WALK TO THE SURF. Shady, tranquil and extremely private. A rustic, Mexican style house managed locally. The only house on Barra surf beach. You can rent a room to yourself or share with a friend, the room price includes one or two people. We rent the WHOLE HOUSE or BY THE ROOM just ask Eric if you want the whole house, (or just book all four rooms) This listing is for bedroom 3, other rooms available, see the links below. The house is surrounded by over 200 coconut palms. The space The House has four Bedroom. three downstairs and an upstairs open living room, with beds and hammocks, that when free is used as a second relaxing area. Each bedroom is listed separately, this is for bedroom 4 (upstairs). If you want to book another room see links below. Bedroom 1 https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/12229951 ----MOST REVIEWS ARE ON THIS BEDROOM. As we previously only had one listing for the house. Bedroom 2 - https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/27861236 Bedroom 3 - https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/27884424 PLEASE NOTE - Bedroom 4 is upstairs. It is arguably the best room as it encompass the whole upstairs. It has hammocks so is a great place to relax. There are some shutters that open and close, (as seen in the photos) but they are only cover part of the area. If there is a lot of rain and wind some of the upstairs can get wet. If the beds is positioned correctly, you should stay dry, however if this concerns you, please take one of the downstairs, inside bedrooms. The surf The point break, around 10 minutes’ walk along the beach, enough time to watch the swell and work out the sets. It is just past the restaurant and famous among the surfing community. You can see much information and videos by googling “Barra de la Cruz.” During the summer months November through February the waves a smaller and lots of fun, especially for learners and kids (Or surfers who do not need a big barrel). The big wave season, April through to September, can see double overhead waves peeling around the point. The rest of the beach offers various different beach breaks of various sizes depending on the swell. We have had many groups staying at the house specifically to enjoy the surf. A typical day would include a morning surf of 2 - 4 hours. Returning to the house for lunch, the afternoon is normally spent laying in hammocks sipping coconuts or beer; or returning for another surf, either at the point break or just in front of the house. Casa de Coco’s is a great surf safari destination. You are on the beach, for the beach. Other Structures on the beach There are two other structures on the beach The Beach Restaurant (El Comador) This small restaurant and bar is about 6 minutes’ walk toward the point, right where the road from the town ends at the beach. This is locally run and serves good food and cold drinks when ice and supplies are in stock. There are chairs and tables under Ramada style shade (utilizing local wood and coconut palms). This is a great place to sit under the shade and with a sea breeze, enjoy a refreshment or simple snack/meal and watch people surf the point break, or see the sea bird flying past. Seafood is a specialty, as fish are caught right in front of the restaurant for the enjoyment of the guests. The Turtle Hatching Base (The Biologists Camp) The other structure on the beach is approximately 2 km in the other direction. Back from the beach is a small base, where the turtle researchers keep supplies etc. On the beach is a wire fenced off area in where the biologists and other volunteers put turtle eggs they collect under the sand. This enables the eggs to be protected and monitored until hatching, then controlled release, to maximize the turtle’s chance of survival. Fortunately since the program begun over Thirty years ago, (Here and elsewhere in Mexico) turtle numbers continue to increase. Note: In season, especially Nov-Feb (NOT SURE NO EXACT DATES) the biologists drive up and down the beach on small four wheel buggies, collecting turtle eggs and helping mother turtles as required. By talking to the biologists and watching where they stop, you can often find the turtles laying eggs. By simply walking out on the beach at night time, with a good torch, you may find the turtle’s yourself. The biologists may also involve you in releasing the turtles. Experiencing the turtles laying eggs or hatching is based on how often you go looking for them. Sometimes they hatch within the enclosure, or as a controlled release, and other times they just hatch from the sand. In the morning, you will often see their tracks where they came up the beach to lay, or the shells of the baby turtles. This is not a tourist operation, it is just you the turtles, an open surf beach, lots of stars and if you’re lucky a full moon. Note: Turtles are protected, so it is best to let the biologists know you are interested in seeing them and that you understand you must respect them. (You do not use a flash on your camera until after the mother has laid her eggs, or touch them, for example) Guest access You can rent a room, there are four in total. Or you can take all rooms and have the house to yourself. There is a shared fully functional yet rustic kitchen. There are Ice boxes and Ice can be arranged. During your stay Our local host, does not live at the house. Eric and his family will be close and happy to help as needed, but also respect your privacy. They speak mainly Spanish, but are very patient and happy to accommodate everyone. Bedding Areas. There are three areas in which to sleep. 1. There are two rooms in front of the house. Both have a double bed, great for couples, and is great to enjoy the sounds of the waves as they vibrate against the walls of the house. It is very central, there is an opening into the inside lounge. 