The house stands in the centre of the small hamlet of Los Marines, which is a completely unspoilt Spanish working pueblo.
None of the permanent inhabitants speak English, but they are the most friendly and welcoming people it is possible to meet. They love to show strangers -especially children- their goats, sheep and horses, and most animals roam fairly freely.
Ventas ambulantes ( mobile shops) visit the village every day, except Sundays, and sell all forms of provisions and household requirements: including live chickens and ladies'underwear! Los Marines has no shop or bar, but in the small nearby town Periana, there is a good selection of bars, several supermarkets and many small shops, which sell just about everything. Much of the produce is locally grown, and has a distinctive flavour. Periana also has a pharmacist's and a doctor's surgery: one of the doctors speaking good English.
Sierra Tejeda with the peak Maroma 2.060km, a natural park with wild goats is very close and covers a very big area suitable for driving, walking etc.
There is riding available a short distance from Los Marines, and there are sailing and other water sports on the big Lake Viñuela only few km. from the house.
There are many interesting and historical villages in the area, such as the Moorish villages of Frigiliana; and Comares which, perched upon a high peak, is surely one of the most spectacular pueblos in Andalucia. The Alhambra of Granada is about one and a half hours distant, and this too is well worth a visit, being one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in Spain.
There are execelent shopping possibilities in Velez Malaga/Torre Del Mar
There are excellent sandy beaches at Torre del Mar (about 25 km from Los Marines), Nerja, and many other places along the coast, and a variety of clubs and discos. There are also many " chiringuitos", beach bars, where one may eat fish and shellfish freshly caught: along with a variety of delicious local dishes.