Vacation Rentals by Owner

Just came home today.....what a time we had here!!!

Guest: Hollie K. (South China, Maine)
Date of Stay: 04/13/12 Review Submitted: 04/21/12

As part of a group of three families on vacation with our kids, we stayed at Casa Roca Caribe for a week and MAN-oh-MAN what a great week we had! Jimbo is there to help you with ANYTHING - and listed to his recommendations! We tried almost every eatery he suggested and we LOVED them, and a few we went back to two times!! The house is very clean and the kids really liked the pool on the lower level - at night the adults enjoyed soaking in the hot tub upstairs after the kiddos were tucked in. There is everything there that you need and you can't beat having free wifi and phone to use! You're just far enough out of town so you can enjoy the local life that the island has to offer, yet a cab ride to Centro is only a few minutes and a few pesos. I absolutely recommend asking Jimbo to hook you up with Lorenzo for the day and take your group out on a snorkeling advanture that you'll never forget - he was the highlight of the trip for the kids AND the adults!! If you keep an open mind and a laid back attitude you'll find your stay at Casa Roca Caribe to be the best vacation you'll have ever experienced! True story!!! :o)

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

Unique and wonderful !! Can't wait to go back !

Guest: Tom R.
Date of Stay: 03/26/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

There is NOTHING like sleeping with the breezes coming in from the ocean, and the sound of the waves crashing in on the rocks all night!   We just loved Casa Roca from the moment we walked in the door!   Also enjoyed the crowing of the rooster that lives next door.  Wonderful house. Spectacular views of the ocean. The pool and hammock on the first floor deck are great, the hot tub jaqcuzzi on the second level deck is great; both with the wind and the view and the sound of the crashing surf.  The area is populated with locals and is very calming and relaxing. You really get a "local" feel for this wonderful island, one that is different than the other areas; one we think is not to be missed.  And being that close to the ocean on the more natural and rugged eastern side of the island is a must in our opinion.  Also, it's a one minute walk to the mango Cafe, our absolute favorite place to eat all 3 meals on the island! We took Jimbo's tour in his pickup truck right when we arrived and it was the smartest thing we did; gave us a great feel for the entire island and where we wanted to go.   It's in a perfect location on the island, sort of right in he middle.  So you can get away from the throngs of people and the noise of the more touristy end of the island, but close enough to easily visit all parts of the island with a golf cart or by cab.  The golf cart we rented for the week is perfect and strongly recommended.   My wife and I also had massages by a woman who comes to the house.  What a way to get a massage, on the deck in the warmth from the sun and with those lovely breezes off the ocean and the relaxing surf sounds.  We highly recommend this. We visited some fancy hotels near the big beaches with their sterile, modern rooms that felt like you were in Las Vegas or New York -- not our cup of tea. Cafe Roca Caribe is all it's advertised to be and more! Tom and Nora in Minneapolis, MN

Recommended for:

unique and wonderful! highly recommend to anyone!

Guest: Tom R.
Date of Stay: 03/26/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

There is NOTHING like sleeping with the breezes coming in from the ocean, and the sound of the waves crashing in on the rocks all night!   We just loved Casa Roca from the moment we walked in the door!   Also enjoyed the crowing of the rooster that lives next door.  Wonderful house. Spectacular views of the ocean. The pool and hammock on the first floor deck are great, the hot tub jaqcuzzi on the second level deck is great; both with the wind and the view and the sound of the crashing surf.  The area is populated with locals and is very calming and relaxing. You really get a "local" feel for this wonderful island, one that is different than the other areas; one we think is not to be missed.  And being that close to the ocean on the more natural and rugged eastern side of the island is a must in our opinion.  Also, it's a one minute walk to the mango Cafe, our absolute favorite place to eat all 3 meals on the island! We took Jimbo's tour in his pickup truck right when we arrived and it was the smartest thing we did; gave us a great feel for the entire island and where we wanted to go.   It's in a perfect location on the island, sort of right in he middle.  So you can get away from the throngs of people and the noise of the more touristy end of the island, but close enough to easily visit all parts of the island with a golf cart or by cab.  The golf cart we rented for the week is perfect and strongly recommended.   My wife and I also had massages by a woman who comes to the house.  What a way to get a massage, on the deck in the warmth from the sun and with those lovely breezes off the ocean and the relaxing surf sounds.  We highly recommend this. We visited some fancy hotels near the big beaches with their sterile, modern rooms that felt like you were in Las Vegas or New York -- not our cup of tea.  Cafe Roca Caribe is all it's advertised to be and more! Tom Rush/Nora Whiteman  Minneapolis, MN Tjrush@rushs.com

