Shell house on Isla Mujeres: renting Casa Caracol villa and ferry from Cancun

Casa Caracol looks like a giant seashell washed up on shore. It's actually a private villa on the Mexican island of Isla Mujeres. Inside there isn't a single right angle, and the sinks here were made from coral chips.

The trip has two legs: a flight to Cancun and a ferry. From there you head to the south of the island, to Punta Sur. Let's break down what's inside the house, how much the rental costs, and how to plan the crossing without extra expenses.

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Where the shell house is located

💡 In short: Casa Caracol sits on the south side of Isla Mujeres, between Punta Sur and the Caribbean Sea.

• The island is reached by ferry from Cancun.
• The villa is rented out whole, with a pool and a jacuzzi.
• Ferry fares and schedules were checked 09/2026 on the Ultramar carrier's website.

Isla Mujeres lies 13 km from Cancun, off the northeastern coast of the Yucatan. Casa Caracol stands in its southern part, in Punta Sur. From the pier where the ferry arrives, you get there by taxi or golf cart, because the route isn't walkable (according to a La Revue des Hôtels review, 07/2026).

The house was designed by Mexican architect Eduardo Ocampo. He first visited the island in the late sixties, and in the early nineties he moved here with his wife Raquel. He gave the plot next to his own home to a project for his brother.

His brother, Octavio Ocampo, is known as a painter. His canvases work as optical illusions: a portrait breaks apart into a second image if you look closely. The shell house became both a studio and a vacation home for him, and some of his paintings still hang there.

© dronepicr · CC BYPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The nautical style here isn't decoration, it's structure. The walls were built from stone, pebbles, coral fragments, and wood, with concrete as the binder. The lines flow and twist like Antonio Gaudí's work. Construction took about three years, and part of that time the architect worked alone.

Later, two smaller structures appeared nearby, El Caracolito and Shellito. They echo the shapes of the main house, and together the three buildings form a little neighborhood of shells.

What's inside: rooms and interior

You won't find a right angle anywhere. The living room is sunken into the floor, with a round sofa in the middle. Next to it are the dining area and a kitchen that looks like a mermaid's household.

© Larry D. Moore · CC BYPhoto: Larry D. Moore, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The house has two levels, with a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. The main bedroom has a double bed under a painted concrete vault. The balcony opens onto the Caribbean Sea, and you'll want to step out there in the morning with a coffee.

The bathrooms carry the idea all the way through. The sinks were made from coral chips, the faucets mimic coral shapes, and the mixers look like shells. Light falls softly through curved openings, and the walls seem alive.

There are two bedrooms and up to three bathrooms. Transparent glass shelves hang on the walls, and shells appear everywhere: on mirrors, on shelves, in patterns, and even in the shape of the armchairs.

Staying at the shell house: rental and price

The house was originally built for the Ocampo family, not for tourists. Today the villa is rented out whole: it sleeps up to six guests, with two main bedrooms and up to three bathrooms. The base rate for the main house starts at $375 per night, and the smaller El Caracolito and Shellito add $70 to $100 depending on the season (as of 07/2026, La Revue on Casa Caracol).

What you get with the house. A kitchen, internet, air conditioning, bed linens, towels, dishes, and toiletries. Outside, you'll find a freshwater pool, a jacuzzi, and hammocks strung between palm trees.

© Larry D. Moore · CC BYPhoto: Larry D. Moore, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Raquel Ocampo handles the rentals; she lives in the neighboring house. Through her you can arrange a golf cart, a private chef, massages, and groceries. The island is only about seven kilometers long, but getting around without wheels is inconvenient, so nearly all guests rent a cart.

• Who it's for: couples and groups of up to six who want quiet and privacy.
• Not for: those who want to step out the door and be right among bars and restaurants.
• The catch: the villa is far from the center, so you'll have to drive for dinner and shopping.

What to do on the island

The beaches here are shallow and calm. Playa Norte in the north is known for white sand and water with almost no waves, so even families with kids swim there. The south of the island looks different: rocks, cliffs, wind, and open sea.

© dronepicr · CC BYPhoto: dronepicr, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

If you want snorkeling, head to Garrafón Park: the reefs come close to shore there. Divers can book scuba outings, and near the piers you can arrange swimming with dolphins. Some boats go out for sunset fishing.

Ready-made tours with pier transfers are worth looking up in advance: tours and tickets on GetYourGuide. The island doesn't go to sleep at night: bars and small discos stay open in the center, and the main street serves fish tacos and ceviche.

How to get to Isla Mujeres

You fly into Cancun: the local airport receives flights from Europe and the Americas. From there you head to the Puerto Juárez pier by taxi or bus with a transfer in the city center. Ultramar ferries run all day, and the crossing takes about twenty minutes.

Ultramar ferry tickets: adult 290 MXN one way and 580 MXN round trip, child 220 MXN and 440 MXN respectively (as of 09/2026, Ultramar pricing). Buy your return ticket right away: in high season the lines at the pier are long.

© David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada · CC BYPhoto: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Once on the island, you pick your transport: taxi, golf cart, or bicycle. From the pier to Punta Sur you need to drive; the route isn't walkable.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you stay overnight in the shell house?

Yes, the villa is rented out whole. Besides the main house, El Caracolito and Shellito stand nearby, so a larger group can spread out across different buildings and not get in each other's way.

How much does a night at Casa Caracol cost?

The base rate for the main house starts at $375 per night (as of 07/2026, villa breakdown on La Revue). The owner confirms the final price at booking.

How to get to the island from Cancun airport?

First to the Puerto Juárez pier by taxi or bus, then by Ultramar ferry. An adult ticket costs 290 MXN one way (as of 09/2026, Ultramar ferry website). Ferries run every day; the carrier publishes the schedule.

When is the best time to visit Isla Mujeres?

The dry season runs from December to April: less rain, calm seas, and predictable weather. From May to November it's humid and storms are possible, but accommodation prices are lower. Book the villa well in advance, especially for holidays and long weekends.

Where can you swim on the island?

In the north, at Playa Norte: white sand and almost no waves, so it's easy with kids. In the south, near Punta Sur, the shore is rocky, but the reefs of Garrafón Park are close by, where people snorkel. For snorkeling, take morning outings while the water is clear.

In short: what to book

If you're going to Isla Mujeres with a group for the weekend, book the whole villa. If your budget is tighter, look at island hotels and book a room early; in season, availability is scarce. If the goal of the trip is diving and reefs, base yourself in the south, closer to Garrafón Park. You'll find hotels on Isla Mujeres on Trip.com at the link.