Todd

Reviews

Superhost

62 total reviews

90% rated 5★

62 reviews

4.85

2016–2026

62 reviews

4BR Villa

Katie

Excellent, 2 months ago

Casa Almaviva is such a wonderful place. The house itself is so comfortable and beautiful, with lots of places to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds it. The family that tends the house take great care of it, as well as it's guests. They are truly wonderful, caring people. Todd, the owner, was very helpful and quick to answer any questions. The place is very remote...far down a dirt road that is very rough. Though its only 15-20 miles from Tulum, it takes almost an hour to get there. The reef is a bit of a paddle(or a helluva swim) from the beach, but totally worth the effort. There are kayaks and paddleboards as well as snorkel gear you can use. It took a bit of exploring to find exactly where to go to find the best reef, but watch the local fishermen and divers and go where they go. I highly recommend the excursions offered. It was hard to leave. I hope to go back one day.

If you want a unique, relaxing, experience of a resort without having to deal with a resort, this is your spot. Food was amazing(bring stretchy pants)! Local flavors, beautifully prepared with such attention to details. Damn the margaritas were great! Be sure to read the descriptions and do your research. Get the jeep and just be patient on the drive appreciating this amazing place in the world. David, Mariam, and Freddy were just amazing, so thoughtful. Really felt like we were leaving family when we left the casa. Definitely do the mangrove tour, Punta Allen tour, fish and get the massages! Caught two barracuda and two king fish, David whipped up killer fish tacos and amazing fish fillets with the catch. Keep eye on the sargassum forecast. We had a fair amount due to Hurricane Mellisa but walked about a mile down the beach and swam in crystal clear waters with NO ONE else on the beach. By the time we were leaving the beach and water was clear. Thanks to everyone!

Wow. This place is special. Our visit exceeded our expectations. The experience was like a boutique all inclusive resort, top notch and micro - just for us. The staff, David, Miriam and Freddy, delivered warm hospitality, excellent meals and made us feel like we were friends by the end, but I’m sure they make all guests feel that way. One more note about the food, it was high end restaurant foodie quality and fresh, fresh, fresh. Twice we hired a boat to explore the gorgeous lagoon then to the reef for snorkeling and then to a beautiful shallows for swimming, floating and beverages. This is a must-do, ask for Captain Juan, he was awesome. The catch? No catch just a long bumpy ride to get there - very, very bumpy. The host, Todd, was 100% reliable with thorough information and quick responses. There were four of us there, so eight thumbs up!

Host Response

Dawn, I am so glad you and your friends enjoyed your stay. David, Miriam, and Freddy, work really hard to keep the house in great shape, which can be a real challenge out in the jungle. And they love taking care of our guests. I'm so lucky to have them on the team. Thank you for your visit.

The drive from Tulum to the accommodation took 1:20h due to poor roads. Luckily, we had a 4x4 jeep, which made the adventure even more exciting for our three teenagers. We were warmly welcomed and felt like at home. David spoiled us with his cooking skills and fulfilled our children's wishes. Miriam made sure the house was sparkling clean, and Fredy took perfect care of the surroundings. We had a great time at Casa Almaviva and miss the crew and the animals: Mischa the cat, the raccoons and the dog Hatshi, who always cuddled up to me on the deck chair. We had a lot of algae and couldn't go in the sea, but luckily Casa Almaviva has a built-up pool, I hope it will last a while. The organized excursions were all great! Due to the rain, we traveled to Cancun a day earlier. The sandy streets were full of water. I recommend always planning an extra day for arrival and departure. Thank you to the team for everything!

If you are debating between Casa Almavida and another Airbnb, choose casa almavida- you will not be disappointed! The pictures don't do it justice. The house is drop dead gorgeous, and the beach was stunning. The water was blue and crystal clear. We chose to do the Punta Allen Nature Tour and it was so fun! The best part of this home was Freddy, and Miriam. Freddy made some of the most incredible food, and Miriam’s hospitality was amazing. Hatchie was the star of the show, and was such a sweet dog. Can’t wait to come back!

