Frequently asked questions

Frequently

Asked Questions

Questions

Where is Casa Papelillo, and how do I get there?

Casa Papelillo sits on Chamela Bay in the Costa Careyes / Costalegre region of Jalisco, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, just off Federal Highway 200 between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. The nearest international airports are Manzanillo (ZLO), roughly a 1.5–2-hour drive south, and Puerto Vallarta (PVR), roughly a 2.5–3-hour scenic drive north. Puerto Vallarta offers the widest selection of direct international flights; Manzanillo is smaller, with faster customs and baggage claim. For guests arriving by private aircraft, the Chamela airstrip (CHM31) is only minutes from the villa, and Chalacatepec Airport (COJ) is about a 40-minute drive.

Is the villa located in a private gated community?

Yes. Casa Papelillo is located in a private gated community with a 24/7 security team and surveillance. Prior to your arrival, please ensure that you have shared the names and IDs of all guests in your party with Casa Papelillo’s butler to coordinate access with our community’s security personnel. Note, our security team will only allow registered guests on the property. Unregistered visitors require prior approval.

Upon arrival, Casa Papelillo’s butler will greet you at the security gate to ensure your admittance and personally guide you to the property.

Does Casa Papelillo have access to the ocean?

Yes — besides Casa Papelillo’s infinity pool, the villa has a private staircase carved in the cliffside stone leading directly to Chamela Bay. Alternatively, guests have access to 2x white sandy and exclusive beaches within the private community; namely, Playa Negra (1 min drive, 5 mins walk) and Playa Negritos (5 min drive).

Can we swim at the beach? Is it safe?

Yes — this is one of Chamela Bay’s great advantages. The bay is sheltered by a chain of protected islands (a designated nature sanctuary), so the water in front of the villa is typically calm and swimmable, unlike many open-Pacific beaches on this coast. As with most beaches in the region, there is no lifeguard on duty, so please swim with caution.

Do you arrange airport transfers, or should we rent a car?

Yes – we arrange private airport transfers with a trusted driver — just let us know your flight details when booking. Depending on the car size (Sedan vs Suburban), prices range from $150-250 for private transfers to/from Manzanillo (ZLO) and $250-425 for private transfers to/from Puerto Vallarta (PVR).

That said, we recommend guests rent a car at the airport if they would like to explore the region. The Costalegre is a rural coastline: taxis are scarce, and having your own vehicle makes day trips to Careyes, Cuixmala, and the surrounding beaches much easier.

Are there taxis available?

Yes – our favorite drivers: Taxi Gabriel: +52 314 109 8066 and Jose Luis Wicho: +52 315 100 5755. Our staff can reserve these taxis for you. Just remember to specify the number of passengers so drivers can adapt the car size to your party, ie Sedan: 4 pax capacity vs Suburban 7 pax capacity.

Is there parking available on site?

Yes. Casa Papelillo has a private parking lot on site beneath a pergola, to keep your vehicle(s) protected from the sun and rain.

How far is Casa Papelillo from Careyes?

Careyes village and community resort is a 10-minute drive (6 miles / 10 km) south of Casa Papelillo.

What restaurants are near the villa?

You’re well covered in every direction. See our restaurant recommendations here.

Punta Pérula (5 min): a fishing village on the north end of Chamela Bay with a string of beachfront palapa seafood restaurants — ultra-fresh catch-of-the-day, ceviche, and pescado zarandeado at local prices. Favorites include Las Alamandas, La Viuda, and Restaurante Becerra.
Careyes (10 min): Malabar, Lilo’s Beach Club, Playa Rosa Beach Club, Casa de Nada
Farther afield: Cuixmala, Chantli Mare and other Costalegre standouts toward Tenacatita, and the Four Seasons Tamarindo’s restaurants about 1 hour drive south.

Our casero is available to help make reservations for you and your guests.

Is food or chef service included in the rental?

Chef service: Yes. Groceries & beverages costs: No. Casa Papelillo comes with 4x full time staff, including a private chef who prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner services daily. Groceries and beverages can be pre-ordered and stocked before guests’ arrival through Abarrotes El Moycas (+52 1 315 100 8966) – our casero could help you call and reserve your shopping list for delivery. Our team can also arrange a private chef for special dinners, events and beach barbecues.

Are there grocery stores nearby?

Yes – the nearby villages of Punta Pérula and Emiliano Zapata both have well-stocked local markets for essentials, produce, and fresh seafood straight from the fishermen. There are no large supermarkets in Careyes or Chamela itself. Send us your grocery list and we’ll have the villa stocked before you arrive. For bigger shops (Costco, Walmart, La Comer), plan a stop in Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo on your drive in.

Does the villa have Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and cell service?

Yes. Casa Papelillo has high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink throughout, air conditioning and fans in all bedrooms, and ceiling fans in the living areas. Cell coverage on this stretch of coast can be spotty between towns, but all carriers have service at the villa.

What other amenities are available to guests?

In addition, each bedroom is equipped with a safe, stocked minibar with your favourite snacks & beverages, tea/coffee set, Bose sound system, smart TV, yoga mats, filtered water and insect repellent.

When is the best period to visit?

