Entire cabin

Great Ocean Views, Fast Wi-Fi, Pickleball, Near Beach, Kayaks, Bikes, Snorkeling

Photo gallery for Great Ocean Views, Fast Wi-Fi, Pickleball, Near Beach, Kayaks, Bikes, Snorkeling

Property grounds
Exterior
1 bedroom, WiFi, bed sheets
Books
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire cabin

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Hot Tub
    Hot Tub
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space

About this property

Entire place

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

Great Ocean Views, Fast Wi-Fi, Pickleball, Near Beach, Kayaks, Bikes, Snorkeling

'Rapunzel's Tower' is a 1200 sq. ft., private Casita (guest house) with enchanting views of the turquoise sea and the rolling mountains of Los Barriles. 3 miles from town, it is the perfect get-away from the hustle and bustle of the States.

Each night you will drift off to sleep with the sound of the ocean, and in the morning you will wake up to spectacular sunrises.

A 4 minute walk down a magical, meandering arroyo path brings you to a tranquil beach with great snorkeling reefs, kayaking, wind-surfing, kite boarding and fishing.

The casita features dramatic high ceilings and arched windows. Smooth Saltillo tiles add Mexican charm and beauty.

The cozy bedroom and full bath are located on the third floor, and offer amazing views. Downstairs is the kitchen/living room, and the first floor features a huge garage.

Right out the front door is a family-sized stone hot tub! There is nothing better than relaxing in the stone bath at night with a cool drink while looking at the sea and the stars.

The two outdoor patios offer beautiful views of the sea of Cortez, and provide a great place for meals, basking in the sun, or just reading a book. Since we are located in the banana belt, the winter temperatures are much warmer than other areas of Los Barriles.

Share our recreational 'toys': 2 mountain bikes, and 2 kayaks.. One kayak is set up for fishing, and the other is good for touring or wave riding. These goodies are all free!

Windsurfers, kite boarders, surfers and scuba divers: lessons and rental equipment are available. Standup paddle boards are also available at a local rental shop.

If you love pickle ball, we have beautiful new pickle ball courts about five minutes from our house. If you haven't tried pickle ball, we highly recommend it. It's great fun! Classes and equipment are available at reasonable prices.

If you’d like to play guitar, no need to bring your own, we provide a beautiful acoustic guitar.

Since we have been coming here for the last 30 years, we can direct you to our favorite beaches, mountain bike trails, fishing holes, snorkeling reefs, kayaking trips, private surf breaks, restaurants, and other secret spots. We love helping our guests have a great vacation!

Kite boarders: our Casita overlooks Turtle Cove, one of the least crowded kite boarding launches. This beach provides one of the few wave breaks in the area. North Beach, another popular kite boarding beach is located 5 minutes south.

Turtle Cove also features the best snorkeling reef in Los Barriles. You will see hundreds of tropical fish just a few yards from shore.

Kayakers, our secluded beach gives you a perfect starting point for your ocean adventures. Imagine beginning your day paddling among hundreds of beautiful Manta rays. Whale and dolphin sightings are also common and can provide kayakers with the thrill of a lifetime.

Fishermen! We know who the good skippers are, and can get you a discount on a boat. Excellent guide service is available for fly and surf casting fishermen.

If you would like to rent an ATV, we can recommend the best rental agency. For getting around town, and exploring, an ATV is all you really need. It's also just a lot of fun! One of our favorite adventures is an ATV trip to the waterfalls. Pack a picnic lunch and swim in the secluded pool, surrounded by beautiful rock formations. Most of the time you'll have the whole place to yourself.

If you're a fishermen, an ATV gives you a huge advantage in chasing down those rooster fish. Racing down the beach in pursuit of feeding game fish is an adrenaline producing experience!

You are welcome to help yourself to our bountiful fruit trees. Imagine fresh grapefruits, oranges, limes, papayas, and mangoes right outside your front door.

If you need more space for family and friends, Casa Turtle Cove is right next door, and will sleep up to 9.

If your family includes an infant, we can provide a crib, just let us know in advance.

Please let us know if you would like delicious Mexican meals prepared and delivered to your table. Just give us a couple of days notice.

Come relax and let your hair down in Rapunzel's Tower!

"Promise only what you can deliver. Then, deliver more than you promise."

