After a friendly greeting from the owner, the first thing we noticed was how bright the white walls and open rooms made Acocote Eco Inn look, both inside and out. The apartment suites were cheerful with sunlight and had a wide view of the beach through the double patio doors.
At Acocote (pronounced “ah-cocoa-tay”) you can enjoy staying in comfort, alongside Xcalak’s renowned fly fishing. You can tell this accommodation is run by a seasoned fly fisher from the custom-built rod washing station and on-site fly fishing shop – obviously fly fishers are more than welcome at Acocote Eco Inn. But if fishing’s not your thing don’t despair. Acocote is also a destination where you can relax, unwind, and indulge in paradise.
Essential Highlights of Acocote Eco Inn
- Spacious, apartment-style suites
- Fxcalak Outfitters fly fishing shop on-site
- Families welcome
- Lagoon access
How’s the location of Acocote Eco Inn?
Located 7.8 km / 4.8 mi along the north beach road, Acocote Eco Inn is beachside, with a strip of soft grass leading to the 40 m / 130 ft of maintained beachfront. Across the beach road from Acocote, it’s only a short walk to the lagoon, where you can explore the mangroves or go fishing by kayak or stand up paddle board.
What are the rooms like at Acocote Eco Inn?
There are three bright apartment-style suites at Acocote Eco Inn – two upper suites with balconies and a lower suite that walks out onto the beach. Each suite has a full kitchen that comes stocked with basics such as oil, seasonings, oats, rice, and beans. Rooms all include fresh drinking water, a small library, and a personal safe for valuables.
Each apartment has a living area, kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Your room at Acocote Eco Inn can comfortably accommodate two couples, a family, or a group. The double futon in the living area even folds out so you can sleep one more person.
Suites are named after Xcalak’s game fish – there’s Macabi (bonefish), Palometa (permit), and Sabalo (tarpon). Look for the stylish print of your room’s namesake on the wall as well as beachy seashell decorations and Mexican wall hangings.
Each suite has a selection of books and board games to keep you entertained when you’re not on the beach or in the water. Grab a chair on your balcony or patio and gaze out at the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Open the patio doors or shutters in the bedrooms to feel the sea breeze, or use the ceiling fans and portable fans if the breeze dies down.
What’s special about Acocote Eco Inn?
Rob (an avid fly fisher and a wealth of information about the area) is the proud owner of Acocote Eco Inn. He runs the cleverly named Fxcalak Outfitters (“fish-kalak”, get it?) which is one of the rare few places to buy fly fishing supplies on the Costa Maya.
The rooms at Acocote Eco Inn are spacious and sunny, and you won’t be missing any comforts – the kitchens are fully equipped and the bedsheets have a high thread-count quality. Even the books in the rooms are purposely chosen from a spectrum of genres – mystery, romance, adventure, young adult, and even early readers – so you’ll be sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
Acocote Eco Inn’s screened, palapa-roofed dining area is where you’ll find Fxcalak Outfitters fly fishing shop and the all-important espresso machine. Sit and enjoy a latte in the morning at one of the tables, where you’ll see two wooden signs hanging on the wall. One has Acocote’s former name – Sandwood Villas – and the other is for the dining area, back when it was a restaurant called Mama Ruth’s.
What’s included when staying at Acocote Eco Inn?
Guests at Acocote Eco Inn have access to a variety of watersports gear including snorkel equipment, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. Bicycles are available for exploring the area on land.
- All rooms at Acocote Eco Inn have high-speed Wi-Fi
- Purified drinking water included in every room
- Fully stocked kitchen with oils, spices, rice, and beans
- Personal safe in every room
- Daily cleaning service
- Fishing rod wash station
- Deluxe BBQ for guest use
- Sunny-morning espresso drinks
What’s the story behind Acocote Eco Inn?
When it was built in 1995, Sandwood Villas was one of the few tourist accommodations in Xcalak. One of their visitors was Rob Mukai, visiting Xcalak for fly fishing. He never expected that the property he was visiting would one day belong to him.
Fast-forward several years, and Rob has traveled and lived all over the world, always with a dream of managing his own inn. In 2015 the universe aligned, and Sandwood Villas went up for sale right when Rob was ready for a change. He took the leap and became the owner of Sandwood Villas, renamed the business Acocote Eco Inn, and also adopted the two beach dogs who call the property home.
The inspiration for the name “acocote” comes from the old name of Mexico’s national flower – the dahlia. Acocote was an important crop for supporting life for the indigenous people. The acocote plant was useful across the board – it was nutritious food, the plant’s gourd was to used carry water, and the beautiful flower brought happiness. Rob wants Acocote to provide a similarly complete experience, allowing their guests to recharge and fully enjoy Xcalak.
What’s the best way to reserve Acocote Eco Inn?
You can reserve your minimum three-night stay at Acocote Eco Inn on their website or through several different vacation rental websites.