Playa Viva

Magical doesn't begin to touch this experience. The property is stunning and views are of the beach are everywhere. The hospitality was on point from the greeting, tour, food and service. We did yoga everyday, enjoyed the pool, beach, healthy delicious food and great company. It was a great way to relax and reset. There is a reason over 70% of their guests return, I'll certainly be back. Don't hesitate... book it.

Playa Viva is amazing! I would highly recommend and will definitely be going back with my family! The food was delicious, the service was top notch, the rooms were comfy and beautiful, and the location tucked into the jungle but right on the beach was special. The water was warm and lovely for boogie boarding. We took the farm tour and learned all about how they grow all the food they serve guests, which was both interesting and impressive. If you’re looking for the feeling of a Mexican adventure with the ease and comfort of a resort, this is the place!

Playa Viva was amazing! When you are on the beach and you look to your right, you see nothing but beach. When you look to your left, also nothing but beach! I had been a little apprehensive about no air conditioning and open air - we asked housekeeping to keep the mosquito netting closed and we had zero issues. Unbelievably beautiful place with delicious food. My favorite kind of luxury - where everything is perfect without being fussy. Was also able to release baby turtles and saw a mama turtle trying to make a nest! It's a bit hard to get to, but worth it!

The attention to detail in the property, construction, decor, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the impeccable service provided by the Playa Viva team truly made our stay unforgettable.

Every aspect of my visit exceeded my expectations, from the beautifully appointed room to the incredibly thoughtful and delicious meals.

I will undoubtedly cherish the memories of my stay and look forward to the opportunity to return in the future. Playa Viva has left a lasting impression on me, and I will wholeheartedly recommend it to friends, family, and colleagues seeking a truly exceptional destination experience.

We cannot say enough about every aspect of Playa Viva! The location, the food, the staff are like an incredible family, the projects they are a part of to regenerate the lands, the watershed and the communities. I really can’t vacation anywhere else anymore. I’m so grateful there is a place like Playa Viva. Now the world needs to catch on and follow suit.

This resort has BLOWN my mind!!!! I didn’t know it could be this good. The food is phenomenal EVERY single meal. The perfect mix of fresh organic carefully prepared staples along with robust local artisanals. The design is the best of anywhere I’ve ever been, as a designer. Not only is the architecture at the forefront of eco-futuristic, it actually works for real life. Immense care has been poured into every detail of use. It is natural, minimal, timeless, like it’s been built to last for generations, and oozing the most humble radiant BEAUTY from every detail and every person, staff and guest alike. Thank you for the magic you have anchored here. 🙏

This is my second time at Playa Viva and I’m already coming back for a third time! It’s a special resort who lives out their regenerative values. They are the real deal. Being immersed in nature has exponential relaxation properties. The farm to table food I drool just thinking about! Come here for 5 star hospitality and leave with a relaxed body and mind.

Playa Viva is unmatched in its level of detail to the vacation experience. The other reviews almost seemed fake until I went there on vacation. After a short ride from the airport we were greeted by the staff and given a tour by Kayla (our holistic guide). Our jaws dropped at the beauty of the place. The kitchen staff made us a salad since it wasn't meal time and it was evident how good the food was due to the freshness of everything. The food alone is worth going for and the meals were some of the best food I've had anywhere in the world. It was much better than a fancy Michelin restaurant since the ingredients are just so fresh and the cooks are magicians.
Here are some highlight from our trip:
We saw a whale and several dolphins while relaxing in the main space. The yoga space is epic and Kayla's classes were amazing. The massage space is out facing the beach so when you finish getting a massage you look up out to the water. The massages were amazing (also by Kayla).
We went on a farm tour with Amanda and it's clear why the food is so good. They are utilizing the most brilliant farming methods to make that land work and give back to the community simultaneously. It makes organic farming seem like child's play.
All of the staff there are just great. They seem to enjoy being there and I often saw them having fun and laughing while taking care of the guests' every need.
The bar is great and they have some really good natural wines. You can walk down to the beach, look both directions and not see anyone. The waves are decent size but I still went for a swim and the water was so refreshing.
David, the founder, was around and was really fun to interact with. He's very interested in the guests' experience and we had a great time chatting and joking with him.
It's clear that the eco-tourism aspect of this place is totally legit once you're there. I could write a lot more about the details around this, but it's safe to say that I've never seen anything like this place in that regard.
The rooms are amazing. The bed is comfortable and the mosquito netting works well. Yes, there are some bugs but it's never a real problem and it's managed really well there.
The gift shop is on point with amazing clothes and other goodies from the region. It's priced fairly.
All in all this was a perfect experience. I'm ready to go back!

What can I say. I love Playa Viva from top to bottom, soup to nuts.
Its rating as one of the top eco resorts of the world is beyond well deserved.
Yes, it checks all the boxes for doing things in a conscious manner, connected to a vision of the world our hearts hope to create, but the reality behind the rating is so far beyond what could be put in a box. In my experience, the people you will meet at Playa Viva, both staff and other guests, will reignite your faith in humanity.
I have been twice, am returning in a couple of weeks and intend to remain part of the Playa Viva family long into the future.

We had an amazing 7 days at playa viva! The location is beautiful; nature and luxury combined. Miles of beach along the ocean and the occasional lagoon. Great food from the farm, amazing treehouses directly facing the ocean, daily yoga and above all an incredibly friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended

I am writing this review at Playa Viva on my last day here and with tears flowing down my face. Since everything is so fresh in my mind, I want to share a bit about how transformative my experience here has been. This week has been transformative. Being here has allowed me to take an ATV into the mountains to dine with and to tour the farm of a local family who has been able to live beautifully off-grid for decades. We made tortillas by hand (and with the assistance of a grinder powered by a motorcycle engine). We have had opportunities to interact often with the staff who are passionate about turtles, farming, beautifully lovingly prepared food, music, service, cleaninless, sustainable. It’s an endless list. Whenever I walk into the common areas, there are smiles. There is joy in knowing that they are part of something bigger that is special. I need to put my phone away because it’s a gorgeous day and I should be playing in the sea but do look more into Playa Viva. It’s a special place beyond my imagination at how it has benefited me.

