Cocktails at Luna Maya

Luna Maya is easier to miss than other hotels on the south beach road of Tulum. Marked with a small sign in black hosting a crescent moon in yellow, this petit hotel with its orange and cream mexicana facade is worth searching out. It is a wonderful hideaway with a rocky cove beach, a swing bar and tables and chairs that are nestled into the palms. The dining area is under a separate palapa raised slightly above the sand to make the best of the sea breeze and sea view. The guineapigs visited Luna Maya for a cocktail hour that turned into 3 - 3 hours and 3 cocktails. We couldn’t seem to leave since with each moment there was more to captivate our interest. The first round was one Spanish red wine, (no doubt more than palatable since that little piggy had two), a margarita, en las rocas con sal that had enough tequila but too zesty a mix for the little piggy and one order of sex on the beach, that left that piggy looking for a cigarette and a change in drinks. The service was friendly, the setting was comfortable, the drinks were refreshing and the wine came in an appropriate crystal glass. The company and the band were interesting and so we stayed to enjoy both. Luna Maya has musica en vivo (live music) on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights from 8 to approximately 10 pm. During our first round the band warmed up with some reggae rifs and canned music and at 8 they began to play. We had to have another round, more red wine, another margarita just to give it another chance and a vodka and pineapple (enough sex on the beach, the place was getting crowded). The music was as good as the drinks, if you could ignore the political overtones, and just enjoy the latin rythm. We managed since they were talented musicians and we found ourselves dancing under the palms with plenty of company. After a round of cold beers, we headed off to find a late dinner. Stay tuned for that review but at this moment, Luna Maya gets two and one half pigs for a place to go for cocktail hour..

Ocho

This spacious semi-circular restaurant perched above the beach on the southern end of Tulum playa is decorated in simple, elegant, warm, white. Hints of natural tones and lots of wood make you feel relaxed and at home. Ocho's reception was prompt and friendly and the service was timely throughout our meal. Lighting was a little brighter than we thought necessary but it was a refreshing change from some of the darker, candlelit places here on the beach. To start, we ordered a bottle of chardonnay from South Africa which was nicely chilled and delicious, 3 little pigs for the wine. However, the Guineapigs were disappointed when they brought slices of toasted white bread with butter to the table. The hungry little pigs prayed the bread was not an indication of what was to follow. Thankfully, the tuna carpaccio was fresh and delicate, lightly dressed to perfection with a sesame soy dressing. We also tried the coconut shrimp wich was tastey. The batter was light and they were toasted to perfection, just like the guineapigs after that bottle of wine. We ordered the Ocho salad as a postre of sorts. It was a beautiful plate of tomoatoes and avocado over a bed of fresh greens. Served with a light cream based dressing it hit the spot. If you happen to be in the area for lunch, it is hard to beat the Ocho club sandwichi which is overstuffed with bacon cooked to perfection if you like it crispy like we do, and fresh tomoatoe, avocado and chicken. The club sandwich comes with fries that are some of the best we have had on the beach, rivalling Tita Tulum. (stay tuned for that review) Having lunch at Ocho, we found the ambiance by day to be warmer and actually more elegant than by night, Overall, day or night, Ocho has friendly, efficient service, nice ambiance, comfortable dining and a view that is worth paying a little too much for. The Guinea Pigs gave them two and a half pigs.