Reviews for Isla Mujeres Vacation Rental - VRBO 275062 - 1 BR Quintana Roo Apartment in Mexico, Affordable Caribbean Vacation Rentals

Isla Mujeres Lover

Guest Nana
Date of stay 03/29/13
Review Submitted 04/09/13

Sadly we just arrived home from a lovely week on our favorite island! Our stay at Casa Izul was fabulous! Our apartment was so comfortable and quiet...just what we needed after a busy day having fun on the island! Lori & Jim were wonderful hosts....helpful and informative! We rented a golf cart for the week and we enjoyed the pool and upper deck in the evenings when we were "home"! For the "budget conscious" traveler that just wants the basics in accomodations we can highly recommend Case Azul! The gorgeous Caribbean is free no matter how much you spend or where you lay your head to sleep!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+.

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great budget apartment!

Guest cazza
Date of stay 11/15/12
Review Submitted 02/15/13

Came here on a whim with my boyfriend. You really can't beat the price for a 1 bedroom apartment with kitchen. The place is exactly what you expect from the photos, basic, clean, comfortable. Jim and Lori were the best! Such characters! We really loved the neighborhood which is not located in the tourist district as much as it is for locals. Peddlers come up and down the street selling fresh tortillas, tamales and deserts all day long and into the evening, listen for the bicycle bells! We also befriended the house cat "Fang" who greeted us every evening and was very affectionate. We cooked a lot in the kitchen which had everything we needed. Buying supplies from the local bakery and stocking up on staples at the local Chedraui(mexican wall mart) which are all walking distance. You could stay here for weeks and spend less than one night in a 4 star hotel but don't expect much pomp, it's very basic and more geared toward the budget minded traveller. INCREDIBLE VALUE.

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The Perfect Place to Live Local

Guest Mantagirl
Date of stay 07/19/12
Review Submitted 08/17/12

Casa Azul was the perfect place to spend a month and not a fortune. We wanted to stay within the local neighborhood and we were not disappointed. It was easy to book and on our arrival, the landlady who lives across the street checked us in. She cleaned every day and kept our apt in great working order. Not only that she was very friendly and helped me learn to cook some Mexican dishes. The little apartment had a fully functional kitchen (stove though no oven which is fine) and the big grocery store is just 10 minute walk. However, the neighborhood is full of local women who cook and sell out of their kitchens so there is a ton of fantastic cheap eats around and the apt. is just 2 blocks from Mango Cafe the best food on the island. The best part about Casa Azul is the rooftop deck with gas grill/tables/chairs and the rooftop swimming pool! There are four apts so we had the chance to meet some fun people but also it was quiet. The local cats come around for handouts so of course we ended up "adopting" one. It's a good idea to have a scooter or golf cart so you can get around the island. It's about a 20 minute walk to town otherwise. This is a perfect DIY option for Isla. The owner, Jim, unfortunately was not on island so we didn't have a chance to meet him but he was very pleasant and easy to work with by email. We absolutely fell in love with Isla and will be back. Jim....save us a room!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

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Enjoyable Stay!

Guest Victoria B.
Date of stay 05/17/12
Review Submitted 05/25/12

Thank you Jim, Lori, Cujo, and Fang.....Have stayed on IM many times in the past but always at a hotel on the north end. Everything was exactly as promised and Jim and Lori are genuine, pleasant, and helpful. We did rent a golf cart for our entire stay but only because we enjoy travelling the island and the out of the way places, restaurants, etc. Taxis are plentiful and the local people were very nice to us. This seems to be a very safe area and we would definitely stay at Casa Azul again.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Perfect vacation!

Guest TMN
Date of stay 04/07/12
Review Submitted 04/19/12

We arrived (a little late) from Cancun. Jim was there with my name on a card so it was easy to identify him. We sat down with he and Laurie and two other of their friends from Wisconsin. It was our first time to the island and it is gorgeous! Jim and Laurie (and Cujo :) took us home on their golf cart and pointed out a lot of "landmarks" on our way home (ex: bars, the large grocery - only about a 3 block walk from Casa Azul - restaurants, bakery, etc.). The room was perfect - clean, spacious, and incredibly functional. Nice large bathroom (yes, great shower pressure!), the A/C cooled things down quickly. The pool was perfect for a quick dip. The "hardest" part for me was seeing all of the animals around. I know they are taken care of - but it is just such a different way of life from here in the US. I know Laurie feeds the cats around the house - which it seems a lot of people do :) <Note: there was one super kitty who was more like a dog. S/he (?) was black, sleek, and elegant. She would follow us around. She was looking a little "off" (sick?) our last few days, so I hope she's ok by now. She was just such a sweet little gato....followed us like a puppy (of course, I encouraged it quite a bit :) I loved staying mid-island. We payed anywhere from $40 MX (~ $4.00 US) to get to Playa Norte to $20 MX (~$2.00). Cabs are all around. We did rent a golf cart for 3 days (not all at once) and that was perfect. Oh....another bonus of the location - it's an easy walk to Mango Cafe (AMAZING!) and Monci's (DELICIOUS!). I would totally stay there again. Thank you so much Jim and Laurie - we had such a great time on the Island for our first time. Won't be the last.....

