Pool on the roof
Loungers, a big table and views of the town. Open from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
Tulum Centro · Quintana Roo · Mexico
Moonshine Tulum Hotel
★★★
A four-story building from 2020 on a quiet street in the northeast of downtown Tulum, with a pool and lounge terrace on the roof, a shared kitchen with a grill and a 24-hour front desk. Private rooms for two to six people, and pets are welcome.
- 7.6on Expedia · 27 reviews
- 4.3on Google · 183 reviews
- 8.4for service and staff on Expedia
Secure booking on Expedia · Rates change by date
A simple, budget-minded base with a pool on the roof
Moonshine Tulum Hotel is on Calle Polar Poniente, between Escorpión Norte and Libra Norte, in the Centro neighborhood. It's a residential corner of town: cafés, pizza, sushi and taco spots are two or three minutes away on foot, there are supermarkets nearby, and the busy stretch of Avenida Tulum is roughly a kilometer to the southwest. Expedia lists it under its previous name in the web address, Hotel Sayab Tulum.
The main draw is the rooftop: a pool with loungers, a long wooden table and views over the rooftops of Tulum. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than party-oriented, and the place mixes travelers on short stays with others who stay for weeks. Staff get the best marks (8.4 on Expedia), while maintenance draws the most complaints, so read the reviews section before you book.
See availability →What makes it special
Six concrete points from the Expedia listing and from what guests write on Expedia and Google.
Service and staff: 8.4
The hotel's best score on Expedia; Google reviewers keep mentioning a friendly, helpful front desk.
Shared kitchen and grill
Microwave, shared fridge and a water dispenser, plus a barbecue grill for cooking your own dinner.
Pet-friendly
Expedia says pets are accepted, and one guest who came with their dog called it "dog friendly".
Rooms for up to six
A family studio suite with a King bed and two bunk beds, besides doubles and quads.
Coworking space
Handy for digital nomads; free wifi reaches the rooms and some common areas.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Five private room types on Expedia, for three to six guests. All have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, free wifi, a Tempur-Pedic mattress, blackout curtains, a 43-inch smart TV with cable and a private bathroom with a rain shower and hair dryer. There's no fridge in the rooms: you use the shared one.
Deluxe double room, balcony
With its own balcony, surrounded by greenery.
See price →Deluxe double room, garden view
Faces the garden; the only Expedia review for this type gave it 10/10.
See price →Deluxe quadruple room, balcony
Two double beds and a balcony: good for friends or a family of four.
See price →Deluxe quadruple room, garden view
Same layout as the previous one, with a view of the garden.
See price →Family studio suite
The largest option, with a dining table: the one to choose for groups or families with kids.
See price →Hotel amenities
No restaurant and no elevator; what it does have is a rooftop with a pool, shared spaces and a front desk that never closes.
- Rooftop poolOutdoors, with loungers, on the hotel's rooftop terrace.
- Free wifiIn the rooms and in some common areas.
- Air conditioningPlus a ceiling fan in every room.
- Shared kitchenWith a microwave and a shared refrigerator.
- Barbecue grillNext to the terrace, for guest use.
- 24-hour front deskUseful if your bus or flight gets in late.
- Daily housekeepingAccording to Expedia; towel changes on request.
- Tour help and conciergeThe front desk helps you buy tours and tickets.
- Luggage storageAnd a safe at the front desk.
- Bike storageWith a bike-washing area.
- Water dispenserSo you can refill your bottle instead of buying plastic.
- Airport shuttleOn request and for an extra charge; arrange it with the hotel before you travel.
Breakfast and where to eat
The hotel has no restaurant and Expedia doesn't list breakfast. You can cook in the shared kitchen or walk a couple of minutes to the cafés and restaurants on the surrounding blocks; La Coqueta is also three minutes away.
Shared kitchen and grill
For breakfast your way or a barbecue on the roof. Several recent reviews say it's short on utensils, so don't count on a full set.
Café on the ground floor
Google lists a café in the same building, and guests mention a good latte and waffles. It isn't part of the hotel's services.
Alfonsina Café · 2 min
The nearest place for coffee and breakfast, according to Expedia.
Papaya Pizza & Co · 2 min
Pizza a short walk from the door.
Tacos y tortas el tío · 3 min
Tacos and tortas for a quick, local-style meal.
Akuma Tiger Sushi · 3 min
If you're in the mood for sushi.
Beaches, ruins and cenotes
The hotel is in town, not on the coast. These are straight-line distances; by bike, taxi or colectivo most of them are a few minutes away.
Tulum archaeological site · 2.7 km
The Mayan city above the Caribbean. Go at opening time to beat the heat and the tour buses.
Playa Paraíso · 2.8 km
One of the most photographed beaches in Tulum, just south of the ruins.
Cenote Calavera · 1.7 km
The closest cenote: about 3 minutes by car, according to Expedia. Small, with a hole you can jump through.
