Authentic and affordable lodging

[Sue Sue]

Well, I posted the link to your other thread showing that you booked at Blue Angel, but people are still suggesting Coz hotels.

I don't know the hotels on the mainland well. You may want to ask on the main Mexico forum. Google bought Kayak.com I think, but I still like shopping there. Since you ask for PDC-Tulum area, I ran a search in January for hotels within 25 miles of Akumal - which causes some confusion as the results included Cozumel too. I still arranged results by price and looked over the list, but that didn't work.

Next I opened separate tabs on Kayak to run searches on Akumal, Tulum, and PDC respectively...

Not many choices in the $100/night range in Akumal, I think that is a ritzy area, but there are a couple to consider. It's only 40 miles of good hiway from Tulum to PDC tho so let's look at others.

Tulum has lots of hotels reasonably priced, one 3 star listed at $26! Look over the descriptions closely tho as I have been disappointed in a some 3 stars (filed complaints to change ratings - grr! ) but I think you can find a nice one for less than $100, even 3 to a room. Arranging 3 beds in a room will always be a case by case challenge.*

PDC has even more hotels to pick from, and 4 star hotels starting at $95. You'd still be close to many cenotes and less than an hour from Tulum. Kayak does list the Cielo which I hated once - but too late to complain about their rating. Lots of 3 star hotels starting at $57, and I like the location of the La Matatena Hotel, close to ferry dock.
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You may well want to decide who you are diving with over there, then shop for hotels close to them. Kayak works well usually.

* Getting 3 divers in one room still boggles my mind. I just don't like to be that crowded! I'd rather spend more and get 2 connecting rooms if possible, share the space & bathroonms, and split the costs.

Sorry Don for posting a lodging suggestion. I didn't read your post.....

 

[judydivescoz]

Try Villa El Encanto Boutique Hotel Villas El Encanto Cozumel|Vacation villas|mexican style interior design
There are several options at this property. I sated there for a month in February and enjoyed.

 

[blue steal]

I have been doing some research on Villa Las Anclas. This looks like a very nice place that may fit the OP requirements.
Best advice given earlier, contact the hotels directly and ask.

 

[vlkr]

1- alica's. i never stayed there, but back in 1999 people i was diving with stayed there and i went to visit. seemed very nice. owner was also very personable. invited me to breakfast on the house and it was wonderful.

2- anclas. never stayed there but like alica's i dove with people who did and visited there also. seemed like a very nice place and the then owners were interesting guys who i enjoyed talking to. however, in more recent years i have walked by and have seen for sale signs on it so it may have different ownership.

3 playa del carmen- for authentic digs luna blue meets my criteria. not sure what yours are, but the website is pretty accurate. if you want to be closer to the cenotes though, akumal might be where you want to be.

 

[DandyDon]

Sorry Don for posting a lodging suggestion. I didn't read your post.....

No problem at all. Besides, he's switched to Casa del Mar now.

if you want to be closer to the cenotes though, akumal might be where you want to be.

Akumal is pretty pricey isn't it? Tulum is not so bad yet, but no further than it is from PDC to Tulum and any of the Cenotes, I think he'd be fine commuting from PDC for one or two days of Cenotes. Enjoy it now before it changes more! From Wikipedia's PDC page, it sounds like they're turning it into another Cancun: "The Playa del Carmen local community and government have attempted to retain Playa del Carmen's reputation and charm as a small fishing village and artists' colony, without it becoming as large and metropolitan as Cancún. The city passed an ordinance limiting buildings to four stories. A few five story buildings were built despite the ordinance, however." From reading the article there tho, it sounds like they building up significantly all around PDC. Tourist friendly is good to a point, but damn.

I think the Tulum airport idea failed. Hope so. I should spend more time exploring the shore areas down to the reserve before they rebuild it all.

 

[Candiru]

Don, I found a great B and B right on top of the cenote system we will be diving. I'll make sure to give a good trip report, because the price is great for akumal. I am still ironing out a wrinkle before I commit to casa del mar or BA.

 

[DandyDon]

Don, I found a great B and B right on top of the cenote system we will be diving. I'll make sure to give a good trip report, because the price is great for akumal. I am still ironing out a wrinkle before I commit to casa del mar or BA.

Great. Which Cenote, how many days?

 

[Candiru]

The B and B is in the dos ojos cenote system. I think we're going to do the pit early morning if we have good light. The B and B is a couple minutes from the bat and Barbie line entrance so it shouldn't be too hard to get to the pit as the first group of the day. The second and third dives are tentative, but I'm really excited. They are near the hidden worlds tourist trap and have been closed to the public for many years. I'll make to report back with names and reviews.

 

[Christi]

The B and B is in the dos ojos cenote system. I think we're going to do the pit early morning if we have good light. The B and B is a couple minutes from the bat and Barbie line entrance so it shouldn't be too hard to get to the pit as the first group of the day. The second and third dives are tentative, but I'm really excited. They are near the hidden worlds tourist trap and have been closed to the public for many years. I'll make to report back with names and reviews.

Have you dove the pit before? Are you full cave certified? Have you hired a guide? Local guides are required here, particularly if not full cave certified! BTW - the entrance to the pit is a long hike from the parking area - you could get all three in in one day, but it will be a long day!

 

[DandyDon]

Cool. Didn't know there was one there. Include full info on your report later, ok. You have to have a guide for the Cenotes, you know? The Pit there is a wild dive.