Zamas
Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico
Rustic-chic cabanas and great food on an unspoilt beach by the Caribbean Sea, near Tulum's Mayan ruins
Zamas - meaning 'new beginnings' - is the creation of 2 escapees
from San Francisco, Daniel and Susan, and the product of years of
beach-time dreaming. Like hundreds of other people who come to
Mexico on holiday every year and fall in love with it, they
discovered Tulum on their honeymoon and decided to make it their
paradise home.
Several decades later, the result of their move is now one of
Tulum’s best-known beach retreats. Its rustic cabanas are
nestled in a cove on the Maya Riviera, where sardines are pursued
by pelicans and fishermen drop by to sell their daily catch. Most
have immediate access to the spotless white-sand beach and the
peaceful bath-tub-warm water of the Caribbean Sea that make Tulum
so enchanting.
The fact that it’s unpretentious and miles away from the
package tourists of Cancún and the property giants of Playa
del Carmen explains why so many people come here to get away from
it all. And Tulum, although busier by the year, still retains its
lovely, laid-back backpack-ery vibe - as well as arguably the best
beach on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Reviewed by Lucia Appleby
Last updated 23 January 2012
Highs
- It's peaceful and tranquil, with a friendly atmosphere
- The beautiful beachside location means it's a footfall from the Caribbean Sea, yet well placed for exploring Tulum's ruins by foot or bicycle
- The eco-conscious cabanas have a Caribbean feel
- You can fall sleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach
- The food is consistently delicious - Zamas houses a top local restaurant, with popular live flamenco or funky jazz performances
Lows
- Some Garden Rooms and all Top-Floor Ocean-View Rooms are separated from the beach by a road
- The beach is small and the shoreline is rocky in parts, so it's not great for swimming
- Wind-generated electricity gives power for lights but not for any high-voltage 'plug-ins' like hairdryers or TVs, though you can charge phones and camera batteries
- There's no air conditioning, so rooms can get warm in summer (there are ceiling fans, though)
- As at most Tulum beach hotels, the showers are salt-water and not always super-hot
