359369 4 Location 509579 <p>Most people go to Tulum to stay in the <a href="/go?l=http%3A%2F%2Fhttp%2Fwww.cabanascopal.com%2F&tracking=external" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">beach cabanas</a>. Eco tourism is hot and many travelers pay a premium to experience the novelty of these rustic accommodations.&nbsp; Most of these 'eco' huts are without electricity, and are often bug infested. The cheapest cabanas are basically four walls over a sand floor; others offer spendy amenities like massage and yoga. <br /></p><p>We thought it silly to be paying premium prices for pseudo rustic conditions so&nbsp; we stayed in town at <a href="/go?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtulum.com%2Fintro.html&tracking=external" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">moderately priced Don Diego de la Selva</a>.&nbsp; This charming&nbsp; pension caters to an eclectic, international crowd. We booked a room from April 4th to April 10th and enjoyed every moment of our stay. The rooms were immaculate and spacious. For $65(USD) a night, we got a king bed, patio with hammock and continental breakfast. Our room was relatively bug free but I did encounter a scorpion. They're pretty common in the Yucatan and can be found anywhere so watch your step. <br /></p><p>Don Diego's best feature is the palapa dining area situated next to a pool surrounded by tropical plants. Every morning we sat outside and breakfasted on fresh tropical fruit juice, strong coffee and toast with homemade jam. In the evenings, we sat by the pool sipping freshly blended cocktails and cold cervazas from the bar. Our Parisian host Charles provided an awesome blend of music to set the mood. He was very accommodating and helped us plan our local excursions. <br /></p><p>If you plan to stay here, Don Diego is a little tricky to find: It's situated off a dirt road just south of the Tulum Pueblo. It's not the most glamorous location either. You won't get a view of the sea but you will be conveniently located near Tulum's restaurants and shops. The beach is about three miles away but you can easily bike there. Don't have a bike? Charles can rent you one of his. Taxis are also readily available.</p><p>Take note, payment is by cash (USD or Pesos) or travelers checks.</p><p>In retrospect, I'm glad we chose Don Diego over other accommodations. It's a great value for budget travelers or for those seeking a change from noisy hostels and crowded resorts.</p> 2006-08-25T02:32:12-07:00 811597848 2006-04-12T17:00:00-07:00 0 -9223372036854775792 139656 2037041 359369 0 148632 0.0277820617838256 2006-03-31T16:00:00-08:00 Published 25.0 2006-09-04T05:52:43-07:00 87533 0