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Outstanding value

Guest Spikekay
Date of stay 03/30/12
Review Submitted 04/18/12

We have been to the Cancun/Isla area many times but always stayed in the touristy areas. Casa Azul was an enlightening experience living among the locals. We were able to find neighborhood bakeries, restaurants and shops that we never would have if staying in town. I would recommend this experience to anyone. As for Casa Azul, 35 dollars a night! Wow, what a value! It was clean, maid service you usually don't get with a condo, and more space than most. Jim and Lori respect their guests privacy but are always there for anything you need. When a light in our room wasn't working properly Jim fixed it immediately--within minutes. He even picks his guests up at the ferry dock. Who does that? Usually you have to get yourself to your condo yourself, incurring another charge. Taxi's are plentiful so no problem getting around if you choose not to rent a golf cart or scooter. The new Chadreau is within walking distance and has anything you need to eat or otherwise. It has a great deli--with fountain drinks I usually miss when in MX--also a great bakery. I highly recommend Casa Azul for it's location, price, and great owners.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, pet owners.

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Casa Azul

Guest tracy a.
Date of stay 03/25/12
Review Submitted 04/01/12

I couldn't have asked for more! Jim was always available by email to help with any of the questions we had. He suggested bestday for the shuttle to the ferry which was very helpful and picked us up on the island side so we wouldn't have to find our own way. He was also willing to help us plan and book any tours we were interested in. It's in a great location, lots of places to eat and get groceries with the locals and away from all the tourist shops although only a short half an hour walk to town or a 3dollar cab at most. Perfect location. Although we didn't use the stove, all the amenities were there if we wanted to. We used the bbq on the roof top patio by the pool each day for a late night snack and the fridge, well, if you like beer, you need a fridge. He also had a full water cooler waiting for us in our room, air conditioning, internet and the water pressure in the shower was fantastic. They replenished toilet paper as needed and came in everyday to make the beds and tidy. The price cannot be beat and it was like a having a little piece of the island. There are only 3 apartments for rent so you didn't have to share your space, although we did have plenty of drinks with our neighbours on the roof:) Having saved on the room, it allowed us to rent scooters for a few days and to eat at all the fabulous places on the island. I will stay at Casa Azul again before any other place and you should to. Tracy and David Toronto

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Loved our stay

Guest Roxi
Date of stay 02/04/12
Review Submitted 03/08/12

We stayed at Casa Azul for 8 days in early February. It was our first trip to Isla and we will definitely be back. Casa Azul was conveniently located in a lovely little neighborhood. We always felt safe even walking at night. Food (wonderful new grocery) and restaurants close by (Mango Café for coconut French toast was awesome) or you can taxi almost anywhere on the island for $2-3 dollars (US) (but be sure to ask how much BEFORE you commit). Our room (I think #3) was clean and had everything you could need (air that worked great, wifi, cable and a nicely tiled bathroom with good water pressure and hot water). We never cooked in our room but it was great to have the full size refrigerator and the coffeemaker, which we did utilize, and to know that it was an option. There was a great deck/patio with a grill, tables, chairs, umbrella, lounges and a lovely splash pool just down the hall. It was a great place to have coffee in the morning or to end your day with a libation. We fell in love with Mama! It was fun to visit with her each morning as we headed out on our daily adventure. She always had a smile, a kind word and a story if you took the time to listen. Jim and Lori were great too and always willing to answer any questions we had. I don’t think you can find a better value for your money. I would definitely recommend Casa Azul.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car.

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Living with the locals!

