The Teodoro

The rooftop patio and pool were great to enjoy. We were on the fourth floor, and there was no elevator. The rental was very central, near the main strip, bus terminals, and the square. The Collectiv was a great way to get to the public beach.

It's about 30 miles from the airport. The host didn't respond, and the area had abandoned buildings. On the way there we passed streets lined with shacks, empty buildings, loose wood and other objects, and unsafe-looking structures. Several blocks seemed uninhabited. I couldn't find the shops described, or any homes that looked much like the photos. At the address I was given, I messaged the host to confirm it was right and got no answer. The taxi driver also felt uneasy, and we checked the address together. With no reply, I had to find a name-brand hotel for the night, driving around with the taxi driver until we found somewhere safe. I paid the driver extra. Only much later, after I contacted Airbnb support for a refund, did the host get back to me. He said I had gone to the wrong address, one block over, and refused a refund even though I hadn't stayed there. He didn't help me find the unit or seem to care that I'd flown a long way on several flights, paid a big taxi fare, and had no backup place to sleep. Unfortunately, this was my first impression of Tulum. Thankfully, the hotel I booked was much better.

The apartment is a long way from the beach, and the high cleaning fee didn't match how clean the place actually was. We got just one small sample of cheap shampoo and no conditioner, though there was some ground coffee. If your goal is to stay in Tulum Centro, the location is okay. Still, it's a rather dirty, expensive place, and there are better deals elsewhere.

Everything was within walking distance, and we had a lovely eight-day stay in this beautiful Airbnb. The host was quick to respond and communicate, and dealt with any small problem during the stay promptly. We really enjoyed it and would definitely consider coming back.