Hotel Zazil Kin

The beach is beautiful, and the resort is close to the ruins. Getting anywhere else takes a taxi, bike, or car since it’s quite far from everything. The beachfront setup is lovely. Our bungalow was basic but did what we needed; the shared toilets and showers could be better, though they worked.

The cabins were my favorite part, especially the private-bathroom ones, which were comfortable and very clean. The hotel itself is really pretty. Just be aware hot water in the shower can be an issue, and the cabins don’t get electricity until nighttime. To charge a phone, you’ll need to wait or use the lobby, which has free Wi-Fi. The food was good, but the coffee was really bad, and the staff weren’t very friendly. The beach is pleasant, though the swimming area is tiny, so I wouldn’t pick it if swimming in the sea is the goal. There’s private parking, and you can pay by cash or card. Paying cash may get you a 10% discount. There’s a kids’ play area, but I wouldn’t recommend bringing children to Tulum. To me, it feels more like a vacation destination for adults.

The beach was covered in debris and hadn’t been cleaned, so it wasn’t enjoyable. Inside, things were just as bad: sticky, slimy floors, damp beds, and a sewage smell everywhere. The bathrooms felt like outhouses with rooms built around them, and there was even a family of lizards living in our room. I booked for the beachfront location, but the accommodation was so awful that the location didn’t make up for it. We left that night and asked for our money back for the next day since we weren’t staying. They refused. This was the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had. Do not stay here.

The location was the big draw: right on Paraiso beach, with its long, narrow stretch of warm, clear azure water and relatively few people. There’s beach access day and night, and both the archaeological ruins and an outdoorsy shopping area are within walking distance. I rented a bike through the hotel, which saved me having to look around for rentals. The room was plain and cleaned every day. I didn’t come to Tulum for fancy accommodation, though I did wish the shower had stronger pressure. There was also a strange smell, which I think came from the cleaning products; I’ve noticed it in some hand soaps. Staff spoke varying amounts of English, sometimes none, but were generally helpful and friendly. Coral Azul, the attached restaurant, served good food, though it closed around 8 pm. I wish it had stayed open later.