We stayed at Marias place for two and a half weeks. You have the feel of living in a tropical garden with very much shade. But the beach is just a few short blocks away. We cooked meals in the kitchen as often as we ate at restaurants. The kitchen is roomy making it quite easy to cook full meals. The living area and study are connected, but there is a sliding wall between them in case there is need for privacy while working. There is air conditioning in the living areas and bedrooms but over time we came less to rely on a/c because of the ample shade in the area. Large Asian Almond trees are all around blocking out the heat from the sun.
I swam for exercise several days in the Ocean. Some days there is more riptide than others but I found this beach having the most days with calmer swimmable days. You can watch the weather forecast of the wind direction. I think if wind direction is E - ESE (East South East) then the waves are rough. I certainly watched some amazing surfind on some days I didn't swim up and down.
I had a rental car most of the time, but I struggled to utilize it fully because everything from Marias place is a short walk.
Maria definitely is a super host!
Fully recommend. Voltarei ano que vem.