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EL NIDO DE LA TORTUGA -- A Poolside, Cozy Casita Nestled Into the Hillside

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Beach
Pool
Interior
Beach
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 484 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
San Francisco (San Pancho), NAY
  • Playa San Francisco
    18 min walk
  • Las Huertas Golf Club
    4 min drive
  • San Pancho Nayarit Market
    6 min drive
  • Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (PVR-Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Intl.)
    40 min drive

Room options

About the area

San Francisco

Seaside stay .Within 2 miles (3 km) of this San Francisco vacation home, you'll find San Pancho Nayarit Market and Playa San Francisco. Las Huertas Golf Club and Entreamigos are also within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • Playa San Francisco - 18 min walk
  • San Pancho Nayarit Market - 6 min drive
  • Sayulita Farmers Market - 13 min drive
  • Sayulita Square - 13 min drive
  • Sayulita Beach - 30 min drive

Getting around

  • Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Intl. Airport (PVR) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Su Pancha Madre - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Mariscos Barracuda - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Bistro Orgánico - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Maria's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Chido Greens - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

EL NIDO DE LA TORTUGA -- A Poolside, Cozy Casita Nestled Into the Hillside

EL NIDO DE LA TORTUGA (The Nest of the Turtle) is a little casita nestled into the hillside and cozied up under the Big House (LA CASA QUE CANTA -- The House the Sings). When you enter the courtyard of the property you need to go down two flights of stairs to get to EL NIDO.

It is located just a few steps away from the Family Pool, which was designed to be both safe and a constant delight to children of all ages. It has a complete kitchen, a small but comfortable sitting area inside, and a sunny one outside. It has two bedrooms -- the master bedroom has a king-sized bed; the other room is a bunk room with a set of bunk beds. Its bathroom has dual showers.

You might wonder what makes EL NIDO special. The initial inspiration came from the fact that San Pancho is a turtle sanctuary and we wanted to honor the great work of Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde. Keeping with the sense of a sanctuary, we wanted our NEST to be small, safe, distinctive, and like any self-respecting turtle's nest, grounded.

In keeping with that initial inspiration, our architect/interior design team created a tropical forest motif for the bathroom with its two showers and timbers providing the supply of water and lighting. The bathroom sink is onyx. The marble gives evidence of the antediluvian past with all kinds of crustacean fossils. A couple of stone turtles will share this most intimate part of the NEST, the double shower.

Likewise the bunk room feels like a tree house.

The sitting area and the kitchen are filled with Mexican artifacts -- tiles, masks, wall hangings, carefully and expertly carved pine furniture.

We have also recently made some upgrades to the property. This includes adding a generator, in case of power outages. We now have 2 different wifi services (fiber and Starlink satellite) and a switch that will toggle between them if 1 goes down. We also have an expansive mesh wifi network ensures the entire property with fast wifi. You are guaranteed to have power and internet connectivity.

EL NIDO DE LA TORTUGA is one of three houses in this complex. LA CASA QUE CANTA is above the NIDO. A second home, the CASITA CELESTIAL is further down the hill. The entire property has purified water which means it's not necessary to drink bottled water. If you look at the photo of the back of the property, you can see the entrance to EL NIDO on the lower left side, on the same deck as the pool. It is very private, a five minute walk to the beach and another 20 to town. You will not hear the sounds of any other guests, but you will hear the beating of the surf and the rustling of the palm fronds. You will also hear the singing of the birds and the cackling of the Chachalacas.

SAN PANCHO is a haven. It is 50 minutes north of the airport in Puerto Vallarta. It has about 2000 to 2500 Mexican Nationals and a moderate presence of Gringoes, but is now growing rapidly. There is a high level of respect for the Mexican culture among those who have chosen to live in San Pancho. The restaurants are excellent. The beach is beautiful and not overloaded with people. There are many activities available-- from attending polo matches to going on birding walks (we are a bird sanctuary), to being present when the infant turtles are released into the perils of the ocean. And, of course, the weather is ideal.

Property manager

Melissa Roberts

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Shared/communal pool

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Blender
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Limited housekeeping
  • Chef
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • Near a hospital
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Golfing on site
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Basketball nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Unit size: 900 sq ft (84 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Children need to be supervised.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

EL Nido Tortuga Poolside Cozy Casita Nestled Hillside House
EL Nido Tortuga Poolside Cozy Casita Nestled Hillside
EL Nido Tortuga Poolside Cozy Casita Nestled Hillside House
EL Nido Tortuga Poolside Cozy Casita Nestled Hillside House