Truly a rare place. Miles of private beach, pristine ocean, ocean and jungle views that take your breath away every minute, and a beautiful and comfortable home with every convenience you’d ever want in as remote a location as this all with the friendliest caring staff you’d ever hope to take care of you and yours. This the place to go to really get away from it all, truly unplug and recharge by enjoying the nature and peace available, all while having every need cared for!

Our stay at Casa Almaviva was absolutely perfect! From the moment we arrived, the experience exceeded our expectations. The drive from Tulum to the house was a bit slow due to the road conditions, but Todd had noted this very clearly in advance, so we were prepared. Once we arrived, the journey was well worth it. The staff were nothing short of amazing—attentive, friendly, and truly dedicated to making our stay special. The food and drinks were flawless, prepared with such care and attention to detail that every meal felt like a celebration. Casa Almaviva is a true oasis, offering the perfect blend of tranquility and luxury. We’ve already started talking about booking another stay! Thank you, Todd and the incredible team, for an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a slice of paradise.

You won’t find a better place to connect with nature and the people around you than here, while still having many of the amenities of home. We had 10 people (6 children 9-15) and everyone had a blast. A lot of relaxing and just enjoying being present. Food and staff are fantastic. We took the fishing trip from the shore with the local and caught a ton of barracuda that turned into the day’s ceviche and evening’s tacos prepared perfectly by David. The Punta Allen nature trip was outstanding. So local and raw, we saw manatees, giant sea turtles, dolphins all up close with no rush. Snorkeled on the reef was outstanding. Kayaking or SUP out front and you don’t even need to snorkel when the water is calm, there’s an untouched reef that you can look down through the water from above. The Starlink works pretty darn well for work (I was able to do Teams calls). Air conditioning at night does a nice job. Endless stars from the rooftop patio each night can see Milky Way clearly.

Casa Almaviva is spectacular! Perfect place to relax, enjoy the wonderful view and the private beach. During the 7 days of our stay we enjoyed the company of Miriam, Freddy and David. They were attentive to everything and made us feel at home. The food was delicious and the cleanliness impeccable. During our stay we were accompanied by my 5-year-old and 1-year-old children, who enjoyed the beach, the pool, the company of Hatchi (the dog) and even the sand toys they lent us! Todd is an excellent host, always attentive and answered my questions or comments quickly. We hope to return soon!

The entire crew a the house was amazing. Super friendly and accommodating. Drove us to Punta Allen and two tours. We got to see manatees and crocodiles in the lagoon and enjoy a lazy Mayan river. We also did a boat tour from Punta Allen and saw rays, dolphins, and white turtles. It was an epic nature trip. The roads are terrible but it was part of the adventure. Our tow boys 6 and 8 loved the house. The food was superb and they catered to our needs. The house is beautiful. It was unfortunate so see some sargassum so no swimming from our beach but the pool worked out nicely. The house has everything you need. The top deck was a an amazing view of the stars at night. Would recommend if anyone is planning to stay in the reserve. Can't imagine a better place. Bring pesos as you cannot pay anything with credit cards. Todd was very helpful with pricing of tours and all the information you need ahead of time. Thank you Miriam and David for all the memories!

Host Response

We are so glad Melisa and family stayed with us at Casa Almaviva. Melissa told me they saw FIVE manatees, which might be the all time record! Please come again anytime.

If it wasn’t for the hosts I would give 1 star. David and Miriam were wonderful. Their hospitality and food was amazing. Please be aware that this property is not safe for small children or older adults. There is no railing on the stairs inside the house or around the decks in the front, back, and around the pool which is above ground. Our 6 year old fractured his arm in multiple places and needed surgery after falling 3.5 feet from the pool deck, even though my wife was right next to him. In addition, we were unable to swim in the ocean because of the extreme amount of sargassum and its associated harmful fumes/bacterial content.

Host Response

We are so sorry your son had an accidental fall during your stay and hope he gets well soon. We do require adult supervision when children are using the pool or any of our water sports equipment in the sea. Over the the past ten years since we started managing this property, there has never been a single accident. I have asked our architect to examine the villa and we will make whatever safety updates he recommends.

