PavoReal Beach Resort Tulum

Many of the buildings at this resort are yellow duplexes, with palapa-style thatched roofs and second-story porches. Other buildings are blockier in shape, yellow and white, and represent a Caribbean sensibility in their construction and design. Rows of white arches support short roofs that shade the rooms' private balconies. Both the Caribbean-style and thatched-roof buildings look out over the resort's four swimming pools, sun decks, gazebos, and its sandy stretch of beach. A courtyard, mostly open to bright sun exposure, contains some palm trees and other low shrubs, as well as walkways that run between the resort's buildings and swimming pools. Iguanas as large as four and five pounds each call this property home. A series of shady palapas, set up on the beach, offer lounge chairs. The crowd here is a mix of younger families with children, and couples of diverse ages who are vacationing alone. Cigarette smoking is permitted on large sections of the grounds here, even in the lobby, so guests should make note of this before arrival.

PavoReal Beach Resort is about a 10- to 15-minute drive north of Tulum, and approximately an hour and twenty minutes from Cancun International Airport. It sits on a somewhat isolated stretch of beach, with the classic white sands and blue water that makes this region a popular vacation spot. During certain times of the year, heavy seaweed can make the beach here less than perfect, but resort staff work hard to keep the area clear for guests. The Tulum Ruins, an archeological site dating back to the ancient Mayan civilization, is a popular tourist destination, and only about 10 minutes from the resort. While PavoReal might seem a bit out of the way for some, the resort can arrange for car rentals.

PavoReal's room options include Superior and Classic Rooms, as well as Junior Suites. All rooms are fully air-conditioned, have flat-screen TVs and minibars, and include private terraces furnished with tables and chairs. Superior and Classic rooms have lofts that can be reached by rustic, wooden staircases. Junior Suites each have one king bed, as well as a single bed with a low wall partition for privacy. Cribs are available for additional fees. These accommodations feature bright yellow walls, furnishings in bold primary or pastel colors, and folk art paintings of flowers, fruits, and people. Towels placed on the beds are folded into sculptures depicting swans and even elephants. Overall, decor is playful and bright, and furnishings are more far functional than fancy. Bathrooms here are attractive, featuring large walk-in showers, with sliding glass shower doors, and tiled walls. Sinks are designed to look like stone basins, with sleek modern faucets. A full range of toiletries are provided in bathrooms, including shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bar soap, and facial tissues. 

This resort pitches its accommodations as part of all-inclusive packages that include meals, snacks, unlimited drinks, use of room minibars, and the opportunity to access all on-site recreational activities and sports. More expensive packages offer extra amenities such as massages, fruit baskets in rooms, and private space reserved under the beachfront palapas. Nightly entertainment is free for all guests to attend, and is held at a spacious on-site amphitheater with stadium seating. Shows can run late into the night, so early risers might not find the entertainment schedule compatible with their routines.

The resort offers a water sports desk with kayak rentals and opportunities to go on guided dives and snorkeling. Diving certifications can be purchased for an extra cost. Activity coordinators are available to connect travelers with tours and services, including rental car service. Bikes can be rented also, though guests should anticipate added fees. There is no fitness center here, but PavoReal has four swimming pools, one with a separate children's swim area, as well as a whirlpool next to the beach. Guests can sign up for water aerobics, and other on-site fitness classes, for additional fees. The tennis court is available for use at any time, but private lessons with an instructor, while available, must be purchased separately. Other recreational activities included in the cost of a stay are soccer, volleyball, and table tennis. 

Guests can select meals from two different restaurants, the Chicken Itza buffet eatery, or CobA, which serves Mexican food a la carte, and also offers grilled selections. Some menu items at CobA cost extra. Room service is available for an additional charge. The resort houses three bars, two of which are located at swimming pools. Food can also be ordered from the pool bar, and snack bars offer free food throughout the day. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby. Those wishing to have Wi-Fi access in their rooms will have to pay extra, but this may not be a worthy investment, considering Internet service in the Tulum area, in general, is not reliable.