Bahia Principe Tulum, total package!
by TripAdvisor Member Loulou03
HI!
I went to the Bahia Principe, Tulum side, end of September, for a 2 week vacation, and was not disapointed!
I read the reviews prior my vacation, and was a little anxious..., but to tell you the truth, all the bad reviews I read were not what I encoutered over there!. I think that some people think that they are going to have the same services as they would at home, food, drinks especially, but let's not forget, that's what makes vacations special. Personnaly, I wouldn't like to have a Mc Donald's restaurant at every corner, I like to try new things, discover new cultures, that's the point of leaving our country isn't it??
The mayan people, in tulum , are very nice, ready to serve you the best they can, very generous people.
As for the trip itself, the grounds were very nice, exotic. the rooms, spacious and clean. Don't forget that it is a huge complex, but a good side of this, is that you have access to both the Tulum side and the Akumal side. Both are very nice. The food at the restaurants,Tulum side was good. Personnaly, I did not like the Mexican restaurant, but the "Don PAblo" restaurant was excellent! the beach at the Akumal Side was very rocky, not a good place at all for swiming, the Tulum side was a lot better, though it was rocky at certain areas. Snokling was done at the Tulum side or the resort. Beware of the excursions, very expensive $$, in US dollars. Just one example, you can head to XEL-Ha for about 200 pesos (That's 2,00$!!) using the collectivo transport that you take outside of the resort, and the entrance fee at XEL-HA is about 25 US $$, they sell you the excursion for a lot more than that!
Using a cab to go to Playa Del Carmen, that is about a 35 minutes drive,is 25 US $$, and you can go there with the collectivo transport for 200 pesos, again 2$$, if you like to be adventurous, it is worth it, and a lot cheaper! Playa Del Carmen is the place to go for shopping a lot of typical mexican stores, hamacs , silver jewelry and nice porcelain stuff, you have to go there at least once!
And another thing, it is a lot cheaper to bring your ATM card and get cash for a ATM machine, than to exchange US dollars, you'll see once you get there!
The weather was very nice, about 35 degrees, hot but not too humid. Don't forget you mosquito repellent, they like tourists very much..., lolll
Overall, I was very satisfied with my vacation, and would recommed this resort for couples, families , and singles, it is a great destination. I visited a lot of country's so I know what I am writing about.
HAve a nice trip, and give us your reviews!
First time (1990) in Mexico...
by starfate
First time (1990) in Mexico was a small, remote village North of Acapulco. Very rustic very inexpensive very remote (near where they filmed one of the Rambo movies!) The second time was Cozumel (1993), stayed in a 4-star all-inclusive resort, was pampered and LOVED it!!! The third time was Playa del Carmen (2000), stayed in an all-inclusive resort (called the Porto Real...)was the BEST ever! I'd visit again and again...wait staff on the beach and the beautiful resort and gourmet restaurant were the highlights! The fourth time was Tulum (April, 2001), stayed at the Bahia Principe Tulum all-inclusive resort. VERY large resort, very european, but really wonderful. If you like large resorts, this would be it! (1990): Remote area was BASIC, (1993 Cozumel): resort was absolutely wonderful with all the amenities but rather remote (i.e. not close to town) (2000 Playa del Carmen): The Porto Real resort is very close to the small town, but not commercialized....no vendors bothered us on the beach as is typical of other more popular mexican resort areas...the town is a 5 minute walk either reached walking the beach or interior. Clean and safe area.
We flew in directly from...
by CarlosLuz
We flew in directly from Madrid, coming from Portugal. We flew with AirPlus and everything was really nice. Very good service and comfortable plane. No problems at checkin/arrival.
Once you're in the Tulum/Cancun area and if you don't want to rent a car, there are some very comfortable 'buses' which pass in the 'highway' that connects Tulum to Cancun (nº 307 for what I recall).
They stop right in front of our hotel (Bahia Principe Tulum) so we used them quite often to get to Playa Del Carmen, mostly.
I was quite surprised to see that these 'buses' (more like taxis) were some very comfortable and modern vans with A/C and automatic gears :)
They are used a lot by local workers also. The price was quite cheap (like 15 or 20 pesos...just under 2 dollars)
Make sure you ask the price before you enter the van, because there are some ripoff attempts ;) If it's way over the price I mentioned, then bargain (!!!) with them ;o)
The Robinson Club in tulum is...
by sportsgirl
The Robinson Club in tulum is the BEST place to stay!! they have a ton of activities to do. Oh and they have GREAT food!! Everyday they have: beach volleyball, swmming activities, ping-pong, basketball,live theater after dinner, wonderful food, tennis, gulf and day care!!! The whole resort is unique and outstanding!! Its a must stay!!!!
about two hours to the South...
by Mike_Zaenk_I
about two hours to the South (by bus) at Tulum you will find very atmospheric cabanas for a few dollars right on the beach
abou US$15 per night unbeatable carribean location and good value for the money
Tulum
by harmlessphil about General
The ruins are only average and over run by fat Americans on day trips from cancun.
The beach side cabanas are over priced (try Holbox for an alternative) but a night in the town won't set you back too much if you must see these ruins. 250pesos.
Rancho Tranquilo
by adamofgrayskull about Rancho Tranquilo
This place was in the centre of Tulum, away from the beach, but an easy (and cheap) cab ride away. It had lovely cabanas and was a reasonable price. As it was in the centre, it meant that there were plenty of things to do at night. Well drink!!!
great first hostel experience
by marionm about Lobo Inn
friendly staff, breakfast included and extremely delicious! their add might say the have a pool but that is actually a bit too much said. very close to tulum ruins and not far from coba ruins. staff speaks english very well. breakfast!
Photos
Beach of the Gran Bahia Principe
Our room at the Gran Bahia Principe
Tulum
Tulum
Forum Posts
Gran Bahia Principe, Riviera Maya
by bennetbabe
Hi
We're off on our hols next week and we're staying at the Gran Bahia Principe, Riviera Maya. Has anyone out there stayed there? Has anyone got any advice, tips or suggestions from their experiences? Thanks Tracy
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