Vacation Rentals by Owner

Stunning 3 Bdr Beachfront Paradise, Chic & Relax [#295183] | View Property

Tankah
Villa, 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 6)
$298 - $691/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (13)

• What a place!

  What a place!

  • Guest A&T
  • Date of stay 03/03/13
  • Review Submitted 05/05/13
  For a week we had our own little slice of paradise. Villa Mariposa is spacious, very well situated and equipped; the kayaks were a bonus and the wifi was faster than at home! Great views from the various terraces. It would be difficult not to be able to totally unwind here. Swimming and snorkelling a few steps away with fishing, diving, cenote and beach bars all within a few minutes walk. Tulum had all we needed for shopping. The meal at Ginger (in Tulum) was great (Arrachera con Salsa de mi Mamá - memorable). Akumal and Xel-Ha an easy drive away.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you Tim! You came from a long way and I am glad the house was what you expected and beyond! I have yet to try Ginger restaurant, thank you for the tip.

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• Relaxation and sunshine by the sea

  Relaxation and sunshine by the sea

  • Guest Maureen
  • Date of stay 02/24/13
  • Review Submitted 03/05/13
  We loved Villa Mariposa! It was such a joy to awaken every morning to sunshine and a view of the bay. The best part was walking out the door and onto the beach. We did a lot of relaxing, reading books, snorkeling, trips to the ruins, and relaxing. Did I say that we relaxed? That was the best part of our trip. The driving from Cancun to Tulum, and negotiating the Chedraui grocery store in Tulum was not difficult at all. Lots of fresh veggies and plenty of the same food you find in the US. All the store aisles were in Spanish and English. Having a full kitchen, was a great bonus and really helped us with saving money. Lots of great beach restaurants on Tulum beach too. Our nine year old loved it too! If you are thinking about going and renting this villa by the sea, do it!! You won't regret it. The owners were extremely easy to deal with and very helpful. The caretakers of the property were great too.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Maureen, I am so glad you managed to relax in Tankah. Isn't it paradise?

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• A Week in Paradise!!!

  A Week in Paradise!!!

  • Guest rsk
  • Date of stay 02/25/12
  • Review Submitted 03/12/12
  My girlfriends and I spent a week at Villa Mariposa(from Feb 25 - March 3). The house was absolutely beautiful and the perfect size for 5 people who wanted to spread out. The house is situated RIGHT ON THE WATER and we spent many hours reading, lounging, talking and enjoying the beach. Inside the house, the 3 bedrooms (EACH with a bathroom!) were very comfortable, each having comfortable beds, fluffy comforters and pillows and well-working ceiling fans(which were usually not needed while we were there). The kitchen contained everything you needed if you wanted to stay home and cook(which we sometimes did). If you wanted to stay home and NOT cook, Narie and Luis, the wonderful caretakers of the house who live in a separate home on the premises, will cook you a delicious Mexican meal for a very reasonable fee. Narie also cleans the house every day but Sunday and she kept the house looking beautiful. We did eat a number of meals out and there are a lot of good restaurants in nearby Tulum (we particularly liked sharing the grilled whole fish at La Nave.) There is a large supermarket right in Tulum and smaller groceries (ex: fruit/veg, grilled pork and chicken, juice/smoothies and ice cream). For those wanting a good swim in beautiful surroundings, there is a cenote (watering hole) less than a 5 minute walk from the house. There's a good chance that you'll see/hear various wildlife while you're there (and after your swim, you can indulge in delicious nachos and a margherita at Cafe Cenote, right across from the watering hole/cenote). Given the concerns over safety in Mexico, it was good to see that, at the start of the private road to the house, there is a always a security guard who checks each vehicle before it is allowed in. I never felt anything but safe while I was there. We took a few excurions during our week at Villa Mariposa (Tulum, Akumal, Sian Ka'an) but we were so happy and relaxed that we sometimes opted to stay home. I heartily recommend Villa Mariposa!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you for the wonderful review! Could not have said it better myself. I am glad you and your friends had a lovely relaxing time.

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• Family of Five

  Family of Five

  • Guest Family of Five
  • Date of stay 02/11/12
  • Review Submitted 03/12/12
  Our family of five (Mom, Dad & 3 teenage boys) had a wonderful week at Villa Mariposa! As the boys said, "this place is awesome!" There was much to see and do in this beautiful part of Mexica - Mayan ruins in Tulum, Coba & Chichen Itzu, snorkeling in Cenotes, and right in our own backyard reef, and snorkeling with turtles in nearby Akumal. Well stocked grocery stores were close by, and one night our wonderful caretakers cooked us a delicious Pollo Fajitas dinner inclusive of home-made guacamole and fresh salsa. Yum! We would highly recommend this property, and hope to return ourselves one day soon.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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• Exceptional Experience

