Location: Private Homes, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Mayan Riviera, Mexico (One hour & fifteen minutes from Cancun International Airport)
Accommodations: Exotic Jungle Retreat, 9 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 7.5 Baths (Sleeps 20-35)
Taninah is neither a rental home nor a hotel nor a resort. It is, in fact, more than any of these conventional options could ever hope to be. Taninah is a unique and exotic, ecologically friendly alternative to a predictable and plastic vacation destination.
It is not an "all-inclusive" yet our rate includes round trip airport transportation for up to 10 guests, the services of our private Mayan Chef and up to three exceptional daily meals (including kid friendly meals), a starter beverage package and taxes.
Our attentive and smiling staff of ten live on site and are available 24/7 during your stay to help with any necessity large or small.
At its core, Taninah offers five unique and charming guest houses on ten fenced, gated and landscaped acres. Our grounds have been carefully prepared and groomed to enhance the natural jungle setting instead of obliterating it. Terraced gardens, extensive lawns, tropical trees and enchanting water features grace the landscape and frame our guest houses in an incomparable paradisiacal setting.
Our guest houses are not offered individually and we do not rent to multiple parties. The property is only offered to one group at a time for their exclusive and private use.
This fact alone represents a considerable difference between Taninah and a standard rental home, hotel, or resort. In a rental home, you are confined to a multi-room structure. At Taninah you are offered multiple enchanting guest houses. In a rental property you are offered a token lawn, a pool, and immediate neighbors. At Taninah, you are offered acres of lawns and gardens and blissful privacy. In a rental home, you are limited and confined to a residence on a residential lot. At Taninah, you are not confined at all but rather rest your soul in a tropical jungle paradise surrounded by incredible features and amenities. In a rental home guests are crowded together like sardines. At Taninah guests are able to enjoy extensive communal areas or seek solitude in your very own guest house.
Taninah has the unique ability of offering private spaces as well as re-connecting communal areas all at once.
Unarguably, Taninah is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. The property is located 75 minutes south of Cancun, 25 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, and just 10 minutes away from one of the most spectacular beaches in the Mexican Caribbean called Xpu Ha.
Taninah is also within 10 minutes of fishing, diving, snorkeling, dining, shopping, spectacular cenotes, a swim with dolphins, medical services, internet services, tennis, golf, and much more.
Our installations and amenities are unparalleled starting with a spectacular private cenote (cave) complete with 30’ underground water slide which finishes with a cool and refreshing splash into a natural crystal clear pool of fresh water; a swimming pool and hot tub in private and extensive settings; a game room offering pool table, ping pong, air hockey, gaming table, balls, bats, Frisbees and more; a padded playroom for toddlers or teens filled with Gymboree equipment; a weight/fitness/yoga room; a library; a basketball half court or driving range; an in-ground trampoline; horse shoe pit; tree house; sand box; zip line; Rainbow Play System; swings; animals; a duck pond, and much, much more? Our extensive installations ensure there is something for everyone whether they are going on 8 months, 8 years, or 8 decades.
Taninah is the only property in the Riviera Maya which has been featured on HGTV’s "Extreme Homes" and Caribbean World’s “Living in Eden” as well as The Travel Channel's "Amazing Vacation Homes."
Common misconceptions:
1) Too hot...actually it's 5 to 10 degrees cooler at Taninah than in Playa del Carmen because all the heat is absorbed by the trees, foliage and grass. In town, the heat is more intense because it radiates back off pavement, sidewalks, cars and buildings.
2) No breeze...if there is a breeze at the beach there's a breeze at Taninah. Guaranteed!!!
3) Too many mosquitoes...WRONG!!! There are no swamps or stagnant water in the jungle surrounding Taninah so there are less mosquitoes than most places closer to the coast. Marsh and swamp lands are located closer to the coast which is where you'll find more mosquitoes.
4) Too remote...wrong again, you can stay at Taninah but be at the beach 8 minutes after deciding to go there. You can decide to go out to dinner and be ordering steak and lobster 10 minutes later. You can resolve to go scuba diving and be at the dive shop 15 minutes later. A round of golf is either 10 or 25 minutes away depending on which course you prefer.
Our location provides an ideal combination of private, peaceful, blessed remoteness as well as easy access to all the attractions the Riviera Maya has to offer.
Remember Taninah is not a vacation home it is a private vacation ESTATE!!!
