In Isla Mujeres, Mexico, the Art of the “Barefoot Luxury” Villa Vacation
It’s just a short boat ride from Cancun. But when you get to the tiny island of Isla Mujeres, you’re instantly in a different universe. The island is everything you love about the Mexican Caribbean and the Riviera Maya, but delivered in a charming, breezy, laid-back package.
It’s a world away from the large resorts that dot the coast of the Yucatan, a place for authenticity, for pure experiences. Villas are a great way to experience Isla Mujeres, period.
What you may not realize is that while Isla Mujeres does have some traditional resorts of its own (including the new Almare), the tiny island is also home to some lovely villas — and they’re a portal to a very different kind of experience.
Our favorites? The Coco B Isla collection, a group of of four luxury villas each with indoor-outdoor layouts and spectacular infinity pools.
There are four: Casa Lola, a charming beach villa, the newest one in Isla Mujeres, with seven rooms, a private infinity pool and a rooftop terrace with jaw-dropping views of the sea.
Then there’s Villa Encantada: the first one that opened in the collection, with six rooms, an oceanfront infinity pool and a feel straight out of Santorini.
Casa Coco is larger: 10 suites, with a private pool, hanging chair gardens, an overwater terrace and a pier, too.
The newly-revamped Casa Cielo has four bedrooms, with a bungalow-style format and arguably the best sunset views on the whole island.
The villas also come with personal chefs, meaning you can start your day with fresh local fruit and conclude with a stargazing supper. It’s one of the most popular amenities in every guest review.
You also get your own concierge that’s equal parts adventure planner and private butler.
Coco B Island is all about “barefoot luxury,” owner Jeffrey Alan tells Caribbean Journal. “It’s about relaxation, adventure and connection. You can leave behind the stresses of everyday life and rediscover what it means to truly unwind.”
It’s the kind of villa experience more and more Caribbean visitors are actively seeking out. That’s something we’ve been seeing all over the Caribbean in our stays — travelers want to live a place, not just stay there. They want space, they want the comforts of home coupled with the luxury and services of a hotel-style accommodation. And it’s possible on Isla Mujeres.
You can book here.
So how do you get to Isla Mujeres? Just fly to Cancun and Coco B will take everything from there, arranging upscale private ground transport and tickets for one of the ferries servicing the island. Or Coco B can arrange a private water taxi service from Cancun directly to their private marina.
Cancun has flights from just about every major gateway in the US — you can find some good, cheap options at Google Flights.
