Kudos to the maid(s?) who did an excellent job.

Apart from that,
-> the food is getting worster (worst than worst, I actually don't have a qualitative to characterized how bad the food is. Eat at Papaya next door, same/cheaper price, better food, you can wait for your order on the beach mattresses),
-> half of the staff shouldn't work in the service industry (the other is pretty good, but it makes for a quite uneven experience),
-> we spend much time fighting cockroaches around our bathroom (beyond what you should expect from a "close to nature" experience),
-> the mattresses are getting tired,
-> the beach is getting dirtier,
-> and for some reason all the people who wants to get nude on the beach (but aren't staying at Copal) come around 2PM, which makes the otherwise calm and peaceful beach a somewhat crowded area (and wasn't the case on our last visit). So from 7AM to 2PM, there's a couple of people, and then it gets to 20+ from 2PM.

Our experience was nothing compare to our last one. We unfortunately won't be returning to Copal. And we were on a last minute deal, mind you!

My girlfriend and I stayed in Copal for one night out of our 10 day tour of the Yucatan. We arrived in Tulum without a reservation and found Copal to be within our price range, plus we wanted to try out some cabanas. In total was stayed in 3 different cabana sites in Tulum; Copal was the roughest, but also the cheapest. Lights go out at 11pm and the walls are made of sticks with gaps up to 4''. If you don't like bugs and critters, don't stay here. The cabana had a mosquito net to help with bugs. We had to ask for pillows as there were none in the room when we arrived and the sheets were also dirty; the staff changed them quickly. The location is great and is in walking distance to several other hotels and restaurants. Copal has a restaurant, we had the nachos, and they were good. The beach was not very crowded; maybe 10-15 people were there when we were. If you like nudity, this is your place. We chose to stay clothed. The site is neat; it's like walking around in a jungle. We did get woken up just after daylight by the staff raking the sand which took a few minutes before they moved on.

The price on the sign out front said $35 per night. The clerk tried to sell us the cabana for $70. We told him it was too much and left. Just as we got into a taxi to go to another site, the clerk came out and offered us the $35 price. We accepted. When we came back in to sign papers, he asked if he could charge us $40 and we said it was fine. He said the reason he asked for the higher price is because the cabana we stayed in had a concrete floor and the ones that typically go for $35 have a sand floor.

We stayed in a sea view king cabana which was indeed large and had a sea view, but this is not the best place to stay in Tulum. The cabanas look pretty tired and felt over-priced. The restaurant was very over-priced with average food and terrible service. The best thing about Copal is its location within a cluster of restaurants and bars so you can eat at other places. We spent a lot of time at Papaya Playa next door which had a much better bar and restaurant, was more friendly and had a more sheltered stretch of beach with great 'beds' to lounge on.

Copal offers an online special for last minute bookings. We have stayed here 3 times booking 24 hours in advance to get 60% off for 3 night stays. Each time we have also extended our stay at reception the day before check out and have payed the same last minute rate. In high season this comes to $42 USD / nt for a partial sea view room.

At this price Copal is amazing and well worth it!

There isn't much entertainment or night life here. Head to Tulum instead. La Nave has an amazing dinner or wood oven pizza lunch or stuffed breakfast omlettes with rice, beans, fresh o.j and coffee for 60 pesos! We love this restaurant! Charlie's is a great spot with nightly entertainment, delicious margarita's and a good menu. Buenos Aries is also great for steak and meat dinners at a great price. Across from the ADO you can buy fresh squeezed juice by the liter for 30 pesos and fresh made gelato or Popsicles. There is a pretty garden to sit in and eat at the back. There's also a bakery called Carmen's and they have fresh pastries and breads for incredibly low prices.

Along the beach there are many great place to try. Head to Mezanine for the best Thai food in all of Mexico. Sundays La Zebra has salsa dancing. Saturdays and Tuesdays Zamas has a live band from 7pm to 10pm and the food there is amazing! Great pastas and fresh fish, romantic tables and ocean waves as background noise. Hemingway's is a great quaint spot with homemade pastas and fresh fresh fish and seafood. Ziggy beach has 2 for one drinks all day and is a fun party spot.

As for Copal itself the rooms are nice the beach is spectacular and very private. Sometimes you feel like it's a little piece of paradise that only you get to enjoy.

Our showers were hot and the room was cleaned every day. The bed is king size and comfy. The candle light and no electricity is romantic. The mosquito net is a nice decoration and we never find it necessary to use. The location is ideal. 5 minute walk from road side bars shops restaurants and a convenient store. 40 peso cab ride to town. And an easy day time walk to the 7 km beach. Also very close to the ruins. Almost as central as you can find distance to beach and town. Yoga is free every morning at 7:30 and they provide mats and have an open studio for classes.

It's very rustic and there are bugs, lizards and sand at the front door. If you love nature and can handle life without amenities then you will love it here!

P.S
Bring a flash light