Guest Tracy
Date of stay 11/20/11
Review Submitted 12/02/11

We arrived off the ferry happy as can be and was greeted by Jim, Lori and my favorite dog of the trip Cujo. We sat down and had a few beers with them and got to know them quickly. When we pulled up we knew it was just what we were looking for. We are never happy staying in a hotel, and this was like having your own apartment and knowing your neighbors, so it was fantastic. I literally felt like I was visiting some friends and staying in their guest house. Jim even brought me over some medicine one morning cause I wasn't feeling well and was at peace with the comfort that brought. We were able to walk to the coast, to see the waves come crashing in every morning. We contemplated renting a golf cart, but taxis were always around within minutes of walking through the neighborhood. There were many local places to eat at in the neighborhood that you could even walk to. We normally don't spend much time in our rooms, but this place we did because we weren't crammed into a room. One day we even time spent on the patio with Jim and Lori that started with drinks and ended with some dinner and got to know them even more. We will be returning, hopefully with more family to experience this place. The prices CANNOT be beat. Thanks for having us!

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

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Bruce (North Carolina)

Guest Bruce
Date of stay 10/13/11
Review Submitted 11/01/11

I have been to Isla 8-9 times and have stayed at many different places. Jim and Lori's apt. was a really great deal for the price. They even met me at the ferry dock and bought me a beer to boot! The weather wasn't very good on this trip. Lot's of rain, but it was a working trip. I went to write and good thing it rained or I would have been at the beach the whole time.It was a great place to stay and both Jim and Lori are wonderful and very helpful. I will definitely stay there again if it isn't booked when I visit.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

The real deal

Guest mjd
Date of stay 09/29/11
Review Submitted 10/08/11

Just returned from 1 week at this rental -- Casa Azul -- on Thursday. Told the owners that I would post a horrible review just to keep folks away from booking and leave more vacancies for me! Looks like I'm way too late....the previous reviews say it all. It was a super rental. Vey quiet neighbourhood at night, a/c worked great, kitchen was functional, dipping pool was awesome (had it to myself! low season), satelite tv, short walk to taxis, local tiendas and a few restaurants/taco stands. Easy cab ride (like...3 minutes - 13 pesos) to the centro where you have lots of choices to eat/drink/sunbathe/swim like a queen for very little $. Hope to get back again and bring my daughter this time to experience the delfinerio just a short cab ride away....just google Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres and see what I'm talking about. Try lobster at any of the bay-side restaurants...can't go wrong. This was great for my first experience on Isla. Next time, I would rent a golf-cart instead of depending on my feet, my mood, or a taxi (not that any of these were ever that bad). This was just my maiden voyage to this area of Mexico...although Isla seems to have it's own quieter atmosphere, I suspect it is regularly violated by Cancunians for day trips, particularly during the peak season. My own preference would be to avoid visiting during that time, but all depends on what you're looking for. Also, didn't spend any time on la playa norte -- except to walk through and see that it is littered with giant sand-bags trying to save the beach from further deterioration, I guess. There is a little section of beautiful calm beach just at the north-west past the beach-front restaurants that is beautiful....lounge chairs w/umbrellas to use for free, and they will serve you bebidas/comidas. Thanks so much Lori, Jim and Cujo!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

The Tranquil, Immersed and Cultural Experience

Guest Pedro
Date of stay 06/22/11
Review Submitted 06/30/11

My time in Isla was priceless. Casa Azul was in every way, the perfect apartment. The location was great as it allows the traveler to be culturally immersed. The manager Chely was very attentive, but also was very respectful of your time and privacy. The pool was a great addition- even swam during the late night. The whole Isla package makes for a tranquil life. Casa Azul definitely sets the tone for tranquility. Thanks for a great time!!!! Peter

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Great value, comfortable stay

Guest Young family
Date of stay 05/17/11
Review Submitted 06/09/11

My husband and I and our 5 month old enjoyed our stay at Casa Azul. It is reasonably priced and had everything we needed plus nice touches like the cooling off pool and roof top deck. The owners are friendly and accommodating. We would recommend staying here.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

