I was able to relax 100% and be completely at ease, allowing me to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the luxurious house.
Baja proved to be entirely different from the Mexico that most of us envision from what we see in the media. My husband and I drove to El Cardonal from San Diego and the drive down was beautiful and fun. The drive took us through a vast desert with breathtaking landscapes and scattered with small towns. Mexico has such a rich culture and we were able to really experience that along with the strong hospitality that Mexicans have. The people of Mexico are kind, friendly, generous and outgoing. Everywhere we stopped we enjoyed our interaction with everyone we met.
The tiny town of El Cardonal seems to be transplanted from a different time: the biggest traffic problem we encountered was due to stubborn cows grazing in the road, people travel mainly by foot or bicycle, everyone in town knows everyone else by name, and every person you pass greets you with a smile and wave. I loved not having to worry about anything because you can't help but feel completely safe there. I could fall asleep by the pool, leaving the house wide open with my purse on the kitchen counter. We could leave our belongings on the beach while we snorkeled and not give it a second thought. I dropped a twenty dollar bill at the super market and a Mexican lady followed me down the aisle to hand it back. The locals were always eager to answer questions and help with anything.
The lifestyle in southern Baja is so relaxed and carefree. I was more relaxed there than I have been anywhere else. It's the only vacation I've had where I was able to truly, fully relax the entire time without any thoughts or worries in the back of my mind. Casa Cardonal is paradise!
- Melanie

I would even venture "paradise."  Not what I expected in the least, but far exceeded any and all expectations.  Our time at Casa Cardonal was like a step out of reality and an escape from the hustle and bustle that can all too often inundate everyday life.  Time seemed to stand still and there were no other people on the beach or in the ocean for as far as we could see. 

 From sun-up to sun-down, we were outside enjoying the supremely beautiful natural surroundings, doing everything from swimming, sunbathing, and fishing, to grand kayak trips down the coast (the fish were huuuuge and swam right up to us).  Nights and evenings were just as entertaining with fun games, great company, and an awesome hot tub (oh, and the stars in the sky were the brightest I have seen in years).  If you are looking for a great escape, something more than a vacation, in a beautiful house with great amenities, food and friendly help always willing to lend a hand, look no further as Casa Cardonal has all that and more.  And yes, I realize this sounds too good to be true...but trust me on this one, it's not! - Lyndsay

Just a quick email to say what a great time we had at Casa Cardonal. Mino , Maria, Octavio, Francesca were all fantastic. The hospitality, food, and setting were all perfect and we felt honored to stay in your lovely home. We fed the group with the fish we caught, and apart from lunch at Lopez Mateos and the Giggling Marlin, we ate at Casa Colwell every day.

We are having such a great time. The first crew went out and got skunked. Then my group went out to snorkel the reef. Well as the pics show I caught a Needle fish and my buddy Brian caught the Dorado. We were trolling on the way back to the casa and BAM two fish at once. It was crazy, but amazing!!!!!
The night we went to the taco stand we played football (soccer) with the local kids at the school. What an experience! They're good. But we were better…. just kidding. - Shawn

This place is an "11"!!  Really nice job and lots of thought went into this; hats off to all involved in creating Casa Cardonal!
Fished with Mino yesterday and got skunked!  I checked with some others over at the Giggling Marlin, and we were not alone!  Anyway, all is going well, the crew you have down here is great; we did the Tacos over at the stand last night.  Very nice folks. 
Well - it was a perfect trip!!!  The Casa is fabulous and we really had fun with Mino , Octavio, Maria and the gang.  On Thursday, we had Maria and crew come in and show the gals how to make tamales and tortillas.  It was really fun as the kids (theirs and ours) all chipped in to complete the task!!!  I would recommend it for any other guests as a fun way to spend some time. 
The ATV's were a hit with the kids.  We made like a hundred trips to the Cactus market at low speeds and they just thought that was the best.
As far as complaints, suggestions....  Hmmm....   How about, "Don't change anything!!!! "  Having Mino and Maria and Octavio really makes it care-free.  We have done a trip for the last 13 years as a family and the consensus was - this was the best.  Having the meals and Maria to do the touch up each day is something that we underestimated.  In the past years, while we are a clean bunch and our kids are also, it just seemed that between dishes and making dinner, we consumed a lot of vacation time.  This time we really felt no responsibility to plan out the meals and rotate the kitchen clean up duties. 
Mucho mucho thanks and we absolutely marveled in the attention to detail you and your wife et al put into the place.  The tile work, palapas etc. are all first class. 
The buzz on the way back was to book for next year!!!  So, I will get some dates and sync up with you. Have a great summer and I will be contacting you for the next round!
- Ron V.

