A pool under the palms
Outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, surrounded by coconut palms and tropical garden. Open 8:30 AM to 10 PM.
Tulum town · Quintana Roo · Mexico
Hotel El Capitán Tulum
★★★
A relaxed three-star on Avenida Cobá with a pool ringed by coconut palms, a full breakfast included in the rate, free on-site parking and a Mexican restaurant of the same name right next door.
- 8.4on Expedia · 32 reviews
- 4.6on Google · 101 reviews
- 10 minwalk to Parque del Jaguar
Secure booking on Expedia · Rates change by date
Palm trees, a pool and breakfast on the house
Hotel El Capitán sits on Avenida Cobá at the corner of Calle Asteroide, the avenue that runs from Tulum town toward the coast. Expedia places it in the Centro area: Parque del Jaguar and the Hunab Lifestyle Center are about 10 minutes away on foot, and one guest who got around by bike timed 10 minutes to the ruins and 15 to the beach.
It's a simple, unpretentious place. The draw is the garden pool under the palms, a full breakfast that guests keep calling generous, and free parking, which is rare this close to town. Reviewers are just as clear that the building is a little dated: property condition is its lowest score (7.8), while service and staff earn the highest (8.6).
See availability →Why guests pick it
Six reasons, each backed by the Expedia listing or by what guests wrote.
Full breakfast included
Served daily from 7:30 to 11:00 AM. "Large portions and delicious," in one traveler's words.
Free parking
On site and at no charge, though spaces are limited. Handy for road trips around the Riviera Maya.
Service: 8.6
The best-rated category on Expedia; reviews describe the team as kind and helpful.
Its own Mexican restaurant
El Capitán, a minute away, gets praise for its arrachera fajitas and big portions.
Bikes on site
Expedia lists bicycles, the easiest way to ride to the ruins or the beach.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Three types, for two to five guests. Each room is furnished differently and has air conditioning, free wifi (50+ Mbps), a safe, blackout curtains, a closet and a private bathroom with a rain shower. There's no TV.
Traditional room, King bed
For couples: a king bed, a hanging chair and a curtained window. Rated 8.0 (one review).
See price →Standard double room
Two queen beds for friends or a family, with palm trees outside the door.
See price →Standard quadruple room
The biggest capacity in the hotel, with a balcony that looks out over the palms.
See price →Hotel amenities
Nothing fancy, but the essentials for a beach-and-ruins trip are covered.
- Outdoor poolWith umbrellas and loungers; open from 8:30 AM to 10 PM.
- Full breakfastIncluded, every day from 7:30 to 11:00 AM. It may not be free for children.
- Free parkingOn the property, with limited spaces and accessible spots.
- Free wifiIn every room (50+ Mbps) and in some common areas.
- Air conditioningIn all rooms.
- BicyclesListed among the hotel's activities.
- Water dispenserRefill your bottle instead of buying plastic.
- ATMOn the property, according to Expedia.
- Tour and ticket deskThe hotel helps book tours and buy tickets.
- Multilingual staffEnglish, Spanish, German and Dutch are spoken.
- Garden and shared loungeOutdoor furniture, palapas and a common sitting area.
- Non-smokingSmoking isn't allowed anywhere on the property.
Breakfast and where to eat
Breakfast is included, the hotel's own restaurant is at the door, and several more places are a couple of minutes' walk along Avenida Cobá.
Breakfast at the hotel
A full breakfast, included in the rate, from 7:30 to 11:00 AM. Guests rate it highly; one did wait close to an hour to be served.
El Capitán · 1 min
The restaurant that shares the hotel's name: Mexican dishes, generous plates, cocktails, and fajitas that diners rave about.
La Regia Tulum · 1 min
Right next door, according to Expedia.
Boston's Tulum · 2 min
Also on foot, without crossing town.
Teetotum Hotel · 3 min
Another dining option a few steps away.
Starbucks · 8 min
If you want a familiar coffee on the go.
Beaches, ruins and cenotes
The hotel is in town, not on the shore. These are straight-line distances; by bike, taxi or car you'll get to most of them in under 15 minutes.
Tulum archaeological site · 2.4 km
The Mayan city on the cliff above the Caribbean, about 9 minutes by car according to Expedia. Go early, before the heat and the crowds.
Playa Paraíso · 2.3 km
Fine white sand and turquoise water just south of the ruins.
Gran Cenote · 4.2 km
Clear water, caverns and turtles: a classic for swimming and snorkeling.