3 wonderful days on ISLA

Guest Jeff & Marla
Date of stay 04/19/11
Review Submitted 05/10/11

Stray away from the crowds?...we do too. CASA AZUL: is the perfect "base camp" for an adventure on Isla Mujeres!! Jim & Lori are ideal hosts: Very friendly and familiar, efficient, accessible, knowledgeable and English speaking - close at hand when you need something yet very respectful of the guests' space and privacy. THE APARTMENTS: are simple and functional, very clean and well kept AND air conditioned for a great night's sleep. #4 had plenty of storage space for unpacking and an extra twin bed for the suitcases that weren't totally emptied. There is a very nice bathroom and the kitchenette provided everything needed to cook a quick bite or complete meals...not to mention the gas grill on the shared roof-top patio that rendered a pretty mean Pollo a la parrilla on our last evening. The patio is a real highlight. For us, it was right outside our door and the perfect place to have morning coffee, share travel notes with other guests, have a cerveza alone in the afternoon or share a few with hosts, neighbors or new friends. AND THE SPLASH POOL...what a bonus!! and lucky for us, we had it all to our selves every time we felt the urge. A moon-light dip after dinner on our first night - 2nd day, a midday cool down (before an afternoon nap) following a long hike to the Garrafon area on the southern tip of ISLA - an evening soak with the tunes playing and the cervezas on ice before dinner on day three. THE LOCATION: Surrounded by a peaceful, safe and friendly neighborhood (colonia) Casa Azul is close enough to anything on Isla but set just off the "main drag" avoiding the (very little bit of) hustle that can be found on Isla...if you look real hard. Taxi's are readily available and 20-30 pesos (2-3 dollars) gets you anywhere. We walked to both tips of the island...south is a little longer hike, so we caught a cab back from there. Walking, day or (some) night, didn't matter, we felt perfectly safe anywhere we went and our very weak Spanish/mostly English got us through any situation. Restaurants within a few blocks: Monchi's - great food-super owner and staff Mango's - a colonia favorite with an excellent menu & a top-notch chef. From the minute we arrived at the ferry dock, where Jim met us, holding his sign with our names on it, 'til we caught the ferry ending this leg of our trip, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute we spent on Isla Mujeres... MAINLY BECAUSE WE WERE SO TOTALLY PLEASED WITH OUR ACCOMMEDATIONS AT CASA AZUL!!!

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

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Spring Break----Semana Santa

Guest Rose
Date of stay 04/19/11
Review Submitted 05/07/11

I enjoyed my time at Casa Azul. Jim and I emailed several times before I arrived. This was my first solo trip and my first time to Isla Mujeres. I was given all the info I needed to make my shuttle reservation with Bestday, and Jim met me at the ferry when I arrived. I was shown the apartment...downstairs and immediately felt at home. Cafe Mango is within walking distance and the food is excellent. The only issue I had was with the lock on the door and it was taken care of the same day! It is so nice to have Jim and Lori right next door. I met a couple from Minn. at the rooftop pool area and we spent an evening together (Jim and Lori joined us for awhile too), I had such a good time. I can recommend Casa Azul to anyone wanting to be away from the hustle and bustle of Centro, it is only a few minutes away by taxi. I found this place to be safe, comfortable and quiet (just what I needed). The a/c and wifi worked great for the entire time, I had to do a little work while there and I did not have a bit of trouble connecting to the internet. I plan on returning again soon (I just hope they have vacancies). Thanks for a relaxing break.;) Rose

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank-you Rose for your very flattering review. We enjoyed having you here and hope you do return..

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FANTASTIC VACATION APRIL 13 - 19, 2011

Guest Sandy
Date of stay 04/13/11
Review Submitted 04/22/11

Stayed at Casa Azul for a week in april to celebrate grandaughters 8th birthday. Jim, his wife and Cujo met us at the ferry and we sat and had a drink with them then proceeded to Casa Azul. I rode with Jim who took me on a tour and explained everything on the way. My daughter and her kids rode with his wife. The apartment was very nice and fully equipped just as shown on VRBO. Jim took us to a small grocery store in La Gloria and i was glad he was with me cause the only way i would have known what was what was by looking at the pictures on the packages (thanks a lot Jim). We ate dinner at Mango's Cafe and the owner was fantastic and i can't even describe the food - UNBELIEVALBE. I had the red snapper stuffed with crab over bed of rice with a white sauce over it. Rented a golf cart the second day and went to La Gloria Engligh School to donate baby clothes and school supplies. Spent rest of day at Zama Beach Club - Fantastic. Spent another day at Garrafon Park. Went to Sunset Grill and had birthday dinner right on the beach - Felipe (the owner) was fantastic - he bought my grandaughter a huge pinata and invited all the children in the restaurant to help in breaking the pinata then everyone came down on the beach with birthday cake and sang to her in spanish and english. Had a great time on the island, did not want to go home and will be back. Thanks for everything!

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

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Perfect!