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

5 Adults and a Toddler from MI

Guest: The MI 5.5 (Grosse Pointe Park, MI)
Date of Stay: 02/22/12 Review Submitted: 03/03/12

We had a wonderful time at the Casa Roca Caribe. Jimbo and Karen described their place perfectly and they were super easy to work with. They even helped me get a few necessary baby items from a local rental company that worked flawlessly. We did rent a golf cart the entire time we were there as the walk to Playa Norte was a little far lugging all baby things needed. Overall we had a wonderful stay and will be back to the island as soon as we can.

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

Casa Roca Caribe was perfect for our girls getaway!!

Guest: The MN hotties (Twin cities, MN)
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 02/06/12

What a great place to kick back and enjoy the charm of Isla Mujeres. Casa Roca Caribe is located right on the ocean with breath taking views of the ocean crashing against the incredible rock formations. The private beach is great for hunting shells as long as you like a little adventure in climbing the rocks which we loved. Your host Jimbo is delightful and makes sure you have everything you need. He gives a great tour of the island and helps you make the most of your vacation time. Thanks to Jimbo we felt safe and cared for during our stay. Leo, Jimbo's dog captured our hearts and gave us our doggie fix for the 10 days we were there. It was so hard to leave. The island and Casa Roca Caribe is such a special place, we can't say enough great things about it. The villa has all the comforts of home with a Mexican ambience that gives you just the right vibe for vacation. This place is truly a value and we can't wait to come back home to Casa Roca Caribe next year.

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

Stunning Views, Real Neighborhood Experiences

Guest: shell (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
Date of Stay: 12/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/08/12

Five days at Casa Roca Caribe made us only want more--more of the spectacular ocean beneath our deck, the private solar-heated pool, the accessible neighborhood eateries (a variety and all excellent), daily life, and central location to Punta Sur as well as Playa Norte and the centro. And certainly more of Jimbo's hospitality and helpfulness, which made the difference in this trip. The excellent Mango Cafe is around the corner, and even the excellent Zama Beach club and the Turtle Farm are short cab rides away. The listing and photos and Jim's attentive emails all were accurate; if anything the photos don't do the property full credit. We stayed downstairs, another couple were upstairs so the house can function as two comfortable rentals. Great master bedroom with ocean view--sunrises are particularly recommended! Watch the stars come out nightly on the private deck and sleep fitfully in the excellent master bedroom bed to the ocean's roar. We liked this because we could partake easily of the hustle and bustle of the Playa Norte culture while feeling like we were living in the rhythm of Islas people locally. Thank you Jimbo.

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

Wonderful!

Guest: Nic (Richmond, VA)
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 11/20/11

A truly wonderful place to stay with unbelievable value. Enough can not be said about the care that the owners have for making sure guests have the best stay possible. The patio mere feet from the Caribbean can not be beat - we started and ended each day here!

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

October 2011

Guest: Cindy in Oklahoma (Tulsa, OK)
Date of Stay: 10/15/11 Review Submitted: 10/20/11

Great value! Stayed in the lower level with pool. Any place on the ocean side of the island is a treat and this was one was exceptional. Home with amenities you find at your own house. Cook in or eat out. Favorite moments were chilling on the back deck and watching the surf. Jimbo and Karen were close when we needed them but not bothersome - and they were truly nice people to just hang with. Home was clean and well stocked with what we needed including filtered water and coffee maker. Store and eateries nearby. Catching a taxi to Playa Norte, La Gloria or Centro was easy. Would come back in a heartbeat and probably will.

