The Mexico City Snake House Airbnb: Its History and How to Book Your Stay
The Mexico City snake house Airbnb, officially called El Nido de Quetzalcóatl (Quetzalcóatl’s Nest), is one of the most unique Airbnbs in Mexico.
Designed by Mexican architect Javier Senosiain, this mosaic-covered serpent winds across a wooded hillside with ponds, gardens and an oak forest.
Only two of its apartments can be booked on Airbnb, and they often book up months ahead.
▶︎ Check availability: Dream in El Nido de Quetzalcóatl 7
▶︎ Check availability: Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest
If both are booked, Senosiain’s Conjunto Satélite homes are the next best option (more on those below).
| Stay | Best for | Guests | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dream in El Nido de Quetzalcóatl 7 | The full snake house experience | Up to 6 | Check availability |
| Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest | The most-reviewed snake house stay | Up to 6 | Check availability |
| Casa de la Estrella (Conjunto Satélite) | When the snake house is booked | Up to 5 | Check availability |
| Elephant House (Conjunto Satélite) | A second Senosiain backup | Up to 5 | Check availability |
What Is the Mexico City Snake House?
El Nido de Quetzalcóatl is a complex of 10 apartments built inside the body of a giant mosaic serpent.
Most of the apartments are private homes, so only a few are open to guests.
The snake’s head has an open mouth, which leads into a small cave and garden.
Its curving body is covered in colorful tile mosaics and dotted with round porthole windows.
Where Is the Mexico City Snake House Located?
Though it is commonly known as the “Mexico City Snake House,” it is actually located in Naucalpan de Juárez (or just Naucalpan for short).
Naucalpan is a city in Estado de Mexico (State of Mexico), about 45-60 minutes by car from central Mexico City.
📍 The snake house address is Retorno Villa Los Naranjos 15, Paseos del Bosque, 53297 Naucalpan de Juárez, Estado de México.
Brief History of El Nido de Quetzalcóatl
Who Is Javier Senosiain?
Javier Senosiain is a Mexican architect born in 1948, who studied architecture at UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico).
He’s known for organic architecture, which he describes as architecture that “searches for harmony between men’s habitats and the natural surroundings.”
His buildings are full of curves, inspired by natural forms like shells, flowers and animals.
Why Was the Mexico City Snake House Built?
Senosiain believes architecture must respect the landscape, so the Nido de Quetzalcóatl follows the natural curves of the land.
The snake shape came later in the design process, almost by accident, according to Dezeen.
Who Was Quetzalcóatl?
The house’s name honors Quetzalcóatl (pronounced ket-sal-KOH-ah-tl).
Meaning “Feathered Serpent” or “Plumed Serpent” in Nahuatl (Aztec), Quetzalcóatl was one of the most important Mesoamerican deities.
Revered by the Teotihuacanos (of Teotihuacan), Toltecs, and Aztecs, Quetzalcóatl ruled over wind, rain, commerce, the arts, and learning.
Unlike some gods that demanded human sacrifice, Quetzalcóatl represented wisdom and creation, serving as a boundary-maker between earth and the sky.
How Was the Mexico City Snake House Built?
Construction took place from 2001 to 2007, on a plot of about 5,000 square meters (about 1.2 acres).
The serpent’s shell is made of ferrocement (a thin, strong layer of cement over steel mesh).
Inside, the apartments have curving white walls, built-in furniture and oval windows looking out onto the trees.
The snake house made headlines in July 2021, when Dua Lipa stayed there during a trip to Mexico.
It was also featured on Netflix’s “The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals.”
How to Book a Stay at the Mexico City Snake House Airbnb
Two apartments inside the Nido de Quetzalcóatl are listed on Airbnb, and both are run by the same host team.
Both stays include a guided tour of Parque Quetzalcóatl, the Senosiain park connected to the snake house.
1. Dream in El Nido de Quetzalcóatl 7
Dream in El Nido de Quetzalcóatl 7 is an Airbnb Guest favorite, with a 4.96-star rating from more than 370 reviews.
It sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms (king, queen and double beds), with two bathrooms.
The living room has a curved white sofa under a huge oval window looking out onto the trees.
The main bedroom has curved built-in shelves and a desk nook under its own oval window.
You’ll also have a full kitchen, wifi, a washer and dryer, and free parking. It’s set up for Instant Book, so you can confirm your stay right away.
▶︎ Check rates and availability on Airbnb
2. Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest
Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest is the most-reviewed stay in the complex, with a 4.93-star rating from more than 630 reviews.
It’s also an Airbnb Guest favorite.
This apartment sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms, with three and a half bathrooms.
Guests get garden and valley views, a full kitchen stocked with complimentary bread, fruit, coffee and tea, and free parking.
▶︎ Check rates and availability on Airbnb
Mexico City Snake House Booking Tips
Book as early as you can, since both apartments often book up months in advance.
