If you want to stay in town to save money, then Posada Luna del Sur is a great option. You can still take a cab to the beach area of Tulum.

Akumal is only 20 minutes away - anything that you can do from Tulum, you can easily do from Akumal.

Just a little more advice-pleeeze?!?! After staying in Akumal we were thinking about renting a car and heading south. Lake of the Seven Colors (Bacalar)sounds beautiful, and we want to check out the Biosphere, as well as Tulum. To do this, would it make sense to assume we can do Bacalar in a day trip? Or should we go straight to Bacalar from Akumal,stay overnight and work our way back? I'd like to take about three days to do these things and then head to Coz for one night and on to Isla. Would like to not make reservations, until last minute, if at all. I've heard the roads to Bacalar are in good shape.? Thanks, this will wind up the planning....until my next great idea!!

Looks like Bacalar is about 225 kilometers from Tulum - so that would be a very long day trip. Might be best to spend the night. The road is paved all the way - if that's what you mean by good shape? Nobody has ever complained about the road - as they have complain, rightfully, about the rd to Coba which is filled with potholes.

Your best access into Sian Kaan would be via the Boca Paila Rd - through Tulum. Or you can visit the ruins of Muyil (along hwy 307, south of Tulum) where there's a boardwalk through the jungle. It depends on what you want to do in Sian Kaan - best way to see it is through a boat tour.

Thanks Pepper!! Think we'll drive straight to Bacalar and come back up. This way, if we want to stay anywhere for 2 days we can, or just go back to Tulum and stay. I'm assuming reservations won't be a problem around Dec. 1st. Are there any concerns, other then petro, that I should be aware of? Do you reccomend this trip or do you think there is a better alternative south of Tulum? Thanks!!

I wouldn't think there'd be much of a problem with reservations around Dec 1st - I'm sure the area is very quiet. I haven't made to Bacalar - have wanted to go as well as Mahahual and the ruins of Chacchoban.

You might find Bacalar info on the bill-in-tulsa site - they concentrate more on the areas south of Tulum - more Xcalak oriented.

Gas up in Tulum and in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.