Akumal Jungle Hotel

The King Of The Jungle room had plenty of space, with a sofa, kitchen, kitchen table, and lots of room for luggage. The Wi-Fi was exceptionally good, the gardens were cute, and there were hammocks, two pools, and enough parking. But there was a lot of wildlife indoors. Geckos got in through closed slider windows, and ants were in the bed. On our second morning we found a large beetle-like creature in the toilet. A gecko stuck between the glass and mosquito-net windows screeched about every half hour and kept us awake for much of the first night. The tap water smelled of chlorine. Some jungle life is part of the charm, but cleanliness was an issue too. On the first afternoon there were gecko droppings on the bed, and later we saw that the sill above it was covered in them. The shower was clean when we arrived, but by the morning of day two there were droppings there as well, with two geckos still near the bathroom window. At checkout, the host didn’t ask how our stay was. She just wished us a good onward trip, took the key, and left, so there was no chance to mention the dirty sill.

If you’re okay giving up some comfort, or you like being around animals, you might be fine here. Our apartment was spacious, with a full kitchen for breakfast and a big bathroom. The water was tepid, but smelled of chlorine, so we used filtered bottled water to brush our teeth. Parking is available, though you really need a car to get anywhere. The Wi-Fi was strong. At night, geckos kept slipping in through cracks by the door and windows. Their noises kept us awake, and there was a lot of lizard poop on the sill above the bed, plus some on the bed when we arrived. There were also lots of ants, including in the bed. The A/C was set to 18C all night but didn’t cool properly, and we woke up sweating. The flat was clean-ish apart from the gecko mess, but things looked rustier and less appealing than in the booking photos. The pool could use better maintenance. I saw a maintenance worker sweeping the water with a broom, which didn’t seem like the best way to clean it. Check-in was late, after 4pm, and checkout was early, at 11am. I couldn’t wait to leave.

Kurt was a great source of information about things to see in Quintana Roo, and helped us steer clear of local scams. It’s a good rental for anyone who wants to stay away from the city and the beachfront. The property is tucked into the jungle but close enough that getting around isn’t a hassle. The rooms and outdoor areas are well cared for, and the rooms make a handy base for local attractions. Both pools are spacious and relaxing. There’s a little wildlife if you look for it, but it doesn’t intrude if that’s not your thing. By the lower pool, there’s an outdoor dining and entertainment area, plus a small fort for kids to play in. Little touches around the property make it clear that the owners and hosts care about their guests. It’s a distinctive, charming place and well worth a stay.

A perfect jungle getaway, with great hosts. We had a bloody good time.