Although I vowed to stay home all summer, a few temptations lured me from my garden! My favorite Four Seaons GM, known as Irishman, invited me to enjoy Naviva, come when I am there…which is summer! Hot and humid and rainy! But when he says, visit, I fly!
It’s a quick three-hour flight, landing in Puerto Vallarta. The Four Seasons ‘Birdies’ know all my favorites… I love a chilled Cerveza on arrival – to me, it says you have arrived in Mexico! I may not even finish it; it’s just my little tradition! A baby bottle of beer and snacks were offered in the car!
Passing through colorful quaint rural villages, I felt at home – travel truly feeds my soul, suddenly excited to be in Mexico! I find travel the absolute essential antidote to everyday routines. Away from my lovely little world, away from schedules. I let out a sigh of relief and let the pure sense of excitement wash over me.
I stayed at my ‘home’, Four Seasons Punta Mita for a night to see all that is new: always in my ocean front suite with plunge pool. Waves crashing below, door open for the breeze and sound of surf. The arrival sets the stage, the Four Seasons ‘Birdies’ share my desires and secrets, so many little ‘Birdies’ who know my needs! Am I spoiled here? Si! But so are our clients!
Always a refreshing welcome drink, a yummy fruit concoction garnished with a popsicle, was enhanced with a splash of Mezcal! Si si! Greeted by my pal, Irishman, the dear GM who is admired by everyone he knows. The Irish poet, artist and Hotelier Extraordinaire! Hola and welcome – visit the new villas, enjoy a nap and see you for dinner! This is a Work Trip, after all!
A brief escape, for a couple of days in the humid summer heat of Punta Mita to explore all that is new in the Americas! I had a sneak peek before Naviva opened and this is my first stay in the amazing adults only, fully inclusive Glamping Tent resort affiliated with the iconic Four Seasons Punta Mita. This five-star property has always been our client Number One go to for years and now there is another reason to visit!
Naviva Tent Camp is mere minutes from the main hotel, but it feels miles away from civilization! A nature retreat featuring 15 luxury Glamping Tents nestled amid 48 forested acres on a private peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the unrivalled Naviva experience creates an environment that allows guests to mingle or isolate and absorb the sights and sounds of nature, undisturbed in an untamed jungle oasis.
Hiking, fishing, stargazing, yoga, meditation or just plain sitting quietly with a book and catching your breath and balance. Disconnect or if you must, the Four Seasons resort is a golf buggy away, Naviva is only for registered guests, the main hotel guests don’t have access, this is a private commune with nature! During your stay, a complimentary massage and other complimentary activities are offered to each guest.
With only 15 luxury tents designed by Luxury Frontiers – all with private plunge pools – Naviva is one of the smallest Four Seasons resorts in the world. The Resort’s transformative approach and certified Naviva guides come together to create a high-touch, yet unassuming adult-only experience, the name translates to “love of life or living things.”
The natural setting is wild jungle, interspersed with massive boulders, cascading waterfalls and of course, the sparkling Pacific, a stone’s throw away. One does feel like you are sitting on the edge of the world, the horizon extends forever…a fishing boat may bob on the waves or in winter your view, will include whales passing by!
Luxury Frontiers designed the spaces of each tent. My favorite tent, #7, near a massive Ceiba Tree, with the name Alas, means Wings in Spanish, perfect for me! The larger footprint tent included an open-air safari type tent room, which has screens but not AC, set up as a comfy place to lounge or enjoy cocktails. The bedroom with AC and glass walls overlooking the ocean is the perfect size for two guests. Each tent features spacious indoor and outdoor areas that seamlessly blend together. A sweeping deck bordered my deep private plunge pool, the perfect sunset viewing location… bobbing in the pool as birds soar, frigate birds hunting for dragonfly dinner, swoop across the deep jungle below my pool. At dusk, I think a bat tucked up into the roof line of my tent. Nature, including hundreds of butterflies, are your only neighbors. Gaze from your lounger or sway in the gigantic white cotton hammock. Luxurious in feel, yet not fussy.
A large bathroom with deep soaking tub has unobstructed views of the sparking sea and the winter whales. Just outside the bathroom is an outdoor shower, between my plunge pool and the outdoor shower, I was refreshed all day long!
On arrival, guests are immediately immersed in the outdoors, meeting their guide on a cocoon-inspired bamboo bridge overlooking a deep forest ravine. The bamboo bridge has small platforms jutting over a mini canyon waterfall, the end of the roof line suggests a curved Frank Geary copper rooftop. It’s petite, but quite majestic.
Authentic local experiences with a sense of place are offered to guests. Daily life at Naviva is tailored to the whims of each guest with certified Naviva guides. Unscripted Naviva experiences such as sampling small-batch Mexican coffees, stargazing, and joining in sunset rituals, are among spontaneous activities for guests to pursue at the exclusive Resort.
Guests can also enjoy Signature Naviva experiences that bring the character, heritage and expertise of local talent and tradition to the forefront, such as visiting award-winning local artist Jose Juan Esparza at his private home and studio, nocturnal forest bathing, sound therapy and breathwork.
Journeys for the Mind, Body and Soul. Deviating from traditional hotel wellness offerings, Naviva offers a series of intimate spaces including two spa pods tucked away in the lush forest, a traditional Mexican temazcal or “house of heat,” an outdoor gym, a serene jungle oasis at the Alma Pool and a private 575-foot expanse of pristine Pacific beachfront – a calming place to practice yoga or mindfulness.
