About La Joya Escondita
A hidden gem between jungle and sea — created with love, intention, and a little bit of magic.
La Joya Escondita is more than a place to stay — it’s a space we dreamed into existence long before we ever moved to Mexico. A place where travelers can rest deeply, feel welcome, experience the heartbeat of a real village, and leave with memories that stay long after the trip ends.
Who We Are
We’re Charlie and Natalie — partners in life, creativity, and big dreams.
After years of tattooing, piercing, running our studio, and building a beautiful life in Michigan, we felt called to something new. Something slower, more intentional, more connected to land, culture, and community.
That calling led us to Higuera Blanca, a lively, welcoming village tucked between Monkey Mountain and the Pacific Ocean. Here, surrounded by color, music, roosters, motorbikes, jungle air, sunsets, and the warmth of our neighbors, we built La Joya Escondita — “The Hidden Gem.”
It’s our home, our creative sanctuary, and now a place for guests to experience the same magic that brought us here.
A Boutique Stay with Heart
Three spaces, one project of love — colorful, comfortable, and full of little details that make you feel at home.
Casa Olivia
Our bold, family-friendly 2-bedroom retreat. Perfect for gatherings, longer stays, and guests who love color, comfort, and a little extra room to spread out.
- 2 bedrooms + pull-out sofa
- Full kitchen & cozy living area
- Private rooftop lounge
- Shared access to garden & pool area
Casa Efraín
Our soft, romantic casita (coming soon). Boho details, gentle lighting, and cozy corners — made for couples or solo travelers looking to rest and reconnect.
- 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom
- Bohemian-inspired décor
- Garden views and calm energy
- Designed for retreats and quiet time
Casa Charming
Our private home and the heart of La Joya Escondita. This is where we live, create, drink coffee, water plants, edit Chillin’ with the Charmings, and dream up what’s next.
- Not a rental space
- Home base for your hosts
- Creative, lived-in, and full of life
Garden, Rooftop & Pool Hangout
Step outside into our shared garden and rooftop spaces. Sip your morning coffee by the bamboo, float in the pool, or watch the sky turn gold and pink over the jungle and village rooftops.
- Garden patio with table, umbrella & hammock
- Tropical plants and greenery all around
- Rooftop pool with jungle views
- Sun chairs and café-style seating
- Sunsets, breezes, and stargazing at night
Guests staying in Casa Olivia have shared access to these outdoor areas during their stay.
Tattooing at La Joya Escondita
Tattooing has been at the center of our lives for decades. Here at La Joya Escondita, we’re creating a private, appointment-only tattoo studio where guests can receive custom tattoos from Charles “Baby Handz” Comber, a tattoo artist with over 20 years of professional experience.
Baby Handz is known for his light touch, calming presence, and clean, meaningful artwork inspired by nature, culture, spirit, and your personal story.
- Private, one-on-one tattoo sessions (coming soon)
- Custom designs created with intention
- Professional, hygienic studio setup
- Available to guests and non-guests by appointment
The studio is currently in preparation and will open soon. It’s our way of blending the spiritual, creative, and personal parts of what we do into this new chapter of our lives.
Chillin’ with the Charmings
Our journey to Mexico didn’t just give us a new home — it inspired us to start Chillin’ with the Charmings, our ongoing vlog and story series about what it’s really like to:
- Move to another country and build a new life
- Renovate a property and create a boutique stay
- Set up a tattoo studio in a small village
- Connect with local wildlife, culture, and community
- Balance chaos, beauty, grief, joy, and everything in between
Through videos, photos, and updates, we share the real behind-the-scenes: the wins, the mess, the magic, and the everyday moments that don’t make it onto a brochure.
Guests often tell us they feel like they already know us from Chillin’ with the Charmings — and we love that. It means when you arrive, you’re not just checking into a place. You’re stepping into a story you’ve already been part of.
Why Higuera Blanca?
A real, working Mexican village — full of color, sound, and soul.
Village Life
- Motorbikes and ATVs rolling by
- Roosters at sunrise
- Music floating through open windows
- Kids playing and neighbors gathering
Nature All Around
- Monkey Mountain watching over the village
- Jungle air and tropical plants everywhere
- Sunsets that light up the sky
- Night skies full of stars
Near the Sea
- Litibu Beach: our closest beach
- Litibu Sunsets: food, drinks & views
- Punta Mita: nearby beaches & restaurants
- Easy access to coves, coves, and coastal spots
What Matters Most to Us
La Joya Escondita is small on purpose. We care more about heart than hustle.
- Warm, honest hospitality
- Creativity, craftsmanship, and good design
- Respect for culture, land, and community
- Slow mornings and meaningful moments
- Spaces that feel lived-in, loved, and welcoming
- Being good neighbors and good guests of this land
- Leaving people better than we found them
Your Hosts: Charlie & Natalie
We’re creators, caretakers, storytellers, and adventurers. We love good food, good conversations, art, culture, wildlife, tattoos, plants, and anything that sparks joy.
We speak English (and we are proudly learning Spanish — slowly but surely!). The village has embraced us, and we hope you feel that same sense of belonging when you stay with us.
Our mission is simple: Create a place where people feel at home, at ease, and maybe even a little transformed by their time here.
We’re So Glad You’re Here
Thank you for taking the time to learn our story. We can’t wait to welcome you to Higuera Blanca and share the joy, color, and magic of La Joya Escondita with you.