Welcome to the Jungle (May 18-25, 2005)

Cabanas Copal

Reception - once checked in, your bags will be carried to your cabana for you. There is a cool map on the wall. They could make some money selling those, but they don't. There is a safe to store your documents/passports.

No electricity - At check-in, they asked if we knew there was no electricity. Yes, we did. We thought it was a major selling point. If you go during a full moon, you barely need a flashlight walking in the seaview cabana areas. The lit pathways are very pretty, especially in the jungle cabana area where there's lots of foliage and you need the candlelight to follow the sand paths. You will definately want a flashlight for in the cabanas.

The beach - Loved it. White sand. Zero trash. Had two men selling hammocks one day but they were the only vendors I saw walking the beach the entire time. Clear water turns into beautiful shades of tourquoise. There are two hanging beds overlooking the ocean, sets of sturdy beach chairs and tables scattered along the beach. Or sit at the bar or on it's deck overlooking the ocean. There was probably only a total of 20 people on the beach and in the water and at the bar at one time.

What a great time to go during the end of the season when the crowds dwindle, if you can handle the heat and no electricity!

Weather - Hot and humid and I sweated for the first two days whenever I moved, except in the ocean. Nights are warm but I don't live with central air in Colorado and endure warm nights in the summer. No big deal. I handled it. But for a/c fanatics, you'll hate it.

The water off the beach - Loved it. As said on the website, the water is gentle, with no undercurrents. You'll be surprised at the number of fish in the shallow area. Seems I always saw the silver diamond shaped fish with black tips once I put my snorkeling mask on and put my face in the water. It's shallow for quite a ways which gives beginner snorkelers lots of areas

to explore safely. You can float still for a while over a pile of rocks and watch all the little fish and crabs move into view and then hide again. Ah, to hear nothing but the sound of your breathing and be in your own little world. There are some beds of seaweed you can snorkel over without touching. I was on swim team in high school but I've always had respect/fear of the sea. I felt very comfortable going far out on my own without a life jacket. I kept searching for the reef mentioned on the website. They say you can't miss the reef, but I did. My husband finally found it on the last day, his third time out that day. Lucky! It sounded amazing! He said he saw a sea turtle the size of a garbage can lid near the reef . . . like swimming in an aquarium.

Nude beach - like most reviews said, it was 1/3 in swimsuits, 1/3 females topless, 1/3 male and female nude. No gawkers or flaunters. I was told there wasn't nudity in the area due to local customs until about 5 years ago. Most of those going nude wrapped up in sarongs when walking the property and were only nude in the water or on the beach.

The people - if you wanted to be left alone, you were. Otherwise there are some great people to meet. You'll meet them on the beach, at the restuarant, etc. Mostly couples. Everyone was so friendly and low-key. No drunken loud partiers. The guests can give you tips on the area, good restaurants, transporation, etc. We met two young couples married on our anniversary date, May 21. Other couples and people were from California, Canada, NYC, Florida, and Colorado.

Kids - there was a tiny baby there for the week and one day we saw two little boys with their family. That's all. And one lady with a baby on the way.

The property in general - the sandy walkways were clean. I saw two small pieces of glass in two different places. Saw some cigarette butts in one area. This was the only trash I saw. The beach gets littered with seaweed that washes up each night.

Most of it is raked up every morning and hauled away in buckets. It's safe to walk barefoot on beach. Many of the staff from the bar that bring you menus, food and drink on the beach don't bother wearing shoes as they walk through sand all afternoon and it's just plain easier to walk in bare feet.

The Cabanas - Loved ours, a Seaview King. Surprised at the closet and large bathroom. Lusted over the Seaview Quad next door that had a tub and hammock on the porch. We had a king sized bed with mosquito netting, a small closet with half a dozen hangers and two shelves, two chairs, a table holding a jug of water, another table, cement floors, and a private bath that was good sized with a toilet, sink and shower with colorful Mexican tile along the bottom and a conch shell for the shower head. There is romantic candlelight in the cabañas and they provide plenty of candles. The matches they provide are small wilted little sticks that barely work. They break in half before they light. Buy a lighter.

We brought extra sheets and pillow cases from home in case their's were gross. Didn't really need. They supplied a bed blanket, didn't need it, just sheets as it was probably 75 degrees F or higher each night. Thank goodness for the breeze.

Kept the mosquito netting closed around the bed at all times. Never had any bugs in side the netting. The shower water is a slight mix of salt water and the water pressure probably is weaker than you're used to. But it is fine in the scheme of things. Remember the water is coming out of a real conch shell and it makes up for it.