Cenote Calavera · 2.2 km
A small cenote where people jump into the water through openings in the rock.
Akumal · 25 km
The bay famous for swimming alongside sea turtles.
Cobá · 42 km
Jungle ruins with the Nohoch Mul pyramid, best explored by bike.
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.
- 🌡️ Warm year-round: highs around 28 °C (82 °F) in winter and 32–33 °C (90 °F) in summer.
- 🌧️ September and October bring the most rain, usually in short afternoon showers.
- 🌀 Hurricane season runs June to November, peaking from August to October.
- 🌊 The sea stays between 26 and 29 °C (79–84 °F) all year.
- 🌿 Sargassum seaweed can reach some beaches between spring and summer: check before you go.
How to get here
Tulum Airport (TQO)
About 45 minutes by car, according to Expedia (22 km as the crow flies).
Cancún Airport (CUN)
Roughly 110 km north. ADO buses run directly to Tulum; from the downtown terminal it's a short taxi ride.
ADO bus station
One guest walked it in about 20 minutes; with luggage, a taxi is easier.
By car
Free parking on site (limited spaces) and wheelchair-accessible spots.
What's nearby
From Avenida Cobá at Calle Asteroide, Tulum.
- El Capitán restaurant1 min walk
- Parque del Jaguar10 min walk
- Hunab Lifestyle Center10 min walk
- Parque Dos Aguas14 min walk
- ADO bus station~20 min walk
- Tulum Hospital5 min by car
- Cenote Calavera2.2 km
- Playa Paraíso2.3 km
- Tulum ruins2.4 km
- Gran Cenote4.2 km
- Tulum Airport22 km
- Cobá42 km
What guests say
8.4 out of 10 on Expedia from 32 reviews, and 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 101 reviews. Staff and breakfast get the most praise; the dated building and some night noise draw the complaints.
8.4Cleanliness
8.6Service and staff
8.4Amenities
7.8Property condition
«Close to the center but quiet. The free breakfast was great, large portions and delicious.»
«The staff is very kind, the breakfast is a delight and the location is very pleasant.»
«Well-equipped room, excellent location. Breakfast very well served.»
«The hotel could use some upgrades now, but was still a good place to stay.»
«The best arrachera fajitas we've had in several days in Mexico. Friendly service, big portions.»
«The hotel is a bit old, but it felt good. The restaurant is very good, the food excellent.»
What to know before you book
Check-in from 3:00 PM
No set cutoff time. Check-out is before 12:00 PM.
Minimum age: 18
Bring photo ID; a card or cash deposit for incidentals may be requested.
Debit cards and cash
Those are the payment methods Expedia lists for the property.
Let them know when you'll arrive
Expedia lists a 24-hour front desk, but a few guests checked in through the restaurant's office because no one was at reception.
No TV in the rooms
The hotel itself confirms it. Good wifi makes up for it if you travel with a tablet.
Light sleeper? Pack earplugs
Some guests heard loud music from the area until early morning, and one found the beds firm.
Kids yes, cribs no
Children are welcome, but there are no cribs or extra beds. No pets or service animals.
No elevator
Upper floors are reached by stairs only. There's a ramp at the main entrance.
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
Avenida Cobá at Calle Asteroide, Lot 1, Block 69, 77780 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Book your stay at Hotel El Capitán Tulum
Check today's rates and open dates on Expedia. Many rates come with free cancellation.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Hotel El Capitán Tulum?
On Avenida Cobá at the corner of Calle Asteroide, in Tulum town. Parque del Jaguar is about a 10-minute walk away and the ruins about 9 minutes by car.
Is breakfast included?
Yes. Expedia lists a full breakfast included every day from 7:30 to 11:00 AM; it may not be free for children.
Does it have a pool?
Yes, an outdoor pool with loungers and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees. It's open from 8:30 AM to 10 PM.
Is parking free?
Yes, parking on the property is free, but spaces are limited.
How far is the beach?
Playa Paraíso is about 2.3 km in a straight line. One guest biked to the beach in about 15 minutes; a taxi is quicker.
Do the rooms have a TV?
No. Rooms have air conditioning, free wifi, a safe, blackout curtains and a rain shower, but no television.
Can I bring my pet?
No. The hotel accepts neither pets nor service animals.
What time is check-in?
From 3:00 PM, with no fixed end time. Check-out is before 12:00 PM. It's a good idea to tell the hotel your arrival time.