The Best Location and House in Xcalak! Xcalak, Quintana Roo Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 255943

Casa de Paloma Beachfront

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Location: Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Mayan Riviera, Mexico (5 Hrs.S. of Cancun, 1.5 Hrs. N. of Chetumal on Yucatan Pen.)

Accommodations:  House, 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)

Combine the most gracious and spacious beach home in the best location in Xcalak with the gorgeous Caribbean Sea and the second longest Coral Reef in the world in the back yard, and you have the formula for a truly amazing and relaxing get-away vacation. The marine area was recently named a National Reef Park ensuring future protection.

Casa de Paloma – House of the Dove – was aptly named. Early risers wake every morning to their soft cooing and a spectacular sunrise that changes every day. A huge clay dove planter is a landmark that nests in our circle drive. What we did not know then, is what a place of peace and calm Xcalak really is. A place to recharge, relax, slow down and smile. We invite you to enjoy Casa de Paloma...in Xcalak...on the Costa Maya...in the state of Quintana Roo...on the Yucatan Peninsula!

Built in 2004, Casa de Paloma was designed for relaxed beach living and to capture every ocean breeze. Every room has a sea view. We enjoy our time there each year with our family and friends and pride ourselves in keeping it attractive, clean and comfortable for ourselves as well as our guests. There are 4 King size bedrooms (2 down, 2 up) each with their own bathroom and closet. Both levels have a complete dining, living and full kitchen area. Mexican accents include rugs, blankets, pillows, Talevera sinks, dishes and glasses. Framed maps of the area hang on the walls and are helpful when planning excursions. Our handsome Mexican hardwood furniture is sturdy and comfortable and was built by craftsmen in a local sawmill/carpentry shop.

Rental options include the entire house to sleep 8 or half the house to sleep 4. (single brm or single brm w/kitchen also available.) Contact us for details on renting on just one level of the house. Rentals are available for a three day minimum up to several months.

The house is beautifully landscaped with bougainvillea, frangi pangi, hibiscus, and coconut palms and has large balconies, hammocks and lots of sea breezes and palm trees to keep you cool and in the shade. Our green construction includes solar panels for electricity, on-demand water heaters for ready hot water and a rainwater cistern for bathing, laundry and dishwashing and solid masonry construction.

And, best of all, it all comes with ROSA AND CECILIO, THE MOST WONDERFUL CARETAKERS ON THE YUCATAN PENINSULA! Excellent employees and problem solvers, they are our secret ingredient in guaranteeing a truly relaxing get-away with few concerns. Laundry, house maintenance, all paper products as well as daily beach cleaning are included in your rental.

Our location in Xcalak is the best for several reasons. Just 1.5 miles to town makes it a nice walk or easy flat bike ride for groceries or exercise – or to visit the school or the park office – or to get a pedicure from Candy in her pink and purple “salon” – or to get to a great meal. The dining in Xcalak is one of the biggest surprises of all. As small and remote as we are, the area continues to attract outstanding inventive chefs who are looking to slow down their pace of life and still practice their craft with local ingredients. Casa de Paloma is very close to the three perennial best:

• Leaky Palapa’s always amazing 5 star gourmet dinner creativity. (1mi.)
• Costa de Coco’s fish tacos, and lobster pizza (1/4 mi.)
• Tierra Maya’s local dishes from soup to dessert (3 doors away)

Toby’s is new in town with very good ceviche and fish fingers. New ventures appear yearly.

FYI for your own cooking, the venderos (small grocery trucks) deliver fresh produce and hot tortillas to your door several times a week. There are also some small tiendas in town with staples. Ask about the bakery and the local fishing co-op.

Xcalak is heaven for fishermen/women, snorkelers/divers and birdwatchers. Snorkel and fish right off the dock for snapper and bonefish and swim to numerous nearby coral heads to see Angelfish, Clownfish, etc. etc. Or charter one of our incredibly knowledgeable local fishing captains (Capt. Victor is our favorite…and he has brothers and sons!) for a day in their boat to go a little farther for tarpon, barracuda, permit, snook or bonefish in the flats of Chetumal Bay. Scuba divers will find several dive masters ready to certify or guide to outstanding locations including Chinchorra Reef , the largest diving atoll in North American, just 30 miles off shore. For birdwatchers, there is Bird Island with the hefty Woodstork, but everyday you can see Frigate Birds, Yucatan Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Goldfinch, Pelicans, Egrets, Ibis, Parrots, Frigate Birds, Doves right around Casa de Paloma.

