There’s no shortage of cabañas—or palapas as they are called—in Boca del Cielo, lined up shoulder to shoulder on the sandy spit facing the open ocean. Most are quite dreary, unfortunately, but a handful seem to make an extra effort to keep their rooms clean and pleasant. If you’ve got camping gear, virtually all palapas allow you to pitch a tent and use their restrooms, as long as you agree to also eat your meals there during your stay.

Palapa y Cabañas Érika (tel. 966/664-7230, US$23 s/d with shared bathroom, US$33 s/d with private bathroom, US$45 s/d with private bathroom and a/c) is one of Boca del Cielo’s nicest options, especially with the addition of a handful of new cement air-conditioned rooms in 2009. Standard cabañas are far from luxurious, but are comfortable and tidy, with electric fans, palm walls, and mosquito nets. Expect friendly service too.

Next door, Palapa Los Demetrio (tel. 966/106-9471, US$23 s/d) also has new cement-constructed units, with clean shared bathrooms and a long covered patio with hammocks. Older rooms have private bathrooms, but are worn out and less appealing.

Palapa El Delfín (tel. 966/664-7012 or 966/664-5898, US$25 s/d) has just four cabañas, all with private bathrooms and two queen beds. The mattresses are a bit springy, but en suite bathrooms are something of a rarity in these parts.