Cozumel Vacation Rental condo

A few friends and I decided to take a "getaway from it all" and knew Cozumel would be the perferct place to go. Having been to the island twice before, we decided to find a place on the beach. Upon our arrival to the condo, we were thrilled with the location as well as the aqua blue waters and pristine beach. Since, we are beach goers by day and party girls by night. I enjoyed waking up and taking my coffee, and breakfast to the uncrowded private beach to relax. We all enjoyed our walks as well, you can walk for miles in either direction to find homes and other resorts along the way. There are plenty of resturantants and beach bars along the way. One of the highlight in Cozumel is the other side of the island and we took a few trips over there. "Coconuts" is a great place to grab a drink and have lunch and is highly recommended. We did take some time to eat some Mexican dishes at the condo too. There is a great cookbook in and the kitchen is equiped with everything you need. We all plan to return to Casa Bella to make this a yearly vacation.

Casa Bella is an absolutley spectacular one bedroom condominium in a perfect location! There are miles of beaches right out the door with something for everyone and every mood. If you are looking for fun, active, beach club atmosphere, you can find it....water sports, in-water trampoline and climbing wall, etc. Or if you want a peaceful, quiet beach, it is right there as well. Casa Bella is a short drive (15 minutes) into town or to the magnificent east side of the island.

The condo itself is beautifully decorated with a tropical theme. It is very cheerful, bright, and spacious, with hammocks hanging inside and out on the terrace for relaxing or napping. The kitchen is fully equipped and has state-of-the art appliances and granite countertops. The bathroom is tastefully tiled and has two sinks with ample counter space.

The restaurants in Cozumel are wonderful and extremely affordable. We loved Poncho's Backyard and Especias, as well as some of the neighborhood spots where the "locals" dine. We enjoyed fresh tacos as well as rotisserie chickens and fish. It was also nice to shop at the Chedraui for fresh produce, baked goods, and other groceries and alcohol, so we could relax in the condo or on the beach.

Also, Cozumel is a 30-minute ferry ride to the mainland, Playa del Carmen, for quaint shops and restaurants. You can also rent a car or grab a taxi to explore Mayan ruins or other activities. There is something for everyone on this island and Casa Bella provides a superb setting for the experience!

First let me say that we have been to Cozumel, Mexico approximately twenty times since 1996 . As divers, we have stayed in various hotels, high rise condo units, and have rented several homes over the years. After finding Residentcias Reef Condos four years ago we have no desire to stay anywhere else on the island. The owner has furnished this unit with quality furniture above average for your comfort and it is decorated with the island atmosphere in mind. There are no hidden "surprises" and having use of a washer and drier means is a real plus. Appliances are all functional however, I would highly recommend that you bring your own spices if you are planning to cook. The jacuzzi is a wonderful feature along with the wall to wall hammock provided. The pools are maintained everyday early in the morning (we drink our coffee there and watch the sunrise) and the grounds are kept up immaculately. Security is present but not hounding by any means, so late night hours on the beach is perfectly safe. As mentioned, this is a very nice condo with above average furniture with the amenities of home. We bring family and friends here to the island who come back and stay also. This is our little piece of paradise on earth.

Residencia Reef was beautiful upon arrival. The gated community made you feel safe and the guard quickly came to know you. The condo was bright and cheery with tropical murals hand painted on the wall. We had plenty of towels, lots of bottled water and a very comfortable bed. It was truly a relaxing vacation. The location is ideal, a short walk to the beach. The resort has two beautiful pools that are immaculate. One of my favorite things about the vacation was the fabulous meals we had in the local restaurants. The condo's owner created a manual for their guests showcasing local restaurants and activities. We ate at several of the "local" spots and the food was incredible. The owner gave us the name of a company that would take us out on their boat snorkeling. Having the boat to ourselves added to an already special day. I would suggest talking with the owner who has an incredible command of the island. Her input made our vacation truly unique. Thanks for a great week in paradise. See you next year.

This was an absoultely fabulous vacation! We have stayed in Cozumel previously, closer to town, which was nice, but I felt like we were "away from it all" and truly on vacation here!

First, the pictures do not do this place justice--it is bright, spacious, and immaculate. The living area is open and comfortable with cheerful island decor. There is a coral reef mural that appears real as you sit on the sofa and relax. There are hammocks inside and outside, which provide the ultimate relaxation and are comfortable even for sleeping.

The kitchen is well-stocked with the essentials, including high-end appliances; stove and cooktop, dishwasher, toaster oven, blender, coffee maker, and microwave. The countertops are granite and are set up with stools for a social atmosphere. There is a water cooler for purified water to use for cooking, drinking, ice, and brushing your teeth. It is also helful to refill water bottles and freeze them so you can take them with you to keep hydrated during the day!

It is fun to shop at the Chedraui for fresh food, snacks, and alcohol...whatever you want. We made fish tacos, quesadillas, fresh salsa, fresh guacamole, and other things. There are so many places to sample local cuisine for very little money. The book in the condo points out these great places! If you like fine dining, there are numerous excelent restaurants on the island as well...Poncho's Backyard, Especias, Primas, Las Candelas, La Chosa, to name a few. I would recommend taking the time to look through the book provided by the owner.

The bed is huge and comfortable and there is plenty of storage for belongings. The pull-out couch is a pull out couch--not the most comfortable, but how can you complain when you are in paradise with ocean view, palm trees, and the sounds of nature!!!! We found that sleeping in the hammocks was extremely comfortable and something to experience.

The bathroom is quite spacious and tastefully docorated. There are double sinks and lots of drawers and cabinets. The shower is open and has excellent water pressure. There can be a slight odor, but nothing offensive, and it seems to dissipate as the condo is open and the air circulates.

There is so much to do on this island! From the "private" beach right outside the condo, where you can sit under palapas to enjoy the sunset, to the miles and miles of beaches that you can enjoy, there is something for everyone! There are beach clubs where you can enjoy the sun and water sports, snorkel, and sit back with a bucket of ice cold beer, and have a nice lunch. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. Also, you can get wonderful massages on the beach for reasonable prices! It doesn't get any better than that!

For divers, the island is known for the extensive sea life; however, snorkeling is incredible as well. Although you can snorkel off shore in many places on the island, it is worth connecting with Hernan (his contact information is in the book in the condo).....he takes you to 3 different reefs, and provides lunch....the best guacamole you have ever tasted!

Another fun experience is a climbing/snorkeling adventure at the northern part of the island at Cozumel Caribe. There are towers of various heights, ziplines, etc., and the guides are helpful and supportive, particularly for novices!

It is not a trip to Cozumel without venturing to the other side of the island. The view is spectacular, with clear blue water and natural blow holes, and you can stop for a cocktail or lunch at Coconuts, a cute little place atop a hill.....nice experience!

It is worth taking a 30-minute ferry ride to Playa del Carmen, where you can experience the lovely cobblestone streets, quaint shops, beautiful beaches, and incredible margaritas (at Margaritas). The area is lit up at night and there are nice restaurants if you want to stay for dinner.

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that we are coming back here this winter, and look forward to staying a