SimplyBaku - Beach Amanecer

The airport pickup and drop off service was well worth it. We stopped to buy supplies and use the ATM at Comer on the way from the airport and that, along with visits to the local Fruiteria and corner stores, lasted us for our stay. We ended up staying in Alegre, one of the two beach houses for the first week and a second floor beach view apartment called Bakusita for the second week. They were both beautiful and very well equipped. The location was great, very close to the beach, quiet and not too far to walk to restaurants. We made our breakfasts and enjoyed sitting out on the patio to eat and enjoy the views. Many restaurants had fantastic food but I should mention omelettes and mocha frappuccinos at Shule'l for lunch and mango daiquiris and coconut shrimp at BallinaBlanca for supper. Both restaurants are on one side of the central square. We did not see any mosquitoes during our stay but you need flashlights as many streets are not well lit. We also enjoyed excellent deep tissue trigger point massages in our unit from Sonia arranged through our host Marianne. The price was half that of the massages offered on the beach. Marianne lives on the ground floor of Bakusita and was always ready to help with anything you needed.

As mentioned, we were not able to stay in Amanecer for the two weeks we booked. Alegre was very similar to Amanecer and I did not mind the switch but it was a little further back and did not have sun on the patio in the morning as I had expected. We also had to move to Bakusita, the second story beach view apartment across the road for the second week as they double booked Alegre for that week. We enjoyed the privacy and views of Bakusita but it only had a double bed and problems developed with the septic tank that had to be tolerated. To be fair, they did offer to cancel the entire booking before our arrival if we wished. They also did refund the difference in cost between the two units for the second week. These accommodation issues were not significant but were disruptive. Please note that the shoreline is rocky along most of the beach except at the far end where beach restaurants are located and sand extends further into the water. Bring water shoes if you plan to use the ocean.