Cuixmala Puerto Vallarta

Running alongside 5km of pristine Mexican Pacific coastline, Cuixmala is an extraordinary retreat and luxury eco-resort where the boundaries separating humankind from nature are dissolved.

Lush jungle and coconut palm groves roll into sweeping savannahs and lagoons, where protected wildlife, from zebras to crocodiles, roam free. Sensitively interwoven with the natural landscape, terracotta dwellings emerge above the sea of green, acting as beacons guiding guests through the estate.

Residing alongside five kilometers of pristine Mexican coastline is the 30,000 acre Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve; within this oasis sits Cuixmala, recognized as being at the forefront of Luxury-Eco destination travel.

Here the boundaries separating you from nature are dissolved, whilst being one of the most luxurious places to stay in the world.

Created by Sir James Goldsmith, knighted for his services to ecology, the once private estate is now open as a destination for discerning travelers. Cuixmala is located on Mexico’s breathtaking Pacific Coast, in the state of Jalisco.

Río Cuixmala courses along its southern border, from its northern boundary, vast hills look out over the coconut plantation towards the Pacific Ocean, and to the east, bamboo groves and mango trees number in their thousands.

The coastline affords a variety of rich landscape at Cuixmala. There are an array of beaches, from picture-postcard tranquility, to rocky bluffs jutting out into the powerful Pacific.

The landscape ranges from lush jungle, coconut palm groves and lagoons, to sweeping savannah and grasslands. Integrated with respect into these different environments are not only the main house of Casa Cuixmala, but three large villas, six bungalows, and ten casitas.

Guests immerse in these surroundings from the comfort of their accommodation, by the beach, or by embarking on one of many recreational past times, from riding horseback through the coconut plantations, snorkeling from Playa Caleta Blanca, or visiting our vast Biodynamic farm.

ACCOMMODATION
The 40 rooms at Cuixmala are spread across three distinct accommodation types. From the iconic Suites of the original house, Casa Cuixmala, and hidden Bungalows with exceptional views, to the complete seclusion of Villas nestled into the hillside, and the traditional charm of the Casitas; at Cuixmala, expect the extraordinary.

CASA CUIXMALA
Originally built as the private residence of the Goldsmith family, Casa Cuixmala lies within touching distance of the ocean, perched atop a forested bluff offering spectacular views of the two-mile private beach and surrounding verdant landscape.

Guests are woken only by the sound of the ocean, reachable by a cascade of terracotta steps leading to a private, ocean-side swimming pool. Sitting at the heart of the reserve, Casa Cuixmala’s Suites and Bungalows provide the ideal vantage point for exploration of the 25,000 acre estate.

SUITES
The main Casa is comprised of four suites, each unique in character and style, as well as the Casa Cuixmala Restaurant, utilising produce from Cuixmala’s own bio-dynamic farm. Guests have shared access to a variety of living and relaxation areas.

HORSE SUITE
White-washed walls, domed ceilings and vibrant hues of pink and purple give the Horse Suite a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

As the morning light cascades into the fountain-courtyard in the centre of Casa Cuixmala, a warm, orange light is filtered through honeycomb windows into the suite. Ensconced by nature, a balcony looks out onto the lagoon and the many flowers that bloom surrounding the Casa.

DRAGON SUITE
With double doors opening onto a balcony with sweeping views of the lagoon, the vibrant Dragon Suite combines playful patterns and artwork with artefacts collected on international travels.

Lending itself perfectly to families or groups of friends, the suite features a large separate dressing area and bathroom, and guests have the option to interconnect with the neighbouring Lion Suite.

CUIXMALA SUITE
Located off a fountain courtyard in the main Casa, the 97 m2 (1100 ft 2) Cuixmala Suite offers uninterrupted ocean views, best enjoyed from the private terrace with outdoor jacuzzi.

White-washed walls are peppered with the orange and red hues of textiles gathered from around the world, and a carefully curated selection of artefacts flows from the spacious bathroom through to the sitting area and fireplace.

LION SUITE
Best suited for families with small children, the Lion Suite can be connected with the Dragon Suite to allow families space and privacy whilst remaining close together. With a delicate palate of soft blues and whites, guests will wake to views over the estate directly from bed or from their private terrace.

