We invite you to join Tiny Atlas as we embark this spring on a rejuvenating trip to Playa Viva (and our first trip to Mexico!), a retreat destination dedicated to living systems, vibrant communities and to creating a legacy that makes all guests feel proud about their footprint on the environment. Our 5 days will be spent soaking up the beauty of both the incredible location as well as the surrounding areas. Your time will be spent in the ocean, on the beach, reading or relaxing, witnessing sea turtle releases, learning how to make chocolate and tamales, touring the on-site organic farm, horseback riding at sunset and all things water- surfing, swimming, paddleboarding, boating. Toward the end of the trip, you will have an opportunity to experience a local indigenous purification tradition, the “Temazcal” sweat lodge ceremony.
With plenty of free time to explore the area or simply be still, you will have the space and freedom to relax and reset or to maximize your time at this location for beautiful photography. From the moment you set foot on the property, Playa Viva will encourage you to get out of your routine with everything taken care of for you – three delicious farm to table fresh Mexican meals daily; eco-luxury accommodations; and activities perfectly timed for photography. Any level of photographer is welcome as are non-photographers who just want to experience this special off-the-grid beach haven.Playa Viva, México
ITINERARY
Sunrise 7:24 am
Sunset 8:05 pm
Day 1 (Thursday 25th): Arrival
- Airport pickup
- Welcome snack and drinks
- Shoot sunset
- Dinner 8:30pm
- Get to know your new friends and activities
Day 2 (Friday 26th): Local & Community Focus
- Coffee/Tea and light snacks at sunrise
- Farm/Permaculture walking tour or Social Impact/town visit before breakfast
- Late Breakfast 10:00 am
- Beach time/light lunch/beach and nature time
- 6PM Early Dinner
- Horseback riding sunset
- Late dessert and drinks
Day 3 (Saturday 27th) : Adventure
- Either Barra de Potosí Lagoon Kayak / Paddle Board / or Surfing
- Or 4-Wheel ATV Ride to the Laguna de Valentin
- Lunch at Playa Viva
- Beach/journaling time
- 6PM Early dinner
- Sunset shoot
- Late dessert and drinks
Day 4 (Sunday 28th, Easter) : Wellness
- Sunrise Coffee/Tea and light snacks
- AM optional sunrise yoga
- Breakfast at Playa Viva
- Beach time
- Cooking class:making tamales or chocolate
- Time for relaxation/massages
Day 5 (Monday 29th): Last Swims/Leave with memories
- Morning meditation
- Enjoy Playa Viva
- Optional AM Yoga
- Massages
- Breakfast
- Transport to airport
- Lunch (for those with later flights)
INCLUDES
- 5 days and 4 nights beachfront accommodations
- Full itinerary and all listed activities
- Round trip airport transfers
- All Meals (deliciously healthy, home-cooked, and farm to table)
- Coffee/Tea and fresh agua fresca + light snacks offered throughout each day
- 10% Tip to Staff
- All Taxes on above
Based on weather and light the timing and timing and activities may shift
Not Included (optional add-ons):
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages from the bar
- Massages and other spa treatments
- Boutique Purchase
- Additional Excursions not included in this package
Flights: from LAX usually arrive around 3:30PM, Playa Viva is 40 minutes from airport by car.
Additional solo day pricing:
- In shared room: $230 per night (includes all taxes and 10% tip)
- In private room $330 per night (includes all taxes and 10% tip)
- Rates above include all meals, all non-alcoholic beverage, morning yoga class, wi-fi in common areas.
Playa Viva
Playa Viva is unique beachfront regenerative eco-luxury retreat boutique property where travelers come to experience the rugged, unspoiled beauty of Mexico while being fully immersed in a small environmentally and socially conscious resort. Guests have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the gorgeous surrounding nature, volunteer in the turtle sanctuary, give back to the local community, engage in workshops, or just relax completely. As a regenerative resort, every aspect of Playa Viva’s operations attempt to go beyond simple, low-impact interventions. Built on the principle of sustainability, Playa Viva employs permaculture techniques of agriculture, smart water conservation measures, 100% solar energy system, and natural and local building materials and craftsmanship.
Regenerative Resorts
Regenerative Resorts is a collection of independent boutique eco-hotels where people and place co-exist and thrive, making it easier for guests to discover where their vacations and retreats can meet their values. Each selected property has been designed with the ecosystem in mind. All Regenerative Resorts are committed to environmental and ethical practices that go above and beyond certifications. The resorts offers experiences that are meant to be both meaningful and transformational.
Tiny Atlas Quarterly is a lifestyle travel magazine founded in 2012 by photographer Emily Nathan. Today we produce editorial content, trips, photo shows, and are launching our first book My Tiny Atlas: Our World Through Your Eyes on March 26th where books are sold. We have an Instagram community of 145k, and a hashtag #mytinyatlas with over 7 million posts to date.
Photographers Joining our Team at Playa Viva:
Gabe Flores
Gabe Flores is a photographer based in Brooklyn with roots in the Southwest. Gabe's film and digital work resonate with an interplay of pathos and optimism, often tipping the scale towards a found beauty in the natural world and textured mix of honest portraiture of people from all walks of life.
Sophia Roe
Sophia Roe is a New York City based chef, writer, and incredible storyteller with a focus on emotional honesty and connection with her ever growing community who are always checking in with her as a guiding light for food and life inspiration. She has built a strong and loyal fanbase for her actionable advice regarding self-empowerment, authenticity, and choosing happiness in the shadows of one’s past. She is currently writing her first novel, due out in 2020.
Meg Haywood Sullivan
Meg Haywood Sullivan is a photographer & environmentalist who splits her time between shooting campaigns and pushing for environmental stories through editorial features and social platforms. With her degree in Environmental Studies and nearly a decade's worth of experience as an outdoor photographer, Meg is constantly working on projects that inspire the public to care about the planet, while activating a whole new generation of environmentalists, stewards, and voters.
Meg is currently a global ambassador for the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the protection of our oceans through a powerful activist network, an ambassador for Protect Our Winters, the premiere climate advocacy group for the winter sports community, as well an an ambassador for Conservation International. Meg is also a Board member of the Mountains Restoration Trust & a member of the legendary Explorers Club.
Emily Nathan
Emily Nathan is the founder of Tiny Atlas Quarterly magazine and the @tinyatlasquarterly Instagram community as well as the #mytinyatlas hashtag, which has low logged over 7 million posts. Emily has a background in professional lifestyle and advertising photography and is based in Oakland, CA where she lives with her husband and son. Emily is also the author of the new photo book My Tiny Atlas:Our World Through Your Eyes with Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House.
RSVP as soon as possible to guarantee your spot!
All images courtesy of Kayla Mendez, Daniel Camarena and Victoria Gemlen courtesy of Playa Viva