Photos: courtesy of Playa Viva
Mexico
Playa Viva: Where Nature and Sustainability Sway in Perfect Harmony
A breathtaking off-grid eco-resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Playa Viva blends treehouse luxury, regenerative travel, and a deep commitment to nature and community.
7 de abril de 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up in a beachfront treehouse, where the ocean hums your morning soundtrack and the air smells like salt and possibility, welcome to Playa Viva. Located within 200 acres of nature reserve on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, this off-grid eco-lodge isn’t just another pretty place to unwind; it’s an ambitious experiment in regenerative tourism—where sustainability, luxury, and community intertwine like the roots of the mangroves it helps protect.
Sustainability and Style
Playa Viva operates entirely off-grid, powered by a solar farm that doesn’t just sustain the resort—it pumps excess energy back into the local community. Water conservation is equally impressive, with an innovative greywater system that ensures every drop is respected. And don’t expect towering concrete buildings here; all structures are built from renewable and locally sourced materials, designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape rather than disrupt it.
The design philosophy leans into rustic elegance, with open-air spaces, handcrafted wooden furniture, and bamboo architecture that feels organic rather than imposed. It’s as if nature itself sketched out the blueprints. Their commitment to sustainability and responsible practices is further highlighted by Playa Viva's B-Corp certification, reflecting their dedication to high environmental and social standards.
Overview of the surroundings
Room or Treehouse?
Playa Viva offers 20 eco-luxury rooms, but the real showstopper? The oceanfront treehouses. Inspired by the graceful mobula rays that glide through the nearby waters, these elevated bamboo structures hover above the sand, offering uninterrupted views of the Pacific. Waking up here feels like being inside a dream—only the dream smells like fresh sea air and organic linen.
Each room is designed to blur the line between indoors and outdoors, featuring open walls, locally woven textiles, and showers where you can rinse off beneath the sky. There’s no air conditioning but the ocean breeze and well-thought-out ventilation make it unnecessary.
The "casitas", treehouses, and views
Nourishment for Body and Soul
If you’re the kind of person who believes vacations should come with a side of self-care, you’re in luck. Playa Viva’s yoga deck overlooks the ocean, where daily classes make downward dog feel more like an act of worship to the waves. The on-site spa offers treatments inspired by indigenous healing traditions, using natural ingredients sourced from the region.
Then there’s the food—oh, the food. Playa Viva serves farm-to-table meals using ingredients from its own permaculture farm. Expect fresh seafood, vibrant vegetables, and handmade tortillas still warm from the griddle. The culinary philosophy is simple: what grows together, goes together. And yes, that extends to the mezcal.
Yoga areas and food
Baby Turtles, Surfing, and Hammocks
Playa Viva isn’t just about relaxation; it’s about connection. The resort is home to the La Tortuga Viva turtle sanctuary, where guests can participate in the release of baby sea turtles—a heart-swelling experience that reminds you that nature isn’t just something to admire; it’s something to protect.
For the more adventurous there's surfing, paddleboarding, and other maritime activities. And if that all sounds like too much effort, there’s always the option of sinking into a hammock with a book and letting the world take care of itself for a while.
Baby turtles and more at Playa Viva Eco Resort
Giving Back in Real Ways
Playa Viva doesn’t just exist within a community—it actively supports it through ReSiMar, an NGO they founded. ReSiMar works across four communities in the region, addressing environmental degradation, economic hardship, and forced migration. The project focuses on Education, Permaculture, Marine Conservation, Water, and Reforestation, and has been recognized by organizations like Harvard. It serves as a model for regenerating coastal communities in Mexico and beyond. Staying at Playa Viva means your presence directly benefits the people who call this coastline home.
Conclusion: A Paradise with Purpose
Playa Viva isn’t just another eco-resort—it’s a blueprint for how travel can be a force for good. It proves that luxury and sustainability don’t have to be at odds; they can, in fact, dance beautifully together.
From the regenerative farming practices to the treehouse suites that make your inner child giddy with delight, this is a place where your vacation leaves the world a little better than you found it.
Visit their website here.
Playa Viva Eco Lodge's Sustainable Features
