Bienvenidos: Secluded Mexican Hideaways

Photography @littlebitofevery_thing

M

exico certainly isn’t an exotic locale for Americans. But, after a year of exile from much of the rest of the world due to pandemic travel restrictions, many are looking south of the border with a renewed excitement.

However, it is still a pandemic, after all. So we decided to round up some of our favorite private haciendas from across the country that will give you the space to relax and renew safely, away from the crowds.

Whether you’re looking for a wooded hideaway at the foot of Aztec mountains or a contemporary concrete abode just meters from the beach, these properties will be your safe haven and backdrop for much-needed adventure. Vamanos!

A contemporary hacienda sanctuary

Casa Sisal | Acanceh, Yucatan

Just 30 minutes outside of Merida lies this modern architectural gem on the grounds of a 19th-century henequen hacienda. The two-bedroom guest house sits within a verdant green lawn made all the more striking by an infinity-edge swimming pool extending out on one side and a fish-filled lily pond on the other. Casa Sisal’s open floor plan features sliding glass doors that run the length of both sides of the living space, and sleek limestone and plaster interiors are finished with resin from indigenous chukum trees, lending the home a traditional touch. With a fully equipped kitchen and barbecue, organic locally made toiletries and meal service available, it’s the perfect spot to restore and recharge after the year we’ve had.

What’s around:

The wonders of Merida, one of the Yucatan’s most vibrant cities call from beyond these tranquil hacienda walls. Mixing both Mayan and colonial heritage, Merida entices with its bustling local markets, historic zocalo and nearby cenotes and Mayan ruins.

A charming tiny house 200 meters from the sea

Casa Tiny | Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

Simplicity is the name of the game at this modern, minimalist escape for two inspired by Thoreau’s Walden. Stark concrete slabs rise up out of sandy earth while native parota wood shutters provide an element of warmth and contrast. Although it may be small, Casa Tiny has everything you need to unwind: a lofted sleeping area with a view, an extended kitchen island that leads out to a hammock and a pool made for afternoon dips. With nothing in sight but beach scrub and the coastline, you’ll have all the space to breathe and reset.

What’s around:

Oaxaca’s Puerto Escondido is a world-renowned surfing destination, and the famous 3.5 km long Playa Zicatela is just a short drive away. Even if surfing isn’t your thing, the laidback town has plenty of charms, like the Benito Juarez Market for instance, where you can take your pick of local handicrafts and spicy delicacies. You’ll also want to check out the Manialtepec Lagoon which lights up with bioluminescent plankton at night. 

A beachside villa with a thatched roof cabana

Casa Koko | Punta Mita, near Puerto Vallarta

Grand beachfront views, an expansive thatched cabana and an in-house spa with a steam room are just some of the amenities at this luxury villa on the private peninsula of Punta Mita. Ideal for you and your pod, this nine-bedroom retreat draws on Japanese wabi-sabi principles, celebrating irregular shapes and mixing materials like driftwood and sand with smooth stone and stainless steel. A private chef and concierge are also at your service at Casa Koko to ensure no need goes unmet.

What’s around:

While Puerto Vallarta is known more for its fruity drinks and thumping nightlife, there is a quieter alternative to this nearby beach destination. Take a boat from Marina Vallarta to Yelapa Beach where you can relax in a calm cove surrounded by jungle and mountains. For the more adventurous, the Marieta Islands boast world-class scuba diving in a protected marine park.

An enchanting jungle ruin

Hacienda Tixnuc | Samahil, near Merida

With a crumbling stone facade and characteristic veranda archways, Hacienda Tixnuc has the mystique of a grand palace reclaimed by the wilderness. Inside, polished floors and clean, modernist furniture contrast rustic, vine-covered walls while quiet corners ringed by reflecting pools invite moments of quiet contemplation. About an hour from Merida, everything is a step removed from civilization, leaving the surrounding forest and hammocks hung on open terraces to put you in an otherworldly state of mind. The rooftop stargazing platforms offer another opportunity to disconnect and be transported.

What’s around:

November through March, you can spot one of the largest colonies of flamingos in North America at the Reserva de la Biósfera Ría Celestún. Ideal for a day excursion, the wildlife reserve is also home to mangrove forests, hidden cenotes and endangered species like the jaguar. Tours are available from Merida.

A secluded eco-retreat at the foot of a volcano

Casa Etera | Near San Miguel de Allende

Finally, the property worthy of our cover photo. Casa Etera is an off-the-grid hideaway that sits on the rugged slopes of the extinct Palo Huérfano volcano — its architecture a theatre to the nature surrounding the property. There are no walls in this glass hacienda, allowing you to flow from the bed to the bath and the couch seamlessly, all without missing a single opportunity to soak in the sweeping views. As if the locale didn’t make you feel secluded enough, the fact that Casa Etera runs completely off of solar power and collected rainwater emphasizes that you're are truly one with nature here.

What’s around:

There’s really no reason to leave the property. Take a dip in the solar-heated pool or pick pomegranates for lunch. Come evening, enjoy a margarita on the deck and watch the wildlife crawl down the mountain and peek out from the brush. If you’re really itching to explore, you’re just 8-kilometers from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Miguel de Allende.