Meet the Mamacitas: The Heart of Pacific Vacation and Why They Replaced the Full-Time Chef

cooking food

At Pacific Vacation, we’ve always believed that true luxury isn’t just about services—it’s about comfort, connection, and creating an experience that feels personal and effortless. That belief is why one of the most important evolutions in how we serve our guests has come in the form of who is caring for you—and how.

Today, we want to introduce you to the real stars of your stay: our Mamacitas.

Who Are the Mamacitas?

The Mamacitas are our beloved, full-time housekeepers. But “housekeeper” barely scratches the surface of what they do. These incredible women are the heart of our villas—bringing warmth, pride, and genuine care to every detail of your stay.

You’ll find them:

• Keeping your villa clean and fresh with daily housekeeping

• Tidying bedrooms and bathrooms, refreshing towels and linens

• Cleaning the kitchen and dishes after meals

• Preparing simple breakfasts or setting out coffee and fresh fruit upon request

They work behind the scenes to make your vacation feel seamless—so you can focus on relaxing, reconnecting, and enjoying the moments that matter most.

Why We No Longer Include a Full-Time Chef

You may notice that our villas no longer come with a full-time chef included—and yes, that’s intentional.

Over time, we listened carefully to our guests, and the message was clear: the full-time chef was no longer essential to the experience. While the meals looked amazing and the reviews reflected that, here’s what was really happening:

• Most guests only requested one meal per day or less—often just a quick breakfast before heading out, or a farewell dinner the night before departure. Very few needed three meals a day.

• Dining out is part of the fun. Zihuatanejo has an incredible culinary scene, and our guests told us they wanted the freedom to explore it.

• Rigid meal schedules don’t fit vacation life. Guests didn’t want to plan their day around a kitchen schedule. They wanted to eat when they were hungry—not when a set menu said it was time. Plans change, appetites vary, and flexibility is part of the joy of being away.

• People don’t eat three formal meals a day anymore. Only about 27% of Americans eat this way. Most prefer one main meal and casual snacks while on the go.

• Cooking together is part of the vacation. Many guests actually enjoy cooking in our fully equipped kitchens, especially with friends and family. It becomes a shared activity—whether they’re trying out a new social media recipe or preparing a meal with local ingredients.

• Ingredient control matters. Whether due to allergies, dietary goals, or just personal taste, guests appreciated having the ability to choose what they eat and how it’s prepared.

The Pinterest Recipe You Saved Two Years Ago? It’s Time.

We all have them—the saved Pinterest board titled “Easy Weeknight Dinners” or “Recipes to Try with Friends”. But between work, kids, and life, most of us never get around to actually trying those drool-worthy dishes.

Until now.

Your vacation at Pacific Vacation is the perfect moment to finally roll up your sleeves and make that spicy shrimp pasta, viral feta-tomato bake, or homemade churros. And the best part? You’re not doing it alone.

There’s something beautiful about gathering in a gorgeous open-air kitchen, glass of wine in hand, prepping ingredients with your favorite people. Maybe someone’s on salad duty. Someone else is grilling. A friend is plating with way too much pride. It’s messy. It’s fun. It’s real.

Group cooking creates laughter, teamwork, inside jokes—and more often than not, a new favorite dish you'll all want to make again when you get home.

At Pacific Vacation, our villas are designed for these moments. Fully stocked kitchens, big island counters, generous cookware, and outdoor dining spaces that invite you to linger a little longer. It’s not just about feeding your group. It’s about nourishing your relationships.

And when the dishes are done? (Just kidding—you won’t have to do them. Our Mamacitas will take care of that.)

The Mamacitas Make It All Work

With the chef no longer included, our Mamacitas have stepped into a more central role. They handle the day-to-day upkeep of your villa and offer the kind of support that allows guests to enjoy the fun of cooking—without worrying about the mess afterward.

Pair that with our modern American-style kitchen setups—including Instant Pots, Crockpots, air fryers, blenders, and a full range of cookware, cutlery, and serving pieces—and you get the best of both worlds: flexibility, comfort, and support when you want it.

Need a private chef for a special celebration? We’re happy to recommend someone amazing. But now, that decision is yours—not built into the price of your stay.

At Pacific Vacation, we’ve learned that luxury isn’t about formality—it’s about freedom. And with the Mamacitas by your side, you’ll feel taken care of in all the best ways, while creating meals and memories that actually matter.

So grab your Pinterest board. Pack that saved pasta recipe. And get ready to cook, laugh, and connect with the people who made you choose this trip in the first place.

We’ll take care of the rest.

luxury villa rental, Zihuatanejo vacation, group travel, in-villa cooking, vacation housekeeper, private chef alternative, cooking on vacation