Copal Hotel Tulum- A Hidden Gem with Jungle Vibes

My husband and I love Tulum, and it’s a place we’ll keep coming back to again and again. We’ve stayed both on the beach and in the center of town, and honestly—both have their own charm, pros, and cons. This time, we stayed at Copal Hotel Tulum, which is located in the heart of the town and walking distance to so many great spots—live music, shops, and some of the best tacos you’ll ever eat 🌮🔥.

From the moment we arrived, we were impressed. The entrance is lush and inviting, and check-in happens outdoors under a boho-jungle canopy 🌿. It sets the tone for the entire stay—laid-back, earthy, and stylish. We were traveling with friends, one of whom was celebrating a birthday. We asked the hotel to decorate his room with a cake and balloons for check-in, and they nailed it! 🎈🎂 It was such a thoughtful touch that made the trip extra special.

We stayed in the Premium Apartment – One Bedroom with Private Pool, and it was amazing. Having a full kitchen and living room was such a luxury, especially for longer stays. The bed was super comfortable, and the apartment stayed surprisingly quiet at night. Best of all? Our own private rooftop pool with beautiful views of the jungle canopy. We loved hanging out up there in the mornings with coffee and in the evenings at sunset ☕🌅.

We had breakfast and lunch at Botánico a couple of times and really enjoyed it. The coffee was great, and everything we ordered was fresh and flavorful. For dinner, we found ourselves going back to Kokoro, the hotel’s rooftop sushi restaurant, more than once. They offer a full menu and an omakase experience, and the Kokoro Shrimp was everyone’s favorite appetizer—so good we ordered it multiple times 🍤🍶.

Across the street from the hotel is a casual restaurant and sports bar called Buffalo (we can’t remember the full name), and it ended up being one of our favorite hangout spots. One night we watched sports on the big screen projector with steaks and Mexican beers—simple, fun, and so good 🍻🥩. Their breakfast is also great, and they serve fresh coconuts they crack open to order 🥥—a total must!

The main pool at Copal is beautiful—designed to look like a river flowing through the jungle. It’s peaceful, shaded, and perfect for relaxing. There are a few tables set up nearby, so you can enjoy meals or drinks by the water.

Check-out was easy and efficient. The front desk had everything ready to go and offered help with transportation, which we appreciated since we were heading to another spot after.

We had a truly lovely stay at Copal and would absolutely return. Just a heads-up: it’s not beachfront, so if direct access to the sand is a must, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a stylish, centrally located place with great food, great service, and easy access to the town, Copal is a fantastic choice 🧳🌴.