Not sure if this is the policy, but seems if you had the towels provided in the cabana with you down at the beach, you didn't get new towels in your cabana. when we arrived we had fresh towels folded on the bed under the mosquito netting. When I peeked in the Quad next door, I noticed their towels on the bed were folded into fancy swan shapes. What's up with that? If you need new towels, just exchange them at the lobby. One time we were told they were out of fresh towels for about an hour.

As we headed back to our cabana, a worker with fresh towels passed us and we traded our towels with him. In the cabana are two Mexican blankets you can use on the beach or to pad a chair.

From some reviews I read, I was concerned about privacy, but the walls were stuccoed. We often draped a sarong or towel between the sleeping area and large private bath for our own privacy from each other.

There is a padlock to use on the outside when you leave your cabana, or use on the inside when you want to be locked in during the night or naps during the day, although it's better to nap during the day outside in the breeze.

The weather - 8 beautiful sunny days, cool cloud formations in the afternoon, clear to partly cloudy evenings. The second night we heard winds that sounded pretty stong. The last night a thunderstorm was brewing and we heard thunder like we've never heard before. Mostly we just heard the ocean.

The Bugs/Animals - Not bad. I only saw two bugs in our cabana, and it wasn't until the last day. I saw no snakes, scorpions or tarantulas. The last morning I noticed a big flying bug was half in and half out of the netting. It must've dive bombed at a high speed into our cabanas when we had the door open during the night for some breezes. It took this bug a good two hours to partically work it's way back out of the netting. While brushing my teeth that same morning, I was barefoot walking between the bedroom and bathroom and one trip into the bathroom and I stepped on something that stung or but me on my second toe. I hopped outside and saw a small drop of blood. Cleaned it, put some Neosporim on it and I was good as new. Later my husband found the culprit half dead on it's back on the floor. I'm just glad it happened the last, not the first day. Wear flip flops in the bathroom if it's too dark to see the floor properly. We experienced bugs at dust which is when we were away from the ocean breezes that help keep them away, and usually eating dinner outside. I got mosquito bites and noseeum bites on my ankles and arms. My husband almost went insane from the itching while waiting for our dinner to be served at Zahras, an open air restaurant. Bring repellant and use it during dawn/dusk or in the jungle areas. one little gecko poked his head in between the crack where the roof meets the walls one morning then quickly retreated. They won't hurt you.

Iguanas are cute and crawl out to sunbathe in the morning, holding still for hours or until they smell food. One lunch our friend was napping and as we were eating sandwiches delivered to us on the beach, and two iguanas came out. One roamed right by her, paused, licked her toe, then moved on. It was so cute. They won't hurt you and will shoo if you wave your hand or toss a little sand in between you and them.

Sea Turtles - not nesting on the beach this time of year as advertised on the website. I didn't see any. My husband saw one when he went out snorkeling from the beach.

Drinking water - they fail to mention on the website that you get a jug of water in the cabana. It is refilled when empty.

The spout only dribbles water out so it takes a while to fill a water bottle. If you want it cold, get cold bottled water from the restuarant or bar or get a cooler that you fill with ice and buy cold bottled water at a store.

Restaurant - Loved it. First dinner fabulous after a day of traveling. Every dinner I had was absolutely fabulous, especially the mango fillet I had our first night. I asked the waiter whether he recommended the mango or pineapple. He recommmeded mango. Excellent choice.

One night at Copal my husband and I ordered the special, tequilla marinated shrimp kabobs over rice with steamed vegetables

and a bottle of house wine. I'm not a wine drinker but it was great! And then the soupa lima and coconut shrimp kabobs the last night were fantastic! I'm a bit shrimp, rice, soup and vegetable lover. I always ate everything on my plate at dinner.

It was so good. I was worried about the review where someone said the vegetables were over-smothered in a sauce or butter or something. They were lightly smothered in something yummy. I'll have to try and recreate it at home. I regret not having Sangria or having enough time to try everything on the menu. Next time!

Now how did I miss the swinging chairs at the bar of the restaurant? They were kind of in a dark area and I guess I never noticed anyone in them until the last night and we were already seated for dinner. Next time I'll have to sit there and have a cocktail before dinner.

Avoid the American Breakfast - very salty! (Not on the web site menu) I had mine with scrambled eggs and salmon, came with a salty wedge of hash browns, one piece of toast with creamed spinach, and one piece of plain toast. Not like any breaktfast I ever had in America. Best are at Don Cafetos in Tulum - wonderful tall cool fruit juices, extensive menu. Or if you want something light, get the breakfast at Copal of yogurt, fruit and granola. One morning it was served with 4 types of fruit. Another morning the only fruit was banana which was a bit disappointing. Don't expect consistency. The type of cheese changed from American style to Mexican style that week on the same type of sandwich. Be flexible.

