Deluxe oceanfront accomodations for 8-12 people. Balam Ek —Star of the Jaguar, in Mayan— is a beautiful, oceanfront home on the southern end of Akumal's Half Moon Bay in sunny Mexico, with spacious rooms offering breathtaking views of the pool and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean beyond. And great restaurants are only a short walk away! http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Akumal_Mexico/villabalamek/hotel/239/11/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:21:00 EST Charming oceanfront private house for rent one hour south of Cancun, Mexico. Deluxe accomodations for 8-12 people. AMENITIES: - Ocean view from every room in the house - Air-conditioned bedrooms - Maid service - Ceiling fans in living area and bedrooms - Table fans - Tape, CD, radio player - TV/VCR with satellite TV -Books and videos - 4 bicycles - Fully-equipped kitchen - Outdoor grill - Security box - All linens and towels furnished - Cooking service upon request (at extra cost) Half a mile from central Akumal, this beautiful oceanfront villa makes the most of the Caribbean breezes and stunning ocean views from each of its rooms. Its delightful, small circular pool rests on a large wooden deck surrounded by palm trees and native plants, where the breathtaking view invites you to relax and enjoy your favorite drink. The patio has direct access to Half Moon Bay beach for swimming and snorkeling. Simple and elegant Mexican details decorate every corner. More photos... The living room in the lower floor is a very comfortable area, with embedded furniture, wood details, and colorful Mexican-style cushions. There is also a small closet equipped with TV/VCR, videos, satellite TV, radio and CD player, and an excellent collection of music and videotapes. The dining area has a big wooden table and six colorfully upholstered chairs. More photos... Decorated with Mexican-style beige and blue Talavera tiles, the kitchen is fully equipped with refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, blender, coffee maker and espresso machine, as well as all the necessary utensils such as pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, glasses, baskets, coolers, purified water, candles, lighter, etc. And for your convenience, there is also a grill in the terrace. More photos... All bedrooms are equipped with ceiling fans and air conditioning. The master bedroom in the upper floor has a king size bed, a large dresser closet, a full bathroom with bathtub, and a balcony overlooking the Caribbean. There is also an adjoining smaller room with a single bed and private balcony. More photos... The second bedroom upstairs has two single beds and a double, closet, full bathroom, and a large ocean-view window. There is a third bedroom downstairs, with a king size bed, closet, and a large sliding wood and glass door leading out to a private terrace surrounded by plants and a beautiful view. The house also has an adjoining two-story exquisitely decorated studio apartment, perfect for a small family. The living/dining area downstairs has a terrace with reclining chairs, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen, stove, refrigerator, and all the utensils. More photos... The studio bedroom upstairs has a king size bed, sofa bed, closet, full bathroom, jacuzzi, and a large balcony with hammocks and chairs to enjoy the wonderful view of the coconut trees and the Caribbean's turquoise waters. ACTIVITIES: Akumal and surrounding areas Located at the heart of the Riviera Maya, Akumal offers exquisite bays laced with white sand beaches that hug the shoreline. Winding, quiet roads reveal accommodations nestled around Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, Jade Beach, South Akumal and Aventuras Akumal. There are also many interesting places all along Highway 307, such as archaeological sites, cenotes (sinkholes), lagoons, beaches, caves, the jungle, biosphere reserves, and much more! Akumal Bay is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the area. With plenty of palapas and palm trees that provide a nice shade while you enjoy the great view of the Mexican Caribbean, Akumal has been a favorite diving destination for many people around the world for many years. For the non-divers, the area's cenotes, bays and lagoons all make the perfect place for an introduction to snorkeling. You will be amazed at the diversity of marine life you may find in these calm shallow waters, as well as plenty of sea turtles feeding on the bay's vegetation. A must see! The coral reef is close enough to the shore that you can swim to beautiful places with just the aid of your fins. And for those who love water sports, windsurfing, kayaking and fishing are also available. One of the most attractive places in the area —the Yal-ku Lagoon— is only 1 mile north of Akumal Bay, so you can either walk or ride a bike there. Taxis are also available. Bring your mask and fins to enjoy the multicolored fish, but we suggest that you leave your sunscreen behind to avoid polluting the water. Activities Akumal is a small charming town that has a lot to offer —peace and relaxation, plus lots of fun and diverse activities. Diving Open sea diving trips, as well as cenote, cave and cavern diving excursions and tours throughout the Riviera can be arranged through the Akumal Dive Shop, in downtown Akumal. Balam Ek also offers a diving package included in the rent. Bike rides Akumal is a small place, therefore renting a bike is a good idea, as well as fun. There is a path next to the new highway that will lead you to many interesting places, such as Aktun-Chen, Xel-há, Xpu-há, or just a ride to the jungle in front of Akumal. Bicycles are available in Balam Ek, or can be rented through the Akumal Dive Shop. Walks through the jungle Akumal opens the door to adventures in the jungle, where visitors may learn more about Quintana Roo's marvelous flora and fauna, and experience the wonders of exploring the wilderness unfolding. You may admire colorful tropical birds flying through the towering trees, or suddenly encounter some Mayan ruins and cenotes in the heart of this exotic jungle. Sport fishing and diving Akumal Dive Shop offers great guided fishing tours with all the necessary gears for the whole. Make your reservations! Windsurfing Windsurfing lessons and rentals are available at the Akumal Windsurfing School on Akumal Bay, next to the Hotel Club Akumal Caribe. Yoga Breathing, stretching, relaxation and meditation techniques lessons are available in Akumal every day. Check the schedules in Balam Ek's information folder. Restaurants and night events Akumal offers an excellent variety of restaurants with local and international specialties —Mexican, Italian, seafood, etc. Lol Ha restaurant offers a flamenco dance show on Wednesdays, and a Mexican dance group on Fridays. At the Akumal Open Air Stage there are also great presentations, such as live music with national and international bands, theater groups, dance groups, and much more. Not to be missed! Archaeological sites Most of the ancient archaeological sites and attractions are located less than an hour from Akumal. For instance, Tulum is only 17 miles south of Akumal, and Muyil is 23 miles away. The Coba ruins are located 26 miles northwest of Tulum. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Vacation Rental Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Akumal_Mexico/villabalamek/hotel/239/11/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:21:00 EST