Playa Viva

A truly magical experience at Playa Viva that exceeded my expectations. My experience at this regenerative, eco resort left me feeling revitalized - morning yoga, organic eating, long beach walks( very safe), exceptional Thai massages ( thank you Alok and Anjuli). Our accommodations were out of this world and the staff is exceptional. Really easy airport experience and transport to resort We will absolutely be return visitors Thank you Playa Viva

A Regenerative Retreat that Restored Mind, Body, and Perspective. Playa Viva is a regenerative paradise in every sense. It far exceeded what we expected. The experience blends comfort, nature, community, and wellness in a way that feels both intentional and effortless. • We stayed in “Private Villa”, which was spacious, comfortable, spotless, and beautifully designed. Each villa has its own unique architecture, built with local materials and a clear respect for the environment. • The beach is extraordinary. We have been fortunate to travel widely, but this is the the longest, most unoccupied stretch we have ever walked. I went out every sunrise and sunset, always feeling safe and completely immersed in the sound of waves and birds. It’s rare to find that kind of solitude anywhere in the world. • The food was exceptional. Farm to table cuisine at its finest. Fresh produce from the nearby farm (a must‑visit) made every meal vibrant and nourishing. The menu offered a thoughtful variety of vegetables, pulses, fish, pork, chicken, beef, all without heavy fillers. Clean eating at its best. • The staff were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable, creating a sense of ease from the moment we arrived. ** Very important to check out the connection with the local community through a program called Resimar. How the land, watershed, forest and education should be preserved. • The holistic hosts made the stay truly special. We were fortunate to be there with Alok and Anjuli. My wife enjoyed yoga daily, and I joined many classes…each one grounding, energizing, and memorable. • Off‑site activities are available (I went diving), but honestly, there was no real need to leave the property. Everything you need to reset is right there. • One of the most powerful parts of the stay was disconnecting. I kept my cell provider off the entire time, using Wi‑Fi only to check in with family. Stepping away from news and media for 10 days was a reset we all could use with the noise out there. • The combination of waves, birds, ocean breeze, yoga, massages, healthy food, and the knowledge that local communities are connected to the food system created a sense of balance and purpose that stayed with us long after we left. Playa Viva is more than a vacation. It’s a chance to restore your body, clear your mind, and reconnect with what matters. It is also an opportunity to see what a true Environmentally Responsible Resort can be! Thank you, Playa Viva, for an exceptional and inspiring stay.

Playa Viva is one of those serendipitous discoveries that is so wonderful you immediately want to keep it secret, yet so wonderful that you have to let others know how fabulous it is. So fabulous, in fact, that we made a reservation to come back next year before our stay had ended. And to be honest, we have never done that before after any other trip! My husband and I were fortunate to spend a week here, and stayed in the incredible Infinity casita, a design that manages to evoke a feeling of being minimalist modern yet rustically cozy at the same time. The beds were extremely comfortable. The outside bathroom and shower were luxurious. The upstairs floor is wide open to 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape… sea, sky, mountains. We spent our days up there, catching the constant ocean breeze. My husband is a former biologist and identified at least 35 bird species from the deck, and 20 more bird species during his beach walks and walks down to the estuary. I’m a visual artist and poet; the upstairs was a perfect place to relax, stay cool, and write. Asides from having the privilege of attending two sea turtle releases, we did not do any of the excursions. When we arrived, I was unfortunately not feeling well from food I had eaten in a U.S. airport, so I was recovering for the first several days and decided the universe was suggesting that rest and rejuvenation should be my focus. Once I felt better, I was able to take in a couple of yoga classes, massages, and facials. Treestar’s yoga session and massages were beautifully spiritual experiences. Pam’s facials were decadent luxuries. The setting for all of those things next to the surging Pacific was just sublime. The food was always and absolutely delicious. I am a pescatarian with Celiac disease. The chef and kitchen staff had no problem accommodating those issues and were all knowledgeable about which foods on the buffet were ok for me to eat. In addition, during those first few days when I wasn’t feeling well, Maribel made sure I had whatever foods I felt like I could handle. She and all of the dining room and kitchen staff did so with authentic concern and loving care. Once I felt better and was able to eat normally, just about everything that was being served was safe for me to eat. A total luxury as this is not usually the case at resorts where if I’m lucky I can safely consume one or two items. And this included at least one evening meal dessert! My husband’s only issue with the food was trying not to eat too much! I also had the super fun experience of learning to make corn tortillas and Guerrero style salsas with Olga. We live in Tucson, so I already had some experience making those foods, but definitely needed some help to polish my skills. Please tell Olga I am practicing so I don’t make any more tortillas feas. We felt so welcome, cared for, and at home during our entire stay. Every single staff member—the grounds workers; the housekeepers; the ladies in the Boutique and office; the kitchen and dining room staff; the holistic staff; the magical bartender Luis; the reservations staff; and David, the owner—were friendly, ready with smiles and greetings. Hugs if necessary. Everything here is done with love and a very intentional focus on preserving the unique environment of this place. There is so much more I could say, but you’ll just have to come discover it for yourselves!

My partner found this resort and we took our family (11, 6) and had an amazing time, great staff, great service. Amazing!

I visited this resort expecting a sustainable and socially responsible experience, but unfortunately, it did not fully meet those expectations. The turtle conservation programs seemed to rely heavily on volunteers, without supervision from qualified biologists. Some hatchlings appeared to be in poor health, and it’s unclear whether the resort has the necessary permits for handling marine turtles. I was also concerned about labor practices. Some staff seemed to be paid very low wages, and the registration status of certain foreign workers was not transparent. Volunteers were performing essential tasks without compensation, and the local community didn’t appear to be benefiting significantly from the resort's presence. Additionally, the construction seemed to impact the beach dunes, and there was no visible information about environmental permits. Although Playa Viva promotes itself as an eco-friendly and socially responsible destination, in my experience, it felt more like a marketing strategy than a fully implemented mission. I recommend that future visitors ask questions, observe carefully, and consider supporting projects or accommodations with verified environmental and social responsibility.