  Exceptional Experience

  • Guest RSethi
  • Date of stay 07/16/11
  • Review Submitted 08/16/11
  In my twenty-five years of travel I truly cannot describe a place rivaling the pristine natural beauty, exquisite décor, and privacy of Villa Mariposa. The house is located upon Tankah Bay, steps from the chrystal clear water, and ample visits from pelicans, frigates, herons and opsreys. Covered in stunning shells and coral, with abundant hermit crabs and marine life, the Bay is a perfect location to decompress, snorkel, kayak or swim. The inside design includes impeccable selections of local folk art and wonderful breezy open rooms with ample cooling by the east-west cross-currents. And while the house feels very private and secluded, it is a quick walk to a delicious local pizza place and the haunting manatee cenote which is connected to the largest underground river system in the world. Tankah is located between Akumal and Tulum, so it is a perfect spot to rejuvenate and then enjoy the funky festive restaurants and beaches in those areas. Veronique, the owner, was professional and responsive and receptive to any questions or concerns I had over my more than three week stay. I will certainly visit again and would encourage anyone to take the opportunity to partake in its tranquility and majesty.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Paradise!

  Paradise!

  • Guest luke
  • Date of stay 05/27/11
  • Review Submitted 07/21/11
  We had a wonderful and relaxing 10 days in this beautiful house and would highly recommend it. Our baby daughter was right at home, toddling over to the beach every morning, delighted with the birds, butterflies, lizards and warm sea. The villa itself is large and very tastefully done. The views are stunning, the rooms are large and all the showers a real feature! The house is large enough for 3 groups to do their own thing, although you will need a car to get shopping in or go to Tulum. The owner was extremely helpful with all sorts of advice to make our stay more comfortable and the family that look after the place were a delight. The place is very well maintained while you are there without being intrusive and Luis' cevice and other cooking is great! The bay itself is lovely for snorkelling and kayaking and there is a fantastic cenote a few minutes walk away for early morning dips. Our family had a wonderful time and we are looking forward to coming back!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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• Truly a Paradise

  Truly a Paradise

  • Guest Kirk
  • Date of stay 03/29/11
  • Review Submitted 04/08/11
  Words can barely describe how much we enjoyed staying at Villa Mariposa. The property was exactly as advertised. Just read through the description to get a good idea of everything the house and Tankah bay has to offer. The photos capture the appearance and amenities, but just barely. Once you are there you will realize that it is much more beautiful than what the photos convey. The caretakers, Luis and Nedy, were very charming and did a great job of making our stay comfortable and enjoyable. The owner was very helpful in answering our questions, providing guidance for what to consider before travelling, and being flexible regarding travel dates. I would highly recommend to anyone that they should stay at Villa Mariposa. In fact, we hope to stay again sometime. The house is just a few minutes from Tulum, which was an enjoyable place to shop and eat. We had a nice meal at El Capitan. The ruins at Tulum are nice, be sure to bring your bathing suit because there is a great beach inside the ruins itself. Another great beach is just south of the ruins, along the beach hotel zone. A little further south from the town of Tulum are the ruins of Muyil, which features the tallest structure of the coastal ruins. The ruins at Coba are not far either, and you can climb to the top, although it is very steep. Just north of the house on Hwy 307 is Xel-Ha, which was a lot of fun. It is a lagoon with nice snorkeling, as well as activities such a riding a zip line and floating through a tunnel of mangroves. The food, which is included in the price of admission, is great, and all you can eat. We enjoyed Xel-Ha much more than Xcaret, although the evening show at Xcaret was enjoyable. Another good snorkeling spot was Yal Ku lagoon, near Akumal. The beach at Akumal was nice, but the "town" was not all that interesting. For a fun little town, try Puerto Morelos instead. It is between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, a little over an hour north of the house. In Puerto Morelos, for $25 you can take a nice snorkeling trip from the cooperative by the dock. They take you to two different spots out on the reef. There are many vendors and a really good selection of restaurants. If you are looking for a truly peaceful getaway, look no further than Tankah Bay and Villa Mariposa. The sunrises and sunsets are beautiful, the bay is great for kayaking and birdwatching, for example, pelicans glide around and dive in the water for fish. I could go on, but I am running out of space.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: Kirk, Thank you so much for your kind review. We'd love to have you back in Paradise anytime!

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• family time

  family time

  • Guest Trudy
  • Date of stay 03/19/11
  • Review Submitted 03/31/11
  I stayed with 4 adult children, and 2 grandchildren at Villa Mariposa-the house is beautiful, situated on a beach that allows for snorkeling, privacy and safety for the 2 little ones, 4 and 8 years of age-lots of geckos and hermit crabs! It is located close to Tulum, with grocery shopping, restaurants and beaches that allow for more wave surfing. The description and photos of the property are accurate and the caretakers are helpful, as were the owners with all my questions. I would recommend this property to anyone who wants a wonderful week (or more!) on the beach. Be sure to visit the center of Tulum, the Italian gourmet store, and the restaurants on the road to Punta Allen. However, to get to Punta Allen itself is a LONG 3 hour drive on a road full of potholes-not for the faint of heart.

