For 4 weeks in March-April 2013, we enjoyed the waves and surf in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. As usual, we had a room in a hotel for a few days while we explored the area, and when we knew we wanted to stay longer we found a monthly rental. Due to the popularity of posts about our longer term rentals, here is a brief tour of our Puerto Escondido home

We found a place that looked great in the online photos. A few emails, 2 phone calls, a meeting, a tour, and a fierce negotiation later, we were the proud residents of a casita near Playa Manzanillo. The asking price was $350 a week, and the property manager would not budge. But after a short conversation about how we liked “the other place more”, she emailed the owners and they had agreed to accept our offer of $1000 for the month.

With a wonderful pastel color palette, besides being easy on the wallet Casita Gecko was also easy on the eyes.

Home Sweet Home

The casita was not large by any means, with 1-bedroom and a balcony upstairs and a small kitchen, dining area, and bathroom below.

Queen Sized Bed Under a Thatched Roof

A Good Place to Read with the Ocean Waves Providing Background Music

Nobody rents this place for what is indoors, though.  The large outdoor space had another kitchen (better to cook outdoors when it is hot), a shaded lounge space, and a swimming pool.  Yes, a private pool.  While the outdoor space was shared with another casita, we had the place to ourselves for 3 of the 4 weeks we were there.  The pool was a welcome refuge during the peak hours of the day when the temperature would soar (also a good place to drink a beer with a slice of lime)

Heaven on Earth

Where Lunch Happens

The location was great. We were a 3 minute downhill walk to Playa Manzanillo and 10 minutes from the center of town along Alfonso Perez Gasga street behind another beach, Playa Principal.  We would go there in the evenings for tamales and paletas

Playa Manzanillo was in a great little bay with some comfortable waves for body surfing.  We would watch the boats bring in the fresh catch early in the mornings to all the restaurants that sold fresh seafood and coconuts (and beer)

Hanging Out on Playa Manzanillo

An Afternoon Stroll on the Beach

All utilities were included, including WiFi and bottled water.  Next door was a wonderful family that took care of the property.  They would come clean regularly, and we would practice Spanish with their kids while they practiced English.  They even took us out to pick some mangoes.  We still chat from time to time on Skype, nicer people you will never find

(The other neighbor though…  They had a toucan in a cage in their back yard, and it would start screeching at 7 am and not stop until nightfall.  Sometimes, you would like to shoot someone… the owner, not the bird.)

Overall, Casa Gecko was a great place to stay.  We enjoyed our time in the pool, the easy walking commute to great food and beach, and the friendly people.  If we do end up in PE someday, we would be sure to schedule this home again

Bonus section:

One day while the back door to the casa grande was open (the big house that our casita was attached to) we tried to return a bowl and accidentally took in the view and captured a few photos before we got kicked out.

Fancy a Swim?

Hot Tub in the Cliffside

Playa Manzallo from Casa Grande

Beautiful, no? It can all be yours for $15,000 a month