Casa Duna is a large, private beachfront estate and gardens on beautiful South Beach in the friendly and laid-back Baja fishing village of La Ventana. 4000 square feet of interior air conditioned space and over 6000 square feet of patios and shaded outdoor areas. Additional casita also available to rent.
Standard season rates - November till March
6 guests - $750/night
Each additional guest $50/person per night
Off season rates - April through October
6 guests - $600/night
Each additional guest $50/person/night
Casita rates
1-2 guests - $150.night
***Main house maximum capacity is 8 adults.
***5 night minimum - exceptions for fewer nights available
***We have the best internet available in town. It still can be slow however.
***Our casita is typically occupied by the onsite caretaker. Windows are screened for your privacy.
***We have the construction of a new house next to us. It has not been a issue but we would like our guests to be aware.
***Solar heating system for the mountain pool that is always protected from the wind.
Designed by leading Santa Barbara, California architects Shubin & Donaldson.
THE AREA
It has breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortez, miles of unspoiled soft sand beaches, the rugged and uninhabited Cerralvo Island (recently renamed Jacques Cousteau Island by the Mexican government for its pristine and protected beauty and its association with the late underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, who called the nearby sea 'the world's aquarium'); mountains circling more than 270 degrees around you; and a huge cardon (giant cactus) forest just behind you, with many huge specimens within your private walled property. And it is just a 10 minute walk along the beach to the center of the safe and picturesque La Ventana village, with fishermen's pangas (boats) lining the beach, casual and inexpensive restaurants with the freshest of seafood, simple and friendly bars (many offering excellent musical entertainment in the winter months) and coffee shops, small groceries, world-class kite and windsurf instruction, and even some spas.
ACTIVITIES
Launch your kite, windsurf, stand-up-paddle, kayak, or fish just feet from your front door -- or mountain bike, hike or off-road from your back door on miles of well-kept single track trails or jeep trails through a forest of thousands of huge seguaro-like cardon cacti, or through arroyos to remote beaches for snorkeling, or to an old lighthouse you can climb for views across the Sea of Cortez. World-class sport fishing right in front of you, for marlin, sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, pargo, sierra, yellowtail, and seabass. You can make arrangements with local fisherman to take you out (for a fraction of the cost of Cabo charters); surfcast, spearfish, or even fish from your surfboard or kayak; or take a whale-watching excursion; look for giant manta rays jumping from the sea, swimming turtles, or schools of dolphins; or even swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea, almost always in the vicinity. Or just relax and enjoy the amazing views, bird watch, or walk for miles along the beach -- one renowned for sea turtle hatches. This region of Baja, land and sea, is famous for its many endemic species of plants and animals. You will see why Baja is recognized as a biological treasure in ways not easily apparent in highly developed and commercialized Cabo.
THE EXPERIENCE IS SPECIAL
Enjoy mountain and desert sunsets from the pools or several upper decks, soak in two hot tubs, one on an upper deck with gorgeous views, and swim in two pools -- a large pool in the large inner courtyard shielded from winter winds, and a smaller one for non-windy days off your front patio between you and the beach. In the ocean, there is soft sand under your feet and gentle waves for safe ocean swimming. And beautiful cactus and palm and flower gardens around the courtyard.
Enjoy drinks at the bar on the 3rd floor observatory level, and enjoy ocean, desert and mountain views as the sun sets, from seats in or near either of the pools, in the beachside or courtyard palapas, or by a firepit on the master balcony.
THE ROOMS
Three master bedrooms with queen beds, balconies and private baths. Beautifully furnished throughout, with local artwork. Outdoor sleeping patios to sleep under the stars. (It hardly ever rains). Gourmet kitchen; large living areas with indoor-outdoor feel; fully air conditioned; your choice of outdoor and indoor dining areas; beachside and inner courtyard shade palapas; built-in outdoor gas grill, or make your own pizza (or breads/meals) in an outdoor wood-burning pizza oven; third floor observatory with a bar and jaw-dropping views; gymnasium with elliptical machine, recumbent bike and free weights; audio system; wireless internet; state-of-art security system; resident caretaker for your peace of mind and convenience.
Sleeps 8 in beds in the main house. 3 master bedrooms, gym has two twin beds. Additional casita sleeps 2 with kitchen and private patio is also available at times for an additional cost.
GETTING THERE
Rent a car at the airport, or we can have Cabo and La Paz airport pick-ups arranged. La Paz international airport is just 45 minutes away ).
SPECIAL SERVICES
Pre-stocking with food and drinks of your choice can be arranged, as can shopping be while you are there. We can arrange for an excellent cook for all your meals, or for just some of them. Professional massages can be arranged at the house. We can also arrange local guided excursions available to many fascinating locations (e.g, a desert waterfall and natural deep river pool for swimming; natural hot springs; art galleries in Todos Santos; ancient pictographs; the beautiful malecon in La Paz; whale or whale-shark expeditions; surfing on the Pacific beaches).
RATES
Weekly rates, far less than in Cabo, vary by season. There is no comparable property in the area -- and the area is unique.
BUILT TO BE GREEN
And if you're like most windsports enthusiasts and care a great deal about sustainability and responsible green design, Casa Duna was built to be sustainable and with minimal environmental impact.
-Solar pool heating system. The mountain pool is warm all year round by the sun.
-Extensive roof-mounted solar panel array generates electricity for use on-site; excess power is metered back to the grid for others to use.
-Solar hot water domestic heating.
-Lots of natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting. Windows are shaded and deep wall recesses reduce hot summer sun overheating the interior. South windows allow the low winter sun in to heat the tile floors.
-Extremely high insulation in walls reduces air conditioning cooling loss and exterior heat gain. Operable windows/doors on both sides of all rooms increase natural ventilation and reduce need for air conditioning.
-The basic construction material is an advanced Mexican-made material called Performwall, a recycled product with 85% recycled content. The insulation forms a full thermal break from interior to exterior, one of the best ways to minimize heat transfer.
-Waste-water irrigation system for the landscaping. All grey and black water is recycled and used for irrigating the plants.