There’s a two-night minimum stay. Check-in starts at 3 pm with a keypad, and checkout is at noon.
Pets, parties and smoking aren’t allowed.
Photos and videos are for personal use only, so leave the tripod and studio lights at home.
Ask your host to book your park tour ahead of time, since it’s one visit per stay.
If the Snake House Is Booked: Conjunto Satélite
The snake house books out months in advance.
If it isn’t available for your dates, Senosiain’s Conjunto Satélite is the next best option.
Javier Senosiain designed the Conjunto Satélite in 1995, in Ciudad Satélite, a short drive from the snake house.
It’s not part of the Nido de Quetzalcóatl, but it has the same organic curves, plenty of charm and unique design details.
The homes are built with a pneumatic technique and covered in cement, polyurethane, earth and grass, so they look like grassy hills.
Your stay also includes a guided visit to Parque Quetzalcóatl, the Senosiain park connected to the snake house (book it two weeks ahead).
3. Casa de la Estrella
Casa de la Estrella has a 4.88-star rating and sleeps up to five guests in three bedrooms, with two bathrooms.
The living room has a sunken, circular blue sofa, and there’s a round bed with a mosaic-tiled base.
It’s about a five-minute walk to Parque Limantour.
▶︎ Check rates and availability on Airbnb
4. Elephant House
Elephant House is another Conjunto Satélite home, and an Airbnb Guest favorite with a perfect 5-star rating.
It sleeps up to five guests in three bedrooms, with two bathrooms. Inside, you’ll find mosaic tiles and furniture built right into the curved walls.
▶︎ Check rates and availability on Airbnb
How to Visit the Snake House Without Staying
The Nido de Quetzalcóatl is a private residential complex, so you can’t just show up.
Instead, book a guided tour of Parque Quetzalcóatl, the Senosiain park connected to the snake house.
The tour lasts about two hours, in English or Spanish, with public tours at 10:30 am and 1 pm.
Tickets cost about 1,600 pesos (about $85 USD) per person.
Book on the official Parque Quetzalcóatl reservations site, since walk-ins aren’t allowed.
Everyone signs a waiver before the tour, and it’s a good idea to do it online before you go.
Phone photos are fine, but drones, tripods and photo shoots aren’t allowed. Arrive on time, since there’s only a 15-minute grace period.
How to Get to the Snake House from Mexico City
There’s no direct public transportation to the snake house or Parque Quetzalcóatl.
The easiest way to get there is by taxi or Uber, which takes about 45-60 minutes from central Mexico City, depending on traffic.
The park can sometimes arrange transportation if you request it the day before your visit.
Javier Senosiain’s Other Buildings
Senosiain has designed more than a dozen organic homes and buildings in and around Mexico City.
Casa Orgánica (1984): His own family home in Naucalpan, built partly underground.
It’s open for one-hour tours, booked by email about 45 days ahead. Tours cost about 480 pesos (about $25 USD), cash only.
Casa Tiburón (Shark House, 1990): An extension of Casa Orgánica, shaped like a shark.
Conjunto Satélite (1995): The grass-covered homes in Ciudad Satélite, including Casa de la Estrella and Elephant House, both on Airbnb.
Other works: La Serpiente (1986), El Cacahuate (1990), Ballena Mexicana (1992), Casa Flor (1994), Nautilus (2007), El Hongo (2010) and Casa entre Árboles (2014).
🏛️ Want to see more of Mexico’s great architects? Check out my list of the most influential Mexican architects of all time.
Mexico City Snake House FAQs
Where is the Mexico Snake House?
It’s in Naucalpan de Juárez, about 45-60 minutes by car from central Mexico City.
Can you visit the Snake House without staying there?
The snake house is a private residential complex. You can book a guided tour of Parque Quetzalcóatl, the Senosiain park connected to it.
Who designed the Snake House?
Mexican architect Javier Senosiain, who is known for organic architecture that don’t compete with the land.
How many people can stay at the Snake House?
Each of the two Airbnb apartments sleeps up to six guests.
How far in advance should I book the Snake House?
As early as possible, as both apartments often book up months ahead.
Can I bring my dog to the Snake House?
No. While pets aren’t allowed, service animals are.
Did Dua Lipa stay at the Snake House?
Yes. Dua Lipa stayed at El Nido de Quetzalcóatl in July 2021.
My Final Thoughts on the Mexico City Snake House Airbnb
Staying inside the Mexico City snake house is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone who loves design.
Just plan ahead, since the two apartments book up fast.
▶︎ Check availability: Dream in El Nido de Quetzalcóatl 7
▶︎ Check availability: Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest
Looking for more unique places to stay? Check out these coolest Airbnbs in Mexico, and these best Airbnbs in Mexico City.
