Discover Puerto Escondido: A Haven for Architecturally Daring Eco-Friendly Hotels
Tucked away in the sun-soaked state of Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido ain't exactly living up to its name - word's out 'bout this swanky Mexican hideaway, attracting tourists from every corner of the globe. But don't let the popularity fool ya, this isn't your average beachy vacation destination. Nestled between the crashing Pacific waves and the towering Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, Puerto Escondido is a place teeming with unique charm, a rugged spirit, and a fiercely guarded ecology.
Don't get me wrong, this breathtaking coastal town's been flaunting its killer surf scenes and vibrant culture for decades, luring architectural powerhouses and design-savvy globetrotters. And, in the last few years, two eye-catching local spots have sent the spotlight soaring: Punta Pájaros, a sparkling, regenerative hub where international architects have been flocking thanks to its innovative and sustainably crafted structures, and Punta Zicatela, the hip and ethical enclave that's become the perfect playground for design-conscious travelers who dig a touch of luxury.
Puerto Escondido's got a fiery edge to it, too. After all, this motherf***er's nestled in one of Mexico's poorest states, where education and infrastructure struggle to keep up with the capital. Plus, those wicked waves along the beaches can make even a casual dip a dicey proposition, and with year-round sun comes scorching heat and the ever-present threat of drought. With a delicate ecosystem prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, strict construction regulations are in place to protect the thriving Puerto Escondido and the surrounding area from being overdeveloped into an overcrowded monstrosity.
Despite the challenges, more and more folks are finding their way to Puerto Escondido, thanks to increased accessibility and growing interest in the area. Could it be a fortunate coincidence that a distinctive, earth-conscious architectural style has cropped up around here recently? A style that embraces ecology while forging this laid-back coastline into a surprising center of design innovation? You betcha.
Combining traditional techniques with local, renewable materials, these site-specific creations aim to melt into the surrounding flora and fauna while minimizing the destructive impact of tourism on the environment. Now, some folks might say that this lifestyle isn't quite the mainstream definition of luxury, but with more people discovering this part of the world, the area's architects are hopeful that they can avoid the pitfalls of overdevelopment and ensure Puerto Escondido's continued evolution as a sustainable and vibrant destination.
An Intentional Community
To truly grasp the current trends in hospitality design, you gotta take a jaunt through the chronicles of Puerto Escondido's architectural history. Back in the '70s, it wasall about keeping this hidden gem under wraps; the government had big plans to transform the site, along with Cancún and Zihuatanejo, into Mexico's next tourist hotbed. But the scheme went up in smoke in 1980, thanks to a local landowner who wasn't keen on sellin' up.
Once hotels started poppin' up along the tourist-friendly Zicatela Beach in the '80s, Mexico City-based developer Rodolfo Ogarrio was able to sneak in Punta Zicatela Ecological Community, a gated neighborhood just a few meters east of the action. With the ambitious objective to safeguard the area's last remaining indigenous forest, Ogarrio 's efforts produced several notable residences from Jaliscan architect Diego Villaseñor, including Casa Roca Rojas (1991), a striking retreat carved into the rocks and steeped in the greenery, with its face exposed to the sea through sweeping arches.
In 2014, Mexico City-born artist Bosco Sodi and compadres brought low-impact, eco-friendly design to a whole new level with Fundación Casa Wabi, creating a hub for innovative, nature-conscious design and opening the door to a fresh architectural chapter in the region. By fixing up this laissez-faire agriculture and promoting sustainable practices, Sodi enlisted none other than Tadao Ando, the esteemed Pritzker Prize-winner, to whip up Casa Wabi, featuring a hard-lined concrete exterior that takes influence from Japanese traditions while embracing openness to the elements. Thanks to its cylindrical observatory, sea air breezes, and open-air workshops, this minimalist marvel has showered fresh ideas upon the coastal design scene.
A New Wave of Hospitality Design
Just a couple months after Ando completed Casa Wabi, Mexico City-based hotelier Grupo Habita had already built the first of many design-savvy lodgings on Sodi's turf: Casa Wabi itself. This partnership of environmentalists, architects, and tastemakers have blazed new trails, melding ancestral forms and customs with geometric precision, embracing nature, and crafting a distinctive style of design that aims to both honor the past and push the boundaries of what's possible.
The arrival of Hotel Escondido in Punta Pájaros marked a pivotal moment, as Federico Rivera Río combined modern, restful minimalism with traditional elements to create a collection of eco-friendly villas adorned with private plunge pools, nestled among local flora. Meanwhile, Kakurega Omakase restaurant showcases a fusion of Japanese and Mexican aesthetic principles, bringing casual dining to new heights amidst lush greenery and an open-air ambience.
Everywhere you turn in Puerto Escondido, you'll find new properties cropping up that are staying true to the ethos of low-impact, natural design. Ambrosi Etchegaray's Casa Volta uses recycled brick from Casa Wabi's workshops and palm wood screens to create a breezy, vaulted retreat, while S-AR's Casa Cosmos offers an anti-seismic grid of concrete and sliding wood panels that's as eye-catching as it is environmentally responsible.
An Urban Oasis
As the new wave of design continues to make its mark, urban centers like Punta Zicatela have begun to embrace eco-conscious principles, too. Grupo Habita is breaking fresh ground with Hotel Humano, a metropolitan property that boasts sleek, modern design while maintaining ties to the local culture and nature, offering urbanites an urban jungle escape where they can unwind and recharge.
But it's not just Grupo Habita making a splash-- enterprising developers from all corners are planting their flags, ready to stake their claim on this eco-friendly land. From Casa TO's interdimensional, windowless expression of tropical brutalism to Xiqué Hotel Boutique's curvaceous, pastel-hued facade and biofiltration system, there's a new movement afoot in Puerto Escondido, and it's showing no signs of slowing down.
Sure, there's always gonna be naysayers who question the future of Puerto Escondido, worried about what the rapid growth and development could mean for this fragile ecosystem. But what if this new wave of design could help shape a city that's not just sustainable, but thriving? As we continue to uncover the secrets of Puerto Escondido, one thing's for damn certain – this gem ain't lost its luster yet.
Thirsty for more travel inspiration? Check out our trip to Mexico's San Miguel de Allende **
In Puerto Escondido, design-conscious travelers explore environmental-science and sustainable architecture at unique spots like Punta Pájaros and Punta Zicatela, blending luxury lifestyle with thoughtful ecological practices. As a result, these architectural creations aim to harmonize with the surrounding flora and minimize the impact of tourism on the environment.
Urban centers like Punta Zicatela are integrating eco-friendly principles into their design, creating an urban oasis for city dwellers seeking a connection with nature, such as Hotel Humano. Developers from various regions are investing in this movement, blurring the lines between design innovation and ecological responsibility, ensuring Puerto Escondido's continued evolution as a thriving, sustainable destination.
