Casa Almaviva

Casa Almaviva

Casa Almaviva is a gorgeous, fully staffed private beachfront villa located just 22 kilometers south of Tulum Beach.

Enjoy Tulum’s natural wonders away from the crowds. Reconnect with nature, relax by the pool, and savor magnificent meals prepared by your private chef.

The villa is situated in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just steps from the Caribbean Sea, it offers an ideal setting for an unforgettable experience on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

The Space

Watch breathtaking sunrises over the Caribbean while enjoying gourmet meals prepared by David, your personal chef, beneath the palapa in the open-air great room. Refreshing ocean breezes help keep the space comfortable throughout the day.

From the villa’s roof deck, take in spectacular sunsets over the vast Sian Ka’an jungle as birds glide above the treetops. After dark, gaze at the expansive night sky, just as the Maya did from this location thousands of years ago.

Sian Ka’an is the largest protected nature preserve in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, renowned for its unique wetlands and exceptional biodiversity. Its name means “where the sky is born” in Maya. The Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second-largest reef system, is a short swim from the beachfront directly outside the villa.

Spend your days exploring the area’s abundant nature and historic treasures, or simply relax in the solitude of your private beach. At Casa Almaviva, you can enjoy a peaceful connection with nature.

Guest Access

The entire house and grounds are your private oasis. The caretakers live on-site, allowing you to enjoy a carefree vacation while assistance is always nearby.

Chef and Dining

David, the caretaker, is an excellent chef specializing in Mexican and Mayan cuisine. He prepares all meals at Casa Almaviva using fresh, local ingredients.

If you enjoy seafood, you are in luck. A local fisherman delivers his daily catch directly to the house. House specialties include ceviche and lobster paella.

Gourmet Meal Plans

Personal chef and family-style meal plans are required for all guests and are separate from the rental price. Choose one of the following options:

Full Board

• $95 per adult
• $38 per child aged 12 and under
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Unlimited beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, juices, mineral water, and snacks

For day trips, a breakfast-only option is available for $25 for one day per booking or twice per week.

Half Board

• $65 per adult
• $28 per child aged 12 and under
• Breakfast and either lunch or dinner
• Unlimited beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, juices, mineral water, and snacks

The breakfast-only day-trip option is not available with the half-board plan.

Prices are listed in United States dollars per person, per night, and do not include 16% IVA tax.

Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Children under three years of age eat free.

Weather Guarantee

The Caribbean is subject to seasonal tropical storms and hurricanes. If weather conditions require an evacuation during your stay, you will receive a refund for the rental and meal plans for any nights you are unable to use.

Booking Agreement

After your reservation is confirmed on Airbnb, you will be required to sign a booking agreement reflecting the terms described in this listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Here

Where exactly is the villa located?

The villa is located in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a protected nature reserve next to the Caribbean Sea. It is 21.5 kilometers from the entrance to Sian Ka’an, located at the end of Tulum Beach.

Depending on road conditions, the drive from Tulum to the villa typically takes 50 to 80 minutes or more.

How far is the villa from the airport?

You have two airport options:

• Cancun International Airport (CUN): Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes by car
• Tulum International Airport (TQO): Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by car

Travel times depend on road conditions.

Can I check in late?

Check-in is available from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Late check-ins, when permitted, incur a $100 surcharge.

First-time visitors who are driving themselves should arrive before sunset, which can range from approximately 6:00 p.m. in winter to 7:30 p.m. in summer. The Sian Ka’an road has no lighting or cell service, and there is very little traffic late at night.

When booking your flight, allow your international flight to land at least five hours before your planned arrival at the villa when traveling from CUN, or four hours before arrival when traveling from TQO. This allows time for immigration, customs, and car rental.

If your flight schedule would put your estimated arrival after the check-in period, we recommend staying one night in Cancun or Tulum before continuing to the villa.

What are the driving conditions?