If you want peace and serenity this is the place. I was a little concerned closer to the trip with the location of the home, but there was never a moment we didn’t feel safe or comfortable. David and Miriam were more than accommodating and kind. They helped us with some local spots, packed beach towels for us, and made sure the kids had their pina coladas. A few tips: Get the SUV. Like, a really good one. After a rain the road can be rough. Since we stayed 8.5 days we did leave a few times to explore. It’s a long ways in on the road, but it’s worth it. Seaweed is abundant in the summer. I think if we had known this we would have saved this as our Christmas time trip. We still got in the water and played, but it wasn’t as enjoyable. Certainly not the hosts fault. Pack lots of bug spray, and calamine. You’ll need it! It was exactly what my family needed. Thank you David, Miriam, Freddie, and Todd for a wonderful experience!

From the moment we booked we new this place would be magical. And it was. Todd the host was responsive, organized, friendly. The staff on site followed suite. Davide, and Miriam, and the other staff were truly incredible! They made you feel right at home like a Sunday dinner. The food was incredible!! Fresh, creative, healthy! Being in the national park was a once ina. Lifetime experience! Breath taking private rooftop views of the ocean and jungle. No civilization in site, just you and nature! The beach is beautiful to have your own space! We made use of kayaks and paddle boards! Amazing weather, white Sandy beaches, beautiful food and staff, soundful sleeps, breathtaking sunsets and sunrises! Highly recommend staying!!!! just ensure you have a proper vehicle for the national park roads (4x4 vehicle (truck/SUV)

We loved Todd’s place. The house and staff are lovely. It is the perfect place to go to be remote and away from the crowds but close enough to Tulum if you want to visit. The road into Sian Ka’an is extremely bumpy. The potholes had us driving at 20 miles an hour. We had an SUV but this part of the trip lead to us staying put. With kids it wasn’t worth leaving the property The house is in a beautiful location. We happened to be there when the seaweed made the beach unusable for swimming but it was beautiful regardless. I recommend this location as a place that you go and stay. It’s a challenging place to explore from… but it’s an excellent place to relax. Miriam and David were delightful.

Casa Almaviva is as close to perfection as can be. The house is spectacular, open, pristine... from the moment we arrived to the minute we departed, Alamaviva enveloped us in a warm breeze and flawless amenities. Yes, it is actually better than the photos! While the drive is long and challenging once through the gate to Sian Ka'an, if you take it slow and treat it as an adventure, it will simply make arriving at Almaviva that much more special. The on-site hosts, David and Miriam were absolutely delightful and the attention they paid us was perfect; always attentive but never too much. We had good conversations and learned much about the Sian Ka'an from them, but we had all the privacy we could want. And the food was amazing; David is just as good as the reviews say! We only had to mention our desire to arrange a canal flat and snorkel outing, and David did all the rest. We saw dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and more. We would return in a heartbeat!

very nice place to stay the staff at the house is amazingly overrated they are great but location of the place and the beach no good if you plan to have a beautiful beach not the place fyi has to leave early because no beach for the children and todd was not able to reimburse stay only 75% of meal plan was never given credit for sargasso either but great place if u plan just to relax with no sandy beaches

Host Response

Unfortunately we can't offer refunds for weather conditons, but we do refund the unused meal plans on the rare occasion that guests leave early. We also have a Sargasso guarantee that pays toward a boat trip if the Sargasso makes entering the sea unwieldy, though you chose to leave and not take a boat trip. Nevertheless, thank you for visiting us.

This was a magical and wonderful stay. The location and property were beautiful, and David, Miriam and Freddy made us feel quite at home, like our segunda familia. David’s cooking was simply out of this world. Todd is a fantastic host and gave us timely and precise directions and instructions. We are already looking to come back in December! Last but not least, Hachi! He accompanied us on beach walks, served as a lifeguard while we paddle boarded and snuggled with us as we enjoyed lazy afternoons. Can’t wait to be back!

