"Villa Michelle" at Playa Las Tortugas offers a wonderful tropical experience. We invite you to visit your home away from home in warm, sunny Mexico. Our beach "casa" beckons you to the vacation of a lifetime where colorful sunsets are always in season.

You can take a leisurely walk, or a barefooted run, on miles of pristine sand beach that goes on as far as the eye can see. Up the beach just a few hundreds yards is the mouth of the mangrove estuary where you can watch numerous species of exotic birds including the resident pelicans.

“The next morning, about 15 miles down the coast, I find my Shangri-La, the place I could recommend without reservation or caveat. I almost miss it as I vacillate about whether to follow a dirt road because of a sign that simply states “Playa Las Tortugas, 9.5 km.” The Washington Post

Fresh fish is on the menu for lunch if you’d like, either purchased from the fisherman on the beach or by canoeing or taking a short swim to the neighboring fishing village of Platanitos. There you’ll find the tasty “sarandeado” style fresh fish or shrimp barbecued over a mesquite grill, that draws locals from miles around.

Take the opportunity to enjoy a traditional meal prepared by one of our cooking staff, or make yourself at home in our complete kitchen.

As you walk in, the bright, plant-filled entry and sun motif of our roomy villa welcomes you. Just off the entryway are your two spacious bedroom suites with private baths, king-sized beds, desks, and a terrace with outdoor shower.

From the bedrooms a gently-curving tiled circular stairwell leads you to the second floor living and dining areas which open onto a shaded slate terrace. Here is the perfect place for a cup of coffee while taking in magnificent views of the ocean down through rows of coconut palms with their gently swaying leaves.

The open kitchen, complete with a breakfast bar, is tiled with colorful hand-made "talavera tile" and decorated with glazed pots and vases from various parts of Mexico. Exotic furniture creates a comfortable space in the living room.

From the interior living area of the home you head up to your roof-top terrace with its own shaded "palapa" and generous views of palm tree-lined beach. Here is an ideal place for sunbathing, for a get together to grill your lunch or dinner, or just to enjoy the tropical ocean breezes and lovely ocean, estuary and garden views.

The palapa terrace is also the perfect place for taking in the unforgettable sunsets at Playa Las Tortugas.

Surrounding Area

Our entire state of Nayarit area enjoys one of the most favorable climates in the world. Average daily year- round temperatures range from highs of 80-85 degrees (perfect beach weather) to lows of 60-70 degrees (perfect sleeping weather).

Swim year round, but consider packing a light sweater for the evenings in the winter months. Rain, when it falls, generally occurs between June and September as night-time or pre-dawn thundershowers.

You can visit small typical Mexican villages, enjoy fresh fish and other local seafood at small rustic beachfront restaurants, tour a tropical river and waterfalls, see historic San Blas, and drive up through the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains to colonial Tepic where crafts of the Huichol Indians are found.

Playa Las Tortugas has kilometers of uncrowded, clean sand beach, and a number of activities both on property and nearby such as Surfing, Wave Kayaking, Boogie Boarding, Fishing, and Shelling, Canoeing, Whale Watching, Bird Watching, Walking or Running on Miles of warm Sand Beach, and Sea Turtle Conservation activities (during season) at the Sea Turtle Conservation Camp.

Frequently there is one festival or another in small towns within an hour of our location. There are a number of excursions you might take, with or without a guide.

Playa Las Tortugas is located on a section of coastline which is nesting habitat of several species of sea turtle in the beautiful state of Nayarit, Mexico 70 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta (PVR) International Airport and about 50 miles west of Tepic, the colonial capital of Nayarit.

We are happy to arrange transportation for you in our private shuttle, you may rent a car and drive your self which a large number of our guests do, or if you'd like to be more adventurous you may decide to come by bus and local taxi. We can send you details on the numerous car rental companies, or instructions on which buses and local taxis to take including approximate costs.

It's quite easy to find your way from the Puerto Vallarta (PVR) International Airport to Playa Las Tortugas, and the roads are normally well-maintained. Your valid driver's license is accepted in Mexico, and the driving rules are virtually the same as most countries. Write us for a copy of detailed driving instructions and a map. Your scenic drive north from the airport takes less than 2 hours and goes through areas of old-growth jungle and coastal hills.

“I have the privilege of experiencing a working sea-turtle camp firsthand because I am staying at Playa Las Tortugas, a charming, ecologically minded property on an otherwise uninhabited stretch of pristine beach. Next to a tidal estuary lined with mangroves—where I spend a glorious afternoon in a canoe, spotting roseate spoonbills and great blue herons,among other bird species—this property demonstrates the value of conscientious development.” Alaska Airlines Magazine

Enjoy wonderful weather and beach activities here in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

Activities

Beach, Surfing, Wave Kayaking, Boogie Boarding

Shelling, Canoeing, Whale Watching, Bird Watching

Walking, Running, or Riding on miles of sand beach

Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing

Shelling, Canoeing, Whale Watching

Sea Turtle Conservation activities

Bicycling, Hiking, Boating

Horseback Riding

Whale Watching

Children's Pool

House Amenities

Air Conditioning: Super quiet mini-split air conditioning for bedrooms

Beachfront: it's a very short walk (less than 90 yards) to the beach and you have a great beach and pool view from our house

Canoes and kayaks available

Ceiling Fans

Cook available

Daily maid service

Entertainment: TV, DVD, CD Player, Stereo System

Full Kitchen: Complete kitchen with cooking accessories and cooking utensils, Blender, Stove, Toaster, Coffee Maker, Oven, Dishwasher, Large Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave

Meal Catering Available: Enjoy meals prepared in your home by our wonderful cooks

Gas BBQ Grill: Weber gas grill beachfront on the upper palapa terrace

High speed internet wireless available

Large covered terrace and sunning terrace, palm-roofed palapa on the upper deck with BBQ grill and hammocks --- our favorite place to relax

Linens Provided: Linen change at mid-stay or every 3 days

King beds in bedroom suites with full baths

Off Street Parking: Parking spaces on the property

Outdoor shower

Pool: Large pool with palapa for the homes at Playa Las Tortugas, includes shallower children's section

Washer: Laundry service available on request Dryer: Laundry service available on request

Pets not allowed

Smoking Not Allowed: No smoking inside please!

