Enjoy
Clothing Optional Opportunities
On the Fabulous Mayan
Riviera
Some Tulum Nude resorts are 5-star resort
while
others are as back to nature as you can get. |
| Resorts Overview
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 We've been to all the resorts and villas described below and
can advise you accordingly.
In addition, several other nude friendly
resorts with more amenities in the Cancun area are already included in the
Castaways website. See specific web pages for:
Hidden Beach Resort,
Dolce Vita B& B (near Tulum) and
Desire Resort for three other nude or adults only options.
 Nude sunbathing including
resort or villa stays near Tulum, Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula are possible
in a few areas that stretch from the Akumal resort zone to the beaches around
the Tulum archeological site. And then southward to the ecological zone near
Tulum town, there are numerous small, simple beachside resorts located on the
road leading from Tulum to the entrance to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve eco
park. The local area described here is located about 1.3 to 1.5 hours south of
the Cancun International Airport.
Historically, beaches in the Tulum
area have been known for years for their informality and nudity but
encroachment by new building, villas and resorts have begun to limit nude beach
use in the area.
For nude friendly accommodations, your choices boil down to basically: 1)
Renting a private villa with pool and beach access or 2) Staying at a couple of
small, simple resorts that invite clothing optional beaching and recreation
near Tulum.
Although it may be possible to drop your drawers in many
spots in the Tulum area and get away with it, you run the risk of complaints
from local residents or from other guests at villas or resorts nearby. Two
properties in the Tulum eco zone that actively advertise beach use for clothing
optional recreation are owned by an Argentine company and include
Copal and Azulik Resorts.
Resorts
These two simple resorts are the primary focus
of this report although numerous other small properties are located in the
area. However, as stated earlier, the two are the only properties that have
actively confirmed in print they are nude friendly. But, neither are really
nudist resorts…consider them nude friendly as most nudity is seen on the
beach. Both feature a minimalist, holistic approach to relaxation with yoga and
other meditation and spiritual services available. Neither resort should be
considered if you're looking for lots of active night life.
Villas
Many beachside villas from Akumal to Tulum are
available for rent usually on a weekly basis (especially during high
season…winter time) but plan to limit your nudity to the villa itself and
its private pool. If the villa is somewhat secluded, you may enjoy beach nudity
but check it out first. From Cancun to the Riviera Maya and on to Akumal, most
commercial development on the beaches has been for hotels and resorts. From
Akumal south to Tulum, most development has been for villas, smaller hotels and
a few large resorts. Most rental villas are located near Akumal to the south,
then on several secluded beach areas including Soliman and Tankah Bays.
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Getting There |
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By Air: The Cancun-Tulum area is a
world-class vacation destination, served by many airlines from North America,
South America and Europe. Both scheduled air carriers and charter flights fly
into Cancun International Airport (CUN) with frequent service from just about
anywhere in the world.
By land: Taxis and shuttles are
available outside the arrival terminals and rental cars are plentiful at the
Cancun airport. Tulum also has rental cars available locally. An alternative is
to rent a car for a couple of days while you're in the area to see the local
sites and perhaps visit Playa del Carmen or Tulum town itself.
A super
highway Mexico # 307 runs most of the length of the Yucatan Peninsula from
north of Cancun down to Tulum and from there on to Chetumal, Mexico, near the
Belize border. This super highway between Cancun and Tulum is built similarly
to most divided freeways you will find in developed countries such as in North
America and Europe. A rental car is an option if you have the itch to go
exploring on your on since the highways are so well developed.
By car: From the Cancun airport, head due south on Mexico highway
# 307 to Tulum, a trip of about 1.5 hours. Turn left at the light near Tulum at
the road to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve until it dead ends (about a mile).
The Azul Blue family resort should be directly in front of you at the stop
sign. Turn right at the stop sign and drive south about a quarter mile to the
entrance to the resorts located on the left side of the road.
By
airport shuttle van: A shuttle from the Cancun airport is an
inexpensive way to reach Tulum. A nice treat is that a transfer company can
provide you with a private car or limo to the resort to start your vacation in
luxury and comfort. Castaways Travel can make the arrangements for you.
By bus: You may also use bus service and collectivos
(shuttle vans) available on the main road, Mexico highway # 307. Just flag them
down and tell them where you want to go. Most of the collectivos travel point
to point up and down highway # 307 and are inexpensive.
Both
Copal and Azulik resorts are 1.5 hours south of the Cancun airport on the beach
a few minutes from Tulum. Another popular tourist area, Playa del
Carmen, is just about 40-45 minutes north---so you're secluded but close to
nightlife and shopping.
