Why would an 80-year-old father convince his scientist daughter to purchase a property in a small, lesser-known fishing village in Mexico—especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when travel was heavily discouraged? It’s a story that makes you wonder, but as with most things in life, there’s a blend of logic, nostalgia, and perhaps a dash of the unexpected.
A Journey Down Memory Lane
Let’s start with the backstory. In the late 1970s, I had a timeshare apartment in Puerto Vallarta, located just about eight miles north of Boca de Tomatlán. I vaguely remembered taking a jeep ride south along the main highway, stopping in a small beach village for a cerveza. That village was Boca de Tomatlán—a little slice of paradise with a quaint inlet nestled within the larger Bay of Banderas. It felt like a perfect spot for my daughter, Brittany.
The Ocean’s Call
Brittany, though a meticulous scientist focused on antibody research, has always had an affinity for the ocean. She grew up in various beach communities, and the smell of salt air and the feel of sand between her toes have always been essential to her well-being. She’s earned the nickname “Barefoot Contessa” because, well, she rarely wears shoes! Knowing this about her, it wasn’t hard to envision her thriving in a place like Boca.
A Christmas Tradition with a Twist
Every year, I gift Brittany with a special trip to an unknown destination. In 2018, after some online searching and recalling that fuzzy memory of Boca, I decided to plan a trip there. I was drawn to its uncommercial, non-touristy vibe, and I booked us a hillside casa overlooking the village and waterfront. Unfortunately, the pandemic had other plans, and the trip was canceled. But the idea of Boca stuck with me.
With travel restricted and my eyesight not what it used to be, I turned to the internet to explore investment opportunities in Boca. In Brittany’s home of San Diego, waterfront property was astronomically expensive. However, in Mexico, finding something within our budget—$200-300K—seemed feasible, and Boca was easily accessible via plane and a short car ride from Puerto Vallarta. We wanted a property that could pay for itself through rentals, particularly via Airbnb, which was booming at the time.
The search led me to Damian Bassett of Coldwell Banker, a young real estate agent from Canada who had settled in the area. Damian was incredibly helpful, using video tours to show properties since I couldn’t visit in person. We initially bid on a villa right on the bay but were outbid—probably for the best, as we later realized some rental issues could have sunk us financially. The age-old saying "Don't start underfunded" rings true especially with real estate. With renovation and upgrade costs, we nearly doubled our initial cost but knew we had to make the Villa as perfect as possible for our guests.
By the way, you can contact Damian here: damian.bassett@cblacosta.com
We highly recommend him.
Finding Villa La Sirena
We eventually found a villa with four apartments and a prime location. As a former real estate investor, I’ve always believed in the mantra: location, location, location. This property had it, and after some negotiations, we bought it just under the asking price. In the case of Boca, stepping outside onto your balcony and seeing the unreal greens and blues of the Bay on Banderas makes it all worth the initial struggle.
The paperwork process in Mexico is thorough, to say the least; our final deed and supporting documents could fill a small library. But we felt confident that this investment would appreciate slowly yet steadily, especially as Boca continues to grow as a destination for those seeking an authentic Mexican experience. No high rises, shopping malls, or extravagant pools that are commonplace in Puerto Vallarta hotels. Our version of travel is more meaningful, at least in our eyes.
The Reality of Owning a Villa in Mexico
Now, owning a Boca de Tomatlan rental is one thing, but getting it ready to go public and market is another. I quickly realized that my ability to order a cerveza in Spanish was not going to cut it when it came to managing a property. Finding that "magic host" you hear about in Airbnb articles was no easy task, especially with the language barrier. But fortune smiled upon us when an expat couple introduced us to a local guy who was bilingual and capable of helping out.
In Boca, traditional Airbnb setups don’t quite work. It turns out that many foreigners don't even know Boca exists, a trend we are working hard to change. We discovered that a more hands-on, bed-and-breakfast-style approach would be better suited to our needs. We also had to tackle a complete renovation of the villa—what started as a simple paint touch-up quickly escalated into a full-scale overhaul. Plastering, painting, tiling, plumbing, electrical work, landscaping—you name it, we did it.
The Adventure Continues
And so, our journey with Villa La Sirena began. It wasn’t without its challenges, but the result is a unique property in a place that’s as far from the typical tourist trap as you can get. We’re not just offering a place to stay; we’re offering an experience, a connection to a part of Mexico that’s still largely untouched by mass tourism.
This blog is where we’ll share more about our experiences—both the challenges and the triumphs—as we continue to build and refine Villa La Sirena. We hope you’ll join us on this journey, and maybe even come visit us in Boca someday. Stay tuned for more stories, insights, and perhaps a few lessons learned along the way.
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