EL NIDO DE LA TORTUGA -- A Poolside, Cozy Casita Nestled Into the Hillside Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Fred B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastically Relaxing Jungle Oasis
Wonderful unit with all the comforts for a most relaxing visit to San Pancho with the sound of yer ocean and birds chirping away. Full kitchen was a blessing and the swimming pool was fantastic for a dip in the afternoon. The bed was extremely comfortable and it was easy to walk or taxi to town (or golf cart if you so desired). Fantastic restaurants in San Pancho, mercado on Tuesday, incredible sunsets at the beach every night. Highly recommend Villa de Vistas!!!!
Stayed 11 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gwynne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another lovely week in this idyllic spot
It couldn't have been better. A lovely, lovely place that has become our Mexican home away from home.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

William B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful location exceptional service and space
We had a lovely time staying in San Pancho - the food was fantastic in town and the vrbo was exactly what we wanted for our family of 4.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alea W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Stay at this Casita
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The space was clean, spacious, and comfortable. It was far enough away from town for relaxing and quiet evenings, but an easy trip in to enjoy all the conveniences of town. We loved the walk to town each day (a bit long for some, but we loved it) and enjoyed the nearby beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carol B., Willits, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Villa
We loved everything about our stay. The villa was well equipped, artfully built, beautifully landscaped with a pleasant (though steep) walk through tropical plants and down a road to an amazing sparsely populated beach. We walked to town in the mornings via the beach where there were more people and beach action. The pool was the perfect temperature and we enjoyed coming home and taking a swim at the end of the day. The gracious hosts, Melissa and Bill were in the main house when we were there and we enjoyed meeting them and hearing their story. Marie, the concierge, was very responsive and helpful! All in all, we had a wonderful time & felt very grateful for our relaxing get-away.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paige W., Aledo/TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas Getaway
The property itself was beautiful! The tilework on every step leading to and from the property and down to the beach was incredible as was the tile mosaic on the pool. It was simply a stunning estate in the midst of a jungle, and we were enchanted! Thank you for the wonderful assistance from Marie and Iris. We hope to come back and highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chrissy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Stay!
We had an excellent stay at this beautiful property. Everything was extremely clean and in great condition. The bedrooms were comfortable and air conditioned. Check in was easy and the guidebook provided us with important information that helped us plan our stay. We (and our toddler) loved ending each afternoon in the beautiful pool. San Pancho is an amazing town and we would definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent edge of town retreat
Super well maintained retreat on the north edge of the beach. Marie was very helpful and available
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Larry G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything we wanted and more ...
What a beautiful property. Absolutely amazing pool area. Melissa and Maria made us feel like family. It was a great vacation made even better by this gem of a rental and the people who run it. Thank you for the wonderful week in paradise.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy A., Victoria, BC

Liked: Cleanliness
Family beach vacation
We loved this property! The kids spent a lot of time in the pool. The village of San Pancho is beautiful but has changed a lot and is getting more expensive. The property is too far to walk to town if you have kids but we rented a golf cart to solve that and it turned out that the kids absolutely loved the golf cart lol. Our hosts Melissa and Bill are very kind and lovely people and it was a pleasure to meet them. Our concierge Marie was very helpful organizing things for us before we arrived like a private chef to come to our place and tours/local advice. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gwynne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
FABULOUS
This rental was so perfect for our family. The setting is magnificent. The owners are delightful people. Couldn't have been better.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

John G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Las Brisas
Extraordinary hosts and support staff. Accommodations were perfect. Villa de Vistas could only have been created and maintained by a family who love and honor one another as well as their San Pancho with its tropical jungle, peaceful trade winds, warm pool, imaginative dining options and beautiful beach. Hopefully, we can continue to respect, protect and honor this offering to be cherished.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home, wonderful hosts
This property is stunning! The whole villa is just gorgeous - coming home to it every afternoon after a day of explorations felt like a real treat. There are stunning views in a jungle-like environment, a pool perfect for all ages, and lots of space to lounge and eat outside. El Nido is so convenient being right on the pool and deck level. We felt the unit was bigger than we expected, with plenty of room for our family of four. The steps down to the beach are so fun and were totally manageable. Though the beach itself was too rough for us to go in, we enjoyed jumping over waves and just playing in the sand - it's a gorgeous beach! We were lucky enough to be there while the owners and their family were there - all so nice, helpful, and accommodating. This is a really special place and we really can't imagine staying anywhere else in San Pancho now!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

toni t., Where do you live?

