Notes from the host
Casa Karina By the ocean
Season 2021
* NEW furniture throughout
* NEW pool overlooking the ocean, walk in from the veranda
* AC and glass windows
* Dedicated Wi-Fi
* King sized bed in master, two twins plus queen in second room
* Grill, coffee and tea pot, toaster, microwave, blender, dishes & pans
* Secure parking, manicured garden
* Hammocks throughout including one on the veranda
* Boogie boards
BEFORE BOOKING PLEASE READ THE BULLET POINTS BELOW DESCRIPTION
(NOT SUITABLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN DUE TO STEEP DROP OFF AND UNFENCED POOL)
Casa Karina is a very private, hidden jewel of a property! With spectacular ocean views throughout the house and newly built soaking pool located directly in front of the large, covered veranda you now have everything you need to have a truly wonderful stay.
The house two bedrooms/1 bath, and has A/C throughout. We have full kitchen with all of the necessities.
BEFORE BOOKING PLEASE READ THE BULLET POINTS BELOW DESCRIPTION
Aticama really is a hidden treasure off the beaten path designed for those who are adventurous at heart and yearn for a truly meaningful vacation. Perfect for artists and writers or for those who just want some quiet time to contemplate or enjoy this beautiful garden state.
Casa Karina is located just above the town of Aticama, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. It is a private, quiet oasis set in a garden of palm trees with a green jungle surrounding it.
While at Casa Karina you can dine inside or out on the patio tables al fresco while enjoying the view of the ocean and the garden tended to by our lovely housekeeper. In or out you always have the soothing sounds of the water in the background.
Matanchen beach is about 10 minutes by on foot or 5 minutes by car. Unspoiled by tourists but spotted with friendly beach restaurants it has wide sandy beach and shallow water perfect for swimming.
Just fifteen minutes away by bus or car is the Historic town of San Blas as well as the famous La Tavora mangrove boat trip which takes you through the jungle filled with flora, fauna and most exciting, crocodiles.
If you are tired of the tourists, timeshare salesmen, souvenir hawkers, and high prices of other destinations come see us and experience Mexico at a cheaper, more leisurely, more enjoyable pace.
After a few days at Casa Karina and our little town of Aticama you'll understand why we call it Ati-Coma. It helps melt away the stress, hustle and bustle that is so much of our every day lives at home. Come to a more mellow place to recharge your batteries and enjoy a slower pace of life. The good life!
ATICAMA IS BEST SUITED TO SEASONED, ADVENTUROUS TRAVELERS
Bullet points below are things to keep in mind so you can make an educated decision.
•Who do I call if I need something? We have two english/spanish speaking property managers, Jenny and Manuel, who will meet you and walk you through the house upon your arrival and is available for information during your stay.
•How does it compare to Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? It doesn’t. This isn’t a resort town, this is really Mexico and your stay here will be very much like living, for a short time, in a community of family who welcome visitors as friends they’ve never met. It’s called the garden state because of the green jungle, wildflowers and butterflies that flourish here and there is some tourism but this is a working fishing and agricultural village. You’ll be sharing that uncrowded beach with a family here and there who’ve taken the day off to have a family picnic or fresh fish lunch.
•Beaches: Matanchen beach is very wide and shallow making it a great swimming beach. There are palapas (shaded palm shelters) all along the beach and if you’re in front of a restaurant they’ll serve you while you enjoy the surf and sand. My favorite is El Paraiso. The second restaurant as you enter the beach from Aticama.
•Groceries. Mexicans shop the fish, fruit and vegetables stands and markets daily. There are no big grocery stores in Aticama. We may be able to find someone to stock the house before you’re arrival if you are interested for a fee. Otherwise my recommendation if you’re coming from Puerto Vallarta is to stop at one of the many mega stores there on your way north, Mexican or American. Purchase one or two Styrofoam ice chests and do a major grocery run. Don’t forget ice. We have excellent coffee here in town picked locally. And at the mini marts you’ll find milk, bread, cheese beer etc… but not a big wine selection, or olive oil, balsamic vinegar and other very non-Mexican items.
•Restaurants. Again this is a fishing village. There are taco stands, Lucy’s, the Mexican diner, Casa Manana hotel bar/restaurant, the take out chicken shop and all the fresh fish and shrimp you’d ever want to eat in Aticama. There’s the San Blas Social Club, Red Witch and Garza Canela in San Blas for variety but overall not a lot of actual restaurants.
•ATM’s. There are at least 2 in San Blas.
•A car is essential. Again this is a rural area. So if you are in great shape and don’t mind walking up and down hills in the heat or to the beach, great. If not then a rental car is really the only way to enjoy everything this area has to offer.
•There are geckos. They’re really cool and eat a ton of bugs and you’ll never see them on the floor, only on ceilings. But these little mascots live both in and outside of homes here. Mosquitos and no see ums are only a challenge in the hot, rainy season between June-October and at twilight and dusk and only outside.
•We do not have an egg slicer or other fancy kitchen gadgets but we do have the basics including a coffee and tea kettle, toaster, microwave, blender and of course a wine opener. We try to have wine glasses on hand at all times but they break on the tile floors. We have plenty of glasses, dishes, etc… This weather is tough on knives and pots and pans but the kitchen does have them even if they’re not the fanciest.
•Drinking water. There should be at least 2-3, 5-gallon jugs when you arrive and if you need more just ask our caretaker. We cook only with purified bottled water and use a drop of iodine, designed for water purification, when cleaning fruits and vegetables, which we place in a bowl of tap water.
•Locals. There is a nice sized, active community of Americans and Canadians who run the museum, spay and neuter clinic, cultural center and library, where there’s a Sunday market from November through April. The locals are used to visitors and are very friendly and helpful even if they don’t speak English and you don’t speak Spanish. A smile and an attempt to communicate is always appreciated.
•Safety. This is a small tight knit community where violent crime is extremely rare and you see multitudes of children happily playing outside. But petty theft has always been a nuisance in Mexico, which is why people have privacy gates and security windows. Common sense stuff like not leaving bags or purses in plain sight in your car or leaving the house doors open when you’re gone is really the only things to avoid. Tip: We do have a locking closet if you do bring valuable items like electronics that you’d like to store away.
•What do you provide? Sheets, regular and beach towels, clean drinking water, pots/pans, dishes, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels and of course indoor/outdoor furniture. Everything else is up in the air depending on when you come, besides what’s mentioned above. Salt and sugar? The humidity means that they don’t last long so there may be some but if not they are available in town. Anything that is in the kitchen is available for your use. I ask the housekeeper only to clear out perishable items and to leave non perishables for the next guest.
•Monteczuemas revenge. You can pick it up in even the fanciest of resort towns. Tip: Buy the highest count of pure, (not a probiotic combination), acidophilus at home a week before your trip and take 1 twice a day, every day including while you’re here. Gives you an iron stomach that will allow you to enjoy the wonderful seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables without the stress. Trust me, it works!
Guest access
Whole space and beautiful garden : )
Other things to note
This is rural Mexico with all of its charm and quirks. We do sometimes have power and internet outages. We will always do our best to resolve any situation as soon as possible but there are times when all we can do is wait for the services to be reestablished.
Hosted by Jenny Robbins & Manuel Navarro Vaca