Written by Heather Whipps

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site and the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean. It is a spectacular place of ecological diversity and, in this section closest to Tulum, it features a large emerald lagoon that’s home to an incredible array of birds, several resident manatees, as well as fish and crocodiles. Luckily, there are a few select luxury villas allowed to coexist with nature here, and recently we were able to visit one very special one. 

Casa Cantarena lies in the middle of this thin strip of land bordered by the sea on one side and the lagoon on the other – a privileged spot that feels a world away from Tulum, from civilization, from any and all cares you may ever have. Clearly built with the surroundings in mind, this new addition to the Maya Luxe collection is a place that invites you to kick off your shoes and take a deep breath. The villa features classic palapa-style architecture with ceilings reaching up towards the sky. Its Caribbean and Mayan-inspired design and the decor are subdued, featuring mainly soft neutral colors and overstuffed furniture in earth tones across its three en suite bedrooms and lounge areas (there is an additional loft room about the main lounge). Nothing is too precious at Casa Cantarena – keeping your focus on the outdoors, which includes multiple seating areas, a refreshing pool, and a palm-lined path down to the beach. The beach is not technically private, but there are no neighbors to be found looking left and right. 

The service at Casa Cantarena is also otherworldly. A full-time staff of four attends to up to 10 guests of the villa, including an attentive Villa Manager, skilled local chef, butler, and housekeeper. They are friendly and welcoming, but clearly trained to a service level fitting for a top private rental. 

When we visited, after a dip in the pool, we were treated to a feast among the trees, with a table set up just off the pool deck and lit by both the stars and uplighting in the palms. The dinner menu wove a story of different corners of Mexico, featuring a starter shot of fresh cream and avocado and a queso relleno – a soft cheese dip special to the Yucatan and very difficult to stop eating! A perfectly cooked rib eye was followed by chocolate souffle. Dessert can be served at the table or on the villa’s private lagoon dock according to the guests’ preference and the time of day. Sunsets are killer here, so be sure to enjoy at least some time on the lagoon side, even just for a sour and salty margarita.   

At the end of dinner, with the lights of the villa behind us soft and warm and the sound of waves crashing against the beach, it was hard to imagine a more relaxing moment in time. If you ever do feel the urge to leave, the lights and sounds of Tulum are a mere 20 minutes up the gravel road. We’re not sure you’d ever tear us away though.