Stay Here: This Seaside Caribbean Airbnb Shows Us What It's Like to Live Inside a Seashell
In this week's instalment of Stay Here: we're bringing you the closest thing to living like Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Casa Caracol or 'The Seashell House' is totally over the top and we're obsessed, naturally. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to live under the sea while playing out your deepest Disney fantasies, this is the place for you. The internationally-recognised coastal home is located in Isla Mujeres, a small island near Cancun in Mexico where residents and visitors generally get around town in golf carts. To top it all off, the azure Caribbean sea is just footsteps away on both sides of the property. As peaceful as the island life is, you should be prepared to live like a local celebrity during your stay as perplexed tourists will naturally be inclined to take a few snaps of your otherworldly Airbnb to prove that in fact, they did just witness a seashell house.
If Cancun's golden stretches of sand and immense natural beauty is appealing but you'd rather avoid the inevitable crowds, Isla Mujeres is the ideal spot for basking in all that the island life has to offer while remaining within a twenty-minute ferry ride from the heart of the action. If you ever decide to leave the comfort of your new seashell-shaped pad, you'll want to start exploring the untouched coral beaches by taking a class in snorkelling or scuba diving where you'll get to come face to face with exotic fish and breathtaking natural underwater corals. When the sun sets on another stunning day in Isla Mujeres, wander down to one of the local nightlife spots where you'll be treated to live music and no doubt an impromptu beach party where shoes are not required.
Casa Caracol was actually completed in 1994 and was designed by owners Raquel and Eduardo Ocampo, so it goes to show that seashells have in fact been trending for decades. The bucket list destination is perched on a rocky cliff on the tiny island which gives it a prime position to enjoy panoramic views from the multiple bedrooms and curvaceous interior spaces. Speaking of, they're truly unlike anything we've seen before. Everything is custom, from the 'S' shaped bathroom vanities to the taps that have been crafted from—you guessed it—more seashells. You're not going to find a straight line inside, with door frames and custom sofas eschewing harsh corners for beautiful curves. There's actually three separate shells on the property which take the total number of guests to six, because living in a seashell is an experience best enjoyed with friends. The pristine white bedrooms will have you waking up feeling like you're in a coastal cocoon, and we couldn't think of anything better. Casa Caracol has WiFi, a barbecue area, and a sparkling private pool, so we wouldn't judge you if you never left the premises during your Caribbean stay.
Missed last week's pick? Check out this tranquil retreat in Oaxaca that combines rich heritage with minimalist design.