Just one of the cozy inviting rooms at Taninah
VRBO Bear stayed here - 09/29/2008
I’m one of the luckiest bears around, and I’ve done quite a bit of traveling, but my recent trip to the ecologically-friendly Taninah in Playa del Carmen, Mexico was both more exciting and more relaxing than I could have imagined. The layout of the property was perfect for all the members of my group, with private guest houses for us to stay in, but plenty of places for us to congregate. The older bears enjoyed relaxing by the pool and hot tub, while the young cubs hid in the private cave and pretended like they were hibernating before sliding down the water slide into the crystal clear pool. The bear cubs were able to enjoy the in-ground trampoline, basketball court, treehouse, and sandbox, plus the game room, complete with pool table, ping pong, and air hockey, while the grown-up bears took advantage of the fitness center, library, putt putt course and driving range. One of the favorite activities for us bears of all ages was swinging down the zip-line on the property and letting the cool breezes whiz through our fur. Even if we never left the house, we would still “bearly” have enough time to take it all in!
Besides the exceptional amenities and the great location, what really set this vacation home apart from other homes we’ve stayed in are the owners and on-site staff. The homeowners have really taken care to preserve the natural surroundings while offering a completely unique experience for their guests. The staff is available to take care of your every need 24 hours a day from the very start of your trip.
When we’d arrive back at the house after a day of excursions the staff was waiting with cool washcloths on silver platters – we bears aren’t used to this kind of red-carpet treatment! After a full day, we would head into our dens for the night, and find that our beds were prepared with turn-down service. All in all, the availability of the staff and the privacy of the home made for the utmost in relaxation, yet the convenience to nearby activities and all the amenities at the property kept us on the go!
The VRBO Bear
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Child Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Crib
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Private Hot Tub
- Private Pool
- Sauna
- Pool Table
- Foosball
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Air Hockey
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Gazebo
- Other Amenities
- Property has a truly spectacular cenote (grotto) complete with a 30ft, underground water slide, swimming pool, full outdoor kitchen, a 600 sq, ft, hardwood deck, 8 person Jacuzzi, gym/exercise/yoga room, game room with pool table, board games, dart board, lawn games & more, basketball half-court, lawn volleyball court, 9-hole miniature golf course and driving net, in-ground trampoline, large padded playroom for children filled with Gymboree equipment, tree house, sand box, zip line, duck pond, walking trails, horseshoe court, siesta/meditation cabana, bicycles, 24/7 onsite staff & much, much more, Additional amenities include fully-equipped kitchen, fenced & gated property, onsite 24/7 staff, covered garage, bonfire pit, multiple hammocks, ceiling fans, all linens, Iron & Board, 3 TVs & 3 VCR/DVD players, 300+ DVD movie titles, toys and games for kids & adults, external sound system for iPod, telescope, binoculars, golf privileges
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Spelunking
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Horseshoes
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Beaches & Beachcombing, Reefs, Mayan Ruins including Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Mayan Village of Pac Chen, Ecological Theme Parks such as Xcaret & Xel Ha, Ecological Biosphere, Si+ín Kaan, Scuba Diving, Cenote Diving, Harley Davidson Motorcycle Tours, ATV Jungle Tours, Yachting, Deep Sea Fishing, Marina, Fly Fishing, Swim with the Dolphins, Hidden Worlds - Cenotes, Golfing, Restaurant Dining, Birdwatching, Museums & much
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Non-holiday Rate .. $1950/night for up to 10 guests.
Rate for additional guests ages 6 and older is US $98/night per person.
Rate includes cook serving up to 3 meals per person per day including
cost of food. Rate also includes round trip ground transportation for up to 10.
Starter beverage package and taxes also included.
Fully staffed property.
Please contact us about holiday rates.
Seven-night reservations generally required.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
My name is Marino Tomacelli and along with my wife Kathy, daughter Alana, and two sons, Anastazi and Kiani we developed and operate Taninah in the Riviera Maya.
The name “Taninah” in Mayan loosely translates to “first home.” It seemed the perfect name, as we were the first to build a home in the pristine virgin Mayan jungle.
Originally, Taninah started out as our own private family weekend retreat. The more time we spent at Taninah, the more we liked it and the more we developed it. In building Taninah we were very mindful and respectful of the property. Our simple goal was to enhance the natural beauty of this magical place with as little impact as possible.
Ultimately, we limited development to just 2.5 % of our property’s total surface area and utilized naturally present and renewable material whenever possible. In an effort to be as ecologically responsible as possible, we also incorporated the use of solar energy, built zero discharge composting toilets, utilize energy efficient lights and appliances, compost organic kitchen and garden waste, and recycle as much paper, plastic, aluminum and glass waste as possible.
After years of enjoying Taninah as our very own private retreat, and having been in the hospitality industry for over thirty years, it seemed a natural transition for us to offer Taninah as a rental property so others could enjoy it as much as we do.
Taninah not only offers our guests the most exotic rental property in the Riviera Maya but also the most unique vacation experience. In addition, guests can feel great about supporting an environmentally responsible, low impact resort helping sustain this beautiful region of Mexico for generations to come.
Property Photos
- The exotic Casa is beautiful both inside & out. - Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Vacation Estate just 8 minutes from One of the Best Beaches in the Riviera Maya!
