Where To Find Your Home Away From Home In Puerto Escondido

With miles of pristine Pacific beach, unspoiled nature and a relaxed pace of life, Puerto Escondido is a hidden gem worth discovering on Mexico’s Oaxacan coast. It’s got intense waves that surfers love and a bohemian feel that appeals to the free spirit inside of every traveler. Talk about bliss.

But if you want to make the most of your experience, you’ll need to find somewhere to stay that’s as special and charming as the destination itself. Enter Vivo Resorts, a beachfront condo community with vacation rentals less than half an hour from the airport. Between the eager-to-please staff, the friendly community and the abundant services and amenities, Vivo exudes genuine hospitality that makes guests feel instantly welcome. And the resort’s turtle release program might become the most memorable part of your trip.

Looking for a place to stay on your next trip to Puerto Escondido? Here are five reasons why Vivo Resorts should be your home away from home.

Spacious, Unique Rooms

When planning any trip, travelers typically have to choose between a traditional hotel room and an Airbnb. But at Vivo Resorts, you get the best of both worlds. The resort offers one-, two- and three-bedroom condos that spoil visitors with tons of privacy, spacious living quarters, full kitchens and in-unit washing machines. Each of the privately owned condos has its own distinctive personality—some are airy and beach-inspired with seashell-themed decor, while others exude warmth with wooden furniture and local art—giving you a one-of-a-kind experience you can often only find through apartment rentals. However, unlike Airbnb, Vivo has a dedicated staff on hand to provide daily housekeeping, bring up fresh towels and make any necessary repairs. The roomy accommodations and ample amenities make Vivo an ideal place for family reunions, girlfriend getaways and couples.

Sense of Community

Vivo offers a true sense of community that you won’t find elsewhere. This is a place where long- and short-term guests get to know each other. You’ll never have trouble finding friends for a pick-up game of water volleyball in the massive central pool, or a drinking buddy at the swim-up bar in the adults-only pool, tucked behind one of the residential buildings. Everyone sings and dances together when cover bands perform classic rock hits in the Clubhouse during the evenings. And if you want to cheer on your favorite sports team with other fans, the on-site sports bar, Mezcalina’s, is the place to go. There’s an overall sense of friendliness and congeniality at Vivo that’s rarely seen at other resorts.

While the guests themselves certainly make the place feel welcoming, it’s impossible to underestimate the positive impact the caring staff makes on the Vivo community. The servers at Ernesto’s Farm-to-Table Restaurant have an impeccable memory for each guests’ dietary needs and preferences, and they’ll recommend the perfect Oaxacan dish for you to try at every meal. The resort staff will even stock your kitchen with groceries, if you send along a shopping list ahead of your arrival. And if there’s something amazing happening at the resort, they’ll let you know about it in a very special way: Blowing into a conch. Keep your ears open—the horn could indicate anything from a whale sighting or a turtle release to happy hour. No matter what it is, you won’t want to miss out.

Al Fresco Spa With a Special Touch

Vivo takes full advantage of Puerto Escondido’s perpetually gorgeous weather at its on-site wellness center, Senses Spa By Elaina. The spa offers body treatments in gorgeous outdoor cabanas, with massage tables draped with colorful Mexican blankets and flanked by curtains that let in the breeze. There’s also a relaxing al fresco lounge area with soothing water features. But the crown jewel of Senses Spa By Elaina is the traditional Oaxacan sweat lodge. Book a session in the domed structure and see if you don’t come out feeling purified and enlightened. 

Turtles That Touch Your Heart

Vivo runs a sea turtle conservation program that will warm your heart. The staff of conservationists walk the beach at night, collecting recently laid eggs and bringing them to a nearby sea turtle sanctuary (sponsored by the Vivo Foundation) for incubation. Resort guests get an up-close view of the entire conservation effort. Case in point: On a recent visit in November, staff encouraged guests to head down to the beach when a nearly 5-foot-long leatherback nested on the sand around midnight. The conservationists kept everyone at a safe distance, and when the turtle was comfortable, they allowed guests to watch as she laid dozens of golf ball-sized eggs. It was an incredible experience that guests will remember long after they’ve left Vivo Resorts.

Even if you don’t get the chance to see a sea turtle nesting, though, you can still interact with these creatures during one of Vivo’s regular turtle releases. The conservationists will hand you a couple of just-hatched sea turtles in a shell and allow you to release them into the sea at sunset. There’s nothing quite as meaningful on a beach vacation as watching the shelled babies dart to the sea. To date, the resort has helped save and release more than 300,000 turtles and counting.

Close to All the Action

Vivo Resorts has that off-the-beaten-path feel that charms travelers. With that being said, it’s not far from any of the action in Puerto Escondido. It has a shuttle that will take you downtown, where you’ll find a market with handmade crafts, fresh produce and tons of local foods to try (don’t miss the Oaxacan cheese or the mole sauce!). Vivo can also help you arrange excursions throughout the region. Whether you want to learn to surf at one of Puerto Escondido’s famous beaches, see dozens of species of birds on Laguna Manialtepec, tour a cocoa plantation or go whale watching, Vivo will make it happen.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.