About your hosts
Nick and I are from San Diego originally. We did not move here on a whim, we chose this place after visiting for many years, something just kept bring us back. We took a breath of relief everytime we visited, decompressed and relaxed. So when we finally bought this property we wanted to create a space that would make other travelers feel the same way, take a breath, drink in the nature, the culture, the experience of being here. We love our friendly neighbors in Boca, the natural terrain, the jungle, the beaches,the river, the ocean, the wildlife. We have found our little slice of paradise and we enjoy sharing it with visitors from all over the world. — Cherry
(the word cherry in Spanish is cereza, thus the name of our casitas).
About the Town
Boca offers convenient access to both the natural attractions of the region and is a short drive or bus ride from the shopping and nightlife in Puerto Vallarta. Most people drawn to the area are seeking to be off the beaten path, and are charmed by the river, the fishing boats, and the village itself. Boca is a self-sufficient little town with small markets that sell an array of produce and products, chicken, meat, shrimp (fresh fish can be purchased on the beach in the mornings after the fisherman come in with their catch). Open-air restaurants on the beach offer a variety of local dishes and seafood, we have a couple coffee shops, liquor store, 2 pharmacies, a variety of taco stands, gift shops and even a couple ice-cream parlors. We encourage visitors to support the local businesses so there is no need to shop before you arrive.
Transportation is convenient, taxis park by the beach, buses come every 10 minutes, it’s 40 minutes from the nightlife of downtown Vallarta, so unless your traveling elsewhere or taking long day-trips, there is no necessity to rent a car (that’s an option of course), but be aware that during the busy winter months parking can be a challenge.
Activities include snorkeling, fishing, zip-lining, whale watching, hiking, swimming, boat tours and our suggestion is you refrain from booking an excursion until you know where your meeting point is. Many of the tours start here and there is no reason to drive into down to hook-up with a tour that is probably coming back this way anyway. We are also 20 minutes from the world famous Vallarta Botanical Garden (over 64 acres of must-see beauty), with a short easy hike down to the rushing river, the Rio Horcones. Zip-lining is the next town to the south, about 15 minutes by bus. The hikes here are famous such as hiking the Las Animas or Quimixto trail which takes you along the beaches, up the path into the jungle, past lovely resorts, and is quite vigorous but does attract all ages and fitness levels.
Nearby Attractions
Vallarta Botanical Gardens: A short drive south of Boca. Gorgeous views, great restaurant, beautiful gardens, and a hike down to the river with swimming holes.
Zona Romántica (old town Puerto Vallarta): a short taxi or bus ride (30-40min) drops you off smack dab in the heart of Zona Romántica, where you’ll find tons of restaurants, street tacos, smoothies, great shopping (check out the open air shops along the Río Cuale), and tons of drag shows, drag brunches, theater, piano bars, nightclubs, a load of talented actors, singers, musicians and performers of all types..
Colomitos Beach: Lush tropical vegetation and steep cliffs surround this small cove, which is enclosed at the mouth of a branch of the Los Horcones River. Colomitos is just a 5 minute water taxi/panga ride from Boca de Tomatlán, or a 35 min hike from Casa Cereza.
Las Animas: to the south of Boca, a great beach for swimming and snorkeling. You can also enjoy other water activities such as parasailing and banana rides. Lots of beachside restaurants or have your photo taken with a pet iguana.
Quimixto: A charming fishing village located about 20 minutes by boat south of Boca de Tomatlan, between Las Animas and Majahuitas beaches. Its amber sand beach is very pleasant. It is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving with gentle to moderate waves and crystal clear emerald waters. During the fall and spring seasons, Quimixto becomes a reference point for surfing enthusiasts. The waterfall of Quimixto is accessed by walking through the small cobblestone streets of the village or hike upstream through lush tropical vegetation along the trail that runs parallel to the La Puerta River.
Yelapa: Located just 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta and 25 minutes from Boca de Tomatlan, Yelapa is a peaceful fishing village nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. A haven of privacy and tranquility, Yelapa is accessible only by boat. Its bohemian and relaxed atmosphere is known to have attracted a large number of artists and musicians who have made this secluded village their home.
Las Juntas/Los Veranos: located 15 minutes to the south, this is where you get the zip-lining tours, or just sit and enjoy the rushing river cascading over the rocks, watch the children play (do a little playing yourself) and enjoy The Canopy restaurant that features traditional local food, and visit the small zoo of rescued animals.
Things to Know
Guest Access
Our units are located on the other side of the river that flows through the town, accessible by a temporary seasonal pedestrian bridge or a pedestrian suspension bridge. Some of the roads into town are not paved, the paths to get to our units are on natural uneven terrain which may offer a challenge to anyone with mobility issues. There are minimal stairs going upleading to our downstair apartments, The Hideaway and Jungle Bungalow, while Periquitos is a short flight to the 2nd story. We live on the premises.
Parking is on the other side of the river, it’s free, but can get very busy during the day (before all the visitors leave the beach) and it may take a little while to find a spot although we usually always do. There is paid parking as well, and your car will be safe. Cabs, busses, Uber, water taxis are all available in the main part of the town.
Pet policy: dogs only, maximum 1 and well-behaved dogs only (please no barkers, we love dogs but we try and be respectful of our other guests). Additional pet fees may apply.
Amenities at Casa Cereza
All of our apartments have air conditioning, access to Wifi, and access to the laundry room. We have a weight machine in the common area. Our shared outdoor patios offer lots of open-air seating, yoga mats, and spaces to relax. There is a weight machine on the first patio if you care to work out (although with all the activity here, you’ll probably have sufficient exercise!). The Jungle Bungalow is the only unit that has a TV, and we offer an outdoor BBQ and of course, our lovely garden and short stroll to the beach either on our side of the river or to the restaurants on the other side (remember, we are bisected by our beautiful river). The beach on either our side of the river or the town side is a 5 minute stroll.