Rental Details

We accept MasterCard and Visa.

Ask about our special "couples" and summer turtle nesting season rates

We are glad to send you more information on activities and meal plans. It's necessary to arrange meals before arrival if you would like to have one of our friendly local cooks prepare traditional Mexican meals for you.

We are happy to arrange transportation for you in our private shuttle, you may rent a car and drive your self which a large number of our guests do, or if you'd like to be more adventurous you may decide to come by bus and local taxi.

There are several acres of common area gardens to wander through, with well over one hundred different types of tropical plants and trees.

The ocean and pool water is warm enough to swim in all year round. There is a property manager on-site to help you with any questions or needs.

Booking Conditions

Deposit and Final Payment: A 50% deposit will confirm your reservation. The balance is to be received 45 days prior to arrival. A deposit is required against damages.

Check In and Check Out: Check In is available after 4 p.m. on the arrival date of your reservation, or could be earlier the same day by arrangement depending upon occupancy. We will do our best to be flexible with Check In and Check Out times, again depending on occupancy, as we know flight times vary. For travel purposes please take into consideration that Playa Las Tortugas is on MST while the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is on CST, one hour later.

Length of Stay: All requests will be considered based on availability.

Value-added and Lodging Taxes: Rental rates include value-added and lodging taxes as applicable.

Cancellations and Refunds:
Once booked, your Villa has been reserved just for you. You can start dreaming right away!  Playa Las Tortugas does not “double book” or “over book” accommodations.  Because Playa Las Tortugas is a not a large, volume hotel operator and provides an individualized, intimate and private experience for our guests seeking to get away from it all, we have developed the following policies regarding cancellations, refunds and security deposits.

Rental Amounts
A deposit of 50% of your total estimated rental amount is required to reserve your time at one of our Villas.  That deposit is due at time of making your reservation and is refundable (less a 10% processing fee if paid via credit card) up to 45 calendar days prior to your arrival date. Deposits can be paid by credit card, personal check (via personal check if the reservation is at least 45 days from the booking date), cashier’s check, money order or wire transfer. The estimated final payment of the rental amount, and the security deposit, are due 45 days prior to your arrival. The estimated final payment of the rental amount balance is not refundable.  Cancellations that occur with less than 45 days notice are not refundable.

Reservation Changes
You may change your reservation dates if you make the change more than 45 days prior to the arrival date of your initial reservation, without penalty. Reservation dates cannot be changed 45 days or less from the arrival date of your initial reservation. In case of a second change of reservation dates, a fee of 15% may apply for reservation date changes.

Security Deposits
The security deposit is due, along with the balance of the rental amount, 45 days prior to your arrival.  The security deposit is refundable (less a 10% fee if paid via credit card) at any time prior to your stay if you need to cancel.  Your security deposit will be refunded (less a 10% fee if paid via credit card) within 14 days of the date of checkout less any amounts due for property or contents damage or loss.

Credit Card Fees
Because all transactions, both charges and refunds, processed on a credit card incur approximately a 5% fee it is necessary for us to charge you a 10% processing fee on all rental amounts paid via credit card and returned due to cancellation. It is also necessary for us to charge you a 10% processing fee for all security deposits paid via credit card. You may avoid these charges by making payment with a check or cashier’s check 45 days prior to your arrival. Please note that if personal checks are used to make payments your reservation will not be confirmed until receipt and processing of your check by Playa Las Tortugas.

Travel Insurance
If there are uncertainties regarding your ability to use your vacation time with us, or if you just want to insure your vacation against unknown events that may come up, you may want to obtain travel insurance.  Sites such as InsureMyTrip.com offer and compare travel insurance policies from major insurers. You may check with them or alternative sites on the Web.

Non-Smoking Villas: Please remember that our home is “Non-Smoking” and that your security deposit may be forfeited in its entirety if you choose to smoke inside of the home.

Third Party Visitors: The policy of Playa Las Tortugas is to permit only owners, their guests, and rental guests to make use of the facilities. Rental guests are not permitted to invite third parties to visit the property or to use the facilities of Playa Las Tortugas.

Holiday Rentals at Playa Las Tortugas: Normally only rentals of at least 7 nights will be considered for Christmas, for New Year’s, and at least 5 nights for the Spring Break at Easter. Christmas and New Year’s rentals cannot include both Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve unless the rental is for at least 10 days. Other holidays may require a minimum stay of three nights.

Mexico and U.S. Holidays: Christmas/Navidad & New Year’s Day/Año Nuevo weeks from December 19th thru January 4th; Easter/Semana Santa y Semana de Pascua; Día de la Independencia (weekend and Monday of 16 September); Día de la Revolución (weekend and Monday of 20 November).

Maid Service: Light maid service is provided every day. Linen changes and more thorough cleaning occur every three days or mid-stay for weekly rentals. There is no maid service on Sundays. Full maid service can be provided on a daily basis for an extra charge.