Best Luxury Resorts in Mexico: Careyes Review [2024 Update]

Best resorts in Mexico for couples — One of the many clifftop villas at Careyes

As you all know, I basically live in hotels. I think after 15 years of being a travel writer, I’ve probably stayed at more than 500 of them. After a while most hotels — even the great ones — can blend together. So when one sticks out as brightly as Careyes, you keep finding reasons to go back to one of the best luxury resorts in Mexico.

Careyes is one of the most unique resorts I’ve ever stayed at in Mexico. In fact, it’s not really even a resort, per say. It’s a community. And if you’re reading this before April 2024, it’s where David and I have been living for the winter. Made up of elegantly designed villas, colorful casitas, beach bungalows, and apartment-style suites, this hidden gem on the Costalegre, two hours south of the Puerto Vallarta hotels, is curiously mesmerizing.

Best resorts in Mexico for honeymoons — Careyes sits on 20,000 acres of preserved land.

Those who own in the Careyes community are typically artists, designers, entrepreneurs, creatives, yogis, spiritualists, and the like. They are drawn to the windswept beaches — because Careyes sits on 36,000 acres of preserved land, only 2 percent of which is developed. The entire development was the brainchild of Gian Franco Brignone, an Italian banker who created a hideaway in the jungle and on the beach back in the 1960s. Today it is one of the most effortlessly chic spots in Mexico, and one that I’ve always said you have to see to believe. The resort is not adults-only, but I would say it is both one of the best resorts in Mexico for couples and one of the best resorts in Mexico for honeymoons.

It’s so uniquely its own thing that it may not be as easy to review it the way I typically review hotels, but let’s give it a try. Should you be intrigued enough to book a stay, you can do so here.

Careyes Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

Best Luxury Resorts in Mexico: The Vibe of Careyes

Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

It’s difficult to put into words just how…wonderfully unusual Careyes is. You would not know it was there, unless you were specifically looking for it. Tucked on the other side of a hill from the highway, once you cross down into the community, prepare to pick your jaw up off of the floor.

What’s interesting about Careyes is that it offers so many different vibes. There are the luxe, clifftop villas, the colorful casitas, which look like you’ve stepped out of Mexico and into the Cinque Terre, and the sleek, minimalist and modern apartment suites, which are the most “resort-style” rooms on the property.

And then there is the nature. So much nature. Along the protected coastline that belongs to Careyes are hidden beaches, swimmable coves, bird habitats, turtle sanctuaries, an equestrian club, and so many other dreamy pockets waiting to be discovered.

Oh! Don’t forget the festivals and events. Careyes throws some epic parties, like its Onda Linda arts festival on the beach (akin to Burning Man but on a much smaller scale). It also throws a film festival, a Polo tournament, and a celebration for Lunar New Year.

When I say this is one of the best luxury resorts in Mexico, I do not say it lightly.

Puerto Vallarta hotels — The infinity pool at Careyes is simply stunning.

Best Resorts in Mexico: The Amenities at Careyes

Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

One of the best things at Careyes are its amenities. There is just so much to do. The infinity pool is simply stunning, stretching out overlooking the Pacific. Careyes also has dozens of beaches to choose from, whether you get there by land or via panga. Playa Rosa is the closest thing to a “beach club,” as it sits right on the beach. It’s an all-day dining venue, splashed in bold pink and orange hues. The bungalows are right next to Playa Rosa. These cozy rooms open up directly to the beach.

Other activities you can do at Careyes are yoga classes, sound bath healing, horseback riding, eco tours, architecture tours. If you can dream it up, it exists at Careyes.

One thing to note is that if you are staying in the villas or in the colorful casitas, you will have to purchase a day pass to use the pools at the El Careyes Club. Day passes are around $25-30 USD. Most of the villas, however, have their own pools and many of the multi-bedroom casitas do, too. For guests of El Careyes Club & Residences, the use of the pool is included.

Best Resorts in Mexico for Couples: The Rooms at Careyes

Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

To reiterate, there is no one style of room at Careyes. It really depends on what vibe you’re chasing. Of course, the most opulent are the villas, which are owned but rented out when not being lived in. No two villas are alike, and all have wonderful names like Nido de Amor, Constellation Dragon, Casa Selva, Casita Carioca, among others. Most villas are multi-bedroom with infinity pools and epic views out to the Pacific. There are also two “Ocean Castles” that sit like sentries on two mountaintops on either end of a secluded bay. These mirror-image castles are the only evidence you’ll see of Careyes from the road.

The casitas are the most charming. These colorful homes tumble down the hillside like a scene right out of Portofino. Cozy in size, but fully equipped, the casitas are centrally located between Playa Rosa and the main pool of the community. We have been staying in a two-bedroom casita and I have been in love with the romantic vibe and atmosphere of this section of the community. Around the main pool are the apartment-style suites, which are called El Careyes Club & Residences. I’ve stayed in these sleek rooms, which are the closest to the pool and La Duna restaurant.

I have also stayed in the cute bungalows. These are the smallest rooms at Careyes, but I find them to be perfect, especially for two friends or a couple. They are the closest to Playa Rosa and the rooms open up directly to the beach.

Careyes is ideal for romance travel, and the rooms are why I consider it to be one of the best resorts in Mexico for couples.

Best Resorts in Mexico for Honeymoons: The Dining at Careyes

Overall Score: Best Ever

Yes. The coveted “Best Ever” has been bestowed upon the chefs at Careyes. Every single restaurant here (and there are seven) is next level. Though not one of the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, I found the prices to be extremely fair, especially considering the quality and level of service. It’s not always the case at the best luxury resorts in Mexico.

Playa Rosa is a must for breakfast. Although, lunch at Playa Rosa is equally epic. And who am I kidding? Dinner here is fantastic, too. You’ll find a selection of Mexican classics and European fare. The ceviche and carpaccio are particularly excellent.

La Duna is another favorite, especially for lunch. If you happen to be there on a night when Careyes is serving sushi, absolutely make a reservation. The sushi experience at Shio was one of the most phenomenal dining experiences I have had. You will not be sorry if you book the 14-course omakase.

Perhaps my favorite dining spot at Careyes is Casa de Nada. Tucked away on a desolate beach, you’d have to go looking for it to know it was there. The humble beach shack serves a selection of snacks, toes-in-the-sand style. This is one of the best spots for a casual cocktail at sunset, and the firepit certainly adds to the ambiance.

2024 update: This year I was fortunate enough to try the new Lilo Beach Club, and it is spectacular. With a wood-fired pizza oven flown in from Italy, you can expect next-level pizzas on the beach here. They also have tacos, ceviche, and salads, but the pizzas are sublime.

Best Luxury Resorts in Mexico: The Wellness at Careyes

Overall Score: Extremely Memorable

The way the numbers work out, the wellness is actually “Above Average” because the gym is nothing to write home about. That said, I’m making an executive decision to overlook that because wellness is one of the main reasons you’re coming to Careyes.

Everyone at Careyes is interested in some sort of wellness, from yoga and healing sound baths to meditation, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, etc. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone at Careyes that isn’t fit and/or looking for new ways to search within. The wellness swings a little too “woo” for my style, but for those who are into it, you’ll find it’s one of the best in all of Mexico. And now that I’ve been living here, I find a little “woo” is good for everyone now and then.

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