The road from either airport to Tulum is a multilane paved highway and is easy to drive. The road from the highway through Tulum Beach is narrow and paved, with many pedestrians and occasional heavy traffic.

The Sian Ka’an road is unpaved and is regraded only once a year on an unpredictable schedule. For approximately nine months of the year, it is in rough condition with numerous potholes. Drive carefully and allow extra time for the journey.

Should I rent a car or arrange an airport transfer?

Most guests rent a car because it provides the freedom to take day trips without paying for and waiting on expensive taxis.

Transfers from Cancun and Tulum airports are available. You can check prices through Canada Transfers.

We recommend renting a sturdy vehicle and confirming that your quote includes the required Mexican liability insurance. This costly add-on is not covered by most home insurance policies or credit cards.

Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle or SUV for the Sian Ka’an road?

You will need a sturdy vehicle with some ground clearance. Four-wheel drive is not required.

Amenities

Does the villa have air conditioning?

All four bedrooms have air conditioning, but the open-air living room does not. The villa is usually cool in the evenings and at night, particularly when sea breezes are present. The large palapa keeps the main living area shaded throughout the day.

Casa Almaviva is an off-grid, eco-friendly villa. Electricity is generated by 40 solar panels and stored in a large battery array, which powers the villa at night. A backup generator is available when air-conditioning demand exceeds the battery capacity.

To ensure the batteries can fully recharge during the day and to minimize the generator’s air and noise pollution, guests must use air conditioning only while in the bedrooms and keep thermostats set to 23°C or higher. This is a standard policy at off-grid villas and hotels throughout Tulum.

Can I use the internet for a video meeting?

The villa has Starlink satellite service, which is usually fast enough for video conferencing. Service may be affected by overcast weather.

What channels are available on the villa television?

You can connect your own streaming service to the Smart TV.

Dining and Drinks

What does “family style” mean?

At lunch and dinner, Casa Almaviva serves one entrée for the group. For vegetarian guests or those with dietary restrictions, the chef will work to provide an alternative variation.

At breakfast, when eggs are served, guests can choose how they are prepared.

Can you accommodate special diets?

With advance notice, we can accommodate guests with allergies, other health-related dietary concerns, vegetarian diets, and pescatarian diets.

Can I skip the meal plans and prepare my own food?

No. Meal plans are required for all guests. Casa Almaviva is a full-service villa, and chef-prepared meals are an important part of the experience.

Snacks are provided, and guests are welcome to bring their own favorites.

Does the meal plan include unlimited alcoholic beverages?

Yes. The full bar includes quality spirits such as tequila, mezcal, vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey, as well as beer and wine.

For special occasions, a selection of premium wines and spirits is available for an additional charge. You can also try Chef David’s famous oversized margaritas.

Can I request specific wines?

The meal plans include quality wines, but a particular brand or vintage cannot be guaranteed. Wine lovers are welcome to bring their own bottles, which the staff will gladly serve with meals.

Is there a discount if I do not drink alcohol?

No. Discounts are not offered for guests who do not consume particular food or beverage options.

Policies

Is Casa Almaviva suitable for guests attending music festivals in Tulum?

No. Most festivals begin late and end in the early morning. We recommend staying in more convenient accommodations in Tulum, as driving late at night in Sian Ka’an can be dangerous. If your vehicle breaks down, you may be stranded for hours.

Can I host a party?

You may dance throughout the night with your registered guests, but Casa Almaviva has a strict no-party policy.

With advance notice to the owner, you may invite up to four visitors for lunch or dinner. Visitors may not stay overnight, and additional guests may not be invited for a party. Meals for visitors are charged based on consumption; see the booking agreement for details.

Special Considerations

Where do the staff live?

The staff lives in separate quarters on the property, allowing you plenty of privacy. At least one staff member is always available if you need assistance.

During the day and at mealtimes, the staff takes care of your group and the villa. In the afternoons and evenings