Located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Tulum is one of the last cities built and lived in by the Mayans. If you want to fully enjoy this city’s history and appreciate Tulum’s beauty and modernity, finding a place to stay is of top priority. But should you book an Airbnb or hotel?
Tulum Airbnbs and hotels have their share of pros and cons. While a hotel is better equipped to meet the needs of someone on a business trip, Airbnb is a better option for those traveling on vacation—especially with a large group.
If you are thinking of traveling to this beautiful piece of history (built on 39-foot cliffs that face the Caribbean Sea and give the viewer a fantastic view of the sunrise), please make sure to look into every lodging option to give yourself the experience most suited to you and your needs. Read on to find out more about what to expect from hotels and Airbnbs in the area.
The Main Advantage of an Airbnb or Hotel in Tulum!
As mentioned above, if you are in Tulum on business, a hotel is the ideal choice. The advantage of hotels is they have all sorts of conveniences included so you can focus on your work. Some of these conveniences include easy navigation, shuttles to and from the airport, reliable and fast internet, and maid service. (Check out the best hotels in Tulum!)
On the other hand, the main advantage of getting an Airbnb is that you will have an adventure, and what more could you ask of on vacation? Most Airbnbs are located in neighborhoods where people live, so you get to experience the city’s life and culture firsthand. (Check out the best Airbnb experiences in Tulum!)
Regardless of the type of lodging you choose, single people, honeymooning couples, or families will all enjoy themselves and be glad they took their time to get to know this fascinating destination by staying in town!
Tulum Airbnb or Hotel: Pros and Cons
Now that you’ve chosen to take that vacation to Tulum, next comes the tricky part of deciding where to stay while there. There is a case to be made for either a hotel or an Airbnb, but depending on you, your tastes, and your personal needs (such as if you have to work remotely), one will be better a better option for you.
The following includes eight pros and eight cons of both hotels and Airbnbs, which will give you the chance to think through and decide which will work best and be the most comfortable option for you—and whoever joins you on your travel adventures.
Pros of an Airbnb in Tulum
There are many positives to staying in an Airbnb in Tulum. Some of the great things about Airbnbs are:
- They are unique: For travelers who like to do their own thing and want their surroundings to reflect them, this is a great option.
- A variety of locations: Whether you want a boho apartment right on the beach, a secluded home away from home for a romantic getaway, or you love to be surrounded by nature and trees, there are numerous Airbnbs to choose from.
- Exercise: Some Airbnbs come with bikes, giving you a fun and active option to get around and explore without relying on and figuring out the taxi system in a foreign country.
- Great for large groups: If you have a large extended family or group of friends that enjoy taking vacations together, Tulum has large Airbnbs with full kitchens and swimming pools. That means more room for everyone, privacy, and fewer expenses than renting out many rooms at a hotel.
- Additional comforts: Some Airbnbs in Tulum come with their own private swimming pools and Jacuzzis so you can relax and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
- Flexible budgeting: Whether you are traveling on a tight budget or not, there is plenty of fun and beautiful Airbnb options to choose from.
- They are customizable: If you are looking for an Airbnb that caters to specific needs or desires, it is possible to narrow down the list and find a place that works for you.
- Culture immersion: If you want to immerse yourself in the culture and get a feel for how the community operates, Airbnbs are ideal.
Cons of an Airbnb in Tulum
While there are many great benefits to Airbnbs, you should always be ready for some less than ideal aspects as well. Some of these include:
- Unreliable internet: While some Airbnbs may have a great internet connection, it is not a guarantee. Trying to get work done or conduct business may be frustrating or even impossible.
- Lack of outlets: If you are traveling for business and plenty of places to plug things in, this can make your stay more stressful than enjoyable.
- The location may not be convenient: The Airbnb itself may be beautiful, but if it is far from restaurants or places you want to see, it can make your stay a chore.
- Looks can be deceiving: You may get to your Airbnb and find it is not the same as what was advertised.
