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"What a wonderful, lovely, gorgeous place" Toni & Ari, San Francisco

"Every detail is a joy in itself" Patti, Toronto

"This is a beautiful, calm and comforting home" Mary, Ottawa

On a small hill in the delightful fishing/surfing village of Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico, sits Xocotla (Sho-cot-la), the indigenous Nahuatl word meaning "where the fruit trees are plentiful". A canopy of ancient white fig trees provided the name for our home, which is tucked into the corner of a huge jungle garden. Constructed in 2005/06, Xocotla was designed by acclaimed architect Jose Enrique del Valle in conjunction with the owners, in an elegant and eco-friendly manner.  Combining the very best of modern and traditional Mexican styles, cooling ocean breezes and ceiling fans provide the only air-conditioning you might need. Enjoy the sound of the surf as it lulls you to sleep. The house is centrally located part-way up a small hill above the village in a quiet residential neighbourhood. An easy 3-minute walk takes you to the village and another 2 minutes finds you at the beach. A car is not necessary to enjoy all that Sayulita has to offer, but there is parking for two cars. Due to the design of the house, it is not recommended for children 10 and under.

There are four private apartments, each tastefully furnished and decorated with traditional handicrafts from Mexico's famous markets. The beds (either kingsize or two twins, depending on your needs), as well as the bed linens and bath towels, are of the highest quality.  There are safes in all units for your peace of mind.

The apartments:

AMIXTLI ("ocean breeze") is a beautiful one-bedroom apartment. A wall of windows with french doors opens to a large covered terrace complete with dining and sitting areas and full kitchen. The terrace overlooks the two pools and the garden and has filtered ocean views through the palms and bamboo. The dining table seats four comfortably. The bathroom is very large with a huge walk-in shower complete with tiled bench and pebbled floor. With windows on three sides, it is a bright and airy apartment. One can sit on the terrace or lie in bed for hours and watch an endless variety of tropical birds and iguanas in the giant white fig tree.

XOCHITLAN ("the garden") is a lovely, intimate studio apartment, perfect for a couple.  Overlooking the garden, it has partial ocean views from two private terraces. The front door opens directly from the path beside the pool terrace. Double doors open from the bedroom to the upper terrace, which consists of a fully-stocked kitchenette, complete with small gas stove and oven, refrigerator, toaster, blender and coffee maker. The eating area is perfect for breakfasts, lunches and light suppers. The 3-piece bathroom has a sink, toilet and shower.  The lower terrace is ideal for relaxing with a book or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. An attractive indoor sitting area is perfect for cooler evenings, while still affording the same views.

IXPAN ("the view") is one level up a pretty flight of stairs, leading directly to the private terrace.  Is it ideal for a couple or two friends.  A beautiful studio, it boasts all the amenities of Xochitlan but with a larger bathroom and a very large walk-in closet. The ocean views are lovely. Even lying in bed you can see the ocean.

XOCOTLA (the owners' suite) is available on an occasional basis, usually before the New Year and after Easter. Taking the entire top floor, with two terraces as well as a spectacular and private roof terrace, it is a very large one-bedroom home perfect for entertaining. Designed and decorated in an updated hacienda style, double antique-style doors open to a huge open kitchen and dining room with a large covered sitting room. A soaring tile and wood-beam ceiling enhances the feeling of spaciousness. The dining table seats six comfortably. An indoor mesquite grill is ideal for cooking freshly-caught fish or other treats from the village. The master bedroom is a marvel, with stunning ocean and garden views. Imagine waking up and seeing the ocean from your bed. This apartment is a favourite with honeymooners.  Off the bedroom is an intimate terrace which is absolutely perfect for morning coffee or breakfast with a full view of the bay. Up a flight of stairs is the roof terrace. The view is exceptional. At treetop level, watch as green parrots swoop down to feed on the white figs; you feel as if you can almost reach out and pick the datenuts from the towering palm. It is truly the best place for evening cocktails while watching the sunset turn the hills golden, the ocean azure and the sky pink.

In the garden, shared by all guests, are two pools with a large terrace. The dipping pool overflows from a waterfall to a larger pool below, which has a sunken bench set into a stone grotto. The terrace also has a large stone grill which can be shared by all. At night, a pleasing ambiance is created by soft lights in old fishing baskets suspended from a branch of the giant fig tree.  A delightful bridge crosses the arroyo to a terrace in the far garden, providing yet another separate sitting area.  

Xocotla is ideal as a place for family or friends to vacation together with the luxury of separate apartments, allowing everyone to have their privacy while providing several areas in which to congregate. Or come to stay in one apartment and perhaps forge new and lasting friendships.

"It is truly an exceptional place" Barbara, Montreal

"Xocotla did not spare the amenities to make a luxurious vacation" Van & Margaret, Denver

"Xocotla is Heaven" Andrew & Gary, Ottawa