I've been friends with David, Playa Viva's owner, for years, but until three weeks ago, I had never been to Playa Viva. I am so glad I finally got to visit!

I'm hardly objective, but I'm happy to second the enthusiasm of other reviewers about the the endless unspoiled beach, the super-friendly staff, the tasty, healthy food, the cute casitas, the sound of the waves, the gardens . . . . The whole experience is so chill, so comfortable. My wife and I love to travel, and we've been to fortunate to stay at some fine hotels and resorts around the world, some rustic, some lux, and in our experience, Playa Viva is unique -- in the best possible way.

I have to believe that difference is rooted in PV's commitment to "regeneration." If you get there, take the farm tour and you'll see one dimension of that commitment: Under PV's care, the land is flourishing. And with the solid jobs created by the operation, PV is helping the little town of Juluchuca bounce back. Even after a short stay, we felt "regenerated" -- and a little more hopeful, too.

A hidden piece of paradise! So much magic tucked away in this place. The energy of the land here is profound, and my stay here was everything I didn’t know I needed. The staff are incredible, the rooms are cozy and clean and beautiful, the gathering spaces are gorgeous, and the food is phenomenal. 10/10 recommend.

We are Tom & Stacie and we have visited Playa Viva eleven times. We can’t wait for number twelve! We love Playa Viva and our Playa Viva family. Since our first visit in 2011, we have watched the evolution from just a few casitas to nineteen incredible and imaginative treehouses, studios, and suites. It is astonishing that so many members of the team have been there since the beginning. This is a testament to the outstanding leadership of the owner David and the General Manager Julia. We love seeing the same faces over and over each year like Zulema, Alfredo, Olga, Eli, Serafin, and so many more! The view of the ocean will take your breath away and the food, wow, so fresh and delicious. Enjoy excursions with Johnny, feed your need for yoga and massages, splash in the pool or ocean, or just relax with a book on your beach chair! Internet junkies, don’t be scared. There is good WiFi in the community area. Take it from us, this is nothing like your typical hotel experience. Just do it! You will never regret it and maybe OUR happy place will become YOUR happy place.

It is hard to describe how amazing this place is. The location is away from the usual "tourist" spots, a bonus in my mind. We were picked up at the Zihuatanejo airport, and a 40 min drive arrived at the secluded spot in paradise. We were greeted by 2 of the resident yoga instructors/massuses. The facility's modern but somewhat rustic design, totally off grid, yes, phone and internet available, with solar power and hot water. Multy system water and wastewater treatment as eco-friendly as it gets. blended in with the costal jungle featuring Traditional stucco and bamboo structures are works of art and architecture open air, but private rooms from cozy queen bedrooms to suite like multi-level 2 and 3 bedrooms are great for a family. 3 meal a day buffet style. It features an array of grown on sight and localy sourced fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.
A sandy beach warm ocean water. You can see whales and dolphins, fishing boats in the distance. available massages and yoga sessions. Several off-site activities also, but we mostly stayed close by and relaxed pool side. Just a short walk down the coast is a turtle sanctuary where many early mornings the freshly hatched are realesed to the sea.
Just pack a few casual clothes and a toothbrush you will need nothing else. David and the whole staff made us feel like part of the family. We will be back again!

This is one of the most beautiful beach locations I have been to in Mexico. The location is wonderful, a pristine and private beach. The rooms and service are exceptional! I cannot recommend this place enough and cannot wait to come back!

From December 30th to January 4th, 2024, my wife, two kids, and I had the privilege of experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Playa Viva. The expansive 1.3 km beach, seemingly untouched, offered a rare sense of privacy and tranquility, exclusively for Playa Viva guests.

Spending countless hours with my boys in the warm ocean waters against the backdrop of soft, pristine sand was a joyous rarity. The thoughtful design of the entire property, including the unique rooms crafted with absolute love and care, left us in awe. The use of wood and bamboo, coupled with magnificent views and impeccable service, created an atmosphere that truly took our breath away. This was more than a vacation; it felt like a divine blessing, and we eagerly anticipate the chance to return for another lifetime experience.

Gratefully,

Joaquin Lanz

I’ve never experienced anything like Playa Viva. We slept in a bamboo manta ray, floating above the beach and looking out over the pacific. Very remote, very peaceful, and run by a delightful staff who are all true believers in sustainability and off-the-grid living. The food is grown on the property, and there’s a sea turtle rescue there too.

Quite possibly, the loveliest place on earth. The staff were amazing, the food was incredible, and the resort was pure heaven. So thought out, well built, and dreamy. Definitely will return.

I had the pleasure of attending a retreat at Playa Viva last week and it was such a memorable and relaxing experience. The entire staff was absolutely wonderful from the groundskeepers, Enrique the bartender, the massage therapists, office staff, the owner and especially VIVA (the resort pup). The location is very remote offering as much or as little as we wanted on our trip. I was so impressed with the sustainability philosophy of Playa Viva.
There were so many great activities our group participated in like, ATV tours, fishing, a traditional cacao ceremony, shopping...or just relaxing by the pool with a wonderful smoothie. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and our group participated in a sea turtle birth and a hatchling release. It truly was an amazing place to relax, unwind and be one with nature. The food was AMAZING too. Home made tortillas, pressed in front of you, beautiful salads and sustainable proteins. Great for adults and kids too. I will be back!!!