- Sudden cancellations: Sometimes, there may be damage to the property or some other reason that the host may have to cancel your stay. Often there are only partial refunds in addition to the inconvenience of having to find somewhere else to stay.
- Are illegal in some areas: Airbnbs are not always an option.
- It can drive up living costs for people who live in the area: This isn’t the case for all Airbnbs but is certainly the case for some.
- It takes longer to book: The Airbnb owner has more at stake; thus, the booking process is more time-intensive because they want to get to know you a bit before they rent to you.
Pros of a Hotel in Tulum
Now that we have looked into some of the pros and cons of Airbnbs in Tulum, it’s time to turn our attention to hotels. Hotels have many positives, some which overlap with Airbnbs and some which are all their own, including:
- Simple booking process: Whether you prefer to make reservations over the phone or online, it usually takes only a few minutes.
- Simple navigation: If you are an exhausted traveler coming from the airport and just want to get settled in and rest for a bit, being able to give your hotel name to a taxi driver and them knowing exactly how to get there is a relief.
- Convenience: Most hotels are located in areas that are within walking distance or a short ride to restaurants and sites.
- Maid service: There’s nothing quite like going out for a day exploring the town and coming back to your room spic and span for you to relax in at night.
- Food on hand: Hotels typically have bars, continental breakfasts, and small convenient shops for when you get the munchies—at any hour.
- Better for business travel: Hotels tend to have reliable internet access, plenty of outlets, and are closer to restaurants and other areas where business meetings may take place.
- No surprises: You get exactly what you paid for, and you don’t have to worry about any surprises, such as messes or broken appliances.
- Cribs and bedding for young children: Most hotels have cribs and other necessities that they bring and set up themselves.
Cons of a Hotel in Tulum
This breakdown would not be complete without being aware of everything you should expect from a hotel in Tulum, including the negative aspects:
- Noise: Hotels have more guests, ergo more noise—at all hours; this is incredibly inconvenient when you are trying to get to sleep.
- More expensive: Added conveniences (some you may not even need) make hotels a fair bit pricier.
- Not as much culture immersion: If part of the joy of traveling is getting to know the communities and culture, staying in a hotel may hinder that.
- Less space: If you’re traveling with many people, it can be easy to feel cramped.
- Limited outdoor play: If you have young children, finding a place to get their energy out can be difficult.
- Not as unique: Hotel rooms, no matter how nice, tend to all be pretty similar across the board.
- Less privacy: Unless you specifically request otherwise, cleaning crews will be coming in every day and moving things around while they clean.
- Food is more expensive: Because the average hotel room does not have kitchens, you will have to go out for most of your meals.
In Reality: Try them Both!
Every living situation has the potential to be difficult or the potential to be really great. Vacation rentals in Tulum are no exception. If you are unsure whether to choose an Airbnb or a hotel, try them both! Not sure how to do this? Here are some suggestions:
- Split your time. If you will be in Tulum for a week, stay three days at a hotel and four days at an Airbnb.
- Come again! It is hard to get to know a place in just one visit. If you cannot stay in both a hotel and an Airbnb on the same trip, plan to come again and try the option you didn’t the first time around.
- Experience it from more than one perspective. If you have only been there on business and stayed at a hotel, go there for a relaxing vacation, and stay in an Airbnb.
- Make a list. If you have had the chance to stay at both a hotel and an Airbnb while in Tulum (or anywhere), make your own personal list of the things you liked and the things you did not like.
When all is said and done, you will prefer one over the other based on your own personality, whether you are traveling alone or with a group, or whether you are there for business or pleasure.
Conclusion
Tulum has so much to offer, from history and culture to fun and parties to delicious food, there are plenty of things to do in Tulum. Don’t rush through your time there. Take time to appreciate and enjoy its many attributes.
Get to know the people and local hot spots in the area by renting an Airbnb in a neighborhood or enjoying a hotel’s convenience with cleaning and taxi services. Spread those wings of adventure (and a little bit of the unexpected) with an Airbnb or enjoy the security of knowing what to expect and choose a hotel. Make the most of whichever option you choose!