BUNGALOWS
Set adjacent to the main Casa, the freestanding Bungalows offer consummate privacy, whilst also benefiting from the facilities of the main Casa.

BUNGALOW ROCA
Each of the two bedrooms of Bungalow Roca features a large open plan living and bedroom area, spacious bathroom and separate, private entrance, giving friends and families the flexibility to enjoy time individually or all together.

The two bedrooms are combined by an internal doorway and a wraparound terrace with views to the ocean and lagoon.

BUNGALOW LAGUNA
Hidden amongst dense jungle, Laguna offers complete privacy just steps from Casa Cuixmala. With an open plan living and bedroom area, and two symmetrical relaxation areas, Laguna is the largest one-bedroom Bungalow; a spacious haven to retreat to after a day of exploration.

Enjoy your morning coffee on the wraparound terrace with daybed as the sun comes up over the estate in front of you.

ONE BEDROOM BUNGALOWS
Adjacent to Casa Cuixmala and sharing its facilities, four one-bedroom Bungalows lie hidden amongst jungle, offering complete privacy and seclusion.

Identical in layout but each with a unique character expressed through design, Bungalows Mar, Faro, Sierra and Palmar each offer a different outlook over the estate from their wraparound balconies, from sweeping ocean to lagoon and jungle views.

VILLAS
Cuixmala offers a total of three 4-bedroom private villas, called Casas, which are truly out of the ordinary, with large open-air spaces that embrace nature and Mexico’s authenticity in design and decoration.

Each villa offers complete seclusion with indoor and outdoor living areas, private pools and luxurious en-suite bedrooms. A live-in host and chef are dedicated to catering to your every need.

Two villas, Casa Torre and Casa Alborada, are located on the hilltop offering stunning views over the property and the ocean beyond. Our signature villa, Casa La Playa, is located on the oceanfront and offers complete privacy.

CASA TORRE
Set atop a jungled hillside, Casa Torre offers sweeping views across the entire estate. From here, the eye reaches the Caballerizas, the Hortalizas, Casa Cuixmala and out to the ocean. A large infinity pool makes the most of the unrivalled outlook and captures both the sunrise and sunset.

Modelled on a traditional hacienda, the four bedrooms and living areas are all reached from a central courtyard, where a relaxation and bonfire area mark the heart of the villa. Traditional Mexican artefacts and textiles flow through the casa, which maintains the feeling of a grand private home.

CASA ALBORADA
The ultimate in indoor-outdoor living, at Casa Alborada nature is welcomed in. Bougainville, copallioro and flowers from the nursery fill the living areas, and only bird song interrupts peaceful silence.

The villa has been designed to make the most of the panoramic views and each of the four bedrooms, as well as the many dining and relaxation areas, open out to incredible vistas.

The natural vibrancy of nature has also inspired the colourful décor, creating a joyful and warm atmosphere. Casa Gomez is a scenic 10-minute walk away, giving guests access to the bar, restaurant, tennis court and basketball court.

CASA LA PLAYA
An extraordinary private slice of paradise, Casa La Playa sits directly on a private beach and enjoys exquisite sunset views. The largest villa at Cuixmala and the only to sit directly oceanside, it features four bedrooms serviced by a cook, butler and two housekeepers.

As you enjoy a late lunch from the poolside Palapa, it is not uncommon to see pelicans on the beach, birds swooping into the ocean, and your butler fishing for your evening meal.

The master bedroom offers spectacular ocean views from wraparound windows, and the best sunset views at Cuixmala can be enjoyed from its private terrace.

CASITAS
The Casitas and Casa Gomez comprise a separate hideaway at Cuixmala. Ten charming traditional Casitas of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms are individually decorated with Mexican arts, crafts and antiques, and arranged around a large swimming pool for the use of its guests.

With endless views stretching across the coconut plantation and to the ocean in the distance, this is a true inland jungle hideaway. Casa Gomez acts as the Clubhouse for Casita guests, with a traditional restaurant, bar, lounge and games room.

ONE BEDROOM CASITAS
The five 1-bedroom Casitas are standalone, charming incarnations of Mexican culture. Each features a covered outdoor living area, separate indoor TV room, king-size bedroom and bathroom with walk-in wardrobe.