2. The rear bedroom. Three stretcher beds. It has a door through to the inside lounge and a door that opens up to the inside/outside shower area. 3. Upstairs. A double bed and three stretcher beds. This area is as close to the true Pacific lifestyle than you can experience anywhere. Under large woven palms “The Big Palapa”, this area has only low walls to let the breeze though. Because of the fresh Pacific air, this area is a favourite for relaxing in the hammocks or on the beds during a quiet afternoon. Bedding Bed Types Double Beds are all standard spring mattresses. Single camp stretcher style beds. These are locally made out of wood and a woven material with a thin mattress. They are simple yet comfortable. Sheets and towels. The houses comes with sheets and a blanket for each bed. Mosquito Nests. - All beds are equipped with mosquito nets. The general practice is to; each afternoon/evening shake out the beds and re-tuck in the mosquito nets. This ensures your bed is free from sand and any unwanted guests or little creatures. Please inspect the nets for any holes or tears and let our staff know, if you feel they are not mosquito proof. Useful Information Outside living space The local climate makes the outdoors the ideal place to hang out. For this reason, the outside table is the central socializing and eating area. There are Hammocks and the communal table. There are also hammocks upstairs. Inside there is minimal furniture, except for bedding. In the main room (Reading room) there is a book shelf full of books and other things to keep you occupied. Feel free to use, exchange, or leave books. The house itself, is comfortable and functional. We have had groups and families stay, and most people love the experience, however it is not for everyone. It has a true rustic Mexican style. For those looking for first world hotel accommodation, this cannot be found anywhere in Barra de la Cruz. The home is for those with a sense of adventure and appreciate the Mexican way. If this is you, you will be pleasantly surprised. Insects Generally during the day there is little concern about insects. In the evening, sometimes there are mosquitoes and sometimes there are none. The house is near a lagoon and wetlands so care should be taken with regards to insects. That said, one of the great things about the property is all the sounds of nature. As a general rule, although not always necessary, you should light mosquito coils around or underneath the outside table and wear repellent. You could wear long tops and pants to minimise the risk of being bitten, if you are susceptible. For this reason bringing some very lightweight clothing specifically for wearing during the evening is a good idea. Little and not so little creatures The house is treated for insects and inspected before your stay. The reality of living so close to nature is the nature is also so close to you. If you are lucky you may see a scorpion or a snake. This does not happen often but it is possible. The snakes are harmless and the scorpions will avoid you if they can. The message here, is that common sense prevails, check your shoes (although most people only ever were sandals!) and keep an eye out. Ensure you check your beds and keep an eye out for any unwanted creatures who may be brave enough to enter the house. In 25 years, we have never had anyone who has been bitten by either a snake or scorpion. Other things to note Coconuts The property has well over 200 coconut palms. During your stay, you get your first coco free, after that they are avaliable at a small price. There are several varieties, and stages of maturity, so we encourage people to try as many different types as they can. They also make great mixers, just add a bit of Bacardi or your favorite spirit. The Coconuts have great health benefits, so can really help you hydrate and re-energise after a long day surfing. Lights The house is equipped with solar lighting. Although there are seven globes around the house, it is recommended that lights are turned off when they are not used. The system has the capacity for around 2 to 3 lights to be used throughout the evening at any one time; so to save the batteries, turn off lights you are not using. Candles are also encouraged for ambience and extra lighting, along the path to the outside bathroom and at the base of the stairs, etc. There are some small solar charged solar lamps that can be used in lieu of, or in addition to candles. Note: The use of the solar lamps rather than candles is up to the guests. If you would like to use them and they are available, please ensure you put them in the charging area (full sun) during the day. This allows a few hours of lamp light in the evening. Bathroom There is a flushing toilet, which is a separate structure from the rest of the house (20 meters away). In the evening, a candle (or small solar lamp) is normally left burning in the bathroom. As everywhere in Mexico, no toilet paper nor any other material is flushed; rather it is put in a small bin next to the toilet and burned daily. Well Water The house is equipped with two separate wells. One, at the rear of the house is used, with a solar powered pump, to fill tanks on the top of the house and also on top of the bathroom, to supply gravity fed water to taps and the shower. The second, is well at the front of the house, it is smaller and is great on returning from the beach, to pour a bucket over the head and rinse off with some cool fresh water. This practice is often preferred by guests than a shower as you are standing under the shade of coconut trees, and there is a special quality of the water from this small well. It is an extremely refreshing experience. Drinking Water The well water should not be drunk, it is clean and fresh, but for safety, only used for washing (people, clothes and dishes). Large amphoras of drinking water (approximately 20 L each) can be brought out to the house. There is a small hand pump that is used to fill your glass or jug with this water. It is highly recommended that this is the only water you drink during your stay. Feel free to use the tank / well water for all other purposes. Some people will brush their teeth with this water and everyone will use the well water to shower and clean. Cleaning dishes. The well water (from the tap) is okay for cleaning dishes providing the dishes are dry when they are used. If a dish needs to be used straight away you should dry it manually or rinse it with fresh water. Cooking. It is generally recommended to use fresh water for all cooking. Supplies and luggage As there is no road to the house, the general method to bring supplies to the house on your own, is to walk or taxi to where the road ends at the beach, and carry supplies along the beach to the house. The alternative method, is to walk the back path from town carrying your supplies by hand or backpack. These methods work fine for a small amount of items, however when arriving or leaving, or when bringing in lots of supplies, it is best to use Alejandro with his horse-drawn carraton (cart); they can travel along the sandy beach, or back path. Once you are settled in the house with your luggage and your general supplies, you may want to take advantage of the daily delivery, to bring out items such as water, ice, eggs, tortillas and a fresh supply of beer or soft drinks. Please note: when taking advantage of the daily delivery, please understand that there may be a day where, due to unforeseen circumstances the delivery may not arrive. Whilst this is rare, we recommend ensuring you have supplies for the next two days.