Keywords: Casita (Guest House)

Property manager

John or Camilla Ford

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Spa tub

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Bicycle on site
  • Kayak on site
  • Swimming nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Fishing 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)

General

  • Unit size: 1200 sq ft (111 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Special check-in instructions

The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out time is flexible; to make arrangements, please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
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

About the neighborhood

Map
Los Barriles, BCS

What's nearby

  • ExotiKite Kiteboarding School - 9 min walk
  • Los Barriles Beach - 11 min walk
  • Buena Vista Beach - 12 min drive
  • La Ribera Beach - 34 min drive
  • Punta Colorada Beach - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzeria Don Roberto - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Tio Pablo's - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Smokeys Grill n Cantina - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Roadrunners cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Taqueria el Viejo - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Great Ocean Views, Fast Wi-Fi, Pickleball, Near Beach, Kayaks, Bikes, Snorkeling pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Where is Great Ocean Views, Fast Wi-Fi, Pickleball, Near Beach, Kayaks, Bikes, Snorkeling located?

Situated in Los Barriles, this cabin is within a 15-minute walk of ExotiKite Kiteboarding School and Los Barriles Beach. Buena Vista Beach is 4.1 mi (6.6 km) away.

Great Ocean Views, Fast Wi-Fi, Pickleball, Near Beach, Kayaks, Bikes, Snorkeling Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Darlene

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quaint, charming and tranquil. Renting a quad important, made for a lot of adventure and easy to drive to restaurants . We were able to drive to Tres Palmas pickleball resort right down the road and watch the championship matches. Quadding on the beach was fun and a led us to get closer to the Kite Boarding enthusiasts. It was a great time for us. John was especially helpful with any questions I had. .
Stayed 11 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Steven T.

Liked: Cleanliness
1st Baja trip
Super convenient to nearby Barilles, friends at Playa Norte, great morning whale watching from the balcony. Private and safe!
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

beth d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Private getaway with Gorgeous Views
The hosts were excellent! Went above & beyond, even offering to help when we got sick! The views did not disappoint and the 1 bedroom, with private bath and separate downstairs kitchen/sitting area was all appointed very BaJa style…. Which was perfect! Had everything you would want in a home away from home 🏡
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judith P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sweet casita, terrific views.
Unusual but very sweet 2-story casita. Sliding doors on both levels open out to views southeast over the Gulf; sunrises particularly gorgeous. Great base for exploring Baja Sur in multiple directions. A number of restaurants in town with tasty Mexican food. Overall a great find; helpful and friendly owners in adjacent home.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Farrell N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Location
Easy access to beach!
Stayed 21 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness
the tower
As advertised. Great location.

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular
Amazing view of the Sea of Cortez
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kelly L.

Beautiful views. Loved listening to the Rays slapping against the water. Had a wonderful experience
In the kayak being joined by a pod of dolphins!
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sue F., Iowa City

Sea Breezes and Kayaks
This Casita was very clean and welcoming with huge widows that let in sea breezes and lots of light. The kitchen had everything we needed. We enjoyed the outside tables and had breakfast outside everyday. The kayaks were taken to the beach so all we had to do was walk a short distance and hop in for a fun paddle around the bay. We enjoyed calm seas so paddled every morning. There is a beautiful coral reef right off shore where we saw lots of colorful fish from the kayaks.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

henry b., London, Ontario, Canada

Charming Los Barriles guest house
The tower is adjacent to a beautiful larger home overlooking Turtle cove 3 KM north of Los Barriles. It is perfect for a couple and is in a quiet residential area with easy access to the beach. We enjoyed using the kayaks and snorkeling. There is a wonderful pickle ball facility only 5 minutes away. Our favourite restaurant for dinner was La Casita. Theresa is a wonderful caretaker of the property. The sunrises and sunsets are a wonderful feature as the property is high above the Sea of Cortez.
Stayed 12 nights in Apr 2018

6/10 Okay

Kim A.

Pretty place in a great location
Location, location, location are the strongest points of this vacation spot. As advertised it is just a 3 minute walk down a scenic path to a virtually deserted stone beach - where the snorkeling is excellent. We really appreciated the kayaks provided - they were great for touring and/or fishing. The nearby coast road is a great place for a twilight walk or morning jog or bike ride. The nights can be quiet enough that you can hear the owls hooting in the nearby desert - but the quiet was unfortunately often interrupted for long stretches by a chorus of barking dogs. The clear desert air and absence of street lights makes for incredible star gazing. The house and its location are very pretty however the furnishings provided in the "Tower" are basic at best. The caretaker (Teresa) was very pleasant and helpful.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Mike N.

