Gracias Cabanas Copal Report

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Gracias Cabanas Copal (Mexico) Report

June 2003

June 11,2003. When searching for a Mexican clothing optional destination and in need of a 'relaxing' week away, I stumbled upon a report in the Mexico section for Cabanas Copal.

What the reporter said and what the website contained made it interesting enough to give it a try. We spent May 31 - June 7, 2003 at Copal. It is truly paradise on earth! Understanding we do reside in the more north west area of Canada where 'rustic' is the norm for us, my partner and I have travelled. I've been to many locations in the States and Canada and he has travelled overseas and many other areas of Mexico. The website does inform people that there is no electricity (cabanas are lit by candles) nor any land phones. The website does tell you to bring a flashlight. They do have flush toilets and hot showers.

In Alberta, unless you are a 5 star traveller...you get outhouse and your running water is "run and get it". Internet Blue at Copal has t.v. with movies (english and spanish) and computers for the use of patrons so, it's not as if you are totally cut off from civilization. The cabanas are so cute containing a king bed complete with mosquito netting and the washroom. Our's had a cement floor and sand does track in. You are staying on a beach...there will be sand...get over it! If one doesn't pack their entire wardrobe as I did, there is sufficient room in the cabanas to sit and read as well.

Our Cabana was along a rocky ridge overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Words can not describe the vista or the sound of the waters. It truly was romantic, yet, I wouldn't hesitate to visit without a partner. It is true they are close together and if you want privacy, close the curtains. No sounds really emit between them because the sound from the ocean eliminates almost everything. When I first heard it, I wondered how I would sleep. For the first few nights since coming home, falling asleep without the sound was difficult. The breezes blow into the cabanas through screens atop large glass panels so the cabana is cooled naturally. Copal offers a beach bar as well as drinks served in the restaurant. The meals were very good although, I would have like to see more variety for the breakfast menu. Unlike the previous reporter, we ate all our evening dinners at Copal as the evening menu and specials were excellent.

The beach directly in front of Copal was rocky, however, 1/2 a city block brought you to beautiful sandy beaches free of crowds. The waters of the Caribbean sea are bathtub warm and clear. There is much to do aquatically... snorkeling, kayaking, etc. With respect to clothing optional, the previous reporter indicated nudity is allowed on the beach. We were nude amongst the cabanas and at the beach bar relaxing in the shade. No one indicated this was disallowed although, it is true, most people were clothed. There were a number of signs posted throughout the resort indicating it was a clothing optional facility. Each to his own and I chose to be unclothed! They only request you wear something to dine in the restaurant. We saw one fellow obeying this rule by wearing his towel...lol.

Copal is in the jungle, green and lush and beautiful. There are mosquitos although, nothing compared to here at home, so...it wasn't an issue for us. I became good friends with a couple of hermit crabs (or sand crabs, whatever they were) and there are a few harmless iguanas and geckos kicking about. As for bugs and critters in general, we see far worse on a local camping trip here. I would strongly suggest visitors to the area pick up a travel book to explore the various sites. We visited the Tulum ruins which were very interesting. I wish time would have permitted to see Coba and others. There is also a fantastic looking ecological centre that appeared to be an all day excursion that we missed, opting for beach time instead. We did do a shopping morning into Cancun's hotel zone. Big, bustling, noisy, high traffic tourist magnet. Again, each to his own, I'll take the tranquility at Copal any day. Tulum itself is a small pueblo, yet interesting. Many small eateries and shops. There is so much more to say about Copal but, I will close with my recommendation that people try it only if you think live without your curling iron and air conditioning.

It was an experience I will not soon forget and I will return.

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