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Casa Shalva
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Casa Shalva
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Shades of Cool Grey
All sharp lines in matte concrete with huge picture windows and pivoting glass doors, this striking Tulum contemporary’s austerity is softened by a series of arched doorways, smooth dove walls, and the bright turquoise checkerboard pool at its sundrenched heart, only steps from a svelte outdoor bar island.
A study in sharp lines and cast concrete, with a handful of furnishings in raw stone, this contemporary villa for rent in Mexico is located within the gated Aldea Zama Premium complex, only minutes from Tulum’s center and its Caribbean beaches. Cool and creative, the home’s ambiance mimics a gallery’s hush. Despite its strong stature, its mood is surprisingly gentle and serene, the result of smooth, matte grey interiors and its wealth of hacienda-styled openings that flood rooms with natural light. A jaw dropping dining table in hewn stone dominates the open entertainment area, set above a sunken, built-in sectional. There are not one, but two pools, one a lean plunger upstairs on stargazing balcony.
AROUND
This villa for rent in Mexico is located in Tulum, a destination that needs little introduction these days. Once an under-the-radar backpacking-turned-meditation destination, it's now a boho chic paradise. Set on the Yucatán Penninsula, a land of blindingly white sands, astonishingly blue waters and plump jungle leaves and vines, the region has become a darling of wellness seekers and trendsetters, not to mention the global party set. This hip tropical haven is the place to go for 24/7 yoga sessions, frothy organic smoothies, farm-to-table street food, and shaman-directed sweat lodges—still more mindful than hedonistic. There are plenty of palms to find shade under, and postcard-perfect Caribbean waters, plus Mayan temples and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for cultural visits. Tulum’s shore is 9 kilometers long, anchored by the Biosphere and a Mayan ruin right on the beach. Originally a walled city named Zama, the ruins were once home to some 1,500 residents who lived and worshipped in the 13th-century site.
Tulum’s many beaches are a draw, and Playa Paraiso is a favorite, offering public access and private clubs. Rent a SUP and check out Laguna de Kaan Luum, south of town. The lagoon contains a huge cenote (there are dozens near Tulum worth checking out) that gives the area its swirl of enchanting colors. The Biosphere is open for guided boat visits, and is home to turtles, dolphins and abundant flora. Or grab a certified guide and try kitesurfing when Tulum’s breezes kick up.
LOCATION
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Nearest airport: Cancun (approximately 1½ hours)
BEST TIME TO VISIT: December to April