Guest Susan
Date of stay 04/02/11
Review Submitted 04/23/11

We stayed 7 nights, and it was fantastic. We enjoy slow paced, laid back vacations, and that is what we got at Casa Azul. The property is about a block from the eastern shore, and the sunrises are phenomenal. We walked around the neighborhood in the evenings, and it is 100% safe. The apartment was much better than we expected, and the dipping pool/rooftop patio very nice. We cooked a lot of meals in the apartment's fully equipped kitchen. The owners, Jim and Lori, were most helpful and full of great suggestions and information. We rented a golf car for the week, but taxis are plentiful and very cheap to get you to the action near Playa Norte. We enjoyed our stay at Casa Azul, and will definitely return. You can't find a better deal for your money. Jim, thanks for such a great time!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Best vacation EVER

Guest marie
Date of stay 02/01/11
Review Submitted 02/16/11

Loved it, Loved it. Big plus is having the landlord & landlady who speak English. This landlord gets it 100%. He really knows what Americans and Canadians are looking for. Clean, friendly. Loved our morning coffee get togethers on the patio with the other guests swapping stories before we all went on our way for the day. Landlord went above and beyond. Delivered our beer, water,and yummy lobsters to our door. The best beer and lobster prices in the world. Casa Azul is in a real (local) neighbourhood. Very safe. We walked around after 10:00p.m..and felt really safe. One could stay "downtown" where all the action is,but we like to sleep and the beds are great and t.v. is great. We will be back next year.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Our First Stay, But Not Our Last !

Guest Jerry & Ann
Date of stay 01/04/11
Review Submitted 01/09/11

Ann & I have been coming to Isla Mujeres for a number of years and have resisted staying anywhere but downtown Isla. What a mistake !! The quote of "contempt prior to investigation" comes to mind. What a great little place to stay. Jim, Lori, Momma Arlene, and little Cujo personalized our stay and we felt very welcomed and catered to. The cooking facilities were more than adequate, good housekeeping and we felt very safe and at home here. The splash pool and general hang out place on the second floor was great as we met new friends. Our air conditioned room was relatively quiet, nice to have wireless internet and satelite tv. The beds were general mexican fare. The cab ride into town was less than 2.00 USA dollars. We decided to try it for a month to compare it to downtown. Our only regret is that we didnt book the whole 3 months. We will be definitely returning next year. Our only hesitation in writing this 5 star review, is that it will be unavailable for us when we want it, but we believe in rewarding good service with good comments.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car.

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Best accommodations in Isla!!

Guest Christy
Date of stay 12/21/10
Review Submitted 01/30/11

I give Casa Azul a 5 star rating for a handful of reasons. First and foremost, the owners Jim and Lori were so friendly (and their little dog Kujo (sp?) was so cute!!) and were available to help if I needed anything. They were extremely hospitable and I felt like I was at home immediately. The room itself was impressive, full kitchen, with a full sized fridge (not very common in most other places that I've stayed), free filtered water, 2 burner stove and all plates, cups and pans needed to prepare a meal. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom had nice tile and was in good condition. Satellite TV and wi-fi were also nice perks. The patio area on the 2nd floor was a nice place to meet the other guests, have a BBQ (with a brand new gas grill) and a table with an umbrella to read a book or relax. I didn't go in the splash pool because it was too chilly in Dec to go in, but I'm sure on a hot day, it would be great to take a dip. I have been going to Isla for 1 1/2 years, this was my 6th trip and Casa Azul was the best place that I've found so far in terms of price, level of cleanliness and safety in addition to the hospitality of the owners. I liked staying downtown to be close to the restaurants and bars, but found that I enjoyed this location even more because I felt like I was part of the community and could go to the beach or downtown if need be. My only regret is not staying at Casa Azul previous to this past December. I look forward to visiting again, hopefully very soon... :)

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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Our 2nd stay at Casa Azul- and what a wonderful time it was!!

Guest Jamie42
Date of stay 12/08/10
Review Submitted 01/04/11

We stayed at Casa Azul Dec 8-18th 2010.. This was our 2nd trip to isla and also 2nd trip to casa azul.. On our first trip - it was just my boyfriend and I and the place suited us just fine... On our 2nd trip- we brought down 2 couples additional to us - and the place was MORE than just fine.. The rooftop patio served as an awesome after hours hang out spot for us to reflect on our day.. have a few beers and a few laughs!! Jim and Lori are excellent hosts- and by our 2nd trip feel more like friends than anything else!! You cannot ask for anything more- for their nightly rate.. It almost feels like stealing! I'd be happy to vacation at casa azul on isla- for the rest of my life!! Thanks again for another excellent trip!!---- see you soon!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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"Real Isla Experience"

