Housesitting Update: Week 3 at Our Remote Mexican Beach House
We’ve now completed three weeks at our most remote housesit yet—a secluded beach house in Mexico. Despite minor local drama and intense weather, we’ve established a rewarding routine.
Dani walked our dog at sunrise along one of the most serene beaches we’ve ever experienced. Herons foraged in glassy sea grass at low tide, pelicans soared overhead with their prehistoric beaks, and a striking red-headed woodpecker drummed on a nearby palm as I brewed coffee amid the peaceful silence.
Weather Shapes Our Days
We can walk nearly two miles north before reaching an occupied home. The two houses we pass belong to American expats and stand empty in summer. A fellow housesitter briefly stayed in one but left for Cancun after issues with the U.S.-based owner. Upon arrival, we received a list of nearby homes and sitters—a first for us on this Mexican beach lined with vacation properties, allowing us to share insights with fellow sitters.
Unlike that experience, we remain thrilled with ours and have no plans to leave barring a hurricane threat. Daily, sunny skies darken dramatically. Storms brew at the reef 500m offshore, arriving with fierce winds that rattle palm fronds like knives. Some pass with wind alone; others unleash torrents like power hoses.
On clear days, the sparkling sea and endless blues captivate us completely. Weather dominates our thoughts—no mild days here.
Two Challenging Realities: Generator and Internet
Two words now evoke frustration: “generator” and “internet.”
This solar-powered home depends on weather. Rainy days often fall short on battery charging, requiring our heavy, compact gas generator. Hauling it out, fueling, starting, and connecting it is arduous—worsened by tarping it against rain and rushing it inside scalding hot. Insufficient runtime plus prolonged rain risks battery failure, so we conserve power rigorously.
Internet rationing—a tiny 350MB daily—proves toughest. We hover at 10-15% usage, limiting Facebook, eliminating YouTube or browsing, and minimizing to essential emails and business tasks.
Our Established Routine
We’re adapting well, staying busy. New Zealand sitters nearby hosted us for beers, snorkeling, and a movie night in their grand home. We’ve dined in town with expats.
The daily tortilla delivery arrives hot on motorbike; the grocery truck visits twice weekly with surprises like tomatoes, avocados, lychees, eggs, or pineapple—at expat prices, but convenient.
Dani cleared dense seaweed piles to pristine our beach. I manage solar checks, house sweeping, hammock lounging, and endless tinkering. Afternoon snorkeling amid vibrant corals off our shore is stunning when weather allows.
Upcoming Adventure: The Big Shop
Fatigued by rice, beans, tortillas, eggs, tomatoes, and cheese, tomorrow brings a six-hour round trip (part dirt road) to stock mega-supermarkets with cans, boxes, frozen goods, and short-shelf produce. Dani vows ample sweets this time.
Start housesitting today! Discover our comprehensive guide: Break Free – The Ultimate Guide to Housesitting, written by experienced sitters for you.
