A real pool
Outdoor, with loungers and palms around it; several guests say they often had it to themselves.
Downtown Tulum · Quintana Roo · Mexico
Villas Akalan
★★★
Palapa-roofed villas set around a palm-shaded pool, on a quiet street at the northeast edge of downtown Tulum. Rooms, studios and full apartments, free on-site parking and supermarkets a two-minute walk away.
- 8.8on Expedia · 112 reviews
- 4.4on Google · 103 reviews
- 7guests in the largest apartment
Secure booking on Expedia · Rates change by date
A pool, a garden and room to spread out
Villas Akalan is a small guesthouse (3.5 on Expedia's scale) built in 2013: three two-story buildings with palapa roofs around a tropical courtyard and an outdoor pool with loungers. It sits on Calle Polar Poniente, between Escorpión Norte and Avenida Cobá, close to the junction where the roads to the beach, to Cobá and to the highway meet.
What sets it apart is space: besides doubles and triples, there are studios and apartments of 70 to 100 m², one of them with two bedrooms, a kitchen and beds for seven. Guests rate the staff 8.8 and keep mentioning the same things: the lush grounds, the warm pool and how quiet it is for a place so close to town. The beach and the ruins are under 3 km away, an easy bike ride.
See availability →Why guests pick it
Six reasons, all drawn from the Expedia listing and from guest reviews.
Lush grounds
Garden paths, planters and palapas; one guest spotted green geckos and a large iguana in the courtyard.
Free parking
On site and limited, which is rare this close to downtown Tulum.
Space for families
Studios and apartments of 70–100 m², the largest for up to seven guests.
Everyday errands on foot
Supermarkets, cafés and bike rentals within a few minutes' walk, according to reviews.
Quiet nights
Off the main avenue's noise: "very quiet and comfortable," as one guest put it.
Hotel photos
Rooms, studios and apartments
Six room types, for two to seven guests. Each one is furnished differently and has air conditioning, free wifi, a refrigerator, a safe, a laptop work space and a private bathroom with a shower, toiletries and a hair dryer.
Room with terrace, garden view
The simplest option, with its own terrace facing the garden.
See price →Standard triple room, pool view
Compact and right above the pool; one guest called it "perfect for us".
See price →Studio, garden view
Twice the size of the standard rooms, in a single open space.
See price →Studio suite, 2 rooms, balcony, pool view
Two sleeping areas and a balcony overlooking the pool.
See price →One-bedroom apartment with terrace
A garden-view apartment with a terrace; rated 10/10 by the guest who reviewed it on Expedia.
See price →Two-bedroom apartment with kitchen
The largest unit: a full kitchen, two bedrooms and room for a family or group.
See price →Hotel amenities
A relaxed, self-sufficient stay: pool, parking, fridges in every room and a kitchen in the largest apartment.
- Outdoor poolWith loungers, surrounded by the garden.
- Free parkingOn site, with limited spaces.
- Free wifiIn all rooms and in some common areas.
- Air conditioningPlus ceiling fans; one recent guest describes it as "ice cold and quiet".
- Refrigerator in every roomHandy for drinks, fruit and snacks from the nearby supermarkets.
- KitchenIn the two-bedroom apartment; some guests mention kitchens in other apartments too.
- Full breakfastAvailable daily from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for an extra charge.
- Garden and terraceOutdoor furniture and a picnic area; guests also mention a palapa on the rooftop.
- Airport shuttleFor an extra charge; request it at least 24 hours before you arrive.
- Tour helpThe front desk helps you book tours and tickets.
- Luggage storageUseful if you arrive early or leave late.
- Free cribsOn request.
Breakfast and where to eat
The hotel serves breakfast for a fee; for everything else there are cafés, taquerías and supermarkets within a few minutes' walk.
Breakfast at the hotel
Full breakfast every day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for an extra charge. Guests mention complimentary coffee in the morning and water refills at the front desk.
Cook your own
Every room has a fridge, and reviews place two supermarkets less than two minutes away on foot.
Alfonsina Café · 2 min
The closest café, according to Expedia.
Papaya Pizza & Co · 3 min
A guest favorite for an easy dinner.
Starbucks · 4 min
If you want a familiar coffee before heading out.
Tacos y tortas el tío · 5 min
Local tacos and tortas, also within walking distance.
Beaches, ruins and cenotes
The hotel is in town, not on the coast. These are straight-line distances to the most popular spots; by bike, colectivo or taxi you get there in minutes.
Tulum archaeological site · 2.6 km
The Mayan city on the cliff above the Caribbean. Go early, before the heat and the crowds.
Playa Paraíso · 2.7 km
White sand and turquoise water just south of the ruins; there's a bike path from town.
Gran Cenote · 3.7 km
Clear water and caverns for swimming and snorkeling, on the road to Cobá.
Downtown Tulum · a short walk
Avenida Tulum's restaurants, shops, ATMs and money exchanges are a short walk from the hotel.
Cenote Calavera · 1.6 km
The closest cenote, famous for jumping in through its small openings.
Akumal · 25 km
A calm bay where you can snorkel with sea turtles.
Cobá · 42 km
Ruins in the jungle, straight down the avenue the hotel sits next to.
Sian Ka'an · 70 km
A UNESCO biosphere reserve of lagoons, mangroves and wildlife south of Tulum.
When to go to Tulum
Average high temperature and rainfall in the Riviera Maya, month by month (approximate values).