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

A Great Place To Stay

Guest: Amy (Chapel Hill, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/11 Review Submitted: 07/02/11

We really enjoyed our stay at the Casa Roca Caribe! On our first day, Jimbo gave us an excellent tour of the island and helped us appreciate the local culture. The accomodations were very comfortable, especially the beds. We had everything we needed! It was wonderful to wake up to the sound of crashing waves. We loved eating at the Mango Cafe, our walk to Punta Sur, and swimming with the whale sharks. Getting around the island is quite easy- the cabs are plentiful and reasonable. The local people on Isla Mujeres are very friendly. We thank Jimbo for a great stay at Isla Mujeres!

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

Breath taking

Guest: Brad (Red Wing)
Date of Stay: 06/08/11 Review Submitted: 06/19/11

My family and I stayed for a week this June. Jimbo is a wonderful host and maintains a beautiful property. The patio is by far the best That I have ever had to sit and relax on. The beds are better than what I sleep on at home. The kitchen has everything you need not only to make a great meal but a cocktail as well. You are only a block away from one of the "must go" resturants Mango Cafe. In that same block is a little grocery store that has everything you need to make a great meal with mom and pop service that is lost here in the USA. We have stayed at several places on Isla as well many more in Mexico. Casa Carib is the best. They have raised the bar for service and acomadations. Hope to have the opporunity to stay there again.

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.

Perfect place to stay!!

Guest: Beth (Salt Lake City, UT)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 06/13/11

I can only add on to all the accolades everyone has heaped on Casa Roca Caribe. We recently returned from a six-night stay on the main floor and it was exactly what we were looking for! The pictures do not deceive -- the place is spacious and the balcony/pool is a little slice of heaven. The house is located about mid-island, so a little distance from the main downtown area but with cabs aplenty, you can get anywhere you want to go easily and cheaply. The area was charming -- lots of friendly locals, plus some amazing restaurants. Jimbo is like an on-site travel guide. He has so many little tips on places to go and things to do, and without him, we wouldn't have discovered some amazing activities or food! He is available to help you with anything you need and he checks in from time to time to make sure all is going well. I've never felt so cared about while on vacation! You will not get this kind of treatment at any hotel. Aside from the pool, which speaks for itself, all the house amenities are great and you won't feel you're lacking anything. The master bed was extremely comfortable and all the fluffy pillows were fantastic. Then you have the view and sound of the waves right out your bedroom window -- there is no better way to wake up! The kitchen has everything you need to cook or blend up a cocktail, and the main room was spacious enough for three of us to spread out. I would stay here again in a heartbeat! You won't find a better deal or a more charming place to relax your days away.

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

Great Casa Mid Island!

Guest: retro (suburb of chicago)
Date of Stay: 02/28/11 Review Submitted: 03/10/11

We were welcomed with 2 frosty glasses in the freezer and music in the background, and after a long travel day from Xcalak, well this was a perfect way to start our stay at Jimbos comfortable casa. We felt right at home, Jimbo is nearby and always available for anything you may need! You really can say he is quite the concierge, especially when it comes to eating....he knows the best restaurants on the island! We stayed pool level, very roomy for the 2 of us! The beds were quite cozy and the giant poofy pillows, AWESOME! Not to mention the view from the bed in the morning as well as the pool! I enjoyed my breakfast poolside watching the sunrise! Ahh to be back there right now! Thank you again Jimbo, your hospitality is the BEST! You are truly a GEM! Cheers

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

Jimbo and Karen's a big hit

Guest: Steve & Johnita (Missouri)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/19/11

Just returned from Isla and really enjoyed our stay at Casa Roca Caribe. Jimbo is an excellent host and the house is really nice. This is the closest that we have ever stayed to the water. The waves break on the rocks just out in front of the house. The view is incredible. The house has everything you need and is in easy walking distance of restaurants and groceries. It’s nice to have the homeowner on the Island to check on things and let you know about places to see and eat. We didn’t take Jimbo’s tour because this was our fifth trip to the Island but if you are new to Isla I would recommend it. He is very knowledgeable about the Island and will let you in on some places that a lot of the tourists don’t usually get to. We really enjoyed eating where the locals eat and it really saved us a lot of money over eating at the better known spots. We stayed at two different places on this trip. The first part was at Jimbo and Karen’s place and then we went to the other side of the Island and stayed at one of the more upscale resorts on the Island. We much preferred Jimbo and Karen’s house. The house is located in a section where you get a better feel for life on the Island. We really enjoyed interacting with the locals despite our limited Spanish. The residents and merchants in the neighborhood couldn’t have been nicer. We will definitely go back.