Cozy and comfortable
John's "tower" rental is a nice little spot for a single or couple The second story is the bed/bath with a comfortable king size bed and ac. The lower level is the kitchen/sitting area without ac. If you close the shades around 9am but keep the sliders open it never gets too hot in the kitchen. In the evening a beautiful breeze comes down from the hills to cool things off. Sitting on the veranda in the evening with a cool beverage, the mountain breeze at your back, and watching the Sea of Cortez is a great way to end a day of exploring. There is great snorkeling within walking distance of the house, and even better snorkeling a short ride north of town. The fishing is awesome, and there are plenty of charter captains that charge very reasonable prices. Los Barilles is a wonderful little town with some great restaurants/bars, a nice little market and friendly people. I always feel safe here, even riding home at night. The only thing missing is a good propane grill or wood oven, I missed being able to cook outdoors. If you plan to use the kayaks for fishing you had better make other plans. Neither kayak is really equipped for fishing and the bigger of the two is missing the backrest, rigging and rod holder. They are fine for a quick paddle but not any serious fishing or touring. I believe you can rent a kayak at the hotel in town or down at Rancho Leonero. I fished one day with Francisco, his wife Teresa takes care of the house, and we caught some nice yellow fin tuna and dorado...YUM! She will even prepare a gourmet meal for you at a very reasonable price if you don't like to cook. I plan to come back to this spot as soon as possible, Baja is awesome!
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

The property is beautiful, with wonderful views and fantastic aesthetics! Definitely as advertised.
The Casita was wonderful and perfect for the two of us on our mini second honeymoon. One amazing part of this rental not emphasized enough is the view and beauty of the sunrise as you're waking up. You can watch the ocean and skies transform from your pillow! Very close to town although we recommend something more durable than our VW Vento... The beach was within walking distance and had a variety of fish right there waiting for us. We had very pleasant experiences with neighbors and enjoyed the views and the area in general. The walk in showers and stone outdoor tub allowed for some relaxation and enjoyment. The only thing we would change was the firmness of the bed. However, our friends and family had the same experience, so it may be a Mexico thing to have a firm mattress.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Lindsay O.

Casita!
Wonderful stay, nice quiet location. Sound does echo from the main house quite a bit, so you can hear the neighbors, but overall we were out of the house adventuring so much it didn't matter. John was extremely helpful, and prompt with communication. He provided a whole list of recommendations prior to our trip, which was excellent for a first time visit. We saw Theresa daily when she stopped by to check on the house, she was very kind, helpful and an excellent cook! The atv was a little older so took some work to get started in the morning, but once it was running it worked great. Overall the casita is wonderful, with a beautiful sunrise view, and we look forward to working w John again.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2016

10/10 Excellent

Jeff C., Phoenixville, PA USA

Awesome property, great location, great owner
Just minutes outside Los Barriles proper, we stayed in the smaller casita of the Ford's, called Rapuzel's Castle. Beautiful, small and away from it all, a wonderful place for 2 looking to get away from it all. Located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Cortez, this place has it all (which also means no TV- you won't need it with wifi access). Here's another hint, the housekeeper Theresa will cook you dinner too, as long as you arrange it ahead of time. She is a wonderful cook! Finally, I dealt with John Ford on numerous occasions via phone and email, and he was always accessible and extremely responsive to whatever questions/requests I had. A really nice guy to deal with! My wife and I loved the place and would most certainly rent off of John again. The experience couldn't have been better! Thanks John!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2016

8/10 Good

Laura S.

Great views
Beautiful views, comfy bed, air conditioning in bedroom that was highly appreciated, good facilities in kitchen, only thing that could have helped was having air conditioning in the kitchen because it was in the mid to upper 90's and very humid
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Allison V.

