Great place... good times. We(me and my fiance) stayed there for two weeks.Sharona Corona and Funky Cold Markina(owners) are great hosts that let you do your thang and check in from time to time to see how your doing. All the other staff are Mexican and are very pleasant, polite and helpful. The food at the restaurant is great and we ate there most nights over candle light and listened to their satelite radio. They even took care of me when I got an eye infection which was very real and kind. All prices were very reasonable. Beach is 10-15 minute walk depending on how fast you are. The Tulum Town is a 30 minute walk. Of course, this place is not an all-inclusive fancy resort but I believe this place has more of the mexican 'feel' than any of those more expensive places. We know this because we went to one of those other places and ithe feeling inside those 'gated places' is just 'weird'. WARNING- Be careful when you cross the highway at night near the hotel, we saw some mexican kid get smoked. There's no street lights at the crossroads so remember the old adage about crossing "look both ways..." . Just remember , there's probaly not always plenty of room at the El Crucero, but if you can manage to get a room, you can never leave......

I just spent one week at El Crucero in Tulum. I stayed in room 12 which is one of their better theme rooms. It was clean and bright. . The water was hot and the hotel staff was friendly. They have a bar and restaurant that had good food, and drew in the local dive instructors nightly .Mark and Sharon the owners were entertaining and knew of all the good places to visit. It's a short walk to the ruins and some of the best beaches in Mexico. I looked at their dorms rooms, which are a great deal for backpackers. I'm planning on sending my boys there in March to learn to dive. Safe and clean... They have all kinds of rooms at different prices to accomadate any budget.Looking forward to my next visit.

When you travel into another country you want to be able to learn how to get around and adapt to your destination quickly so you can enjoy yourself. right from the start of your vacation. This was so easy to do for us while we were in Tulum at the El Crucero because the owners, Mark and Sharon, were so helpful in showing us the best places to check out while we stayed there. Like the awesome snorkling spots and healthy places to eat at. Whenever we needed help with anything they immediatly responded to our needs. El Crucero is a true jungle experience amongst gorgeous red and pink hisbiscus flowers and swaying palm trees. The thing I loved most and so did my husband and 10 year old son was relaxing in their hammocks. El Crucero also has a restaurant which we found handy when we didn't feel like venturing out. The place is conveniently located to the Myan Ruins, the town of Tulum and the beautiful beaches of the Mayan Riviera. Go Enjoy!
Elisa

Forty bucks a night for two beds, a private bathroom, AC and the proximity to allow you to be the first one through the gate to the ruins sounds like a good deal. But add a great restaurant (A+ mole), a fun bar and a staff of folks who you can hardly wait to see again and you've got a winner.
Sure it's spartan, blow $300 on a beach location with a yoga instructor then. I rather doubt the kitchen staff will leave their duties to extend hugs and kisses when you depart from a "resort".
A true taste of genuine Mexican hospitality so endearing we changed travel plans to return for one last night with Axel and the gang.