This is Casa Yamulkan, an open and easy beach house that is the
perfect space for friends and family seeking a sophisticated,
comfortable retreat, somewhere on a hidden beach in the south of
Mexico.

Yamulkan is approached from the road through a thicket of native
trees festooned with orchid plants and bougainvillaea. A large
flamboyant is a sight for sore eyes when blooming in the spring, and
the native almond trees provide dappled shade from the tropical sun.
The house is an ample, airy, cool, new, two storey stucco house with
the living room, dining room and kitchen open all the way up to the
large palapa (palm) roof.

It sits about 40 feet from the beach surrounded by native palms and
coconut palms. The first floor is at ground level, so you just amble
out to the large beach palapa with its lounge chairs and hammocks to
admire the amazingly beautiful waters of the bay, which is protected
by a reef running straight across the mouth. This means the waves
are gentle, nothing children can’t handle.

That reef is teeming with lovely tropical fish, which makes the bay
a snorkeler’s paradise with its white sandy bottom dotted with coral
heads, and a safe place for swimming, diving and kayaking. Manta
rays can frequently be seen gliding sedately by, and turtles have
been a recent delightful treat..

The two bedrooms and the studio (which doubles as a bedroom if need
be) on the ground floor have stucco ceilings and are equipped with
air conditioning. Each bedroom has a king-size bed and its own full
bathroom. The studio has a large desk and TV (SKY), a bathroom and a
comfy sofa, but the sofa can be switched for a futon to sleep two
adults or children when required.

The ample, well-equipped, open kitchen is an extension of the dining
room, whose handsome local two-tone hardwood table seats 10 persons
(12 in a pinch). The dining room leads into the living room, and the
entire area has a feeling of great spaciousness, as the palapa roof
rises about six meters (18 feet) above them. They all look out
towards the beach and the water. The décor consists mainly of
original oil paintings and unusual Mexican crafts, and the bookcase
contains an assortment of books in case you forget to bring reading
material.

A terrace extends along the front of the house, perfect for
breakfast or just lazing. Above the terrace is a very large open
verandah made of local hardwood, which in turn is covered by an
extension of the palapa roof. The verandah is lovely for just
sitting, reading, catching 40 winks or gazing at the post-card
perfect view, which often includes pelicans or frigate birds
floating slowly by looking for their next meal in the gleaming,
transparent water.

On the upper floor, there is a large independent, self contained
room running the entire depth of the house, one side of which is all
windows. It has an open-air terrace, a bathroom and a kitchenette
and the furniture includes two couches that are quite comfortable
for sleeping. It has an absolutely gorgeous view of the bay and the
sparkling aquamarine water. This room is reached by means of an
outside wooden staircase and has no air conditioning, since it is
covered by the palapa roof. However, it has lovely breezes.

The other two sleeping areas upstairs are reached via the inside
staircase, and share a bathroom. They are covered by the palapa
roof. The larger one is furnished with two single beds and has a
large window looking out onto the beautiful vegetation surrounding
the house and the waters of the next bay in the distance. The
smaller one has a very comfortable futon for two people and a window
overlooking the garden and the expanse of mangroves extending
inland. Since they are three meters (nine feet) above the lower
level, they are enclosed by a parapet topped with a railing. This
ensures constant air flow. Both have ceiling fans hanging from the
palapa, and look down onto the living/dining room area. Perfect for
the younger members of the group. All told, the house sleeps 12
guests.

There are two kayaks for those who feel like exploring the gorgeous
crystal waters of the bay, and two charming dogs come with the house.