Casa Sac Nikté

Jungle Living, Elevated: Where the Wild Meets the Refined

The owners of this villa for rent in Mexico have created a self-sustainable architectural home deep within an isolated tangle of Caribbean vines, palms and fragrant, flowering trees. Striking a harmonious balance, the house allows you to live deeply immersed in the vibrating magic of the natural world, yet still enjoy 21st-century residential luxuries—floor-to-ceiling accordion glass doors, an infinity pool, dining terraces, and fully equipped kitchen.

Named for the white flowering trees around it, this newly constructed luxury home is a fully self-sustaining residential island in a dense sea of green. Surprisingly modern and refined, the home came about as the brainchild of the owners and their childhood-friend-turned-architect who worked to create a villa where you feel immersed in the wild, yet also completely protected and pampered.

The team worked together for almost a year to come up with the ideas for the space, before starting to build in June of 2021. The result is an angular modern residence with multiple openings to the outdoors, brimming with locally-sourced materials such as cement pulido floors, katalox wood, and barro flooring from Puebla, and thoughtful artisanal furnishings. The piece de resistance, however, is the chukum finish, both inside and out, a technique very specific to Yucatan.

Here, you step entirely off the grid, but have the luxury of staying perfectly connected, both to wifi and the wild world teeming outside your windows. The house is elevated off the ground, surrounded by a garden filled with young fruit trees and vivid bougainvillea, and alive with the hummingbirds, butterflies, and the occasional iguana.

There are two bedrooms with full baths and inviting, open-air showers, a wide, indoor/outdoor living, dining and entertaining space, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Operable, oversized glass accordion doors open onto the terraces, and an infinity pool gleams at the center. Dine or stargaze from the rooftop terrace and bathe in the simple refinement of the home’s earthy styling, with its soothing, organic décor palette, overflowing interior planters and sleek wooden furnishings with neutral, textural textiles.

AROUND

Set on the coast of Quintana Roo near the small village of Chemuyil, Casa Sac Nikte stands at the end of an unpaved road in the jungle. Mayan ruins, mysterious, deep cenotes, and sandy white beaches make for great excursions, though it’s just as alluring to settle in around the pool or tuck yourself into a swaying hammock and never leave the house. Tranquil and peaceful, the home is an oasis of comfort in the wild. Tropical birds, butterflies and clear night skies are abundant. The home’s pool is filled with natural cenote water from a source under the home, breezeways and ceiling fans provide natural cooling, and solar panels power the jungle sanctuary. 

Groceries, cafes and restaurants are available in the low-key town of Chemuyil, which is known for its abundance of cenotes, both open and hidden in caves. It’s at the halfway point between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, both buzzy locations with boutique shopping, tourist sites, historical ruins and beaches. Custom experiences are also available by reservation, including turtle tours, salsa dance classes, professional photographer shoots for special occasions, and chef dinners. The owners will provide an up-to-date service brochure once the booking is complete.

LOCATION

Chemuyil, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Although it belongs to the wider Tulum area, the house is situated in the jungle of a small town called Chemuyil which is a 20-minute drive from Tulum and about 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen. Nearest airport: Cancun (about 1½ hours).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: November to May. Rainy season starts in May and ends late October. During that time, expect a higher chance of rain but rarely all day. It can sometimes be heavy and bring more bugs. However, summer is also a popular season, when the swimming pool is at its best temperature, and there are more flowers, making everything quite lush.