By Michael Holtz, SmartFlyer
Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort, is Four Seasons’ first adults-only tented resort in the Americas. Just 15 private bungalows sit on a 48-acre forested peninsula at the northern tip of BahÃa de Banderas in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). Stays are all-inclusive and shaped around each guest by a dedicated Guide.
SmartFlyer’s Michael Holtz went onsite for DG Amazing Experiences. Below: the two bungalow types, the pool and spa, the dining, who the resort suits best, and how to book.
Naviva at a glance
| Location | Northern tip of BahÃa de Banderas, Riviera Nayarit, on Mexico’s Pacific coast |
| Nearest airport | Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), about 45 minutes away |
| Setting | 48 acres of coastal forest on a private peninsula |
| Rooms | 15 private tented bungalows, each with a plunge pool |
| Guests | Adults only |
| Dining | All-inclusive: meals, beverages and culinary experiences included |
| Wellness | Spa pods, temazcal, sound healing, yoga and meditation |
| Book through | SmartFlyer: leisure@smartflyer.com |
What is Naviva like?
Naviva is built around biophilic design, an architectural approach that fosters a deeper connection between people and their surroundings. Open-air spaces, locally inspired materials and seamless indoor-outdoor living keep guests in touch with the sights, sounds and rhythms of the forest and the Pacific.
The experience starts the moment you arrive. Guests cross a cocoon-inspired bamboo bridge suspended above a forest ravine, then meet their dedicated Guide, who shapes the stay around their interests. The result is a restorative escape that feels deeply connected to the destination.
Who is Naviva best for?
Naviva suits adults who want to reconnect with nature and with themselves. It is especially well suited to a wellness-focused escape built around transformative experiences such as the temazcal ceremony, sound healing and yoga. More adventurous travelers can add hiking, fishing and paddle tennis.
Naviva bungalows: Ocean View vs. Ocean View Grand
Every bungalow is designed to blur the line between indoors and out, with expansive outdoor living space, a private plunge pool and a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape. The Ocean View Grand Bungalow adds more room, an oversized plunge pool, a multi-level deck, a fire pit lounge and panoramic ocean views.
| Ocean View Bungalow | Ocean View Grand Bungalow | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1,259 sq ft | 1,721 sq ft |
| Layout | Canvas-covered living room and separate bedroom | Spacious living room and separate bedroom |
| Pool | Private plunge pool | Oversized plunge pool |
| Outdoor space | Spacious deck with outdoor shower and hammock | Two-tier deck with lounge area and fire pit |
| Climate | Sliding glass wall: natural breezes or air conditioning | Sliding glass wall: natural breezes or air conditioning |
Ocean View Grand Bungalow (1,721 sq ft)
The Grand Bungalows span 1,721 square feet: an extra-large sanctuary hidden in the forest, with ocean views between the trees. A spacious living room and separate bedroom sit behind a sliding glass wall, so you can choose natural breezes or air conditioning. Outside, an oversized plunge pool and an expansive two-tier deck come with a lounge area and fire pit.
Ocean View Bungalow (1,259 sq ft)
At 1,259 square feet, the Ocean View Bungalow pairs a shaded, canvas-covered living room with a separate bedroom, again behind a sliding glass wall for breezes or air conditioning. The sunny deck has your own plunge pool, an outdoor shower and a hammock.
Pool, gym and wellness activities
Naviva’s Selva Pool winds through the tranquil forest surrounding the resort, a peaceful place to cool off while staying immersed in nature. Overlooking the Pacific, the open-air gym is built into the natural landscape around existing rock and boulder formations.
For mind and body, the cliffside Risco Terrace hosts yoga, meditation, sound healing and other experiences, and a network of self-guided hiking and running trails crosses the property. Guests can also use the fitness facilities at the adjacent Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
The spa at Naviva
Naviva’s cocoon-like spa pods were inspired by the seed of the local Ceiba tree, and treatments draw on the healing properties of local ingredients, including clays and colored gemstones found throughout Mexico.
The House of Heat is one of our favorites: a traditional yet customized temazcal experience that varies in intensity. The Refuge Retreat is another highlight, a fully immersive five-hour experience to enjoy alone or with a partner.
Dining at Naviva: Copal Cocina and the bar
Copal Cocina is Naviva’s open-air kitchen, where wood-fired cooking, fresh local ingredients and the bounty of Mexico’s Pacific coast take center stage. In keeping with Naviva’s all-inclusive philosophy, meals, beverages and culinary experiences are included, and you dine when you like rather than on a set schedule. Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktail specials showcase seasonal ingredients and regional flavors, and the culinary team will personalize dishes to each guest’s tastes.
The bar at Copal Cocina is relaxed and intimate, serving craft cocktails inspired by the flavors and traditions of Mexico. Try the Mezcalita, a guest favorite made with mezcal, citrus and local ingredients. Raicilla, the region’s ancestral agave spirit, is another must-try, with tastings and experiences that celebrate its deep roots in Pacific coast culture.
How to book Naviva
For more information or to plan a stay, contact SmartFlyer at leisure@smartflyer.com.
Naviva FAQ
Yes. Naviva is an adults-only resort and Four Seasons’ first adults-only tented resort in the Americas.
Naviva sits on a private peninsula at the northern tip of BahÃa de Banderas in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
Yes. Meals, beverages and culinary experiences are included throughout your stay, and you dine on your own schedule at Copal Cocina, the open-air kitchen.
Naviva has 15 private tented bungalows: the 1,259-square-foot Ocean View Bungalow and the larger 1,721-square-foot Ocean View Grand Bungalow. Every bungalow has its own plunge pool.
Highlights include the temazcal ceremony, the House of Heat temazcal treatment, the five-hour Refuge Retreat, sound healing, and yoga and meditation on the cliffside Risco Terrace.
Yes, for fitness: Naviva guests have access to the fitness facilities at the adjacent Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
Contact SmartFlyer, whose Michael Holtz reviewed the resort for DG Amazing Experiences, at leisure@smartflyer.com.
More from Mexico’s Pacific coast: Punta Mita and Puerto Vallarta’s Best Villas and Top Villas in Los Cabos.
