Casa Macarena is a beachfront home on a quiet stretch of the Yucatán coast, between San Benito and San Bruno, about an hour from Mérida. A sandy path through the dunes takes you from the terrace to a wide, empty beach where you will see more pelicans than people.

THE HOUSE

One level, no stairs. Three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms: one king, one queen and one double. 4.5 bathrooms in total, including a half bath for visitors by the pool. The living and dining room opens onto a large covered terrace with a hammock, outdoor dining table and loungers, facing the private pool. There is an outdoor shower for after the beach.

MADE FOR LONG STAYS

This is a house to settle into, not just to visit. Full kitchen with induction cooktop, oven, microwave, fridge and freezer, blender, drip and pour-over coffee makers, and everything you need to cook for weeks. Washing machine and drying rack, a real work desk, air conditioning, TV with streaming apps, satellite internet and a backup generator: when the area loses power, this house keeps running. We spend two months here every summer as a family, so it is equipped for real living.

WINTER ON THE YUCATÁN COAST

From December to April the coast is dry, sunny and warm, with highs of 28–30 °C (82–86 °F) and a cool breeze in the afternoon. Days are for long beach walks, the pool, fresh fish in Progreso and sunsets from the terrace. Yucatán is known as one of the calmest and safest regions in Mexico, and this coast is residential and peaceful, with homes instead of hotels.

THE AREA

There is an OXXO convenience store within walking distance. Chicxulub is about 15 minutes away, with a large supermarket and a pharmacy. Progreso, about 25 minutes away, has supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics, restaurants and its long pier and boardwalk. Telchac Puerto is 20 minutes in the other direction. Mérida, with its colonial center, markets and great food, is an hour away, and the Maya site of Dzibilchaltún is on the way. A car is the practical way to get around.

GOOD TO KNOW

For longer stays, mid-stay cleaning can be arranged for an extra fee. Water comes from our own well: at first it has a slight mineral taste that most guests stop noticing after the first day, and we recommend bottled water for drinking. The system is not pressurized, so hot water takes a moment to arrive. For security there are exterior cameras at the entrance, the terrace and the garage; there are none inside the house.