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

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• Beautiful Beachfront Paradise

  Beautiful Beachfront Paradise

  • Guest Lynn
  • Date of stay 01/29/11
  • Review Submitted 03/16/11
  We LOVED our stay here. The property is better than even the pictures describe. We felt very safe in the community, and much of the time we didn't see anyone else on the beach! There are lots of great things to do within a very short driving distance. The owners were great about answering any questions we had, and the on-site caretakers were extremely helpful and friendly. The bay was very shallow, but rocky ... very safe for kids, great for kayaking. Would recommend Villa Mariposa to anyone looking for a beautiful, private, tranquil setting.

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

  Owner response: Thanks, Lynn! Glad your family had a wonderful time. Thank you also for fixing the kayak! :-)

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• A Week of Rest

  A Week of Rest

  • Guest Kate
  • Date of stay 10/09/10
  • Review Submitted 11/09/10
  Villa Mariposa is a refuge from the tourist fray of the Mayan Riviera. Upon arrival, a little crab skittered past my toes. I took my shoes off, let my feet sink into the sand, a hardly wore shoes for the rest of my stay. The photos in the on-line profile not only don’t overpromise, they can’t do the place justice. This is a beautiful home. It’s airy, cheery, and tastefully decorated. The house has an interesting design that really breathes in the ocean air. It feels very natural. My skin was radiant and my hair curly in the tropical atmosphere. One of the most amazing aspects of this property is the huge sunrises right outside your door. Mornings are full of sunshine here on clear days. On our one gray day, we made tea and watched movies upstairs while nesting on the beanbags. Be sure to bring your favorite DVDs, although we enjoyed a few from the house collection too. The beds are extremely comfortable and the on-site caretakers do everything they can to make your stay enjoyable. If you have a problem, ask for help and they will respond. Juan racks the grounds daily and his wife Geni keeps the house clean and even washes dishes for you. I also recommend hiring Geni to cook at least once during your stay. Her food is simple and tasty and so plentiful you’ll be eating it for days. We also enjoyed cooking for ourselves. We got fresh fish in Tulum from Pat y Pat fish store, grilled out, and put music on the stereo for cocktail hour. We also went upstairs to the roof deck in the evenings to watch the sun set over the jungle treetops, a very peaceful sight. I loved laying out under the palapa, alternately reading my book and gazing out at the blue ocean. The kayaking and snorkeling are great, but be sure to bring water socks for getting in and out on the rocky ocean floor. Our last day there, a nest of baby turtle eggs hatched. Most of the turtles made their way down to the ocean under cover of darkness, but Juan tended to a few stragglers, making a sandy nursery for them in a wheelbarrow. His children and I watched, amazed. We visited the Tulum ruins and also drove an hour or so inland to see the ruins at Coba. Both were incredible to experience. Near the Coba ruins, we visited an underground cenote, a magical moment. There’s also the above ground cenote right across the street where we went for a swim. Villa Mariposa is a special way of visiting Mexico, where natural beauty and the human connection with local caretakers play starring roles.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Eric - Haute Savoie- France
  • Date of stay 08/22/10
  • Review Submitted 10/12/10
  voilà , nous venons juste de rentrer en France .... notre séjour dans votre magnifique villa s'est trés bien déroulé et pas impossible qu'on y regoutte un jour !!!!!!! - nous avons eu la chance le soir de notre arrivée de voir une tortue juste a coté de la villa. encore merci de nous avoir offert le privilege de pouvoir occuper "momentanément " votre villa ; nos 3 enfants et nous memes s'en souviendront et nous retenons l'adresse pour plus tard ...

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Alicia - Mexico
  • Date of stay 07/26/10
  • Review Submitted 10/12/10
  Hello Veronique!....I just want you to thank you for everything, we had a great time in your house, it is absoulutely beautifull and allso the weather helped us...hope to return. Best regards....Alicia.

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• Lovely Villa Mariposa

  Lovely Villa Mariposa

  • Guest Buki
  • Date of stay 02/27/10
  • Review Submitted 04/19/10
  We had a wonderfully relaxing vacation at this stunning villa. The three spacious guest rooms are situated so you can have as much privacy as needed even if you are with another couple or children. The communal areas are comfortable and offer a great place to gather and eat together. The high palapa ceiling in the living room is amazing. We enjoyed kayaking in the bay. I really loved swimming in the crystal clear water of the cenote that is just a 3 minute walk from the house. The care takers, Hilario and Maria, are friendly and helpful. We can't wait to return.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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