Not many people have heard of Careyes on Mexico’s west coast, hidden away as it is between the tropical forest and the Pacific Ocean. When a visionary Italian businessman named Gian Franco Brignone discovered this wild stretch of land bordered by cliffs in 1968, it was love at first sight.
He immediately recognised its immense potential and went on to create a unique holiday destination, a pleasure-seeker’s hideaway where the spectacular beauty of the site itself is only transcended by its utopian architecture. For years, privileged travellers shared the secret of this colourful and exclusive 25,000-hectare paradise by word of mouth alone.
Careyes’ unique character largely stems from its exuberant buildings – an eclectic collection of castles, houses and multicoloured casitas.
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Each respects the owner’s commitment to the tenets of Mexican vernacular architecture, with straight lines replaced by sensual curves, homes open to the elements, generous terraces and large windows framing the spectacular views.
Because every structure is made from natural, locally sourced materials and crowned with a palapa (a Mexican palm-thatched roof ), even the brightest examples blend into their surroundings.
Two of the most evocative expressions of Careyes’ spirit and style are the private villa Casita Azul, with its walls matching the deep blue of the ocean, and Sol de Oriente. The latter, composed of four independent structures, including a castle (with a 360-degree infinity pool), two bungalows and a tower, is painted a vivid sunflower yellow and is the vision of Brignone and French architect Jean-Claude Galibert.
Today, the Careyes site comprises, in total, around 60 houses, bungalows and the El Careyes Club & Residences. This small, unspoiled ‘principality’ attracts an international community of people looking to interact with the elements and disconnect. Brignone’s four children are carefully preserving the place’s special aura while making sure that the hedonistic spirit instilled by their late father lives on. careyes.com