Naviva also gives guests the opportunity to focus fully on their physical wellbeing. Workouts at Naviva include cliffside yoga sessions at Risco Terrace, scenic hiking and running trails, and strength training in the outdoor open-air gym overlooking the Pacific, where guests can incorporate existing formations such as boulders and trees, connecting to nature with every stretch and every breath.
Dining: Rustic luxury is brought to life overlooking the coastal seascapes of the Pacific at Copal, the heart of Naviva. More than simply a restaurant, the shared space is designed to evoke the feeling of being in a living room and kitchen of a private home, inviting guests to gather for games, reading, conversation, ideas, and music. No set dining hours, no set menu, this is your casa, and you tell the chef what you are craving!
At Copal Cocina, not only do you see the live cooking energy of the open-air kitchen, which is at the center of the space and features all natural open-fire cooking methods with traditional BBQ pits, wood-fire grill rotisseries and wood-fire ovens. Met the chefs, chat about what is fresh from the sea or the garden. Bountiful sea catches and seasonal produce are the inspiration and foundation of fresh daily offerings.
One afternoon, I wandered into Copal for a Mezcal class, solo class, at my pace. Chef Miike knew I only eat fish, he said come look – the fisherman who provides catch of the day is offshore. With binoculars, we saw a speck in the waves – moments later the fisherman who fishes with a spear gun appeared in the kitchen with a massive catch for dinner! He is a special diver who utilizes the rare Japanese method of killing the fish. Ikejime is a Japanese term for the immediate killing of a live fish. The technique, results in a high-quality fish product and is considered the most humane way of killing a fish, it enhances the quality and flavor of seafood. Gwen – pick out your dinner!
I was spoiled, the Jungle Birdies alerted the teams on my favorite beverage’s, snacks and even my Friday Night Popcorn and Champagne addiction – nothing is sacred! After dinner, Charlie knocked on my door with hot buttered popcorn and a flute of Champagne! Dinner at Copal was fun and amazingly delicious. Garden salads, divine fresh tuna, a foamy soup, tempted me to lick the bowl! Plates of fresh vegetables, yummy fruit-based desserts, with staff and chef nearby to describe each delectable dish. Where else do you have the chef and team within feet of your table, and a background of dramatic ocean views?
Since it is summer, the rainy season, somehow it usually rains at night not during the day. Irishman and I dined through a thunder and lightening spectacle that was astonishing, truly an epic display of Mother Nature at her Very Best, within feet of our table! The wait staff described each dish while massive bolts of lightning lit up the ocean behind them, thunder bellowed, and they never flinched! We jumped out of our chairs before the torrential down pour. So good in so many ways!
On Mexico’s Pacific coast, within the Riviera Nayarit, Naviva is located at the northern tip of Bahía de Banderas on the same peninsula as Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Just 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, this self-contained paradise is nestled within a 48-acre cliffside jungle.
Fully Inclusive – Luxury tents include all meals and snacks at any time of the day throughout the Resort, 24-hour in-tent dining, pool and beach service, all beverages including premium wine and spirits, one 60-minute spa treatment per guest, community activities, mind and body classes, Unscripted Naviva experiences, guide planning and in-tent amenities. Signature Naviva experiences, rare or specialty-ordered beverages, additional spa treatments, private classes or training, and airport transfers are available for an additional cost. Our clients receive VIP amenities.
Naviva guests also receive full access to the adjacent Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, located just five minutes away. The Resort features ten restaurants and bars, two golf courses, three pools, two beaches and additional spa and fitness facilities.
I grew up fishing and thought shore casting would be a fun casual activity. Chris had the rods set up on the sand, mentioned the tide was racing in rapidly and hard due to a previous day tropical storm. First wave smacked and soaked me, I withstood it, but as I sank into the wet sand, I realized my metal knee, deep sand and the strong surf would be a bit daunting! I prevailed with Chis running to prop me as each wave hit. Casting was fun and strenuous and fruitless, no fish for me! He was a great sport and instructor, all very casual and spirited!
This beach is not a swimming beach; you can go to the Four Seasons hotel for safer swimming! But the beach is a divine location for a romantic dinner. Staff sets up a lovely table at the base of the steps and serves your private dinner on the sand!
A newish program called Unplugged brings in Grammy winning artists, celebrated songwriters and rising star musicians for a private evening of music. I wandered to Copal, found a comfy chair and enjoyed a fabulous live acoustic performance by Anderson East, a young Nashville singer, it was such a treat to sit 10 feet away, the crashing sea to my right and jungle surrounding the open-air living room. Rosa who taught my Mezcal class, sent a scrumptious cocktail and Charlie served yummy appetizers…no fanfare, just enchanting music in an intimate setting. It was extraordinary!
I ran into a travel pal whom I had not seen in years, he and his husband were staying a week, they love it! I only saw them again when I was departing; with only 15 tents, it is unlikely you will see other guests. Literally hidden in the jungle, the pool area was always deserted when I meandered. The three-tiered pool is perched below colossal palm trees, each pool pod set amid jungle fronds and enormous boulders. Forget your reading material, a basket of books sits next to the sunblock lotion!
My Nature massage was over the top relaxing; Ivette is a wonder woman masseuse. To reach the Massage Pod, follow a curved path to a hidden door which conceals the elevated massage chamber… two beds if you are inclined to share the experience. Incense, sage and herbal oils set the stage – your intention is drawn from an array of colorful cards. I randomly selected one and held it near me. My card read: I connect with People who make me happy. I attract Wonderful people into my life. I choose to be around people who make my heart.
I would return in a heartbeat, Naviva is a magical experience! Gracias to the Jungle Birdies for paving my path!
Highly Recommend!
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