hotels in Tulum, Mexico

Tulum, Mexico is situated along the Mexican Riviera on the Yucatan Peninsula. Known for its beautiful beaches and historical Mayan ruins, Tulum is a popular tourist destination that offers diverse options for travelers. From upscale, all-inclusive resorts to no-frills casitas, Tulum has something for every budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection
• Email or phone

Doing Your Research

1. Familiarize yourself with the area and know your lodging options before you arrive in Tulum. The beach is lined with boutique hotels, eco-resorts and cabanas.
2. Visit travel forums and read reviews from travelers who have visited the area. Refer to the "Additional Resources" section of this article for a couple of good websites that can assist.
3. Search the Internet for hotels and resorts in Tulum and visit their websites. Many will advertise "webrates" but keep in mind that just showing up without reservations almost always guarantees a cheaper room. This applies to low-travel time when rooms are abundant and there are less vacationers in the area.

Making Your Reservations

4. Be aware that there are low and high travel seasons. Benefits of traveling during low season are less people, more lodging options, and lower rates. High travel seasons are the month of August and the period from December to April. Low travel season is all other months.
5. Familiarize yourself with Tulum climate and weather patterns. While the region does enjoy year-round sunshine with an average temperature of 80 degrees F, certain times of the year are much warmer.
6. Contact the hotels you are interested in to inquire about room availability and rates during your desired travel time.
   
7. Negotiate quoted rates and ask about unadvertised specials.
8. Request confirmation of your reservation. Make sure you have documentation that you have booked and paid for your room.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that websites can be misleading. While many hotels and resorts have websites featuring photos of rooms and list room rates, you may find something very different in person.
• Hotels fill up quickly during peak season. It's best to make reservations in advance during this time. Hotels have more availability during the off-peak season. Showing up to the area with no reservations will allow you to make a more informed decision about where you want to stay and will usually guarantee you a better rate.
• Know that many eco-resorts offer limited electricity and run off of generators late at night. Modern luxuries like air conditioning, televisions, and phone aren't typically found in eco-resorts.
• Beachfront cabanas can be pretty rustic, and some don't come with a private bath.
• While mosquito nets can be found in most rooms, bring bug spray. Bugs have a way of making their way into the beachfront cabanas.
• Get a passport! If you don't already have one, allow at least 2 months for the process.