Your amazing home exceeded our expectations. Octavio and his extended family (he is one of 14 children) provided us food and excursions and information at every turn. We had him and his wife and sister-in-law provide us with most meals. We ate lobster, carne asada, tamales, sierra, tuna, fresh salad, and fresh fruit to name a few of the highlights of the meals. Octavio promised lobster but was not able to get any from the market or the local fishermen for several days. As a last resort he sent out a diver to get them so we could enjoy them on our last night! The dinners were so big and delicious we stopped asking for lunches and ate leftovers. Having meals prepared for us left us free to enjoy ourselves before and after the meals at the place we most wanted to be – enjoying your beautiful home. We did go the 300 yards to the to the taco stand for variety. The other home owners all introduced themselves to us. No one can eat at the taco stand without meeting the entire town and everyone already knew where we were staying; “You are the only new faces in town so you must be at the Colwell Sergio, Octavio’s youngest brother, drove us to the fresh water swimming hole in Santiago and the next day some of us went to Cabo for the day. Upon their return our friend declared, “Now I know for sure we are in the best place. Mino took us fishing, launched the jet skis, provided us with water and coffee beans and otherwise sang away each day as he maintained the place. El Cardonal is a true Mexican community with a few American home owners and one magnificent rental! -The Hall Family - Chad S.

I wanted to let you know we had a fantastic time. My friend’s youngest was more than a little upset when she figured out the van ride wasn’t going to take her back to the house. She started crying and repeating, “I wanna go back to Mexico house!” It was super cute but really sad.
The home is absolutely amazing. The staff keeps the place in great condition and does a good job of cleaning without being in the way. The kitchen is set up very well. Everything you need is there and everything is where you need it. The house was so well designed. You can tell you spent a ton of time down here before building. It has the perfect spot to enjoy any type of weather. All the toys are a key thing to have since you are kind of on an island down there.

Octavio is really great and it’s good to have someone who speaks English in case you get a group that can’t speak any Spanish. All in all I think it’s an amazing home and I think it provides a great deal of value for your guests!!!- Chad S.

Steve, thank you so much for sharing Casa Cardonal with us.  We had a wonderful week, and the children thrived.  The ATV's were a big hit with them, and they spent hours every day in the pool. 
The accommodations worked perfectly for our group.  And of course, Mino , Francesca, Maria Luisa, and Octavio and his family couldn't have been nicer.  Having other people worry about cooking and cleaning made it a real vacation.
You have a very special spot there, as you know very well.
We're back home and I'm having a hard time re-acclimatizing. My first morning home I kept hoping that Francesca & Mary Louisa were going to walk through my front door.  Alas - they didn't and what a rude awakening that was!
We had such a great time and assure you that we will be back. El Cardonal was a wonderful town and I always felt very at home there. Very, very nice.
- Victoria

"I am sending you this note to thank-you for the use of your spectacular Baja home. My family had a once in a lifetime experience enjoying the privacy, intimacy and fun filled excitement of fantastic fishing, snorkelling in crystal clear water, fantastic beaches and gorgeous sunsets in an unequalled setting. The service and friendship of your maid (Maria Louisa), fishing guide (Mino), cooks and everyone else in El Cardonel made our stay relaxing and pampered. Thanks again for coordinating my family's summer vacation.  I have attached a few pictures of the 300lb blue marlin I caught! We will be back next year!" - Steve P, San Diego, CA

We all had a fantastic time. Absolutely no complaints at all. Maria did an A+ job of cleaning and of course Mino was the Man!!!! We caught so much fish....tuna/ dorado/ wahoo/ sail fish/ blue marlin /striped marlin and a six hundred pound thirteen foot black marlin. The weather was calm and very hot every day that we were there. We were living "in the postcard". We have already started planning our next trip. After showing our pictures everyone wants to go now. We have attached a few pictures....if you need more pictures or more information please feel free to contact us as we will be contacting you in the future!!!!! - Don and Jackie

This was my second stay at Casa Cardonal and I must say that there was never a dull moment. Once again we had the time of our lives all due to Mino, Octavio and their families.
We will all be back very soon. - Bryan D.

Casa Cardonal was more than what we expected and more! I have to say, I was a little apprehensive about vacationing in Mexico , simply because of all the stories I've heard and seen on the news lately about all the violence and drugs and many of my friends warned me and wanted me to cancel my trip. But on the contrary, the trip was outstanding from the moment we arrived until the day we departed. I felt very safe while I was there. Octavio met us at the airport; he's very friendly and speaks very good English which is quite helpful. He gave us many tips on getting around and things we should do. His wife also prepared for us a beautiful and delicious meal, and it was so much food we had plenty leftover for the next day.
The atmosphere at Casa Cardonal is so quiet and peaceful. The weather was beautiful and we left the doors to the house open nearly the entire time to enjoy the cool breeze. Mino, the caretaker, is also very friendly and helpful. He took us out on the boat for a day of snorkeling and it was so much fun! That was one of the highlights of the trip for me. To be able to experience sea life, right in front of the house is amazing!