So – why decide to choose Casa de Paloma?
• Accommodations – comfortable, attractive, spacious, well-designed and maintained.
• Location - close access to town, restaurants
• Rosa and Cecilio – the best caretakers on the Costa Maya – helpful, considerate

Features & Amenities:

On-Site Caretakers
Daily House and Beach Cleaning
Quality Towels and Sheets
Paper Products
Beach Towels
Upstairs Dining for 8 up + bar for 5
Downstairs Dining for 6
2 Full Kitchens - 1 each level
Picnic Tables on balconies
Wireless available
NO phone, NO TV - available at resorts
Book and DVD Selection
Flat Screen DVD Player
CD Player and CD Selection
Chaise Lounges and Hammocks
Safe in each bedroom
Bikes
On-Site Parking
Cards, Poker, Dominos, Rummikub

Vacation Rental Features

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• Amenities
  • Washer
  • Linens Provided: good quality linens, beach towels provided
  • Off Street Parking
  • Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
• Beds
  • King Bed
• Entertainment
  • DVD
  • CD Player
  • Stereo System
  • Music Library
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen: juicer, blender
  • Cooking Utensils Provided
  • Refrigerator
• Outdoor Features
  • Charcoal BBQ Grill
  • Deck/Patio
  • Balcony
• View/Location
  • Beachfront
• Communications
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
• Suitability
  • Pet Friendly
  • Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
  • Kid Friendly
  • Smoking Not Allowed
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants
  • Kayaking
  • Boating
  • Shelling
  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling/Diving
  • Windsurfing
  • Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Museums
• Other Activities
  • Birding, Sea Beaning

Rate Details (In US Dollars)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

FULL HOUSE .. $345/night (3 night min)
4 BR/4 BA, 2 Kitchen, Living, Dining (8)
BRs Same Size with/King Beds - Discount for more than 1 week
Half down to reserve unit - Balance due 1 week before arrival

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Owner's Profile

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• Rate Details
• Owner's Profile
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• Guest Comments (9)
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Property Photos

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Guest Comments (9)

• Features
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• 10/05/09
  Positive Rating
  Samantha Wallace , Greenville, SC
  • If you are the type of person that considers yourself (and proudly) more "traveler/adventurer" than "vacationer", and if the thought of an all-inclusive, cookie-cutter, herding with the masses experience gives you the willies, there...simply...is...no...better...place than Casa de Paloma!! Fortunately I'm one that falls into the category best suited to enjoy an experience like the one it offers, rustic, off-the-beaten-path, beautiful, quiet, remote. You bump into people who very purposefully picked this spot on the earth, not because it was a deal on Orbitz. In many ways you are literally and figuratively at the end of the line, at the bottom tip of the Yucatan, just miles from Belize. It's a good 5 hour trip from the Cancun airport and there's no trace of Cancun when you arrive. (By the way, I highly recommend making the long car journey part of the experience, including a possible stay at some mid-point going or coming depending on your arrival into Cancun. See Tulum, visit a cenote, make it leisurely. It's not a drive to make after dark, simply because it's so remote.) This is the land of seriously amazing fishing, world-class diving, fantastic snorkling right off the dock and the opportunity for complete unplugging. We love to cook and it wasn't hard to find a plethora of fantastic, fresh ingredients to work with...the fishermen sometimes come right up near your dock (if you don't catch them yourselves) and the "veggie truck" rolls by once a day. Town isn't far so you can get what you need. Speaking of town, as a serious foodie, the restaurant Leaky Palapa has few equals; make your night out (or two) reservations there. The home is beautiful, well designed and well appointed. The private beach, complete with lounge chairs, hammocks, fine white sand and a little mangrove "island" that our boys adored exploring, is exquisite. And I would be very remiss in not mentioning the doting, yet very respectful care that you will receive from the lovely caretakers Rosa and Cecilio. Xcalak and Casa de Paloma are, without a doubt, a huge slice of my personal heaven.
• 10/02/09
  Positive Rating
  Claire , Atlanta, GA
  • I was fortunate enough to experience a piece of this vacation heaven on a "free pass" as one of the owners is my best friend from college! At the onset of our adventure to Xcalak, I was a complete stress-ball, swept up in the intensity of my fast- paced, blue-chip job. Normally it would take me about 4-5 days to finally relax. At Casa de Paloma, it took one morning. Everything the destination offers is genuine and natural--no commercial gimmicks. It's literally this quaint, beautiful, well-built house, the beach and you! It is quiet and removed from mayhem which I had not experienced on a previous vacation up until my time there. The sea breeze was soothing and silky the way it poured into my bedroom window, and I couldn't believe my view every time I passed by the window--the Yucatan Peninsula! I would typically prefer to scuba, but definitely took the opportunity to snorkel 50 yards from the house and had the most wonderful time! I was in the water about 6 minutes before finding a giant sea turtle, which I attempted to shadow for about 30 minutes until I discovered what must have been a 25-pound parrotfish. There is a plethora of sea life activity just 10 strokes off the dock! If you are used to being active on your vacations, is it easy to step away from Casa de Paloma for a thousand choices of day trips with resources nearby to help you get there (on a small budget!) We scooted over to Belize in less than two hours by boat to enjoy a day of shopping, cold beers and fish tacos. It was a perfect-sized day trip-- completed with a cherry on top by returning to our little piece of heaven in Xcalak to see the incredible sunset while sipping homemade pina coladas on the back balcony. This vacation home offers a splendid chance to unwind in an incredibly beautiful environment that I could not have dreamed up in a 100 years. A must visit!
• 10/01/09
  Positive Rating
  