4BR Villa

Ryan

Excellent, 4 years ago

Todd's listing is literally a hidden paradise. The staff is incredible and will take care of any need you have. THE FOOD IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. Please book this place if you want an experience you have never had before. Only note is to make sure you rent an suv or shuttle service in and you'll have the time of your life. The roads are a mess but totally worth it!! Please go enjoy it for yourself. David and Miriam are the best!!

We had an amazing and relaxing family vacation. With the private beach and not having to worry about cooking, it was a great chance for everyone to just hang out together and enjoy our time. David, Marta, and Freddie (and of course little doggie who we loved!) we're awesome, although it was definitely helpful to have someone in a group be a moderate level in spanish. David helped us schedule any day trips or tours we wanted to do, and all of our food requests were accomdated and they adapted the menu to what we seemed to eat the most of at meals. And there are just no words on the quality of the meal, you'll just have to experience it yourself! Staying on the nature reserve the house was also off the grid (self sustaining water and electricity supply) which was super cool! One thing I definitely would recommend are SUVs to get out there once you leave Tulum. Our sedan and minivan were pretty low to the ground to navigate all the dirt road potholes so it took us about 1hr 30min to get to pavement heading to Tulum.

Our family of 4 (2 adults, 10-year old and 2-year old) loved staying at this property; we’d do it again. As you will read in the reviews, it’s not for everyone. Read the description and reviews carefully to make sure it’s for you. Pros: - off the grid - very welcoming caretakers and friendly small dog - great home cooked meals (and very accommodating to our specific food requests and schedule) - amazing star gazing if the weather permits - many sand toys available for children - nice central living/sitting area where food is served (most days had a pleasant ocean breeze) Cons: - a fair number of mosquitos and/or biting flies (they have bug spray, so use it or bring your own). David and Freddie do spray and keep the area clear but there’s only so much that can be done when you’re essentially in a jungle. - long 1.5-2 hour one-way drive from park entrance due to unmaintained, dirt road (not as big a deal for us given that we did not go into Tulum at all during our stay). Apparently it was particularly bad during our stay as maintenance has been postponed during covid. - beach had a fair amount of seaweed and garbage on it during our stay (unavoidable due to climate and ocean currents) but the caretakers do attempt to remove it daily from the stretch of sand in front of the property

We were just in the house, we chose a full food plan and David's season is very good. Check-in is a bit complicated if you don't know the area, it's terracer for about 45 min, if you want privacy it's the ideal house. We were very unlucky for sargazo issues, we had to go to other areas for a couple of days to be able to enjoy the Caribbean Sea. As for the staff service, Mrs. Miriam and Fredy are very attentive, and were there for you. About the house's amenities, you can improve in terms of furniture, for example a table downstairs where the barbecue is, more beds than to be on the shore of the sea, a couple more TVs in the living room, the internet can improve a lot. Finally, if I wanted to emphasize the sargassum, since it has time for these dates, it already exists and the price should go down.

If it's paradise, David and Miriam's hospitality and attention is second to none, David cooks delicious and even the dog is friendly. Kayake in the sea, walking on the beach, and when you see what we have done to our beaches with such use of plastics. We can even be aware and stop using plastics, cleaning up some garbage and one day finding them clean. The Can Cun team was also very helpful and we appreciate all your help, all. We really enjoyed the safe place. We'll be back for longer. Thank you very much for everything It is highly recommended to spend a holiday here.

Bedrooms: they were nice. Three rooms at the 1st floor. One with a king size bed, 2nd room with two beds, double and single, and a 3rd room with two futons which is also the entertainment room with TV, books and board games. The third room also do not have its own bathroom, it will share with the 1st bedroom. There's some hot water at the downstairs bathrooms. There's a master bedroom upstairs with its own bathroom. It's the nicest but it does not have hot water (at least none during our stay). Living room/dining area is great. The panels open at both sides and the breeze feels great going through. The private beach feels secluded, a few yards from the door. The beach during our stay had lots of seaweed but the team tried their best to clean them up. It's just the season when there's a lot of seaweed and trash. We really liked the space and we even have Hatchi the dog to keep us company! Getting there was a bit challenging. Make sure to rent a car that can handle off-road travel. When we went, there was a hurricane in Honduras that brought a lot of rain and wind. It sucked! It took us about 1 hr from the Sian Kaan gate to the house. Rough especially when you cannot see the holes. Overall, it took us 3 hrs from Cancun airport to the door, so plan accordingly. There's also some traffic when you reach the Tulum shopping strip before reaching the Sian Kaan entry. Food: food was great! Make sure to meal plan with David when you arrive. They accommodated our requests - lactose intolerant and vegan requests. Just make sure to communicate to them the day you arrive so they can get the ingredients. David makes this great salsa - really spicy - from his habanero plant. So delicious! It was such a bummer that it was grey, windy and rainy during our stay, but David's team did their best to make us feel at home and accommodated our requests. We will definitely come back when we get the chance again and we will be better prepared with better vehicle and timing.

