Casa Aakbal

Enrique took care of the groceries and cooked for us, and the food was so delicious that we chose to eat at the house most of the time. He made avocado toast, chilaquiles, steak, ceviche, and the best fish tacos I've had in my life. Roberto sometimes made fresh juice, margaritas, or smoothies, and we could make our own drinks when they weren't around. A lovely woman cleaned our rooms and the rest of the house daily. All of that was included, with groceries and a reasonable percentage for shopping charged separately. The house was beautiful and comfortable. Seven moms stayed there, and we could have fit two more comfortably. I wish we'd known more clearly beforehand that two rooms were in a separate unit at the back, but that worked out fine for our group. We were a little sad that seaweed arrived during the second half of our trip, so we couldn't really swim in the ocean. Nature's responsible for that, of course, and it didn't take away from the joy or relaxation of the stay. We swam in the cute pool instead. I'd also recommend the cenote at the end of the beach for a few hours, with drinks after, and the beach massage was divine. The location is prime, right on the hotel beach area. You can walk along the shore past boutique hotels with restaurants, drinks, yoga, and beach massages for $60 an hour. The street nearby had a Costa Rica or Bali feel, with eco-friendly restaurants and boho jewelry and clothing shops, plus a walkable 7-Eleven for snacks and essentials. We felt safe the whole trip, partly thanks to the security guard. Location, security, and getting sick had been concerns for me, but none became an issue. This place felt like heaven, and I'll absolutely be back.