I was going to be adventurous and try the cactus salad but never did. Another guest tried it and she was disappointed. She said the cactus is very slimy, just not what she expected. Better her than me.

Here's a little secret. I couldn't find a link to their restaurant menu, but found the page here
(---) and this one in the wedding section,
(---)

Bar - I typically drank cold Coronas in a glass bottle and bottled water. I tried one of the alcoholic fruit drinks called Coco Loco but I didn't taste any liquor. Other guests mentioned the cocktails were weak.

Nightlife at Copal - didn't see any as mentioned on the website probably b/c of the low season. Some of my frineds would be into the drumming and dances. We made our own fun getting together with others for dinner and general hanging out.

Other Tulum Retuarants - Headed to Zahra's, a short 5 minute walk down the road, for dinner one night and met a great couple, Franz and Heather, on our way out. They were staying at Copal, too. Turns out Heather was a grad student at the university, in fact from the same college, I work at and we never met until in Tulum. Another night Doug and Norma, another cool couple we met, invited us for dinner and we headed into town and met up with Franz and Heather and ate at an Argentine Restaurant highly recommmeded for good red meat. I was into fish. I wasn't too thrilled at my dinner. I ordered a fish fillet, b/c at Cabanas Copal and Zahras I loved the mango fillet I had the first night at Copal and the Empapelado fillet (grilled in tin foil) at zahras so much that I wanted to stick with fish since I'm from land-locked Colorado. Well, I got a white plate with a fillet of white fish and sliced white pototoes. Not a spec of another color. Not even a sprig of something green, edible or not. I looked longingly at Franz's vegetarian crepes and the steaks the others ordered. I love a good presentation of colorful food. Luckily, I enjoyed the appetizers and small chunks of yummy white bread served with an assortment of 4 delicious different dipping sauces from buttery to mild to spicy, something for everyone. Other food highlights was the marinated veggie bowl served at each table at Don Cafetos, especially the roasted garlic - I ate a whole one myself one morning waiting for our breakfast to served. Tasty.

Mayan Spa - There were free yoga classes every morning although I opted to float in the sea. They also had massages, aloe vera wraps for the severly sunburned, clay massages, etc. My brother-in-law tried to arrange for two massages for myself and my husband as gifts for our 10th anniversary we were celebrating, but the staff never informed us. He arranged for it over the Internet and didn't tell us as he wanted it to be a surprise. We didn't know about it until after we were home and he

feels confident they will issue his card a credit.

Here's my revised list "Adventure Checklist"

1. Flashlight with batteries

2. Sunscreen

3. Insect repellent

4. Swimsuit, or not

5. Cool, casual summer-ish clothing. But only one or two shirts max for evening. One or two pairs of shorts maximum, and a
light sweater or jacket for the evening. Hair accessories to keep the wind from blowing your hair in your face. Pack clothes

in travel/space saver bags, good to keep bugs and sand out of clothing once there.

6. Reading material

7. Good walking sandals or comfortable open shoes. I brought flip-flops and Tevas. Didn't need anyting else.

8. ATM cards (your pin number), travelers checks, or cash in US dollars or Mexican pesos

9. Travel mug. I brought my own powdered coffee, travel mug and camping spoon. The restaurant staff kindly filled my mug with hot water every morning. Lovely to drink coffee in the early morning ocean waves.

10. Snorkeling or scuba gear if you have it. If you rent it in Reception for $5 usd. per day, expect to give up your driver's

license as a deposit.

11. Assorted plastic bags.

12. Digital Camera with waterproof housing for taking underwater pictures with extra charged batteries and memory cards

13. Extra sarong for your husband who will be wanting one by day two. "I saw a guy in a sarong. Is it wrong to wear a sarong?"


The worst I can say is one bad breakfast, two bigs bugs in the cabana the last morning we were there, and the minor complaint of my husband stumbing his toe a few times on the sand paths. Sounds like something I would do, but I never stubbed my toe and I'm not that graceful walking through sand in flip-flops. Also, husband said the bikes near Zahras were in better condition than the one he rented at Copal which had no working brakes and he had to point out that the tire was nearly flat, which they filled.

No terribly bad sunburns, no Montezumas revenge, nothing stolen, no loud partying at night, no bad attitudes or bad service.

I loved it. I'm goin back for sure! I'll take fresh sea breeze, a great beach and candlelight vs. electricity any day. This was my most relaxing vacation ever!