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Central Yucatan Coast |
Travel Alert
from U.S. State Department about Mexico
The alerts
concern primarily the border areas between the U.S. and Mexico. Alerts do not
include Cancun, Cozumul, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo or similar tourism
centers. The primary concerns are on the border of Mexico along the state lines
of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and southern California.
See more from the U.S. State Department concerning
Mexico.
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Looking for
a place in the Cancun/Tulum area to drop out and hide out?
With two
casitas that can sleep two adults comfortably in each apartment, this is a
perfect place for one or two couples to get away from it all. |
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U.S. Citizens: Passports are
required for international air travel to all destinations outside the
USA.
 Owned
by Chris & Connie Wasyl, they escaped upstate New York to find their
paradise, Dolce Vita, a Soliman Bay Mexican Caribbean beachfront Bed &
Breakfast.
Near Tulum at the south end of Mexico's Riviera Maya is
Soliman Bay, a tranquil spot near many vacation attractions and activities, yet
away from the tourist crowds. No large hotels or condominiums are located on
Soliman Bay, just private villas. Relax in a hammock or lounge chair on the
white sand beach, explore the bay in a kayak or enjoy the beautiful reef
snorkeling Soliman Bay is renowned for. A local beachfront restaurant, Oscar y
Lalos is located not far from the villa.
The little town of Tulum is
located about 15 minutes south and Puerto Aventuras/Playa del Carmen are about
20-40 minutes north on Highway 307. So, you've got plenty to do and see if
you're just itching to go to town for meals or  shopping.
Dolce Vita is a luxury
beachfront villa that offers accommodations in 2 private casita each with a
private bath, in a separate apartment located directly on the beach. The main
house where Chris & Connie live is adjacent to the casitas and pool. The
breezeway between the villa and casitas is the perfect place for breakfast,
snacks and drinks.
Nudity: Dolce Vita is nude friendly
and "clothing-optional" is welcome at the beach, around the pool and in your
private casita. The main villa is the residence of the owners, Connie &
Chris. Dining for breakfast and other meals requires some type of cover up.
But, othwerwise, you can be nude or topless all day and night around the beach,
pool and your private casita.
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U.S. Citizens: Passports are
required for international air travel to all destinations outside the
USA.
The Cancun area is a world-class vacation
destination and is served by many airlines from North America, South America
and Europe. Both scheduled air carriers as well as charter flights fly to
Cancun with frequent service from just about anywhere in the world.
Taxis are available outside the arrival terminals and rental cars are plentiful
at the Cancun airport. Tulum also has rental cars available. An alternative is
to rent a car for a couple of days while you're at the villa to see the local
area and perhaps visit Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
A super highway
Mexico # 307 runs most of the length of the Yucatan Peninsula from north of
Cancun down to Tulum and from there on to Chetumal, Mexico, near the Belize
border. This super highway is built similarly to most divided freeways you will
find in developed countries such as in North America and Europe. A rental car
is an option if you have the itch to go exploring on your on since the highways
are so well developed.
A shuttle from the airport is the cheapest way
to reach the villa. A nice treat is that Lomas Travel, the largest transfer
company in Cancun, can provide you with a private limo to the resort to start
your vacation in luxury and comfort.
 You may also use bus service and collectivos
(shuttle vans) available on the main road, Mexico highway # 307. Just flag them
down and tell them where you want to go. Most of the shuttle vans travel point
to point up and down highway # 307 and are inexpensive.
Dolce Vita is
about 1.5 hours south of the Cancun airport on the beach at Soliman Bay a few
minutes from Tulum. Another popular tourist area, Playa del Carmen, is just
about 40 minutes north of the villa---so you're secluded but close to nightlife
and shopping.
Scheduled Airlines arriving at Cancun Intl. Airport
(subject to change)
Aeromexico
American Airlines
Aviacsa
Aviateca
Continental
Cubana de Aviacion
Delta
Iberia
Lacsa
Lan Chile
Lloyd Aero Boliviano
Martinair
Mexicana
United Airlines
U.S. Air
Varig
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Dolce Vita is the only B & B accommodation located on
Soliman Bay. The villa is actually next door to Playa Naturel which is closed
at this time.
Services include:
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Air conditioning and ceiling fans |
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Stunning Caribbean views |
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Queen size beds |
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A large, Palapa roof patio with wet bar and
barbeque |
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Sea kayaks |
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Private pool |
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Private beach |
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In-room 5 cu.ft. refrigerator stocked with welcoming
beer, soda and bottled water |
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Purified in-room water provided |
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High-speed internet ethernet connection for your
laptop computer |
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Telephone (call charges apply) |
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Lounge chairs and hammocks, both on the beach and
poolside |
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An extra single bed and a crib are available for a
small extra charge |
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Daily maid service |
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Each morning savor a full, hearty breakfast of an array of
tropical fruits, freshly squeezed juices, fresh local pastries, hot entree and
special freshly ground coffee, all served under the palapa while you enjoy the
ocean view and breeze.