Set around a shared swimming pool with views out across the jungle, guests enjoy the traditional restaurant, bar, lounge and games room of Casa Gomez, a short stroll from their Casita.

TWO BEDROOM CASITAS
The three 2-bedroom Casitas mirror traditional Mexican homesteads, with large outdoor living areas removing the boundary between the inside and the sprawling natural landscape.

Shared indoor living and dining areas give guests multiple options for relaxation and entertainment, all a few short steps from the facilities of Casa Gomez.

CASITA ORQUIDEA
The most spacious of the Casitas, the three-bedroom Casita Orquidea offers a master suite and two further bedrooms, one of which contains two king-size beds.

A home designed for entertaining, double doors lead from the indoors living and dining areas to the covered terrace that runs around the Casita. The charming Mexican décor and carefully selected art makes guests feel as if they are in a home away from home.

DINING
Everything prepared in Cuixmala is a direct byproduct of the environment guests see for miles around; during a stay at Cuixmala experience true farm-to-fork dining highlighting seasonal and completely sustainable produce.

Nearly everything served is biodynamic, organically raised and locally fished here at Cuixmala, or at Rancho Jabalí – our sister property Hacienda de San Antonio’s 5,000 acre mountain ranch.

Guests are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to visit the farms and harvest their own produce, while learning all about biodynamic farming in the process.

LA LOMA RESTAURANT

An exceptional team of servers and Cuixmala chefs provide attentive service to all guests of both the suites and the adjacent bungalows.

Internationally inspired fine dining, prepared with the freshest ingredients sourced daily from the farms, paired with the unmistakable white vaulted interiors or the sweeping vistas from the outdoor dining palapa make for simply unforgettable dining experiences.

CASA GOMEZ

An indoor lounge and bar see lively games of pool, a chic source of Cuixmala signature cocktails, boardgames for little ones and an overall relaxed atmosphere for fellow travelers to mingle.

The restaurant and outdoor terrace enjoy a panoramic view looking west over Cuixmala, along with a light breeze and sounds of nature all around as the always perfect compliment to traditional Mexican-inspired cuisine on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

BIODYNAMIC FARMING
Biodynamic farming in addition to being organic, recognises the spirit in nature, with crops sewn in accordance with celestial cycles. Environmentalism and sustainability are the core of Cuixmala. A sprawling organic and biodynamic farm provides 90% of everything served on the estate.

In conjunction with Cuixmala’s sister property the Hacienda De San Antonio, all produce, products and ointments are organically created in house. All types of conventional organic farming provide for both properties as well as organic coffee, cheeses, honey, even soaps and essential oils.

WELLNESS
Cuixmala’s wellness offerings include yoga, crystal sound healing, meditation and a variety of spa services.

Periodically throughout each year Cuixmala also hosts some of the top wellness experts, coordinating week long retreats within the 30,000+ acre reserve for unparalleled experiences. Sign up for the Cuixmala newsletter at the bottom of the page to stay informed.

YOGA
Cuixmala honors yoga in its many forms and practices offering Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and restorative yoga led by a local instructor.

CRSYTAL SOUND HEALING
Become immersed in sound frequencies known to tune the body’s natural rhythms by regulating the nervous system, immune system, hormones and sleep cycles.

MEDITATION
Sessions provide a guided meditation where guests learn basic skills or refine technique to deepen one’s own meditation practice.

SPA SERVICES
Provided by local specialists from the comfort of guest’s accommodations or via an oceanfront treatment palapa, located at Playa Caleta Blanca; these programs all benefit from our vast biodynamic farm, utilizing the most pure and organic ingredients to make in-house essential oils, lotions and bath products. Massages, Craniosacral therapy, hair, nail and makeup stylists are all available.

Practicing mindfulness and connection to nature in every action, the wellness and yoga studio is no exception. The 1200 sq foot space, with panoramic views, is constructed of bamboo from our property and has an open air design with minimal obstruction to the surrounding environment.

Use of the yoga studio is by reservation only, or by booking a yoga, crystal sound healing or meditation session with a private instructor.

BEACHES
The vast stretches of Cuixmala’s coastline provide three private beaches each with their own unique qualities. They offer the full array from luxury to rugged and wild experiences for all types of traveler.