- Downstairs master bedroom in Casa. Living and dining room are upstairs. - Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Vacation Estate just 8 minutes from One of the Best Beaches in the Riviera Maya!
- Pool and main outdoor lounge palapa. Game room on right. - Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Vacation Estate just 8 minutes from One of the Best Beaches in the Riviera Maya!
- La Quinta has 2 king beds and 2 double futons
- Interior of Cabaña furnished with 2 king beds
- Main kitchen area located under our large pool area palapa
- Main lounge where kitchen (not shown), bar, dining & pool area located.
- View of Jacuzzi, hardwood deck and grounds
- Game room
- Our very own private 9-hole miniature golf course
- Our cenote (grotto) with 30 ' underground water slide
- Casa Bedroom
- Tree House, Sand Box, Playhouse
- La Quinta Bathroom
- Kid's Padded Playroom
Guest Comments (41)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #28216
There have been 101982 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2004.
This listing was first published here in 2003.
Date last modified - July 05, 2009
Positive Rating
Positive Rating
What a marvelous jungle paradise – much fun was had by all – young and old! The zip line was a favorite! A fantastic place for our big and growing family to meet up and share time together. Impeccable service, terrific food, and lots to explore under a canopy of trees! We’ll never forget our time here! The Smiths
Positive Rating
Marino & Kathy, This week has been a pleasure. It matched our expectations and then some. There was something for everyone. Personally, I enjoyed the solitude, the “outdoors” and the great food. Your staff is extremely kind and helpful. We appreciated their help with the two birthdays we celebrated while we were here. We’ll have many good memories to share for years to come. Renee & Cliff Lutwinko
Positive Rating
1/12/05 Marino & Kathy, Your private jungle retreat is wonderful! You have thought of everything – the Power Wheels 4 wheeler, tree house, DVD players, great food, beautiful setting and a fun staff. This was a unique experience that we will cherish as one of our better family memories. Lee, Joe, Samantha & Gavin Stone
Positive Rating
Marino, Kathy, & Leslie, There is a song that goes like this, “Heaven…I’m in Heaven”. We feel like we are in the original Garden of Eden. “Heavenly”! When our daughter Nadine found Taninah on the Internet, we said “there is the perfect spot for Kevin’s big 70”. What a way to start of another decade. We hate leaving this paradise you have created, maybe we could do the “squatter’s right” thing. Our family enjoyed every minute. There is something for everyone Victor, Demetrio, Ezequiel, Alfonso, and of course, Luna added so much to our stay and a happy time. “Thanks for the memory”. Murphy & Kern Families
Positive Rating
To Marino, Kathy, and your wonderful staff, Thank you so much for bringing your dream of a jungle paradise to life for so many from around the world! Between the 23 of us we couldn’t come up with anything you left out. You thought of everything. There was never a dull moment for any of us, from a toddler to Grandpa and FunBun. We are so lucky to have stumbled into your humble hands (including Leslie’s)! Thanks to your hard work, commitment, and dedication, and that of your staff’s, unbelievable memories will be kept close to our hearts of the jungle paradise known as Taninah. With warm wishes to you and your familias, The Collingwood Family (Dan, Deb, Cody, and Hannah)
Positive Rating
12/28/04 Marino, Kathy, and Leslie, Thank you for allowing us to “rough it” here in the gentle jungle embrace of Taninah. There are good ghosts here and kind spirits from the chirping tree creatures and fluttering ducks to the sweetness of Luna, Diablo (yes, him too), Lolita, Tonita, and Mama. The bunnies and chachalaca were a special favorite of the children. You’ve managed to create a home here and a place of beauty for those who bring varied senses of beauty with them. There is something for everyone here. I really want you to thank our Mayan hosts for their flexibility, tireless charm, patience, and their kindness and cheer towards all. My family is pleased to have been a part of such a wonderful idea. Warmly, James, Becky, and Addison Sale
Positive Rating
12/27/04 Marino, Kathy, and All, Thanks for a wonderful experience of hospitality and friendliness in a most unusual setting offering a diversified array of many activities to accommodate a family the size of ours (23) in such a well organized manner. Made our stay that much more enjoyable. We shall have many pleasant memories of Taninah for many years to come. Arny & Brenna Davidson
Positive Rating
11/28/04 How similar has our experience been. The pure joy of the quiet and the trees. The cenote. All the places to play and laugh – and the magnificent Thanksgiving dinner Leonardo prepared for all of our guests. Special moments that brought our family more closely together…never to be forgotten. There are no words…just emotion. Don & Lillian Ritt
Positive Rating
How similar has our experience been. The pure joy of the quiet and the trees. The cenote. All the places to play and laugh – and the magnificent Thanksgiving dinner Leonardo prepared for all of our guests. Special moments that brought our family more closely together…never to be forgotten. There are no words…just emotion. Don & Lillian Ritt