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

Relaxing Isla Vacation

Guest: T.B. (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/30/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

The 4 of us (2 couples) started off our New Year at Casa Roca Caribe on Isla Mujeres. As soon as we arrived at the condo we felt instantly at home. I had an idea on what he condo looked like from the pictures on the internet but in person the place was even better. The owner was there to meet us and to show us around the property. He already had the jacuzzi warmed up for us which was a nice treat after a long day of traveling. The owner happily answered any questions we had and provided us with tonnes of ideas on what to do and where to go. We arrived after dark so were unable to enjoy the view from the patio until the next morning but when the sun came up the view ocean is spectacular. The kitchen is fully stocked with appliances, utensils and dishes. You would easily be able to cook a full meal at home if you wanted but we ate most of our dinners down on Hidalgo St. in town. Even though we didn't cook anything elaborate in the kitchen, it was really nice to be able to have a quick breakfast in the morning before we started out daily adventures. Everything we needed was really close to the condo. Ronco's Market is barely a block away (most groceries, selection of beer, liquor and wine, household items) the people there were very pleasant and even helped me with counting in Spanish. The Mango Cafe is across the street to Ronco's and we had an amazing breakfast there (try the stuffed poblano pepper). The late night take out place, on the opposite side of the street of Mango. Arriving late we decided to pick up our first Mexican meal here. I am so happy we did because we had time to eat there two more times. The food was authentic and amazing, make sure you try the hot sauce in the bag they give you. The ladies there were so friendly and the price of our meal was even better. I think that we will be talking about this place for years to come. We were easily able to catch taxis from the corner 1 block west of the Mango. I don't think that we wait for a taxi more than 5 minutes once. Playa Norte, Awesome beach. The water was nice and shallow and the sand was perfect. 30 pesos taxi Hidalgo St. Walking street with tonnes of street vendors and restaurants. Good place to do some bartering and have a beer. If you want to watch a hockey there is a pub there that has games. taxi 20-30 pesos We rented a golf cart one day and that was a fun way to tour the island Two of us walked to centro one morning and it took less than 40mins I can't wait to return.

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

A week in paradise...

Guest: Patricia L J (Baldwinsville New York)
Date of Stay: 12/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

As I sit here in Central NY, having shoveled my driveway of snow yet again, I long to be back at Casa Roca Caribe. If you long for a stay in paradise, in a home on the ocean, whose reality is better even than the pictures depict, this is the place for you! I appreciated the warmth and comfort of a house (not just another resort), with the amenities and character of a real home, and the bonus of an unlimited, free internet connection. (My son was taking his final exams remotely, and the connection proved to be invaluable and reliable!) The view from the deck was breath-taking, and it was a true delight to fall asleep in the king-size bed, to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore below. A trip down to the beach afforded us with all the sea-glass and shells we could carry. ] The house is located at a mid-point on the island, convenient to the wonderful Cafe Mango where we enjoyed many wonderful meals (owners Lori and Palo made us feel like family!), and a little store where we could get fresh-squeezed fruit juice most mornings. It is on a quiet street which made us feel a part of the real Mexico! We happened to arrive on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a huge feast for the Mexican people, so there was much celebrating on our first night on the island. And then there is Jimbo, the owner of the house. His genuine love and enthusiasm for the island is contagious! We took his tour of the island on the second day of our stay, which gave us an abundant amount of useful information about where to go, what to do, and where to eat while on the island. Anything you need to know before or during your stay, Jimbo is there for you So I give Casa Roca Caribe a total thumbs up and hope to get back there sometime soon!

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.

Super House, Great Deal, Wonderful Hosts

Guest: ChristopherM (New York City)
Date of Stay: 08/02/10 Review Submitted: 10/01/10

I extended my stay on Isle Mujeres because I was having such an amazing time on the island and staying at Casa Roca Caribe. Jim and his wife made me feel totally at home and taken care of. The house is a gem, (house, pool, ocean. wow!). The amenities like washer and dryer, Jim's great CD collection, the hammock all wonderful touches. On a quiet, truly rustic Mexican street on a truly rustic Mexican island just minutes from the glamour of Cancun by ferry, there's is a very special property and I felt really lucky to find it! Check it out and remember to listen for the ma on his bike balancing the steaming pot of fresh corn who comes by their street every afternoon around 4:30pm!!!