Guest M and M Harman
Date of stay 11/06/10
Review Submitted 12/12/10

Our 3rd trip to Isla Mujeres...and our favorite! Jim and Lori, the Landlord's couldn't have been more welcoming and kind. We were picked up at the ferry bar and taken by them to the Casa. We enjoyed the full kitchen- Since we were there for 3 weeks we did some of our own cooking to save money. Lori got me everything I asked for to cook. The roof top terrace with a pool was a nice plus. We were unable to use it much- unseasonably cool for Nov. But, nice to set out and email home from. We took our laundry 3 blocks away and got it back the same day we took it. Mango Cafe is great food and within walking distance. And, several great little local loncheria's. This is the place for people who want to live amongst the real "Isla experience". Only two blocks from a cliff, ocean view that we enjoyed!! We had alway rented "classy, expensive" homes before on Isla and couldn't afford those prices for a 3 week trip. Casa Azul was perfect for us and the other groups we were with that could all stay in the same place! Thanks- "Jimmy" and Lori!!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great Deal

Guest Dave and Michele
Date of stay 11/01/10
Review Submitted 11/07/10

Just got back from a week of diving and snorkeling. Though the reviews on vrbo all seemed positive, I was quite skeptical as to what quality to expect for the price. I had not a thing to worry about. Could you spend a lot more and get a lot more? You bet. Check the vrbo listings and open your wallet. But I can't imagine this quality of accommodation for even twice as much. Everything was clean, the beds were not great but adequate, and the amenities (full size fridge, ac, sat tv, wifi, roof deck, etc) were perfect for our needs. And the owners are great, genuinely "real" folks. Very pleasant. An unexpected bonus is I was a bit apprehensive about not staying near(er) to Playa Norte- not an issue. First of all the cab is like $2- not a concern. And the local neighborhood around Casa Azul is just charming, unpretentious, and deliciously quiet at night. Being away from "downtown" actually ENHANCED our trip. I will certainly be back.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

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Great Time in Isla Mujeres

Guest Steve
Date of stay 10/27/10
Review Submitted 11/11/10

We stayed from Oct. 27 thru Nov. 2nd.Jim was available to help and show us the hidden gems of this island, which made our stay much more enjoyable.To really see the island, we rented a golf cart all week,and took many a sunrise,and sunset drive.Great bargain for the price, we will be back. Steve

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

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Casa Azul 2010

Guest Esperanza
Date of stay 06/26/10
Review Submitted 07/11/10

We had an enjoyable stay in this quaint little hotel that is affordable, comfortable, and safe. Kind and generous people own, manage, and clean these four apartments near the Mar Caribe. We enjoyed the roof top pool and the hammock hooks in our room. Taxis are 20 pesos to anywhere in town. Food and drinks are nearby in many tiny stores. We had to cut our visit short and we were not penalized on our bill. That was spectacular business and we will return for sure, likely with more family members in tow because the accomodations are so affordable. Thanks Jim, Lori and Chely for a great time in Colonia Meteorlogico! Fay Thomas and Brooke Bard AKA Esperanza and Soledad

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Nice room in a friendly neighborhood

Guest Lynn and JoAnn
Date of stay 05/16/10
Review Submitted 10/19/10

My wife and I had a great time during our visit to Isla Mujeres and our stay at Casa Azul. While we did not have the opportunity to meet Jim and Lori, their neighbors, the Swaste's were very helpful. When we arrived by taxi, (all the taxi drivers know the Swaste's) we were immediatlly welcomed by a roof top full of Swastes on the Casa Azul patio. Even though we spoke almost no Spanish, and they almost no English, we felt very welcome. Casa Azul is centrally located on the island and makes a great base to explore. We rented a scooter (there is off street scooter parking) for our entire stay. The neighborhood felt very confortable from the helpful lady at the corner store to the young man delivering freash tortillias on his bike. One time I lost control of the scooter when taking a corner, and immediatly there were several people their to help me up and make sure I was ok. A very nice neighborhood. This is not a tourist area and gives you a real feel of the islands. I would feel confortable with my spanish speaking daughters (18 and 22) staying at Casa Azul. We will definatally stay at Casa Azul the next time we visit Isla Mujeres. Thanks again for making Casa Azul available.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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You can't beat this place no matter how hard you try.