Some scheduled Airlines and charters arriving
at Cancun Intl. Airport include the following (subject to change and
seasonality):
Aeromexico
Air Canada
Alaska Air
American
Airlines
Aviacsa
Aviateca
Continental
Cubana de Aviacion
Delta
Iberia
Lacsa
Lan Chile
Martinair
Mexicana
Northwest
United Airlines
U.S. Air
USA 3000
Varig
The
list above is not completely inclusive of all air service to Cancun and is
subject to change without notice.
Castaways Travel can assist you with
travel packages that include airfare, accommodations, rental cars, airport
transfers and other guest services.
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| Services |
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Both Copal and Azulik resorts lie side by side
overlooking the beach from a bluff in the eco zone near Tulum and include very
simple, basic accommodations. When we were first there several years ago, sand
floors greeted guests. Now, both resorts include thatched roof cabanas with
concrete or hardwood floors so you won't have to worry about tracking sand in
bed with you unless you forget to wipe your feet upon entering.
Copal
accepts adults and families while Azulik is for adults only but neither should
be considered a nudist resort.
 The Cabanas at Copal are powered by electricity for most of
the day and evening but electrical service is unavailable from about 11 PM to 6
AM daily. Azulik has no electricity. Neither resort is air
conditioned…..except by the constant breeze from the Caribbean. There is
telephone service at the Copal reception area but no phones are in the guest
rooms.
Located at Copal are a reception area, bathrooms and bath
facilities, holistic and meditative services, an on site restaurant and
internet service. Azulik has none of these except each of the cabanas include a
bedroom and private bath with unique, wooden tubs…..getting you as close
to nature as you prefer. Most guests at Azulik order room service or dine next
door at Copal. Guests can also dine at numerous beachside restaurants in the
Tulum eco zone along the beach a mile south or in Tulum town. Many folks choose
to walk but a taxi or rental car will save you time.
 Other resorts
worthy of mention include Maya Tulum Resort and Ana y Jose's Resort, both nice
properties a mile or two south of Copal/Azulik that include more full service
amenities but with limited nude use (you may be the only one on the beach nude
if you so choose. Side note: The Maya Tulum Resort was voted the # 10 Best
(beach) Resort in the world in 2004 by Travel & Leisure magazine. (Another
resort north of Copal about a mile is El Paraiso, which arguably has one of the
finest beaches in the entire Tulum area….but it's used primarily by local
families so don't plan to go nude there).
NOTE: NONE of the four
resort mentioned above are high rise, slick all inclusive properties. They are
all thatched-roof, get away from it all, simple resorts featuring yoga,
meditation and tranquility for the mind, body. These are NOT party palaces so
don't go there expecting a typical hotel-zone Cancun experience.
Villas:
Most villas for rent in the Tulum area are self contained and may
include a cook, gardener and caretaker. You and your party will be expected to
supply food and drink for yourselves, although the caretaker or cook can assist
you in advance with menus and purchases of supplies and food. Castaways Travel
can assist you with making arrangements and reservations for a villa.
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| Dining |
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Only Copal has a restaurant on site. The menu features
local cuisine but also includes several delicious fish dishes plus beef and
chicken prepared with wonderful Mayan spices and sauces you'll want to take
home with you.
Prices are moderate so expect rates similar to U.S. or
European fare for simple meals. The Copal restaurant is open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner.
Try some of the other little restaurants along the
beach road, too, or make your way into Tulum town where you will find 10-15
more choices there.
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| Rates |
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Rates range from as little as $25/room/night at Copal
to $300+/room/night at Azulik. . Villas can range from $2,000-$3,000/week for
2-3 bedrooms up to $10,000+/week for 7-8 bedrooms. Food, drink and
transportation are extra for villa rentals.
Room rates are seasonal
and vary by date
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| Age Ranges |
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Copal includes both adults and families while Azulik is
adults only. Typical guests range from early 20s to late 40s to early 50s.
You will see a healthy mix of guests from worldwide destinations
including north America, South America and Europe, especially.
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| Ambiance |
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Expect lots of quiet…at the beach and in the
resort areas at Copal and Azulik. You may see few other guests so if you're
looking to get away for some peace and quiet, this is the place for you. Both
resorts are the only properties in the Tulum area that confirmed in print they
are nude friendly. But, neither are really nudist resorts…consider them
nude friendly as most nudity is seen on the beach.
Both feature a
minimalist, holistic approach to relaxation with yoga and other meditation and
services available to enrich the mind, spirit and body.