Amazing
We had the pleasure of staying in the casita for two weeks in May. There are so many good things to say about it, I'll do my best to summarize. First of all the access to the water is unbelievable. If you are like us and just love the ocean and all it has to offer, this is ideal. It is a 4 minute walk, down a dirt road to the crystal blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. I would start my day with a morning swim along the coast, and as I swam along, I saw all kinds of fish as well as rays, it was unbelievable. There are two small reefs right off the beach that are great for snorkeling. One of the highlights was the leaping Mobula Rays, which you can watch from the balcony on the casita or up close an personal in a kayak. Having access to the kayaks was wonderful, we were able to paddle up and down the beach, finding different places to explore as well as paddling out and watching the leaping Mobula Ray show. The town of Los Barilles is wonderful, very low key and peaceful, with many good restaurants. Our two favorites were Piscis (next to Chapitos back alley parking area) and Cafe Maria (a bit tricky to locate, but there is a review on trip adviser that gives directions). We rented ATV's from Quadman and had great experiences exploring the arroyos and traveling along the road to Punta Pescadero (which has amazing snorkeling). Also took a trip to Cabo Pulmo for a dive adventure. Dove with Cabo Pulmo Diving (Pilu is wondeful), which was fantastic. Other than that, you can enjoy the solitude Los Barilles has to offer, it was a memorable and relaxing two week stay.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2016

10/10 Excellent

RON S., Melbourne, FL, USA

Amazing Views
The tower is a cozy one bedroom unit with amazing views of The Sea of Cortez and the mountains, the morning sunrise and night stars are a great way to wake up and retire at night. The property caretakers Theresa and Fredrico are wonderful people, make sure to book a days fishing with Fredrico and have Theresa cook you a authentic Mexican meal, which was enough for two dinners for us (her homemade flan is to die for). We rented a side by side quad from Quadman for our stay instead of a car, had a blast driving the beach and exploring the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2016

10/10 Excellent

mitch m.

Great Place to Stay
We rented the tower, but we were offered the main house, so first of all, it was quite a deal. The house was easy to find and only a 7 minute drive out of town. It was a very short walk to the beach and I made a lot of use of the Kayak, which was included with the rental. The woman who watches the place stopped by most days and was very helpful. All descriptions in the add were very accurate. One point I would add to their description. The nearby beach is somewhat rocky. We like to sit on the beach and swim, so we prefer a more sandy beach. If you go to the gas station just south of town and look across the street, there is a short road next to an rv park that goes to a wonderful sandy beach that is perfect for swimming, and has palapas for shade. Also, there is a wonderful little roadside shack restaurant just north of the gas station that had wonderful food, and much cheaper than the restaurants in town.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2016

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

Lovely, peaceful retreat!
Rapunzel's Tower was a delight. Just far enough from town to be quiet, but close enough to easily bicycle in. (Bicycles thoughtfully provided! :-)) The views are incredible and the property itself is gorgeous. We snorkeled off the beach right below the house and it was fabulous. Then we took some of John and Camilla's advice and drove to another beach just a bit further up the coast. It was even more perfect and completely deserted on the day we were there. Barilles is a great little town, particularly if you like seafood with your margaritas. We loved everything about our stay and will be back as soon as we can!

10/10 Excellent

john h.

Los Barriles
We couldn't have asked for more. Views, location, and hosts were wonderful. Perfect couples retreat. We will come back again as soon as possible.

10/10 Excellent

Lise P.

Magnifique!
Nous avons passé deux semaines extraordinaires à la tour Rapunzel. Tout était conforme à la description et même plus! John réponds rapidement à nos courriels et intervient .Le wifi est rapide même sur les terrasses avec nos tablettes en admirant ce paysage grandiose. nous avons beaucoup aimé la chambre au 2 ème avec le lit king. Quelle surprise se lever avec le son des vagues et la vue du soleil sur la mer avec un ciel tout bleu... Spendide! Si on a d'autres questions Theresa vient faire son tour discrètement, et réponds à nos demandes. Elle est vraiment sympa et souriante! Los Barriles est une ville pittoresque où il fait bon se promener en vtt.. on a eu la chance d'avoir celui de John, on a eu beaucoup de plaisir à se promener partout. Il faut absolument se rendre à Punta Pescadero Paradise.. tout près sur le bord de la mer, un petit coin de paradis. Nous avons adoré notre séjour .. tout un dépaysement qu'on n'oubliera jamais!! We really appreciate! We enjoyed our stay. John is very nice, helpful and accommodating. We hope to come back, Thank you John