To understand the laid-back charm of Unelma, you must first understand Bucerias. Bucerias is a friendly little beachside town that emulates the appeal of the island life: beach bums and surfers, quaint markets, small-town appeal, and a slower pace of life.

Unelma Bungalows is a tiny three-room hotel with lush gardens right on the beach. When you arrive, be aware that there is no sign for the bungalows or anything that says Unelma from the street -- the property sits behind a small, cute jazz-themed restaurant and bar called Encore.  The restaurant stands out with bright orange and blue paint on the outside; when you see the orange walls, you’ll know you’ve found it. In the back of the restaurant, there is a blue painted gate that leads into the property.

The buildings of the hotel are painted in bright pink and orange, which resemble the colors of the vivid sunsets often seen from the beaches of Bucerias. The leafy gardens of the small property are filled with well-groomed bushes, trees, and pink and orange flowers that match the buildings, creating a jungle-like atmosphere -- though the beach is also just steps away.

The three rooms consist of two bungalows in the rustic main building, which resembles a large treehouse, and a separate cottage. The two bungalows in the treehouse-like building have outdoor kitchens and living rooms on a porch. Overall the atmosphere is extremely chill and laid-back, and there’s no doubt you’ll feel relaxed as soon as you enter the gate and hear the ocean crashing just a few yards away.

The Unelma Bungalows are located in Bucerias, a colorful small beach town on the north side of the picturesque Banderas Bay. The property sits directly on the beach, with access to the wide, white sands of the beautiful, serene seven-mile long beach. When you get close to the address, look for the bright orange walls and the sign for Encore restaurant and you’re in the right place. There is no sign for the Unelma Bungalows on the street or around the area, and if not for the restaurant it would be very hard to find. The entrance is through a blue gate in the back.

It’s situated in a friendly residential area with two other small restaurants across the street. There are several more restaurants, cafes, shops, and art galleries within a 10-minute walk of the property. Just a 10-minute walk up the coast will bring you to the town square and markets. It’s about a 40-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta and a 30-minute ride from the airport.

The main building is divided into two rooms: an upper and lower bungalow. The upstairs room has an open palapa ceiling that creates a rustic island feel. It also has fantastic views of the beach and coastline. The downstairs room has the same size and layout, but it’s the only one with air-conditioning. Both rooms have open-air living rooms with fully equipped kitchens outside on the front porches. The cottage has a porch with a sitting area, but the kitchen is inside. Each kitchen includes a full refrigerator and a stove and oven, and is stocked with lots of dishes and cookware.

Inside, the cute bungalows are decorated in bright colors with a mix of traditional pieces, contemporary Mexican artwork, and shabby-chic painted furniture. A reclaimed wood door is used for the coffee tables, traditional blue-and-yellow ceramic tile lines the kitchen, and clay pottery items are displayed. In the treehouse, the bathrooms are split: the large walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head sits on one side and the sink and toilet on the other. 

The beach in Bucerias is excellent. It’s very peaceful and serene, and feels untouched compared to Puerto Vallarta -- less pollution, less noise, and fewer built-up areas around it. The property is surrounded by high walls, and the beach access is well protected with a locked gate. There are a handful of palapa umbrellas in the sand and a small roped-in area that belongs to the hotel. A few friendly vendors do wander up and down the beach, but overall you have a lot of space to yourself. The main variety of beach bums that you’ll encounter here are the lizards and iguanas, which leave their tracks in the sand.

In the large, grassy backyard of the property, there’s an outdoor dining area and a selection of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards available for guests to use. Two nice lounge chairs sit in the grass and there’s a great outdoor shower by the gate leading to the beach. Encore, the charming jazz-inspired bar and restaurant in the front, has live jazz music in the high season. It’s just open for breakfast and lunch in the low season, offering a mix of continental and Mexican dishes.