Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb.

Tripoto
Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

Pack your bags, grab your shellphones and head to Casa Caracol, a gorgeous seashell house that sits on the quiet tropical island of Isla Mujeres in Mexico to have this "mermazing" experience!

Casa Caracol, which means the Snail House is an Insta-famous Airbnb that makes room for up to four people. Built by architect Eduardo Ocampo for his brother, the renowned artist Octavio, this unique, one-of-a-kind home was inspired by the many seashells nearby. Located on Isla Mujeres, a short ride from Cancun, the home is on a cliff-side and has two bedrooms and two-and-one-half bathrooms in two different “shells.”

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. 1/2 by Palak Doshi

The residence, which resembles two adjoined shells, sits on a private cliff-side facing the ocean, with the best beaches on the island a short golf cart ride away.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. 2/2 by Palak Doshi

But it's the seashell themes décor and the all-white interiors that will have you screaming with excitement. Fellow travellers, make way for some stunning photographs.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

Ideal for:

Couples yearning for a solitary getaway, a group of friends looking for some insta-worthy shots and families that wish to sleep inside a life-size conch for real! It’s perfect for a honeymoon, an off-beat bachelorette or just some casual downtime with family.

About the property

The residence, which resembles two adjoined shells, sits on a private cliff-side facing the ocean, with the best beaches on the island a short golf cart ride away.

The world famous Seashell house is a gated property. The host and a concierge live next door to help you. The property comes with a private pool, two king beds, a kitchenette, and a BBQ, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning int the rooms. Together with the two shells, it can accommodate four people.

Rooms

There are two different white seashells on the property. The one to the left is a smaller, rounder crab shell, and the other on the right is a taller, multi-story conch shell.

The ocean theme continues inside the home, with seashell ornaments, furniture, and even a gushing shower that Ariel would totally approve!

Both the king-size beds feature enormous shell-shaped headboards, while pieces of coral are combined with seashells and pebbles to make tables, shelving units, tiles, and decorative mirror frames.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi
Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

The main shell is two stories, with a downstairs sitting area and half bath on the first floor. A spiral staircase leads to a second-floor master bedroom with a second private bathroom and balcony that overlooks the custom pool and the breath-taking Caribbean Sea.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi
Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

The smaller shell is a bungalow having one bedroom and a bathroom featuring a shower decorated with tile and real seashells -- even the shower-head is a conch shell

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi
Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

Highlights:

1.) The shower-head and all the taps and faucets are a conch shell.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi
Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

2.) Live in a home designed to look exactly like a giant shell not just from the outside but the inside too!

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

3.) A private pool.

4.) Playa Norte or the gorgeous North Beach is 15 minutes away by the golf cart and the El Garrafon snorkel park is a short distance in the opposite direction.

5.) Mind-boggling view of the Caribbean Sea from the balcony.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

6.) Sleeping in shell-inspired beds.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

7.) Living the Caribbean life in a pretty little Mexican island.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

Cost: 22,125 per night

Book Here. (Though you have to book a minimum of two nights)

NOTE: Be prepared to welcome a few unexpected house guests. The owner warns of little geckos and iguana known to be found running around inside and near the pool, but they are harmless and a part of the Caribbean lifestyle you’ll find all over the region.

Best Time To Go:

January through April is considered the best weather with little to no rain. May through September are the rainiest months with the highest humidity, most visitors need A/C at night. Official hurricane season runs from June to November but the most active months for hurricanes are September and October.

Getting There:

Isla Mujeres : With its crystal clear blue waters, white-sand beaches and laid back atmosphere, this place is a real paradise.

Nearest Airport: Cancun International

Nearest Port: Puerto Juarez or Playa Tortugas (Cancun hotel zone)

You can reach the Seashell House by taxi (6USD/428 INR) or by a golf cart that you can hire from the host for (45USD/3,215 INR) per day.

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi

Fly into the Cancun (CUN) airport. From the airport, one needs to take a private transfer service or taxi to the Grand Puerto Ultramar (also commonly called Puerto Juarez) ferry to Isla Mujeres. It is approximately 25 minutes to the ferry terminal from the airport. The host can pick you up from the airport too.

Do you remember the old tongue twister – “she sells seashells by the seashore”? Well now you could say - She sleeps in a seashell by the seashore. Or rather, just do it!

Get travel inspiration from us daily! Save our number and send a Whatsapp message on 9599147110 to begin!

Explore the best of travel inspiration on Tripoto Instagram!

Photo of Channel Your Inner Mermaid with a Staycation at This Shell-House Airbnb. by Palak Doshi