High up in the palm trees, on the wooden deck of our airy Ocean View room, we lean back in our comfy deckchairs and let the intoxicating mix of a starlit sky, a balmy sea breeze, the crashing sound of waves and wicked margaritas lull us into deep relaxation mode. Does it get any better? Turns out it does, as we awake the next morning to blinding gorgeous vistas of intense turquoise waters, bright blue skies and a flock of pelicans greeting us in perfect V-formation.
Set in lush surroundings on magnificent Tulum beach, a stone’s throw from hip and hippie bars and boho boutiques, and a bike ride from the Tulum ruins, this laid-back cabana-style hotel with its 8 quiet rooms oozes serenity, warmth and authenticity. The small in-house restaurant pairs Yucatán flavours with super-fresh seafood and delicious salads, staff are lovely, and guests can be pampered with heavenly massages and body treatments in the open-air spa palapa. Ideal for a honeymoon or romantic holiday, especially because Encantada doesn't accept children under 12.
Highs
- Having a peaceful slice of Tulum’s pristine beach on your doorstep
- Beautiful, breezy and spacious rooms, with private decks and floor candles. We adored the light and airy treehouse feel of our room, Sol
- Taking a leisurely bike ride along the quiet leafy road to Playa Azul for a couple of ice-cold beers
- Falling asleep to the crashing sound of waves in ultra-comfy beds
- Whimsical details such as coconut lights create a magical atmosphere at night
Lows
- Prices don't include tax and there's a strict payment and cancellation policy
- No air con or TVs in the rooms, but we didn’t miss either (you get a fan)
- The continental breakfast included in the room rate is rather spartan, so you'll probably need to pay extra for eggs etc
- No rooms have bathtubs; hardly a problem in the heat
Best time to go
November to April is best as it has the most sunshine - March and April are the driest months. Hurricane season is from June to October, and the wettest and hottest time of the year. The weather is unpredictable during this period, with short late-afternoon showers or entire days of prolonged rain. During May to October you can take day trips to Playa Xcacelito to see turtles laying their eggs, and grey whales spout offshore from January to March.
Our top tips
Location
Hotel Encantada is near the Mayan ruins on the beach at Tulum, on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It's about 1.5 hours by car from Cancún airport.
By Air
The closest airport is Cancún International (120km away), served by direct flights from the UK (10 hours), the US (4 hours from New York) and some other countries. Alternatively, you can take an internal flight from Mexico City to Cancún. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange shared or private transfers. It's worth asking for one in advance as an airport taxi will charge depending upon supply and demand at the time, so could end up being pretty expensive.
By Car
If you'd prefer to self-drive and want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. It's an easy drive - head south along the coastal highway past Playa del Carmen and carry on past Tulum for 5km on the Boca Paila road. There's free parking at the hotel.
By Bus
There are no buses which travel directly from the airport to Tulum. Instead, you need to take a bus north for 30 minutes to the Cancún bus station, then return south to Tulum via a 2-hour journey. Once you arrive in Tulum, take a taxi to Encantada (a 15-minute drive).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mexico and getting around
Airports:
- Cancún International 120.0 km CUN
- Mexico City International 1536.0 km MEX
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km