Playa Viva

"Whatever your mental image of mass tourism on the Mexican coasts, Playa Viva is more or less the opposite of that. A mere 12 casitas, for starters, is about as far as it gets from mass tourism in the first place. And this location, on protected land a half hour outside of Zihuatanejo, has a long, long way to go before it could be considered developed, much less overdeveloped." - Mark Fedeli

"Of the 19 accommodations at Playa Viva, a 200-acre coastal resort just south of Zihuatanejo, seven beachfront tree houses hover six feet above the sand and offer ocean views from almost every part of the room, including the mosquito net–covered beds. Built in 2021, these bamboo structures are designed to resemble the manta rays that swim just offshore. With only a couple of walls on either side of the bedrooms as opposed to four, they’re not for people who are overly concerned with privacy. The bamboo structures designed by holistic architecture practice Nomadic Resorts are also ill-advised for people who need TV or air-conditioning—though relief from the heat comes often via sea breezes." - Ann Abel

"A few hours north of Acapulco, this 19-room, modestly sized eco-lodge has a strict commitment to the local flora and fauna, meaning there’s no AC or TVs in the 100-percent solar-powered resort. But who needs any of that when you have your own perched casita with unobstructed ocean views, free yoga, and three fresh meals a day? Playa Viva also boasts five beautifully-designed treehouses. Guests can hike up the mountains to meet a local family and release baby sea turtles with the local turtle rescue group." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Playa Viva is an eco-friendly resort located on a 200-acre reserve between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre range. It offers 19 accommodations, including bamboo tree houses, and is known for its low-impact construction, permaculture farm, and biodiversity projects. Certified as a B Corporation with a high score for community and environmental benefits, Playa Viva is ideal for outdoorsy and socially conscious travelers. The resort features a beachside infinity pool, yoga retreats, and various family-friendly activities, although it is not recommended for those who are squeamish about bugs." - Kathryn Romeyn

"The owners and staff of Playa Viva (whose name means “Living Beach”) promise guests “guilt-free luxury” at this beachfront eco-resort where the dividing line between the indoors and the outdoors is hard to distinguish. Common areas such as a kitchen, dining room, and yoga deck are built on platforms under thatched roofs and have open walls or, in some cases, no walls at all. Like the common spaces, the bungalow-style casitas allow guests to be one with their surroundings, with retractable walls dissolving boundaries between the indoors and outdoors. Almost all of the building supplies were sourced locally, as were design elements such as bathroom fixtures and towels and sheets. Solar energy provides both lights and hot water on the property. Eco-consciousness doesn't signify deprivation, though; the casitas are comfortable, with relaxing hammocks in addition to beds draped with gauzy mosquito netting. Room rates include meals and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as transfers to and from the airport."