Neither resort
has lots of night life so don't go expecting a Cancun "dance on the table"
party. If you're looking for conversation and a pleasant evening alone with
your honey or with a few others for conversation, this may suit your needs.
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| Sightseeing |
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Diving, Snorkeling & Fishing
Diving is
spectacular along the Mayan reef nearby as well as wall diving close to shore.
The great Mayan reef is the second largest reef system besides the Great
Barrier Reef off Australia. A nice benefit is that there has not been lots of
development in this part of the Yucatan, so pressure on the reef system is
light. Fishing is also great for deep sea as well as bill fishing.
Optional dive trips can be arranged at water sports shops nearby in Tulum for
an extra charge. If you plan to dive, bring your "C" card. All SCUBA diving is
an additional charge. Dive at your own risk.
Here are the names and
website links if you wish to contact them before your arrival:
Hidden
Worlds A local cenote dive site on Mex # 307 near Soliman Bay
Cenote
Diving One of many local scuba diving operations
Aquanauts Dive shop in Puerto Aventuras.
Aqua World Water
Sports for diving in Cozumel.
Scuba Caribe Dive
shop on the beach at Kantenah Bay located in front of the Palladium
Kantenah Resort. Dive sites from 5-15 minutes from shore. Resort is about 15
minutes north of Soliman Bay.
Akumal and Tulum also have dive
operators, too. There's even a local private dive operation right on Soliman
Bay. One of the neatest things to do is dive the cenotes, freshwater pools
located in subterranean limestone formations, many of which are near Soliman
Bay. Some cenote dive operations are located out on highway 307. Just make sure
the dive operators are licensed and authorized to dive the cenotes.
Sights
Here's just a partial list of things to do:
 Shopping in
Tulum, cruising the bars/discos/clubs in Playa del Carmen or shopping along the
way, snorkeling and swimming in the natural lagoons at Xcaret to the north or
Xel-ha nearby, visit the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza to the northwest or Tulum,
fish or dive on the Mayan Reef, the second longest barrier reef in the world,
extending all the way to Belize. Optional escorted tours with driver and guide
can be arranged with transportation that will pick you up right at the villa
for your guided tours. Deep sea/bill fishing and diving can be arranged, too.
Night club trips into Playa del Carmen, folklorico ballet shows, sunset cruises
and much more to see can be arranged, too.
Swim with the Atlantic
bottlenose dolphin just off the beach or ride horseback in the nearby jungle.
For a real treat, swim with the trained, captive dolphins at Puerto Aventuras
which has about 6-7 programs you can sign up for from simply swimming among
them to capturing it all on a personal video. If you want to see more of the
area, go to Playa del Carmen and catch a water taxi to cross the channel to
Cozumel. Trip takes only 30-45 minutes and costs $10-15/person, one way (rate
subject to change without notice).
Golf at two courses is nearby and a
jungle tour in an all terrain vehicle is fun, too.
The chic Mezzanine
club and restaurant in Tulum is self described more like Ibiza than
Mexico…..it's about music, good drinks and great food at this "hip" spot.
Should we be scarred off? Well, there aren't many quality night life places
spots around Tulum so it's a good bet. The cliff top complex includes a hotel,
too, with four pool side suites. Each suite has a loft with futon couch and
jungle views in privacy away from clients visiting the restaurant or bar.
Expect to pay $200+ per night, too. Rates not guaranteed and will change
without notice. Nearby, massages and other treatments are available at the Maya
Spa at EcoTulum Resort.
For a place to just chill out, have a beer, do
a little beach combing and hanging out on one of the beach lounges, Ana y
Jose's offers a bit of relaxation among the palms. Just south on the beach
road, the trail leads you to Sian Kaan biosphere reserve on the Boca Paila
peninsula. Sian Kaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting coral reefs,
white sand beaches and lagoons. For details in Tulum, see:
www.rivieramaya.com
Thanks to Travel Age West for the above
references.
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| Uppers &
Downers |
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Service and amenities are limited at both Copal
& Azulik resorts. |
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The ocean views are spectacular as are the
beaches themselves |
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Simple peace and tranquility |
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No electricity at Azulik |
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No air conditioning but don't expect it in
thatched roof cabanas. |
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| Best Time to Go
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Just about anytime is a perfect time to go to Mexico
and visit the Yucatan. Storm season is typically August-September. Plan to
purchase Travel Protection Insurance to protect your travel
investment.
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| Wish List |
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 Wish Azulik had electricity.
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View Our Photo Album |
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Check out our Tulum Nude photo album. We're always
looking for more photos... If you have some,
send
them in!
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