  • This is paradise. Beautiful home, well furnished, fantastic care takers, secure, private with lots of fishing, diving and great local dining. Think Old Man and the Sea and visit one of the last sanctuaries left. Great deal as well. My highest recommendation.
• 09/30/09
  Positive Rating
  Alex Beck , Avon, CO
  • Great house for any type of group in Xcalak. Ive brought groups of fishermen here for the past two years and we love Casa Paloma. The fully stocked kitchen makes a great place to rally everyone together at the end of the day, share stories and even cook some of our catches. The balcony is a great place to spend a morning, evening or the whole day. Walking distance to Tierra Maya which has amazing food and a small bar. Rosa and Cecilio (caretakers) are always on hand should you need anything.
• 09/29/09
  Positive Rating
  Jeff Welsh , camdenton, mo 65020
  • How do you describe the best vacation of your life? The house is stunning with spectacular views that simply take your breath away. You are right on the gentle surf with the melody of the protected bay relaxing you to the very core. The house is tastefully and beautifully decorated with plenty of furniture for several families to enjoy. The bedrooms are huge with private baths and they are so comfortable and inviting that you are sure you are sneaking into the secret hideaway of the rich and famous. Each bedroom has a private deck and the family room has a HUGE deck that we all congregated on to eat and relax. Beachcoming is a favorite pastime and we found more conch than I have ever seen before. You must call Victor and get him to take you fishing. We had a 30+ bonefish day. Here is our note to the owner after our return: I wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you that we are back and that we had a great time. Your home is beautiful, and both families could not believe what a great experience Xcalak is. We made it to San Pedro with Victor, we ate at the Leaky Palapa with John and Mary, and had three very memorable fishing trips with our new best friend Victor as well as discovering the little paradise called Tierra Maya. Victor said to tell you that he had never had four bone fish doubles in the boat before and that we fished an area he has never taken you to. We absolutely killed the bonefish that day. Our son Jack lost a tooth while there and was fortunate enough that the American tooth fairy could get in touch with the Mexican tooth fairy on her blue tooth and get him $20 pesos. He had a great time playing with the boys, and we fell in love with that family. I don’t know how the boys did it, but you would hear them playing on the beach or kicking the soccer ball and talking like normal; somehow they understood each other!..amazing. John and Mary took the girls to Bird Island one day while the boys went fishing. They came over nearly every day and were very nice to let us use the pier; Victor picked us up there daily. Status report on the house: No problems, We replaced everything we borrowed with the exception of two barracuda lures which I will get for you now that I am home (We lost two of Victors and I gave him two of yours figuring I would get you new ones). Other than that, the house was perfect. We left Rosa a big tip and gave the boys lots of toys and clothes. They were really great. Thanks again! What a great place! What a great adventure!!!!
• 09/29/09
  Positive Rating
  Zach , St. Louis, MO
  • Great vacation house. Perfectly located on the beach. Far enough away from town to be quiet, yet only a short drive or walk from town and restaurants. Amazing local restaurants (Coco's, Toby's, Leaky Palapa). Great fishing, go see Capt. Victor, he's the best. House and beach are kept in A+++ shape by Rosa and Cecilio, some of the nicest people in the world. House is amazing with huge comfy beds and a nice ocean breeze at all times.
• 09/29/09
  Positive Rating
  Aly Sowers , Oak Park, IL
  • Casa de Paloma is one of those rare, wonderful places where you can truly relax. I've visited Xcalak every winter for 8 years. The food is wonderful--I've had some of the best meals of my life there--prepared at home and out. The snorkeling is easy, right off of the dock and you can see sting rays, turtles and beautiful tropical fish. The fishing is also wonderful (I can get seasick) but fishing inside the reef and in the Bay of Chetumal is easy for me and you can catch grouper, yellow tail and snapper and eat them that evening. The caretakers, Rosa and Cecilio are so friendly and wonderful--they take great care of you during your stay. What you can't capture on the website is the near-constant sea breeze, the brilliant sunshine and the millions of stars you see at night--it is truly paradise.
• 09/29/09
  Positive Rating
  Amy Gustafson , Minneapolis, MN
  • Casa Paloma is such a tranquil, wonderful getaway. This home is beautifully built and a perfect layout for rental usage, whether renting one level or both. The layout is thoughtful with the bedrooms with bathrooms en suite on either side of the large kitchen/dining/living area, beautiful balcony and fabulous views. Enjoy reading a book in a hammock, chasing iguanas nearby, diving or fishing with one of the local operators. A vacation here can be as low key or adventure filled as you want to make it.
• 09/29/09
  Positive Rating
  Angela Lavezzo , Sacramento, CA
  • My family stayed two years in a row at Casa de Palomas. Both times we rented the entire house. The house layout and amenities are fantastic, the caretakers, Rosa and Cecilio are great, and you can snorkel right off your own private beach. We vacation quite often to Xcalak and this is our favorite villa by far.

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