In 2000, Sonia, along with her local architect, built the house of her dreams. Casa Pastel was built on the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean and the Mesoamerican Reef. When you walk through the front gate, you enter a paradise where papaya, coconut, banana, pomegranate, orange, lime and other fruit trees grow between flowering plumeria and bougainvillea. Jasmine, trumpet vines, roses, lilies, and
orchids add their colors to the greens of the grass and incredible blues of the water and sky. The dolphins, migrating manta rays and giant sea turtles swim by as a treat during the day. At night, during the nesting season, the sand becomes home to nests of sea turtle eggs that are harvested by the local conservation group and sheltered until the babies can be safely released. Beaches are just a short walk away and the world famous North Beach is a twenty minute ride along the Caribbean in a golf cart. Golf carts, motos and bikes mix with the local bus, taxis and cars on the few roads. The island is only 5 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, so getting around is easy. Joe and Margaret moved into the house in November 2013. They are a retired artist and writer who moved from Manhattan Island to the island of women, Isla Mujeres. Retiring in New York did not make sense and after, literally, searching the globe, they found a tropical dream. They converted the house into two condos, each with its own private entrance. As Sonia had planned, the space is ideal for guests to come and stay enjoying privacy but sharing the outdoor space. Guests enjoy the freedom to come and go when they please. The island is home to dozens of excellent restaurants that rival the New York offerings. The beaches are open to swim, snorkel or jump in the waves. This reef has plenty of sandy beaches and no sharks! Getting to the island is simple. The Cancun airport is a short taxi ride to the ferry terminal. A twenty minute ride across the bluest water you have ever seen brings you to Isla Mujeres. There are taxis right there to bring you to Casa Pastel.