There's so much to do while you're at Casa Cardonal, from the ATV'S and kayaks, to the many games you'll find in the house, along with shuffleboard, or just sitting outside by the pool. And sitting in the Jacuzzi at night under the stars was like a dream come true. There's a little taco stand not far from the house, they serve good food, and you have to try the "stuffed potato,” it's to die for! You'll get a chance to meet the locals there too, they're all super-friendly. There's another nice place in town called Caleb's that serves wonderful tacos as well! Well I can go on and on about my trip because I had such a fantastic time. It was perfect in every way. The house is decorated to perfection, and I was just amazed at all the detail! It felt to me like a "home away from home,” my entire family felt so comfortable and relaxed there. There's only one thing I would change, I would definitely spend more time there next time! - SonSayray

Once again, the Spraker clan had a fabulous time at your fabulous retreat in El Cardonal on the Sea of Cortez .  This year we had 5 adults, 3 kids and 2 dogs and what a time we had. 
Jack, at the age of 5, was with his dad, his uncle Ev, and me when we caught the first dorado of the trip.  It was a 12 pound bull and it jumped and ran like a 40 pounder.  Jack was in awe during the whole fight and is now a committed salt water angler in addition to his freshwater fly fishing love. 
Ashley and Katie, at the ages of 2 and 1 played all day in your jacuzzi and the shallow beach entrance of your pool.  I commend you on a job well done in designing that pool with that shallow beach style entrance.  It's perfect for those families with little kids. 
Mino , as usual was a star.  He took us out every day fishing and we got almost out to the 88 on the second to last day and caught 6 nice dorado.  On our last day, I took your boat and the whole family up to the old Giggling Marlin and had a nice lunch and on our way back came across a Humpback that must have jumped 10 times within 100 yards of the boat.  I've seen a lot of whales both in the Sea of Cortez and off the California coast, but I've never been so close to one that was so active.  It was a treat for all of us. 
Thanks again for opening your beautiful casa to us.  We all loved it and can't wait to return.  Have a great summer.-Rich, Nancy, Evan, Eric, Elizabeth, Jack, Ashley, Katie, Jake, and Luke Spraker

Our family vacation to Casa Cardonal was wonderful. The house and location were both absolutely amazing. We took advantage of all the amenities the Casa has to offer including a couple of fishing trips with Mino, kayaking, ATV rides through the desert, shuffleboard, and of course plenty of time relaxing by the pool/hot tub and on the beach.

The folks that took care of us during our stay were wonderful. In particular, Octavio and family catered several delicious meals for us and our 18 month old son developed quite a crush on Maria who came by daily to clean the house.

I highly recommend Casa Cardonal if you are looking to really get away and relax. There is some action in Los Barilles nearby but Casa Cardonal offered everything we were looking for without having to go anywhere. A few recommendations to those that book here:

- Pete D.

My family, 11 of us in all, just spent our Christmas break at Casa Cardonal. My parents, sister and brother-in-law and their 2 children met us from Montana. As we only get to see each other a few times a year, we were looking to make the most of our holiday together. With a father who doesn't enjoy the all-inclusive type of vacation and children ages 6 down to 6 months, plus a couple of husbands that need a variety of things to keep them busy ... we were looking for something unique.

I would definitely say Casa Cardonal exceeded our expectations. Right from the start, Octavio and his family made our stay completely relaxing. The meals his wife prepared for us were amazing! We especially enjoyed our tortilla making lesson, though we don't have quite the skill that she does. We had a great time interacting with their family. Mino, the caretaker, took many of us out fishing several times, including the children. His patience, despite the language barrier, was incredible. Maria kept everything in perfect order in the house, which with all the children, wasn't easy. We made manytrips on the 4-wheelers to the store, visited the

taco stand and a neighbor up the road building a house out of bags of dirt. Other than that, we simply enjoyed the house and it's amenities. The children spent many hours going between the pool, spa, and ocean. The weather was also perfect, not sure if that was part of the great deal or not?! We appreciate the fact that the Colwells opened up their home to us. We will have memories for a lifetime.- Tiffany

Just a quick email to say what a great time we had at Casa Cardonal. Mino, Maria, Octavio, and Francesca were all fantastic. The hospitality, food, and setting were all perfect and we felt honored to stay in your lovely home. We fed the group with the fish we caught, and apart from lunch at Lopez Mateos and the Giggling Marlin, we ate at the Casa every day. We loved every moment! The group voted and unanimously agreed that you can't sell Casa Cardonal! It’s a real gem.
Thanks again for everything you and Valerie did to make this a perfect trip for all of us.- Jack

Ali & I had what has to be our best vacation ever at your home and absolutely cannot wait to go back. Here it is three weeks later, and I’m still dreaming of waking up in El Cardonal.
Over the past decade or so I’ve visited many different parts of Mexico, mostly off the beaten path, and have come to truly enjoy what can only (and perhaps a bit cliché) be described as authentic Mexico. The combination of the warm people, the unspoiled landscapes and the food that is a world apart from what we can get here as ‘Mexican Food’ or culture is truly amazing. It is admittedly difficult to find such places anymore, but you have clearly picked one of the best to call your second home.
Mino was wonderful to work with, and we had a great fishing trip. Spending four hours on the boat with Mino, I think my Spanish skills increased from 1 st grade to 3 rd grade with his patient help… Riding ATVs up to the best taco stand in the world for an evening of tacos and cervezas will forever be seared in my memory as what a vacation (and perhaps a lifestyle) should be. -Scott and Ali