We're Returning to Paradise Next Fall

Guest: gypsying (Portland, OR, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

The house in San Felipe is just about perfect! Far enough out of town to be quiet (excluding the perpetual sounds of Mexico: dogs barking, music playing, roosters crowing and fireworks going off...to be found anywhere). We felt totally safe. Close enough into town that we could hop the bus directly into the center of things and be there (when we didn't run into a parade) in about 20 minutes. If that was too long to wait, or we were going a bit off the route, a quick taxi ride (usually about 40 pesos) took us where we wanted to go. The nearby market on Tuesday, Friday and Sat was perfect for stocking up on papaya, different varieties of bananas, avocados, etc. Several tienditas are very close as well. We hope Bizmilla, a nearby restaurant that is very good, survives the construction on Hidalgo. If you are looking to be in the center of things, this is not your best choice; if you are looking to be comfortable, quiet, and convenient -- this works extremely well. We checked out another house: closer into town but not on a bus route, not close to a regular outdoor market, on a hill, etc. It's easy to think closer is more convenient which isn't necessarily true. Now...as for the house itself. It is truly lovely. When we arrived, my husband wondered..."ok. This is where the owners live. Where do we stay?" It was THAT nice. The house is thoughtfully designed so the upstairs is roomy and private, which served us well when we had guests staying in the downstairs bedroom. My husband set himself up with his computer upstairs; I was downstairs. We both had wifi access. It was perfect. We loved having the washer and the "solar dryer" so conveniently located. For a variety of reasons we actually spent quite a bit of time in the house rather than poking around Oaxaca and couldn't have been in a more pleasant, sunny, setting. Do bring house slippers and something cozy to wear if you are there in the winter...it gets a bit crispy. But then again, it stays nice and cool even when the day heats up. Perfect. Judith's lovely art decorates the walls, the high ceilings add to the sense of space, all very well done with an eye both for aesthetics and convenience. And now for the best part: our hosts. You basically couldn't ask for better ones. The perfect balance between being totally available to help and extremely careful and respectful of our privacy. And really really really NICE! Bottom line: We reserved again for this coming fall!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.

Such a lovely home to base a visit to one of Mexico's hidden gems

Guest: FamilyinMexico (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 10/03/11 Review Submitted: 11/03/11

We stayed just under a week in this lovely setting, with secure parking and home. We felt very safe walking in the local neighbourhood, and welcomed by the locals. We spent some time perusing the local shops and market area, and it was also a quick drive to the zocalo and easy day trips to beautiful ruins, mountains and mineral spring pools. The home itself was fully self sufficient, with kitchen well equipped, laundry, and bathrooms. We squeezed in an extra mattress to make three beds in the downstairs room, while the mezzanine style upstairs room was a real treat for Mum and Dad! Next door, our host and her family played the role of host beautifully, with as much contact as we wanted and an open invitation for the kids to play next door. We were grateful for help finding a dentist who spoke English, and for giving us some travel tips for the area. We also appreciated the artwork in the home, some of it originals of the host, other piece tastefully collected to reflect the area's artisan culture. We could have stayed in Oaxaca longer in this home. Wifi was strong and consistent, drinking water provided, and the TV good for watching DVDs.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Lovely place for a family

Guest: Laura (Milwaukee, WI, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 08/18/11

We stayed in this lovely home for three weeks. It is clean, bright, and pretty, just as the pictures show. Judith and Sergio were great, very accommodating and happy to answer queries. Judith got me in touch with an instructor at her daughter's school who was teaching a summer class in wall-climbing, which made my 15-yr-old's and 12-yr-old's trip! San Felipe is an easy bus ride to Oaxaca City, and a pleasant escape from the hustle of the city. I also recommend the Amigos del Sol Spanish school in San Felipe, and the organic market on Fridays at Xochimilco's church square.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Lovely home in safe, picturesque surroundings

Guest: Saritalouisa (Athens, Georgia USA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/17/10

This beautiful house in the friendly village of San Felipe del Agua, just four miles from historic Centro Oaxaca, was our home for a full month, and we hated to leave. The information and descriptions in this VRBO listing are perfectly accurate, yet this place is even better than the photographs convey. The house is beautifully designed and well maintained, and the owners couldn't have been more helpful, yet afforded us privacy. The solar heated pool--heaven! I would (and have) recommeded this property to friends and family, both to couples (young and old) and families with children or teens. While there, we fell in love with Oaxaca, its gentle people, culture, cuisine and of course the Zocolo and historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We felt perfectly safe the whole time. Getting around is easy with inexpensive taxis and buses that run continuously. Hiring a driver to explore nearby craft villages, markets and the mountains is fun and inexpensive. Exploring our own village and hiking the hills was a pleasure any day. Everyone we met was helpful and patient (if bemused) with our fledgling Spanish (We attended a good language school within walking distance) but I have to admit it was great to have the Zurs we could turn to in English. Before our month was up, we were making plans to return to this special place.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A little piece of heaven!

