Villa Paula is a four-bedroom villa on the quiet north side of Cozumel, on the water with its own private dock, a seawater infinity pool and the reef a short swim away. It sleeps up to twelve.
The setting is the reason to take it. San Miguel is about a mile away and the beach restaurants half a mile, but the villa sits away from the ferry terminal and the crowds that come with it — the satellite view of this stretch of coast is jungle and turquoise water.
Outside, a multi-level terrace steps down to the seawater infinity pool, with loungers, a palapa over a wooden deck and outdoor seating, an outdoor shower and a half bathroom. The dock is private, and there is a roped-off area for swimming and snorkelling directly off the property.
Indoors, the living room has a deep sectional and windows that frame the cruise ships passing on the horizon, and the owners keep a piano for anyone who plays. The dining room seats eight with the sunset in front of it, and the eat-in kitchen seats five more.
All four bedrooms are upstairs, each with its own large bathroom and an ocean view. Air conditioning runs throughout the house, with Wi-Fi, laundry, a barbecue grill, parking and a gated entrance.
A cook can be added to the stay, working with Mayan and Yucatecan dishes — breakfast through dinner, in the house.