| Think palm trees, white sand, turquoise waters of the Caribbean and playful butterflies darting amongst the garden. This is Villa Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly) on north Tankah Bay. Step out onto the a sandy beach right in front of the villa and slip into the refreshing crystal clear waters where you can spend hours of snorkeling pleasure.
Villa Mariposa is dramatic house with a thatched cathedral ceiling over the circular living room giving it an open and airy feeling. Villa Mariposa was designed to offer ocean views from every room and ample ventilation. Villa Mariposa is cooled by the Caribbean trade winds and fresh ocean breezes.
The second floor interior balcony looks down on the circular living room lined with windowed doors facing the sea and beach. There is plenty of sitting room in the living room which has rounded sofa, chairs and a coffee table.
Adjacent to the living area is a fully equipped kitchen with handsome black granite countertops, rounded center island with seating for 3. Of course, all of the major appliances are provided, including microwave, refrigerator, blender, coffeemaker, etc. The dining area has a table with seating for six; glass doors open to the beach side of the house and furnished patio with lounge chairs for sunbathers and a hammock or two under the fringe of the circular palapa roof.
Also on the first floor of the house is one bedroom with a king size bed, ocean view bathroom with blue tile shower and a private entrance from the beach. A sandy path leads to Mariposa's shade palapa on the beach. Settle into one of the lounges or the comfy hammock chair for dreamy views of the beach as well as a gentle ocean breeze. This is also an excellent place to enjoy a dramatic sunrise with your morning coffee or sip icy cold margaritas and watch the evening sunset. This section of Tankah beach is well suited for sunbathing with fine sand and a high degree of privacy right in front of the villa.
On the second level of Villa Mariposa are two more bedrooms, each with private ocean view decks and private bathrooms. One has a king size bed and a lovely tiled garden bath with tropical green plants for accent. There is a double vanity sink as well. The other bedroom has two twin canopied beds. Mahogany doors with large glass panels open from both these bedrooms to totally separate private ocean view decks.
The second floor landing is very open with a balcony overlooking the living room below. A winding staircase leads to the rooftop observation deck with panoramic views of the emerald green jungle, the sparkling waters of the Caribbean and the palm-fringed beach of Tankah Bay. This is the best seat in the house for sunrise and sunset!
Dining options in the area include Casa Cenote restaurant (lunch and dinner) and another at Blue Sky Hotel (breakfast and dinner). A dive shop and third restaurant is due to open by mid 2003 on the bay. All are located mid-bay near Manatee Cenote which is a wonderfully refreshing freshwater swimming/snorkeling spot.
Activities in the area include snorkeling in the cenote or in Tankah Bay. The bay offers protection from waves with an outer reef to break the surf on windy days. You'll find a plethora of colorful tropical fish and coral beneath the sea. Sea kayaking is also excellent in this area. Plan an excursion to the Mayan ruins at Tulum and Coba Mayan. Explore the jungle and treat yourself to a refreshing dip/snorkel in one of the jungle cenotes (freshwater pools). Visit the pueblo of Tulum (10 minutes south) or the quaint Akumal area (15 minutes north). Go beach hopping; powdery sand beaches can be found along the Riviera Maya coast from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. For shopping or lively nightlife, put Playa del Carmen on your list.
Tankah is great location to use as a base to enjoy the entire Riviera Maya.
E-mail to reserve Villa Mariposa Tankah
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