Guest Sherry & Mark
Date of stay 05/04/10
Review Submitted 06/09/10

We can give this place a solid PERFECT and that doesn't begin to be good enough. Not everyone want's what we do but for us it was our exact idea of great, safe accomodations, & it had everything we required, plus some we didn't. We were met that night as we got off the ferry by Jim. We hopped on his golf cart and were whisked away to our apartment after being asked did we need to make any stops 1st. All we wanted was food & some cold beer since we arrived after dark & we were parched & hungry. He kindly offered to sell us some icy cold beer from his personal stock and showed us plenty of places to eat within a block or two of our apartment. Pillow top bed (practically unheard of in Mexico), cold A.C., and my husband's personal favorite over 900 channels on the T.V. & nearly all english speaking without captions. They have 4 units that they rent & we were the only ones there the entire time, which I'm sure will change once word gets out about this place. It had a full size fridge, everything needed to cook your own meals, and extra lights & switches so that when you came in at night you could flip a switch by the door & not stumble trying to get to the living area & extra lighting in the bathroom, which shows a womans touch in the apartments design, & a tub/shower combo. Dipping pool was great & refreshing & the patio is an ideal place to relax and watch the sun rise or set. The owners (Jim & Lori) went out of their way to make sure we were happy, well informed, & offered us advice & assistance at every turn. They even took my husband to rent a scooter & showed where the bank was that gave the best exchange rate to get our pesos. I hated to see them leave before us. They invited us for drinks & snacks the day before they left & made sure that someone would be there to help us if anything came up or we needed something later. Thank goodness they did. Ended up at the friends door at 7:30 in the morning needing a doctor (thanks to them) we got the help & information needed to solve a medical issue. There are plenty of great places to eat in the area within walking distance and plenty more if you want to take a ride in either direction. We actually had the best food close to the apartment. We spoke no spanish & didn't even always know what we ordered but still had excellent food every time. North Beach was o.k. but we had better food near where we stayed, plus the nearby locals seemed to be more eager to please. Best place to stay on Isla. A+

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/24/10
Review Submitted 03/23/10

Perfect for us! Ideal location for our needs - near the middle of the island where our friends live and still easy to get to North end of town. Spacious, everything in good condition. Friendly and helpful owners. Thanks for everything!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Blue is for you!

Guest BrooklynBoy
Date of stay 03/22/10
Review Submitted 04/28/10

I too was greeted at the dock with a bucket of beers even after I showed up hours late. Casa Azul was just what I needed at a price that can't be beat. The pool upstairs was key to those lazy nights in the sunset. The best feature was the quietness at night. After spending the day in the hustle and bustle of downtown, the peace was just what the doctor ordered. Thanks Guys!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Guest Lauren Heath
Date of stay 03/11/10
Review Submitted 03/11/10

Jim, Lori, and Kujo are the greatest. They were all waiting for us at the pier of Isla Mujeres, and not only that, they had a bucket of homemade chicken and cervezas for us! The apartment at Isla Mujeres was just perfect for my friend and I. When I was considering staying at Casa Azul, I asked Jim if he knew the closest bicycle rental shop on the island. Well, he went out and bought bikes for us to use during our stay. It was great. We biked that entire island and what a marvelous way to see it too! I can't wait to go back. Thanks again Jim, Lori, and Kujo...and Jim's mom too! Hasta Luego, Lauren!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Guest John Sabin
Date of stay 02/25/10
Review Submitted 02/25/10

I had a wonderful 6+ week stay there this winter. I liked the location as it was Carnival time on Isla and the downtown scene can be a bit wild. I took part in some of the activities, but when it came time for peace & quiet I just went back to Casa Azul. The accomodations were great and Jim & Lori were excellent hosts. I highly recommend this property for short or long term stays.

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Guest Mike Becky Donahoe
Date of stay 02/11/10
Review Submitted 02/11/10

Stayed at Casa Azul from Jan 8-15, 2010. This was our 8th trip to Isla and this was the best value for our money of any place we stayed. Rooms are very roomy, clean, and nicely equipped. Jim and Lori (and Kujo) were great hosts. We enjoyed our morning visits with Jim's mother Arlene and learned lots about the island from her. Found great cantinas and resturants nearby. Visited Ronco's mini-super every morning for our fresh juice. Great place. Hope it is available for our visit next year.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Guest Steve & Ronda Richard
Date of stay 02/06/10
Review Submitted 02/06/10

My wife and I stayed here from January 25th to Febuary 1st 2010. Jim and Lori met us at the ferry. Along with their dog "Cujo". Had a couple of welcome drinks at the bar on the ferry dock. Jim and Lori were very friendly and helpful. The room was very nice. Complete with a kitchen, nice size refridgator. quiet neiborhood. $2.00 taxi fare down town. Had a great time and will go back.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Guest Jamie42
Date of stay 02/03/10
Review Submitted 02/03/10