28°Jan
29°Feb
30°Mar
31°Apr
32°May
32°Jun
32°Jul
32°Aug
32°Sep
31°Oct
29°Nov
28°Dec
Dry (Dec–Apr) Hot (May) Rainy (Jun–Nov) · mm
- ☀️ December to April is the dry season and the busiest time of year: book ahead.
- 🌡️ It's warm year-round: highs around 28 °C in winter and 32–33 °C in summer.
- 🌧️ September and October bring the most rain, usually in short afternoon showers.
- 🌀 Hurricane season runs June to November, with the highest risk from August to October.
- 🌊 The sea stays between 26 and 29 °C all year.
- 🌿 Sargassum seaweed can reach some beaches between spring and summer: check before you go.
How to get here
Tulum Airport (TQO)
About 22 km away in a straight line. The hotel offers a shuttle for an extra charge.
Cancún Airport (CUN)
About 90 minutes by car, according to Expedia. ADO buses run direct to downtown Tulum.
ADO station, downtown Tulum
About a 15-minute walk, according to a guest; a taxi takes just a few minutes.
By car
Free parking on site (limited spaces). The hotel is next to Avenida Cobá, the road to Cobá and the highway.
What's nearby
From Calle Polar Poniente, between Escorpión Norte and Avenida Cobá. Walking times from Expedia and reviews; distances in a straight line.
- Alfonsina Café2 min walk
- Supermarkets2 min walk
- Papaya Pizza & Co3 min walk
- Starbucks4 min walk
- Parque Dos Aguas14 min walk
- ADO downtown station15 min walk
- Parque del Jaguar1.6 km
- Cenote Calavera1.6 km
- Tulum ruins2.6 km
- Playa Paraíso2.7 km
- Gran Cenote3.7 km
- Tulum Airport22 km
- Akumal25 km
- Cobá42 km
What guests say
8.8 out of 10 on Expedia from 112 reviews, and 4.4 out of 5 on Google from 103 reviews.
8.8Service and staff
8.6Cleanliness
8.6Property condition
7.8Location
«The condo was well equipped, ice cold and quiet AC, beautiful lush grounds. The pool was nice, warm and clean.»
«It is very quiet and comfortable. It is not fancy, but pretty sweet. It is a hidden gem once you found it.»
«Courtyard is amazing to relax around pool. Very friendly staff.»
«Very close to the main strip and lots of shopping and dining options close by. The room had a fridge which worked very well.»
«The garden and the pool are beautiful, the staff is very attentive and the location can't be beat.»
«Everything perfect, very comfortable and quiet.»
What to know before you book
Check-in 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Contactless. Check-out before 12:00 PM; late check-out is subject to availability and has a fee.
Front desk 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Contact the hotel at least 24 hours before you arrive. Late arrivals get check-in instructions and a key lockbox code by email. Some guests found the entrance hard to spot.
Minimum age: 18
Photo ID and a card or cash for incidentals are required. A damage deposit is charged at the property.
Kids welcome
One child up to age 7 stays free using existing beds. Free cribs on request; no extra beds.
No pets
Only service animals are allowed.
Stairs, no elevator
Two floors across three buildings. Balconies and terraces may not suit small children.
Hot water and walls
Some reviews mention inconsistent hot water and thin walls between connecting rooms.
Mosquito screens
The hotel has them, but with this much garden, bring repellent too.
Things to do in Tulum
5-star tours on Viator that depart from Tulum or the surrounding area. Book online, with cancellation terms that vary by tour.
Ruins of Tulum Expres Half Day Private Tour
See the tour →
Private Tour to Tulum, Cenote and Swimming with Turtles
See the tour →
Cenote Paddleboarding and Snorkeling in Tulum
See the tour →
Sian Ka'an & Birdwatching Tours By Eddy
See the tour →
Coba Ruins and Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve Day Tour from Tulum
See the tour →
Mayan Backroads Private Bike Tour from Tulum
See the tour →Tour texts and photos: Viator.
Where it is
Calle Polar Poniente, between Escorpión Norte and Avenida Cobá, Centro, 77760 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Book your stay at Villas Akalan
Check today's availability and rates on Expedia. Many rates include free cancellation.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Villas Akalan?
In downtown Tulum, on Calle Polar Poniente between Escorpión Norte and Avenida Cobá, at the northeast edge of town near the road to the beach and to Cobá.
Does it have a pool and parking?
Yes: an outdoor pool with loungers and free on-site parking, though spaces are limited.
Is breakfast included?
Not in the base rate. A full breakfast is served daily from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for an extra charge. Every room has a fridge, and the two-bedroom apartment has a kitchen.
How far is the beach?
Playa Paraíso is about 2.7 km away and the Tulum ruins 2.6 km in a straight line. You can bike there on the bike path, take a colectivo or a taxi in a few minutes.
What time is check-in?
From 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM, contactless. The front desk is open 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, so contact the hotel 24 hours ahead; late arrivals receive a lockbox code by email. Check-out is before 12:00 PM.
Is it good for families or groups?
Yes. Kids are welcome, one child up to 7 stays free in existing beds, cribs are free, and the apartments sleep four to seven guests.
Do the rooms have a TV?
Expedia doesn't list one, and some reviews say the apartments don't have a TV. Rooms do have wifi, air conditioning, a fridge and a safe.
Are pets allowed?
No, only service animals.