One thing is certain the Costa Alegre, translating to- the cheerful coast, certainly lives up to its name via these breathtaking playas.

Over 3km long, Playa Cuixmala is a powerful sight to behold. This beach provides a surreal location to appreciate sunrise walks, runs and meditation.

In addition, horse rides typically end along these undisturbed shores, where guests can gallop in rhythm to the thundering waves, and from any vantage spectacular sunsets are framed by the incredible expanse of Cuixmala’s main coastline.

The most tranquil of the three playas, Caleta Blanca is Cuixmala’s picture postcard beach with full service, oceanfront daybeds, a main palapa dining & lounge area and bamboo bar.

Caleta Blanca and its surrounding waters are ideal for paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling and fishing or whale watching excursions; also from here, boat trips embark to the neighboring Isla Cocinas, or Kitchen Islands, a protected home to the exotic Bobo bird.

Once back at the beach, by request, massages and spa services can also be arranged here in the private treatment palapa, tucked back amongst the palms yet still in sight of the water’s edge.

The more rugged nature of Escondida is suited for those who want to swim with waves, scramble over and explore a seemingly final unmapped portion of the Mexico Coast all while enjoying ultimate privacy.

This untamed counterpart to Caleta Blanca is perfect for extravagant picnics, running wild amongst the surf and collapsing onto daybeds beneath thatched roof shades.

WILDLIFE
The aim of Cuixmala is to encourage the connection to nature, in as many ways as possible. Such a wide varitey of landscape, from lagoons, river, ocean, jungle and savannah mean the spectrum of wildlife is astounding.

Aside from illusive jaguar in the surrounding nature reserve, around the hotel property are to be found roaming zebra and eland, multicolour iguanas, and over 270 species of migratory birds at any given moment.

The Cuixmala-Chamela Reserve is a UNESCO accredited Biosphere, recognising management, research and education of the reserve, not only protection.

Cuixmala Wildlife Projects

• Turtle Program: protected 19,000 nests and released 940,000 hatchlings
• Feline Program: 25 years of documentation of Jaguar and Puma, with the largest ocelot population in the NeoTropics
• Crocodile Program: 30 years working to recover the population. From 18 nests in 1988, to 52 in 2018
• Bird Program: 15 years old, with 3000 birds tagged, across 92 of 270 total species known.

Cuixmala’s turtle release program founded in 1988, is 30 years old this year. It has protected and released into the ocean, with the help of guests, 892,774 turtle hatchlings to date.

From a silent electric lagoon boat it is possible to get mere feet away from exotic Roseate Spoonbills, while under the watchful gaze of iguanas adorning the branches overhead. Tejon, deer and wild boar frequently hold up your travels about the property, wildlife here at Cuixmala owning full right of way.

CUIXMALA ECOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
The Cuixmala Ecological Foundation (FECx) is a non-governmental organization established on May 25th, 1988, to promote activities related to environmental conservation and restoration in Mexico.

A particular aim of the Foundation was to promote the creation of the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve on the coast of Jalisco, given the ecological importance of the area and the variety of environmental services which it offers.

Jointly with the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the National Commission for Protected Areas, the Cuixmala Ecological Foundation attained by Presidential Decree on December 30th, 1993, the creation in Mexico of the first biosphere reserve set aside to protect tropical dry forest, one of the most threatened ecosystems as a result of deforestation and inadequate use of resources.

Since its inception, we in the Cuixmala Ecological Foundation have supported a variety of projects, ranging from habitat conservation (forests and wetlands), threatened species (marine turtles, crocodiles, jaguars, pumas, parrots), through to the application of organic agriculture and forestry plantations as alternatives for sustainable use.

Likewise we have implemented diverse activities of environmental education and outreach with local communities and governmental bodies. We continue to be motivated in supporting actions which influence the conservation of this important region on the Pacific coast of Mexico.

OUR MISSION
The Cuixmala Ecological Foundation is committed to the conservation of nature. It is of the utmost importance for us to contribute to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in the region.

Of particular concern is the conservation of species, ecosystems, and ecological processes which occur in the Chamela-Cuixmala Reserve, as well as promoting the rational and sustainable use of natural resources through effective medium and long-term strategies.

Website: www.cuixmala.com

Rooms: 23

Price: from 589 EUR per night