Host Response

Hi Paola. Thank you for your thoughtful review and good tips for future travelers. Sorry you had to ensure the aftermath of the hurricane. We got hit with two storms in a two week period, and apparently the last one damaged the water heater. David and Fredy installed the new one today. Luckily we were spared the worst of it. Playa del Carmen and Cozumel took direct hits. Thanks again for visiting us.

The pictures don’t do true justice to the amazing views you get from staying at Casa Almaviva. In addition to the views, David was amazing and very accommodating! He greeted us when we first arrived at the villa and provided outstanding service throughout our entire stay...and his food is amazing! Todd was always very responsive from the moment my reservation was confirmed and he made sure everything went according to plan. There is a nice little adventurous drive to and from town but I highly recommend staying here if you get the chance to visit the area.

4BR Villa

David

Excellent, 6 years ago

A beautiful place to rest, in the middle of the jungle and at the seaside, all magnificent!

Casa Almaviva is a true getaway. I can't say better things about the on-site hosts, David and Miriam. Wonderful service and incredible, fresh food. The house is fantastic, the seclusion is top notch. If you're looking to get off the beaten path, away from everyone else in Tulum, but still enjoy great food without having to cook or drive around, this is the place. The only downsides are that the beach in the area has become quite littered with trash. David's team keeps the stretch right outside the house very clean, but if you walk a minute up or down the (truly secluded) beach, it's a sad site of what's happening to our oceans. Not their fault at all, but beware. Overall, we had a truly fantastic time here and would certainly come back.

What a place! Beautiful house and incredible service. David and his team are true hospitality professionals. We were super lucky that the road from Tulum was just smoothed out, so our journey was short and smooth, but this is subject to weather. Good food and attentive service. Amazing views, stars forever.... there were some bugs in the house due to the open plan, but good bug spray (Cutter brand) took care of it, so no big deal. A very friendly pooch, Hachi, was great company. We chose this house for a special family occasion, and can't recommend it enough to be able to hang out and chill as a fam. Didn't need A/C even in the summer, due to the cool evening breeze. Do it! I'll be back....

My family had an amazing stay at Casa Alamaviva! The house is located deep in the reserve, so the road to get there can definitely feel long, but the privacy and beautiful view from the house definitely makes up for it. Todd was very responsive before and during the trip helping us with local tips and setting up fun excursions for us to do during our stay. We highly recommend doing the Lagoon Tour (Todd can organize for you). The tour leaves from within the reserve and takes you to see manatees and other wildlife, ending with a free float/swim down the natural mangroves in crystal clear water. At the house, they provided kayaks, paddle boards and snorkeling gear that was ideal for ocean activities. The amenities and openness of the house were perfect. We personally loved the open living/dining area during the day for meals and relaxing, and then would head to the rooftop patio at night for an amazing view of the stars. While the house is pretty far into the reserve, my family and I had no problem getting in and out of town. (The town of Tulum was also very cute with little shops and restaurants lining the coast) If you come to Casa Alamaviva, you HAVE to have David cook for you. David and his family were absolutely wonderful! Every meal was incredible and his bartender skills were nothing short of perfection either. (His margartias and mojitos were a personal favorite). We have some picky eaters in my family, and he was able to accommodate us very well with everything tasting fresh and delicious. We highly recommend asking for the seafood paella with his homemade churros for desert....it was so good. Also, David and his family have the cutest dog that lives on the premises- which was an added-bonus for my dog-obsessed family. Hachi was so cute and friendly, and loved to sunbathe with us during our stay.