For dining, guests are requested to wear some
type of cover up.
Guests are free to use the BBQ pit on site or go
into town to explore restaurants in the area.
An excellent beach front
restaurant is only a short walk from the villa, Oscar y Lalos.
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1) Room rates (each apartment sleeps two persons) in
U.S. Dollars $
January 1 - April 30: $165/night/room or
$320/night for entire casita.
May 1 - May 31: $150/night/room or $290/night
for entire casita.
June 1 - October 31: $125/night/room or $240/night for
entire casita
November 1 – December 31 (except Christmas and New
Year's Weeks): $150/night/room or $290/night for entire casita
Christmas
week or New Years (holiday weeks) $195/night/room or $375/night for the entire
casita (two apartments).
There is a $30.00 surcharge for stays less than 3
nights.
For stays of seven (7) nights or more, a 10% discount will be
applied to the above rates except for holiday weeks listed. Mexican Tax:
12%
Prices/tax subject to change without notice until deposit is paid.
2) Services are outlined in the website
above.
3) Dining: Daily breakfast only, beer in the
fridge upon arrival
Included in the fridge in both rooms are: 4
beers, 2 sodas and 2 bottled waters. Anything else is responsibility of the
guest. Dolce Vita does not have a liquor license to sell drinks. All other
meals and drinks are responsibility of client. Tulum is located about 15
minutes south and Puerto Aventuras/Playa del Carmen are about 20-40 minutes
north on Highway 307. So, you've got plenty to do and see if you're just
itching to go to town for meals or shopping.
4) Terms and
Conditions:
DEPOSIT: For reservations made prior to 60 days of
arrival, a 50% deposit is required to secure a reservation, with the balance
due 60 days before arrival. If the reservation is made 60 or less days prior to
arrival, payment in full is required. All holiday weeks require payment in full
at time of reservation.
CANCELLATIONS: Regarding cancellations, if
cancellation is made prior to 60 days of arrival date, deposit is forfeited; if
less than 60 days prior to arrival, 75% of the total rent is forfeited; if less
than 30 days prior to arrival, the total rent is forfeited. There are no
refunds for cancelled Holiday Week reservations.
REFUNDS: Re-scheduling
of a stay will be addressed on an individual basis by the owner of Dolce Vita
and not Castaways Travel. There are no refunds given due to bad weather or
hurricanes. This includes any travel/occupancy complications or inconveniences
due to bad weather or a hurricane's direct or indirect impact upon the area or
impending impact upon the area. These factors are beyond control and
unpredictable. We strongly encourage obtaining travel insurance to protect your
investment. Contact Castaways Travel to secure your Travel Protection
Insurance.
PAYMENT: Payment can be made by check, money order, bank
transfer or credit card.
Castaways Travel cancellation charge is
$50/person in addition to fees explained above.
Terms, conditions and
pricing subject to change without notice.
Weather Issues not
refundable
Re-scheduling of a stay is on an individual basis.
There are no refunds given due to bad weather or hurricanes. This
includes any travel/occupancy complications or inconveniences due to bad
weather or a hurricane's direct or indirect impact upon the area or impending
impact upon the area. These factors are beyond control and unpredictable.
Contact Castaways Travel to obtain Travel Protection
Insurance for trip cancellations, delays, interruptions and medical
coverage. You are encouraged to obtain travel insurance to protect your
investment.
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You will find primarily adults only are guests at the
resort although families can take over both casitas if needed.
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Dolce Vita is laid back with Connie & Chris very
accommodating hosts who are both attentive and responsive to your needs without
being overly solicitous.
Hanging out on the beach or in the pool are
the two most popular past times.
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Diving, Snorkeling & Fishing
 Diving is spectacular along the Mayan reef nearby as well as
wall diving close to shore. The great Mayan reef is the second largest reef
system besides the Great Barrier Reef off Australia. A nice benefit is that
there has not been lots of development in that part of the Riviera Maya, so
pressure on the reef system is light. Fishing is also great for deep sea as
well as bill fishing.
Optional dive trips can be arranged at water
sports shops nearby in Tulum for an extra charge. If you plan to dive, bring
your "C" card. All SCUBA diving is an additional charge. Dive at your own risk.