Owner response:thank you christopher for such a nice review / recommendation...it certainly was a pleasure for you to be our guest...we are pleased you found this to be a special place as much as we do...we hope to see you soon my friend...Jimbo

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

Casa Roca Caribe ..... Getaway to Paradise

Guest: IslaTony (California)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 12/10/10

I have been traveling to Isla Mujeres for 20 years now and have stayed in many places around the island. Isla Mujeres is truly one of our favorite destinations. The island has a certain magic that only those who have spent time there and connected with it, can really understand. I have returned from other vacations to other destinations and felt I had to recover from my trips. When returning from Isla Mujeres, all I feel is a longing to return there. Casa Roca Caribe is truly an amazing spot on this wonderful island. I have stayed there twice now and will stay again in 2011. Jim and Karen have created a truly amazing place to unwind and enjoy the Caribbean. Casa Roca Caribe is a 2 bedroom, full kitchen, living room, dining room, pool downstairs and almost identical upstairs, except for an additional bathroom upstairs and a Jacuzzi instead of a pool. Jim and Karen’s unique experiences of actually living on the island help to know what your needs will be. There is a full size washer and drier on the property to save you from having to lug clothes to the Laundromat, or allow you to pack less for longer trips. Located in an actual peaceful Mexican neighborhood, Casa Roca Caribe allows you to have the true mexico AND the resort/villa experience on your trip. It is directly on the shore, nothing between you and your and fabulous view, except an occasional pelican. Jim has a local (Mexican Cell) phone and also a US number that rings to him there as well if you need anything at all. Make sure to get some recommendations on great out of the way spots for food and exploring from Jim and Karen.

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

Perfect, relaxing anniversary trip at Jimbo & Karen's place

Guest: steve h. (North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/22/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

My wife loves the beach, and we wanted to spend our 20th anniversary someplace beautiful and low-key. Boy, did we find the right place! Casa Roca Caribe is a very clean & comfortable rental at a great price. We stayed 9 nights in June, and easily could have stayed much longer. The owner & his wife live upstairs, and were accessible and helpful, but never intrusive. The house is on a quiet dead-end street in a small Mexican neighborhood. If you want a convenient mid-island location [which turned out great for us], and a master bedroom and patio overlooking a rocky beach [interspersed with sandy areas] that produces great surf sounds 24/7, read on. We had been to Mexican border towns before, but never inland. Isla Mujeres is very Mexican -- if you want glitz, it’s not the right place for you. The people there are very friendly [though beware the hawkers in Centro!], and there was easily enough to do on the island to keep us occupied at our leisurely pace. We didn’t have a car and it worked great. Jimbo called us a cab a few times, but we often just walked a block to catch one – they are everywhere. We rented a golf cart for one day, and it was useful to get the lay of the land and fun to tool around in. But the island is so small we didn’t feel the need for a 2nd day, and just taking cabs was both convenient and much more economical. Because we wanted to relax, we spent a LOT of time on the patio watching the surf, reading, sunning, and dozing. A quick dip in the pool was welcome in the afternoon. We bought a few groceries at the local store, and had breakfast in [Café Mango has great breakfasts just down the street – we just don’t like to get out in the morning]. We’d eat lunch and/or dinner out, and typically have leftovers that we’d bring back to eat surf-side. Man, that ocean is nice any time day or night! Centro [north end of the island, where the ferry arrives] is the main hub of activity, and has plenty of shopping and restaurants. Punta Sur [south end] has spectacular views – not to be missed – and a nice restaurant with a gazillion dollar view. Other parts of the island are regular Mexican neighborhoods, and quite interesting to stroll around in. We had very good food everywhere we went, and it was all very inexpensive. But it’s not Tex-Mex, so don’t try to order a burrito like I did . . . All in all, we had an awesome time. Highly recommended for a couple seeking relaxation time together. We can’t wait until we can return!

Owner response:Steve & Anita were delightful to have here at the house. they seemed to take to the island pace immediately and were in relaxation mode instantly. they were the perfect guests and we look forward to seeing our new friends again sometime soon! Jimbo & Karen

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