The dry season, roughly November through April, brings sunny days, low humidity, and temperatures in the 80s°F / 26+°C — this is also when Careyes is liveliest, with polo season, art events, and holiday gatherings. May–June and the green season (July–October) are quieter and lusher, with warm ocean water and dramatic afternoon skies; September–October is the rainiest stretch. The villa offers reduced rates in low season.

What are the house rules and booking policies?

• Check-in / check-out: 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM
• Occupancy: up to 12 guests
• Children: Children are welcome. Guests assume full responsibility for the supervision and safety of children at all times.
• Pets: A maximum of two (2) pets per stay – charged at an additional $200 per pet per night. Guests are responsible for the supervision of pets at all times and for any damage caused by them.
• Events: Small gatherings (e.g birthdays, yoga retreats) are welcome with prior approval; however, parties and large events are not permitted. Quiet hours are observed from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM.
• Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited indoors, for the preservation of the interiors.
• Cancellation: Cancellations are subject to the following refund schedule, based on the applicable season:
• Low / Mid-Season
30 or more days prior to arrival: 100% refund
29 to 10 days prior to arrival: 50% refund
Within 10 days of arrival: No refund
• High Season
60 or more days prior to arrival: 100% refund
59 to 30 days prior to arrival: 50% refund
Within 30 days of arrival: No refund

All cancellations must be submitted to the Owner in writing. Refunds, where applicable, will be processed to the original payment method.

For more details, please read our Terms & Conditions page here.

Does Casa Papelillo host events?

Yes. Guests can book Casa Papelillo for events with up to 20 people, from 9am to 10pm directly on our website: casapapelillo.com. Please note, prior authorization and guest registration is required for security access to the property with advance notice.

Is the villa staffed? How often is housekeeping?

Yes – Casa Papelillo comes with 4x full time staff: 1x butler, 1x chef, 2x housekeepers – who remain on site and at your disposal throughout your stay. Staff conduct daily housekeeping services and are available to help with anything from preparing delicious meals on site to sharing restaurant tips or arranging sunset boat excursions. Laundry service is also available on request.

Should we tip the villa staff?

Tipping is customary in Mexico and always appreciated, though never required. For staffed villa stays on this coast, a common guideline is roughly 5–10% of the rental rate, pooled among the house staff and left in cash (pesos or USD) at the end of your stay. Tips for drivers, boat captains, and guides are typically given separately.

What's included in the rental rate?

A reservation at Casa Papelillo includes private access to the entire villa (for up to 12 guests), 4x full-time dedicated staff providing breakfast, lunch, dinner and housekeeping services; linens and towels, access to all bedroom amenities. Not included: food and beverages (cost of groceries billed at checkout), airport transfers, activities, and a [5-10%] service fee.

What activities can you arrange for us?

More than you’ll have time for. With advance notice we can organize:

On the water: private boat expeditions to secret beaches and hidden coves, deep-sea / coastal fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and surf outings
On land: polo, horseback riding excursions, turtle hatchings, hikes, and birdwatching in the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve
Careyes life (15–20 min south): expeditions to La Copa del Sol or Pyramideon, polo matches in season, art walks and galleries, tennis, and events at the Plaza de los Caballeros del Sol
Wellness & celebration: in-villa massages, yoga, and beauty services (mani/pedi/hair), private chef dinners, beach bonfires, and birthday or anniversary setups

All activities could be directly reserved here.

Is Casa Papelillo children and family-friendly?

Yes — the villa is a favorite for multi-generational family trips. The calm, protected waters of Chamela Bay are among the most swimmable on this coast, and kids love the boat trips and seasonal baby-turtle releases on nearby beaches. Please note that, like most villas in the region, the property has an unfenced pool, open terraces and stairs, so young children should be supervised. We can arrange a crib and high chair / babysitting through local staff with advance notice.

Is the area safe?

Yes. The Costalegre is a quiet, rural stretch of coast with small fishing villages and private estates that have hosted international visitors and homeowners for over 50 years. Crime affecting tourists is rare. As anywhere, use common-sense precautions: drive Highway 200 during daylight when possible, keep valuables in your bedroom’s dedicated safe, and swim with normal caution since beaches are unguarded. Finally, Casa Papelillo is located in a private gated community with 24/7 personnel and surveillance – with access to the community only available to pre-approved guests via ID verification.

Can guests book individual rooms instead of the entire villa?

Yes. Individual rooms can be booked on request at a discount to reserving the entire villa. Please note that when individual rooms are booked, guests may share Casa Papelillo’s common areas, pool, private beach access, etc. with other guests. Price per room per night vary by season: Low Season: $400 / night | Mid-Season: $600 / night | High Season: $800 / night.

Is there medical care nearby? What about mosquitoes?

Yes. There are 2x medical clinics within 10 mins drive: Punta Médica (Pérula) and Clinica Careyes – as well as pharmacies available in Punta Pérula and Emiliano Zapata (15 mins drive). Full hospitals are in Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta. We recommend travel insurance for all guests. As for bugs — this is the tropics, and mosquitoes appear mostly at dawn and dusk, especially in the green season. The villa is stocked with repellent, and screens/fans and AC to keep evenings comfortable.

Do we need to submit a form of ID to visit?

Yes. Guests are responsible for submitting copies of their IDs to Casa Papelillo’s butler and security team in order to access the property.