Liked: Cleanliness
Nido de la Tortuga
My stay was very relaxing. Marie was a helpful concierge and Bill and Melissa were very friendly! Marie set up a ride from the airport to the property and the driver was very good as well. The property is absolutely gorgeous and the pool was refreshing. San Pancho is such a cute little town. Would definitely visit again!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely
Very quiet. Beautiful. In the jungle. Felt Like an extension of home
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melanie M., Park city utah

Liked: Cleanliness
Luxury vacation home
We had a wonderful stay at El Nido De La Tortuga! It was a beautiful, well equipped and meticulously maintained property. Iris was so helpful in getting us to the home and showing us around. All of the caretakers were very friendly. The home was a quick 5 minute walk to the beach and another 10-15 walk in to town. San Pancho was a lovely town, and more our mellow speed than Sayulita, but it was close enough to check out other beaches than San Pancho. Bill's instructions, recommendations and guidance was very thorough and gave us much information to assist us in our stay. Would highly recommend this beautiful property. Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

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Liked: Cleanliness
Fun, Sun, and Friends
Melissa and Bill were delightful hosts, assisting us with planning and giving us ideas about things to do on our visit. It was like being with family. My daughter, grandchildren, and I had a great time in San Pancho and surrounding communities. It's the perfect location to relax and enjoy the beach, pool, restaurants, and activities such as surfing, boating, and even watching a polo match!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jesse D., Calgary, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Stay!
Bill and Melissa are fantastic hosts and amazing people. We felt very lucky to find their place during our time in Mexico. Melissa has created such a wonderful oasis with every detail thought through. The quality of the Nido is incredible and feels very luxurious. It was also impeccably clean. We were travelling with our 7 month old and it had everything we needed - high chair, full kitchen, pool toys, and even a pack n play. We were initially hesitant with the distance from town before booking but it did not bother us at all! The beach is less than 5 mins away and it is closer to the quieter and nicer end of the beach. The walk to town was a nice 20 min walk along a quiet road or along the beach. If we had an older child we would probably rent a golf cart (and saw many other families do the same!). I cannot recommend this place enough! We will definitely be back to this perfect little oasis. Thanks again Melissa and Bill!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

jesse t.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet tropical getaway
We had a lovely time here with William and Melissa as host to there beautiful home. The place was quiet and secluded in between tropical forest and nature sounds. The beach was close walk and the local food was amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone e and we an on coming back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shelley W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxation and tranquility
Bill and Melissa's property is absolutely stunning. We stayed in El Nido, which was the perfect size, and right by the pool, which was heavenly. You can hear the ocean waves, and all the jungle birds singing. It was like paradise. So relaxing, so tranquil, so beautiful!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jason K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent!
Do yourself a favor and stop looking around and book this property! You'll be so glad you did. We really enjoyed our stay here. Bill and Melissa are wonderful people and great hosts!! They were very responsive with our questions prior to booking and throughout our stay. We were on the fence as to whether or not to get a car and we did end up renting one from Gecko in PV. It came in handy to get us to and from the airport, to get groceries for the week on the way to the property, and to Sayulita to get our COVID tests prior to our flight home. We also used it to go to La Launcha beach for some surfing. Otherwise we just walked into town for breakfasts and dinners when we felt like it. The walk was easy either on the beach or on the roads. We really enjoyed just spending time at the property though and relaxing in and around the pool! This vacation was exactly what we needed and Bill and Melissa couldn't have been better hosts. They have put so much work and love into their property and it shows. You can tell it gives them joy to share this beautiful place with others. And San Pancho is totally worth visiting!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Margarete D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Jungle Paradise
we enjoyed our stay very much. It was quiet (except the noisy Birds) a really amazing Place and close to all Restaurants.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Dennis G., Seattle, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Our nest for a week
My family of four (2 adults and our two 11 year olds) rented El Nido de la Tortuga for a week to explore San Pancho. We found the property to be just what we shopped for - a private villa in the jungle above the ocean. We fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and woke to the sounds of nature in the jungle. The well stocked kitchen let our family have slow mornings together while we made breakfast and smoothies. Bill and Melissa and their team were wonderful hosts and we hope our travel plans bring us back their way in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Maggie Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nestled on a Hill
We spent 4 weeks at a lovely home away from home nestled under a casa beside a pretty little pool. We enjoyed lots of space which was lovingly created by our hosts Bill and Melissa. Both Bill and Melissa and their staff quickly answered our endless questions which helped us better understand the Mexican culture. The beach was a 5 minute walk, clean and not too busy . The winter surf was lovely to watch but not swim in. Sunsets were beautiful. If you are a foodie San Pancho is a must with such a variety of restaurants and evening street performers. For short stays there are lots of transportation choices. We like touring around so rented a car at reasonable rates from a great company recommended by Bill. We will certainly recommend El Nido de la Tortuga to friends and family! Thanks Melissa and Bill

10/10 Excellent

Laurie K., Seattle

Lovely home in the jungle
Though we had the smaller unit, we had the whole property to ourselves. Very relaxing surrounded by jungle and the sounds of the ocean. San Pancho is an ADORABLE town and we loved out time there.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019