Here are the names and website links if you wish to contact them
before your arrival:
Aqua World Water Sports for diving in Cozumel.
Scuba Caribe
Dive shop on the beach at Kantenah Bay located in front of the
Palladium Kantenah Resort. Dive sites from 5-15 minutes from shore. Resort is
about 15 minutes north of Soliman Bay.
Aquanauts Dive
shop in Puerto Aventuras.
Hidden
Worlds... A local cenote dive site
Cenote
Diving... One of many local scuba diving operations
Akumal
and Tulum also have dive operators, too. There's even a local private dive
operation right on Soliman Bay. One of the neatest things to do is dive the
cenotes, freshwater pools located in subterranean limestone formations, many of
which are near Soliman Bay. Some cenote dive operations are located out on
highway 307 near the resort. Just make sure the dive operators are licensed and
authorized to dive the cenotes.
Sights
With Dolce Vita close
to most everything, choose from many activities when you leave the villa.
Here's just a partial list of things to do:
 Shopping in Tulum, cruising the bars/discos/clubs
in Playa del Carmen or shopping along the way, snorkeling and swimming in the
natural lagoons at Xcaret to the north or Xel-ha nearby, visit the Mayan ruins
at Chichen Itza to the northwest or Tulum to the south, fish or dive on the
Mayan Reef, the second longest barrier reef in the world, extending all the way
to Belize. Optional escorted tours with driver and guide can be arranged with
transportation that will pick you up right at the villa for your guided tours.
Deep sea/bill fishing and diving can be arranged, too. Night club trips into
Playa del Carmen, folklorico ballet shows, sunset cruises and much more to see
can be arranged, too.
Swim with the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin just off the beach or ride horseback
in the nearby jungle. For a real treat, swim with the trained, captive dolphins
at Puerto Aventuras nearby which has about 6-7 programs you can sign up for
from simply swimming among them to capturing it all on a personal VCR tape. If
you want to see more of the area, go to Playa del Carmen and catch a water taxi
to cross the channel to Cozumel. Trip takes only 30-45 minutes and costs
$10-15/person, one way (rate subject to change without notice).
Golf
at two courses is nearby and a jungle tour in an all terrain vehicle are both
fun, too.
For bar hopping in Playa del Carmen, start off the night at
the Blue Parrot or other local beach side bistros and bars... just a great
place to hang out. You can't get lost on the beach or on 5th Avenue... the
street only runs 10-15 blocks and is arguably the "heart of Playa." Fifth
avenue runs parallel to the beach so you can't lost unless you've seriously
tanked up on tequila. Speaking of tequila, there is a "tequilleria" shop and
bar on 5th avenue that boasts 375 brands of tequila for sale. Stop in and crawl
out!
The chic Mezzanine club and restaurant in Tulum is self described
more like Ibiza than Mexico…..it's about music, good drinks and great food
at this "hip" spot. Should we be scarred off? Well, there aren't many quality
night life places spots around Tulum so it's a good bet. The cliff top complex
includes a hotel, too, with four pool side suites. Each suite has a loft with
futon couch and jungle views in privacy away from clients visiting the
restaurant or bar. Expect to pay $200+ per night, too. Rates not guaranteed and
will change without notice. Nearby, massages and other treatments are available
at the Maya Spa at EcoTulum Resort.
For a place to just chill out,
have a beer, do a little beach combing and hanging out on one of the beach
lounges, Ana y Jose's offers a bit of relaxation among the palms. Just south on
the beach road, the trail leads you to Sian Kaan biosphere reserve on the Boca
Paila peninsula. Sian Kaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting coral
reefs, white sand beaches and lagoons. For details in Tulum, see:
www.rivieramaya.com.
Thanks to Travel Age West for the above references.
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An excellent beach front restaurant only a short walk
from the villa, Oscar y Lalo. |
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No other restaurants are within walking distance. You
must take a taxi or use a rental car to reach service or restaurant areas. |
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Just about anytime is a perfect time to go to Mexico and
visit the Yucatan. Storm season is typically August-September. Plan to purchase
Travel Protection Insurance to protect your travel
investment.
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Wish restaurants were closer.
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Go to the Photo
Album - Click on the link to view personal photos of Villa Dolce
Vita along with some provided by the resort. If you have recently visited Ville
Dolce Vita, we invite you to submit your photos for publication here. To
contribute to this section - all you have to do is go to our
Contribute Trip Report /
Photographs page.
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Read the Trip
Reports - We need trip reports from from folks who have recently
visited Dolce Vita. You can contribute to this section - all you have to do is
go to our Contribute Trip Report /
Photographs page.
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