Food and drink
There will be an array of provisions to greet you upon your arrival; food and drink.
Nearest local groceries are ten minutes drive away at Puerto Morelos. As you come off Highway 307 at Puerto Morelos, there is a shopping mall on your right with a good supermarket called Chedraui. There is another Chedraui by the sea in Puerto Morelos south of the square. There is a lovely fruit and vegetable store in Puerto Morelos on the third street back from the ocean, parallel to the coast. Turn at the OXO on the road to the highway and walk or drive past the very eccentric and indescribable building on your right and the fruit and vegetable store is on your right further along. They also have delicious fresh fruit juice there.
Fresh fish is brought in by the local fishermen and sold from a shop on the north side of the square.
CostoCo, Walmart and Mega are in Cancun and Mega is also in Playa del Carmen.
Caterers at Villa Caracol
Our guests often arrange catering in at the Villa. Make your own arrangements directly.
Fernando, onagref@yahoo.com.mx will pick up groceries and come to the villa to prepare a meal for you.
Veronica, vero.sala79@hotmail.com and her mother will cook for you at the villa
We can vouch for Juan Loya, goodfood.chefjuan@gmail.com, Mexican cell 998-420-3013. He and Gaby, his wife, will prepare something really special for you. Email him to talk about what you would like.
Pablo Espinosa who runs La Mar (see our favourite places to eat page) can cater for you at the Villa too. He is on 998 202 5006 and pablo.ledlm@hotmail.com.
Garbage
There are unfortunately no recycling arrangements at the Villa. New garbage bags are under the sink. Leo will collect full bags daily.
Toilets
Toilet paper blocks toilets very easily here and the custom is to place used toilet paper in the plastic lined bin by each toilet and not to try to flush it. This is not what we’re used to but it does save unpleasant blockages and the bins will be regularly emptied.
Safe
There is a safe for your use in the first cupboard as you go up the stairs. Instructions are with the safe but if you close it accidentally or cannot remember the code, Leo can help.
Air Conditioning
We want you to be comfortable and also to find a balance between the environmental problems of air conditioning and the fact that electricity in Mexico is extremely expensive. We have upgraded the air conditioners in 2016. We rarely use them, in fact. You can create through breezes by opening windows. Please use the air conditioning with thought. If you’re not in rooms, turn off the air conditioning. Put it on when you’re in the room and when you need it.
Cleaning Villa Caracol
For stays of a week or longer, your rental includes a full cleaning of the Villa twice a week. If you would like additional cleaning, please discuss with Leo who care takes the Villa. This will usually be possible at an additional cost of MX$250 which you will settle directly with Leo.
Laundry
Villa Caracol does not have a clothes washer or drier. This is usual in the Riviera Maya where the salt air corrodes appliances all too quickly. Hand washed items dry quickly in the sun. For professional laundering, we use the launderette by the supermarket Chedraui which is just of Highway 307 at the Puerto Morelos exit. This will be at your own cost. Laundry charges are low.
Medical needs
The emergency number is 01800 900 1133.
Costamed is a hospital just at the south side of Puerto Morelos with a walk in Emergency department and ambulance services. It’s a blue building and accessed most easily by driving past Puerto Morelos to the first retourno and back north. It will then be on your right hand side.
There is a first aid box at the Villa.
The nearest non-emergency medical services are in Puerto Morelos. There are two family doctors at the side of the Highway 307 in Puerto Morelos. Drive to the junction for Puerto Morelos and the 307, and then stay on the service/slip road going south and you will see them on your right hand side. Walk in appointments are usually available and some English is spoken. We have found these fine for minor injuries, ear infections and prescriptions. There are other clinics in the sea-side part of Puerto Morelos and in the inland part of the town.
For hospital treatment, Cancun is close by. Hospitals are signposted in the city. Leo will help.
Spas
The local resorts have spa facilities and will welcome you with a day pass.
To the north of Villa Caracol and within a few minutes walk along the beach are Secrets Silversands and Azul Sensori. To the south along the beach or the coast-road are Ocean Coral and Turquesa, Sapphire Riviera (Now Sapphire) and Excellence Riviera. For current amenities and rates, contact the resorts directly.
A local Puerto Morelos treat is the Jungle Spa which is run by an American woman who has lived here for many years and developed a Mayan enterprise offering wonderful massage inland at Puerto Morelos. You will need to book. Try the Jungle Spa website for more information. http://www.mayaecho.com/
Tips
If you have been happy with Leo and Marlene’s help and cleaning, do leave a tip. MX$100 a day is suggested but is of course at your discretion.