We had been told there is a beach quite close to Playita, out favourite swimming place, that was just about as calm, at Villa Marina.
Villa Marina is a lodge and condo development between Playa Playita and Playa Vanao, with a very short drive between them. It is an absolutely stunning location.
The grounds were beautifully manicured, with the pool pretty well on the beach. We had been told the staff are quite amendable to restaurant guests using the pool. We didn’t and only one person was in the pool while we were there.
It was hot! I would be the person lying in the hammock in the shade, rather that around the pool in the bright sunshine.
The lodge was checking in guests while we were there. It would be an incredible place to stay, however for us it is only a half hour drive.
While this was a fabulous location, for me it was not a swimming beach. In the picture below you can see the town of Venao in the foreground. Venao is a busy surfing beach, so just the opposite of calm. Playita is in the other direction and well protected.
The food was delicious.
Daryl had a chicken empanada, corn tortillas, local chorizo and a local cheese which is very mild.
Mine was tortillas de yuca with the same chorizo and cheese. Four mini pizzas with a base that kind of tasted like a potato pancake, and so filling I could only eat two.
We were the only people in the restaurant.
My take so far. Playita is still the best swimming beach. Villa Marina has the better restaurant (and they gave the 15% jubilado discount). Has to be some benefit to being retired! Because they are located so close to each other, we can enjoy the best of both on the same day.
Cheers and Happy New Year
Ruth
ruthkennedysretirementblog 
Looks good.
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Happy New Year my dear friends 😙🎉. Love reading your blog, please keep them coming❤❤
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