Just arrived back in NJ last night- to snow falling!! After a week at Casa Azul- it was a bit more bearable.. There aren't words to describe the week we spent on isla- and Casa Azul was the perfect place for us to explore... it was far enough from the noise of playa norte but close enough that 20 pesos took care of the cab ride. The unit we stayed in was clean and suited its purpose!- (especially the hammock hooks on the day we got rained in-- perfect for relaxing) Jim and Lori (and mama) are AWESOME and we will not forget them for a very long time.. If anyone has any questions - please feel free to email me- i was skeptical at first that a place so nice could be so affordable- but after staying here i was MORE THAN convinced!! You will not find anything as nice as casa azul for ANYWHERE near the price they're charging you to stay.. Hope Ya'll Enjoy the island with Jim and Lori at Casa Azul real soon!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

Guest Margaret Messer
Date of stay 02/01/10
Review Submitted 02/01/10

I have to say being at Casa Azul was like going home to a comfortable, safe wonderful home. I had a lovely room and the nicestest hosts. It was like I knew them forever.The price was so very affordable! My room was perfect and I spent many hours in the dipping pool and enjoying the ocean breezes from the 2nd floor patio. I travel extensively for work as well as pleasure and this tops my list. I will go back again and again!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Guest Steve Engelhardt
Date of stay 01/28/10
Review Submitted 01/28/10

Visiting the island was an amazing experience for me and the weather was beautiful. My girlfriend and I stayed here for a week in the middle of January coming from a small town in Wisconsin where I was ice fishing the day before we left. It was 30 degrees and we called it a warm front. While there we spent most of our time on the beach swimming in the ocean and just taking in the sun. We rented scooters nearby to explore the island and went on a zip line over the ocean. There is a great place to eat nearby and we had a kitchen with a large fridge for our groceries to cook for ourselves some of the time. I was even able to download a movie on the free wifi for the flight back. We have already decided to go back next year.

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Guest mary137
Date of stay 01/07/10
Review Submitted 01/07/10

just returned from a stay at casa azul. it was great, you can't beat the price. the location is great, quite, safe and only 20 pesos to downtown. i would definately stay again.

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Guest Tomas Rodriguez
Date of stay 12/21/09
Review Submitted 12/21/09

I had a wonder stay at Casa Azul. Not only was it affordable but it was spacious, clean and very safe as well. I was able to work on my computer on the upstairs deck while enjoying a cup of coffee or a cold beer. Jim and Lori were very helpful pointing out where the best place to buy fresh fruits and veggies as well as fresh fish. They really made me feel at home. The place is in a residential neighborhood and I was able to meet some wonderful local people. I enjoyed being away from the touristy part of the island yet it was only a short distance away. I would highly recommend this place and will be back as soon as I am able.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

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Traveler Reviews (38)

Isla Mujeres Lover

Isla Mujeres Lover

great budget apartment!

great budget apartment!

The Perfect Place to Live Local

The Perfect Place to Live Local

Enjoyable Stay!

Enjoyable Stay!

Perfect vacation!

Perfect vacation!

Outstanding value

Outstanding value

Casa Azul

Casa Azul

Loved our stay

Loved our stay

Living with the locals!

Living with the locals!

Bruce (North Carolina)

Bruce (North Carolina)

The real deal

The real deal

The Tranquil, Immersed and Cultural Experience

The Tranquil, Immersed and Cultural Experience

Great value, comfortable stay

Great value, comfortable stay

3 wonderful days on ISLA

3 wonderful days on ISLA

Spring Break----Semana Santa

Spring Break----Semana Santa

FANTASTIC VACATION APRIL 13 - 19, 2011

FANTASTIC VACATION APRIL 13 - 19, 2011

Perfect!

Perfect!

Best vacation EVER

Best vacation EVER

Our First Stay, But Not Our Last !

Our First Stay, But Not Our Last !

Best accommodations in Isla!!

Best accommodations in Isla!!

Our 2nd stay at Casa Azul- and what a wonderful time it was!!

Our 2nd stay at Casa Azul- and what a wonderful time it was!!

"Real Isla Experience"

"Real Isla Experience"

Great Deal

Great Deal

Great Time in Isla Mujeres

Great Time in Isla Mujeres

Casa Azul 2010

Casa Azul 2010

Nice room in a friendly neighborhood

Nice room in a friendly neighborhood

You can't beat this place no matter how hard you try.

You can't beat this place no matter how hard you try.

Blue is for you!

Blue is for you!