Hello to our herd!
Hope this post finds you well.
We are back home from a lovely long weekend enjoying time with our family in Mexico and wanted to share it with you!
(in full transparency, we received a discount to share the rental on our platform in exchange for our stay. it was a space we seeked out and requested to parter with so please understand that all thoughts are our own.)
If you aren't familiar with our family situation, please read this blogpost HERE to get a little background.
Sharing life with these humans has been the greatest gift.
Keith and I have spent a lot of time in Mexico over the years. We have our favorite hotels, restaurants bnbs, street food stands, beaches, yoga studios, massage studios, grocery stores etc.
But this space was a first for us and it was absolutely perfect for what we needed.
CASA PALXOCOTL
A tropical family oasis set in the heart of Mexican culture.
(If you aren't interested in the details of the house but want to see our time spent there and what we got up to, jump ahead to WHAT WE DID section. A lovely YouTube video of our time is waiting for you too.)
As I stated, we know our way around this area quite well. Along with all of our favorite places and spaces, we also have our favorite areas. & they often depend on what type of vacation we are going for.
We have our favorite beachside hotel for when we need some R&R, which is in the tourist zone. We have our little bnb in Bucerias where all the expats reside for when we need to come into town quick for randoms things or need a landing ground in between other spaces we are staying. We have our beloved favorites in Sayulita when we are seeking nature, culture, loads of self care + healing and some R&R. We had a space for pretty much every need.
Except a space like this one. A space where we could bring the entire family together and stay under one roof and enjoy our time together.
I searched so many spaces, and to be honest, the majority of them just aren't affordable.
But then I found this space which ranges from about $420 - $550 USD per night, depending on season and length of stay.
Which is a major bargain if you're traveling with multiple familes or a large friend group. Airbnb only allows a listing to be set at 16 people, but this space can accommodate 24 so don't be afraid to reach out to Andres and let him know you have a larger party than 16 if you need it.
Casa Palxocotl is situated on the inland (east) side of the main highway in Bucerias. It is a close enough walk to centro and the tourist areas (10-15 minutes) but situated within a fun and vibrant community where the locals live.
You will find homemade corn tortialla stands around the corner, street taco stands by the plenty, many restaurants serving catch of the day + ceviche and the best street style BBQ chicken over an open flame. There are also tons of convenience stores, fruiterias, pastisseries, fresh juice stands, tamale stands, etc.
Just a note on safety - Mexico gets a bad reputation. I've been going to this area since I was 8 years old. I've traveled alone many times. I've never felt worried or unsafe. But i'm also cautious, just like I am at home and anywhere else in the world. I don't wear expensive jewelry, I don't carry a designer bag (or a purse in general), I try and dress to blend in, I don't do the night club/bar scene, etc.
To each there own, but remember, growth happens outside your comfort zone.
On that note, lets talk about the house.
Casa Palxocotl is a four bedroom, 6 bath house.
It worked so perfect for us because three of the bedrooms were in the main living quarters and then ours was situated off the pool.
All four bedrooms have an on-suite bathroom.
Two rooms have one king bed and two rooms have a double bunk bed situaiton. The bunk beds also have a trundle that pulls out.
The living room has a large TV and couches. A laundry room and bathroom can be found off the living room. The kitchen is equipped with every appliance you need, a lovely bar area, a serving area and a large dining table.
The outdoor space boasts a space to play soccer, an incredible pool with areas that are shallow for kids + a volleyball net and space to lounge in a hammock. There is a lovely outdoor dinging area equipped with a gas and charcoal grill and a space to pull your vehicles in.
Check out the space below!
& HERE is the AirBnB link.
WHAT WE DID
Okay, now that we've chatted about the space, lets talk about how much fun we had and what we got up to.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2024
After a really brutal flight day via United, we finally arrived in Vallarta 5.5 hours late and made our way to meet Andres at the house. We scooted out the door quickly after as the sun was just starting to set so we could catch sunset at our favorite spot.
Dia de los muertos celebrations were going on the weekend we were there so it was fun to see the town active and decortated for the events.
We enjoyed dinner at our favoirte restaurant, Mar Y Sol, and of course had Red Snapper. The vegetables are always good. Always. But for some reason they were the best ever this night.
We ended the night with a night swim and an early bedtime; we had been up since 3AM.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2024
We really thought we were going to be able to sleep in until like 9AM. But no, our bodies started to wake up at 4AM and we finally made it out of bed at 6:30. It was nice to just lay around. & the view was lovely.
I got up and shot a bunch of content and then we got ready and made our way to one of our favorite breakfast spots, Mr. Cream. Their mexican eggs and green juice are always my go to. But look how cute my breakfast date is!!
After breakfast we made our way to the grocery store to stock up on groceries for the week. & boy was it fun to spot Poppi in Mexico! We did take an Uber home! 😉
We finally got to welcome the family at about sunset (after work and school) and we spent the night swimming, playing soccer and having a pizza party!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024
On Saturday we spent the whole day at the house together playing soccer, swimming, sharing meals and just enjoying time together. We had so many great laughs playing with snapchat filters and some good competition trying to find a coin in the pool.
Keith and I cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast and let me just tell you my heart was so dang happy to see that dining table filled with so many people I love.
For lunch we grilled hamburgers and bought BBQ chicken and tortillas from a street stand around the corner. For dinner we enjoyed street tacos and more pizza!
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2024
We did a lot of the same things on Sunday but the best part was that we didn't have to worry about food at all! Why? Becuase we hired a chef! Yes, a chef. Chef Laura. & it was the best decision ever. Not only was the food extraordinary, but she was the kindest soul ever.
She charged us $20 USD per person for the whole day + the cost of the groceries. Like i said, best decision!
We had never hired a chef before so we didn't quite know what to expect. We were shooed out of the kitchen a few times for trying to do our own dishes. LOL. She did everything. Setting up the tables, telling us when our meals were ready, cleanup. All of it. As well as showed so much kindness to all the kiddos and was at the ready every time they were looking for more fruit throughout the day.
She had a lovely menu to choose from but we kept it pretty simple to accommodate everybody.
For breakfast we had mexican eggs, hot cakes and omelettes. For lunch we had guacamole, pico, ceviche, coconut shrimp and pastor + chorizo tacos. For dinner we had steak and chicken fajitas + quesadillas. Everything was incredible and she easily accommodated the no gluten thing for Keith making sure he had everything he needed and wanted.
We highly recommend her service if you are ever in the area; here website is HERE.
On Sunday evening, Paty and Javier had to go serve at their church but the kiddos got to stay with us. They made it back about 10PM and it was time for goodbyes so they could get home and rested for school and work the next day.
It was such a great trip and we are looking forward to the time we can do it again.
Missing them like crazy. Forever is never enough time with them.
A little video of our time!
Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into a really special part of our life.
& check out Casa Palxocotl if you're headed to the area!
HERE is the AirBnB link again!
As always reach out with any questions, leave a comment and like this post!
xoxo
Kirsten
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