All I can say is WOW!!!!! I have traveled and stayed in many places around the world, and this home has been by far the best! Even before arrival, we felt that the attention to detail Todd provided was first class. Upon arrival, David, Freddy and Miriam who are the house staff, treated us like royalty. David's cooking has been the best Mexican food that my family has ever tried! Freddy and Miriam and their attention to detail is like no other! Anything that you need, they are always there to make your stay over the top! The house is absolutely gorgeous, and is the definition of what paradise really is! I booked the stay at Casa AlmaViva because I wanted to propose to my High-School girlfriend, and could of not chosen a better place. Todd had excellent ideas on how I could make the proposal unique, and even helped me get roses delivered, so that I could surprise my Fiancee once I popped the question. His help was incredible with helping arrange everything so that nothing was overlooked! I would highly recommend any one looking to stay in this gorgeous house, to get the food and drink service, as I can guarantee you that the food that you try will be one of the best that you have ever eaten! The house staff were so attentive, and would even rake the sand every day, so that everything was impeccable. They have paddle boards and kayaks for you to use, and provide everything in the house that you need for your stay. You have to order the Margaritas as they are incredible! I cannot say enough good things about this place, as the entire experience was incredible. David, Freddy and Miriam put the stay over the top, and made the entire experience 100 times better. I could not of chosen a better place for my proposal, and am extremely pleased with the attention to detail that was provided, and will be back very soon! My entire family was blown away with the attention to service, the home, and everything that was experienced while being at this beautiful home. I cannot thank Todd, David, Freddy, and Miriam for everything that they did for me and my family, and will be recommending them to anyone looking for a first class home with first class service. Thank you once again for providing an unforgettable experience that will live with us for ever!!! VIVA CASA ALMAVIVA! :) :)

4BR Villa

Michelle

OK, 7 years ago

David, Miriam and Freddy's service is superb. David is a great chef; all the meals were delicious. Miriam and Freddy we completely engaged in ensuring the house and the grounds were clean and groomed. All three did there best to accommodate to anything we asked for or needed. Perfect home for anyone that wants to relax and disconnect from the rest of the world. Wifi is good enough to check your emails and receive messages. The house is isolated, quiet and peaceful. We were prepared to not leave the house during our seven-day stay however due to the seaweed there were days we were not able to get into the ocean and decided to take day trips. Please note that road and drive time back to Tulum can be rough and about 45 minutes each way, which might not be a long drive if you plan on leaving for the entire day. Our meals included fresh fish octopus, lobster tails, ceviche, steak and much more! Great beach to get some sun, play soccer, football or go for a run. Nice and relaxing experience!

Absolutely stunning home in the middle of the gorgeous Sian Ka'an Biosphere. David and Miriam took amazing care of all of us (including even holding two cranky newborns so us parents could eat dinner in peace every night!!). David cooked beautiful meals and tailored every dish to our food preferences/allergies/dietary restrictions. The staff keep the house and grounds pristine. While the beach had a bit of sargasso/seaweed that is a seasonal rarity, the team worked extra hard to keep the beach and water clear. The house comes with everything you need for a wonderful stay-- even beach toys for the kids and adults (kayaks, stand-up paddle boards etc). We absolutely hope to be back!

If you're looking for a house with quality in front of paradise, you're just looking... The house is well equipped with 3 bedrooms and quality beds. There is a room to watch TV on large screen that can also be transformed into a bedroom. The location of the house is special since it is located in the nature reserve of Sian Kan. House staff a wedding is a class for itself... Bravo ! Breakfast/ lunch / dinner all of the highest quality and love for the art of guiding guests. Rarely have I felt as well treated as in Almaviva with Miriam and David. You are a safe value to come back to. See you soon

Breasy

Buy. Rent. Easy. Vacation rentals across Central America.

Explore

RentFor property managersAI agents

Destinations

Costa RicaMexicoNicaraguaAll destinations
Costa Rica

© 2026 Breasy. All rights reserved.

All destinations