Gran Cenote · 3.7 km
Clear water, caverns and turtles, on the road to Cobá.
Akumal · 25 km
A calm bay famous for snorkeling with sea turtles.
Cobá · 42 km
Ruins in the jungle that you can explore by bike, with the tall Nohoch Mul pyramid.
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 through April is the dry season and the busiest time of year: book ahead.
- 🌡️ It's warm year-round: highs of about 28 °C (82 °F) in winter and 32 °C (90 °F) in summer.
- 🌧️ September and October bring the most rain, usually as short afternoon storms.
- 🌀 Hurricane season runs from June to November; the riskiest stretch is August to October.
- 🌊 The Caribbean stays warm all year, between 26 and 29 °C (79–84 °F).
- 🌿 Sargassum seaweed can reach some beaches between spring and summer: check the reports before you go.
How to get here
Tulum Airport (TQO)
About 47 minutes by car, according to Expedia (22 km as the crow flies). The hotel offers a paid shuttle on request.
Cancún Airport (CUN)
About 110 km away. ADO buses run directly to downtown Tulum; from there, a short taxi ride.
ADO station, downtown Tulum
About 1 km away in a straight line: walkable without much luggage, otherwise take a taxi.
By car
There's no private lot: you park on the street, right outside according to Expedia and some guests.
What's nearby
From Calle Polar Poniente, between Escorpión Norte and Libra Norte, Centro neighborhood.
- Alfonsina Café2 min walk
- Papaya Pizza & Co2 min walk
- Parque Dos Aguas11 min walk
- Tulum Hospital17 min walk
- Hunab Lifestyle Center17 min walk
- Parque del Jaguar1.6 km
- ADO downtown station1 km
- Cenote Calavera1.7 km
- Tulum ruins2.7 km
- Playa Paraíso2.8 km
- Gran Cenote3.7 km
- Tulum Airport22 km
What guests say
7.6 out of 10 on Expedia from 27 reviews, and 4.3 out of 5 on Google from 183 reviews. Praise goes to the rooftop pool, the staff and the value; the most common complaints are about maintenance: patchy wifi, inconsistent hot water, air conditioners that struggle and a pool that isn't always clean.
8.4Service and staff
7.6Cleanliness
7.6Property condition
7.2Amenities
«Very comfortable rooms and a lot of peace and quiet.»
«Great location. Walkable to everything. We brought our dog... dog friendly hotel.»
«Good place, good cleanliness... you get much more than you pay for.»
«There's a pool on the terrace with a wonderful view.»
«Affordable, clean rooms, friendly staff, and the rooftop pool is lovely.»
«Staff was professional, facilities/building were not in good condition.»
What to know before you book
Check-in from 3:00 PM, any time after
The front desk is open 24 hours. Check-out is before 12:30 PM.
Minimum age: 18
You may be asked for photo ID and a card or cash deposit for incidentals.
Hotel and hostel in one
Expedia sells private rooms, but according to Google and reviews the building also has shared dorms, so you'll share the pool and kitchen with backpackers.
Maintenance is uneven
Recent reviews mention wifi drops, no hot water on some days, weak air conditioning and a cloudy pool. Others had a spotless stay: it depends on the room and the season.
Pets welcome
Expedia says pets stay free but also lists a pet deposit: confirm with the hotel. Service animals are free.
No elevator
Four floors and the pool on the roof, reachable only by stairs.
Pool hours
From 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
Payment methods
Credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Things to do in Tulum
Top-rated tours on Viator that leave from Tulum or nearby. Book online; cancellation terms depend on each 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
Calle Polar Poniente, Mz 8, Lt 15, between Escorpión Norte and Libra Norte, Centro, 77760 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Book your stay at Moonshine Tulum Hotel
Check availability and today's rates on Expedia. Cancellation terms depend on the rate you choose.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Moonshine Tulum Hotel?
In the Centro neighborhood of Tulum, on Calle Polar Poniente between Escorpión Norte and Libra Norte, in the northeast part of town. Avenida Tulum and the downtown ADO station are about 1 km away.
Is it the same as Hotel Sayab Tulum?
Yes. The Expedia listing still carries "Hotel Sayab Tulum" in its web address, but the name it shows today is Moonshine Tulum Hotel.
Does it have a pool?
Yes, an outdoor pool on the rooftop terrace with loungers, open from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
Is breakfast included?
Expedia doesn't list breakfast. There's a shared kitchen, and a café in the same building according to Google, plus several cafés two minutes away.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, pets are accepted. Expedia mentions a pet deposit, so confirm the conditions with the hotel before you arrive.
How far is the beach?
Playa Paraíso is about 2.8 km and the Tulum ruins about 2.7 km in a straight line. Most guests go by bike, taxi or colectivo.
Is there parking?
There's no private lot; you park for free on the street outside the building.
Is there an elevator?
No. The building has four floors and only stairs, so ask for a lower floor if you need one.