Guest: Dick and carola (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/02/10 Review Submitted: 05/16/10

Following the month of January in San Miguel de Allende, we arrived in Oaxaca with our 19 year old cat Goblin and 13 year old Jack Russel, Gidget. Judith and Sergio welcomed us to their property and were perfect hosts, all the usual questions, where do we buy groceries, flowers, etc. We had total run of this property, Goblin owned the garden and saw off the landlord's cat on more than one occasion! Four weeks of Spanish school just down the street for my wife, while I played Golf at San Augustin Etla, just a fifteen minute drive away. Every day we visited the villages and their friendly artists. From Teotitlan and the rug weavers, to San Martin Tilcajete and the wood carvings, searching out those artists that had a flare for doing something different. May I say that by the time we left, we were the proud owners of very many treasured items. My wife met up with Mary Jane Gagner for three scenic trail rides in the hills around Teotitlan. Our trip included 15,000kms in our Ford 150 Truck, the perfect vehicle for traversing the uncountable topes (speed bumps), and for taking on the domineering (and impatient) lady drivers of Oaxaca. Oh yes, and there was the the mechanic who returned our truck to perfect health after one to many bumps,an affordable $40.00 job that would have cost $450.00 back home! Oh the memories.. great wine, fruit and vegetables...only $230.00 for a month, we ate in most days, as we love to cook. Our compliments to Judith for a very well appointed kitchen, and to Fernanda for keeping the house spotless. Will we go back to Oaxaca, count on it! Goblin hates the snow as does Gidget! Did we feel safe....safer than living in most places in the world...driving was a blast, no fear of ever running out of gas, there is a gas station every 30kms. You read more (negatives) about what is going on in Mexico on Yahoo, than you will ever see or experience in person. Hey we did not even feel a 6 on the (Richter Scale) earthquake til we got an email from Canada to ask if we were safe. If you plan is to visit Oaxaca and want to be on the edge of town, this is your spot...not forgetting brunch at the beautiful Hotel Los Laureles, a two minute walk from the house.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

Guest: Sara and Carl (-)
Date of Stay: 03/31/07 Review Submitted: 04/01/10

What a wonderful month of March we have had living in San Felipe del Agua and staying in this beautiful house! Judith, Sergio, Sofia and Ollie could not have been nicer to have as landlords and neighbors--they are a very special family. And gracias to Fernanda who helped us with all things casa related and our Spanish too. We hope everyone who follows here enjoys as much as we have the beautiful mornings, the birds, flowers and trees, sights and sounds of the nieghborhood (don't worry, you'll get used to the rooster and dogs!) dips in the pool and the lovely privacy. Our favorite time of the day is around 4:30 PM--we sit on the veranda when the wind blows through and clears the air--make sure the windows upstairs are secured or they will slam! Another delight is having breakfast or a late supper on the veranda--no bugs! We have had many great adventures in and around Oaxaca largely attributable to Lonely Planet and Moon guidebooks--both and others are available in English at the bookstore "Amate" at the corner of Alcala and M. Matamoros. You can also pick up a good map at a green Tourist Information kiosk. As you will discover, the white busses, route 25, (leaving from the corner across from the church in San Felipe, for Centro--ask folks when to get off-- then pick up Route 25 busses along the street Reforma for the return, right to the end of your lane!) are fun, cheap (4.5 pesos) and come often. The gray busses are good too. Taxis cruise through regularily and cost 40 pesos to the center, 50 to get back. Once in the Center, we recommend eating a late lunch or supper (get mole negro!) at least once at El Asador Vasco on the balcony overlooking the southwest corner of the Zocolo. They open at 2:00, and you'll need to reserve if you want a front row table. We also recommend the food at La Olla Cafe (esp breakfast! or dinner upstairs or a drink on the roof) on Reforma. If you haven't been to Oaxaca before, of course you'll want to stroll north up Calle Alcala to Iglesia de Santo Domingo around 6:30 to witness the gilded interior aglow in the evening light. The huge Cultural Museum of Oaxaca in the former monastary attached to the Santa Domingo catherdral is excellent (and has English audio tours) as is the guided tour of the adjoining Ethnobotanical Gardens and the new Textile Museum on Hidalgo. In the morning visit the Mercado Jaurez and the Mercado 20 de Noviembre south of the Zocolo. And of course there are wonderful Artisan shops,

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Guest: Joe and Bette Dixon (-)
Date of Stay: 01/31/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/10

Dear Sergio, Judith, Sofia and Oli, We really enjoyed visiting you and living in your comfortable house. We have had so many great experiences here - Monte Alban, Santo Domingo Museum, the Mendoza sisters house and restaurant in Teotitlan (their rugs are beautiful) trips to San Antonio Arrazola & San Martin Tilcajete for Alebrijis, lovely Church in atCuilapan and markets; the traditional arts here are wonderful, friendly people who take great pride in their Zapotec and Mixtec culture.

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