— GUIDE · STAFFED VILLA · WHAT’S INCLUDED & TIPPING
The Casa Papelillo Guides
Updated October 2026 · 5 min read · By Casa Papelillo
A fully staffed villa in Mexico comes with its own team. At Casa Papelillo that means a butler, a private chef and two housekeepers, who look after up to 12 guests for the whole stay. The nightly rate covers the staff, three chef-cooked meals a day and daily housekeeping. Groceries, drinks and activities are extra, and tipping is customary but never required.
4
Full-time staff
3
Chef-cooked meals a day
5%
Service fee, included in the rate
A fully staffed villa is a private house rented whole, with a team that runs it for you. The team cooks, cleans, plans your days and handles the details a hotel front desk would. Unlike a hotel, the staff work only for your group, and the house runs to your schedule.
At Casa Papelillo, four full-time staff live on site throughout your stay. That makes the villa fully staffed. Many “staffed” rentals include only a housekeeper, with a cook as an extra.
The nightly rate covers the whole villa, the staff and their service. Food, drink and outings are billed separately, at cost or at a fixed price. The same list is in our frequently asked questions.
| Included in the nightly rate | Extras |
|---|---|
| The whole villa for up to 12 guests | Groceries & drinks: at cost, with receipts, billed at checkout |
| Butler, private chef (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and two housekeepers | Airport transfers, one way: Manzanillo $150 (sedan) or $250 (Suburban) · Puerto Vallarta $250 (sedan) or $425 (Suburban) |
| Daily housekeeping; linens, towels and bedroom amenities | Tequila or mezcal tasting: $40 per person |
| Starlink Wi-Fi, air conditioning, private parking | Mexican cooking class: $40 per person |
| Private cliff staircase and access to four beaches | Pets: $100 per pet per night (maximum two) |
| 5% service fee | Boats, spa, golf, excursions and events: on request |
| Staff gratuity: customary 5–10%, at your discretion |
Before you arrive, send the butler a grocery and drinks list, along with any allergies, dietary needs and favourite dishes. The house is stocked before you walk in. The chef then plans each day’s menus with you: Mexican home cooking, fresh seafood from the fishermen of Chamela Bay, or whatever your group prefers. See a sample menu and more on dining at the villa.
Groceries and drinks are bought for you and billed at cost, with receipts, at checkout. There is no mark-up. If you want a night out, the butler books a table in Careyes or at the beach palapas of Punta Pérula. Just let the chef know in the morning.
Tipping is customary in Mexico and always appreciated, though never required. For a staffed villa on this coast, a common guideline is 5–10% of the rental rate, adjusted for the size of your group and the level of service.
Most guests give one tip for the whole team, in cash, in pesos or US dollars, at the end of the stay. Hand it to the butler in an envelope, and he shares it among the staff. Drivers, boat captains, guides and massage therapists are tipped separately, on the day.
The 5% service fee in the rate is not a tip. It is part of the rate, and any gratuity is separate and at your discretion.
For a group, a staffed villa usually costs less per person than hotel suites, and it gives you more space and privacy.
| Staffed villa (Casa Papelillo) | Luxury hotel | |
|---|---|---|
| Space | A whole house, five suites, pool, palapa and terraces | One room or suite each |
| Privacy | Only your group | Shared with other guests |
| Meals | A private chef cooks three meals a day, when and where you want | Restaurant menus and hours |
| Service | Four staff who work only for you | Hotel staff shared with all guests |
| Price for 12 guests | From about $117 per guest per night in low season | Usually priced per room |
Per-guest figure: the low-season website rate of $1,400 a night ÷ 12 guests. Mid season is about $192, high season about $267.
See the villa and its five suites, or read our Costalegre travel guide.
Stay fully staffed: Casa Papelillo sleeps 12, with a butler, chef and two housekeepers.
No. The 5% service fee is included in Casa Papelillo’s nightly rate. A tip for the staff is separate, customary in Mexico and at your discretion, usually 5–10% of the rental rate.
Give one tip for the whole team to the butler at the end of your stay, and he shares it among the staff. Tip drivers, boat captains and guides separately.
Yes. Pesos and US dollars are both welcome. Most guests tip in cash at the end of the stay.
The chef cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, all included in the rate. Groceries and drinks are billed at cost. If you eat out, tell the chef in the morning.
Yes. The butler, chef and two housekeepers stay on site throughout your visit. Housekeeping is daily, and laundry is available on request.
Best time to visit the Costalegre
Weather, sea temperature, hurricane season, whales and turtles, month by month.
How to get to Careyes
Airports, drive times, private airstrips and transfers to Careyes and Chamela Bay.
