Spread out over a 900-meter stretch of the Caribbean coast of Tulum, Papaya Playa Project possesses a rustic charm and offers guests a sophisticated natural luxury.
BERLIN – With its pristine powder-white sands, azure water, and ancient Mayan ruins, Tulum has fast become the destination of choice in Mexico for travelers the world over. However, for those looking to experience a side of the popular Yucatan coastline less explored, Papaya Playa Project has created the Treehouse – an exceptional exercise in eco-design and sustainability cocooned by the verdant jungle.
Spread out over a 900-meter stretch of the Caribbean coast of Tulum, Papaya Playa Project possesses a rustic charm and offers guests a sophisticated natural luxury. As with the resort’s 85 casitas and cabanas, the new Treehouse has been ecologically built with indigenous materials and age-old Mayan construction techniques. Placing the structure on wooden stilts not only transports guests to the very heart of the jungle – both physically and mentally – but also ensured local flora and fauna went untouched in the construction process, an important factor for Original Emilio Heredia. “Sustainability means life for future generations and integrity for the current one,” says Heredia, “Elevating the structure encourages the growth of jungle plants around the treehouse and ensures the building does not interfere with nature. We wanted to show the utmost respect to all the wildlife living in the jungle when building the treehouse.”
The interiors of the treehouse mirror the visual identity of the resort’s other accommodation and public spaces. Locally sourced materials and recycled wood mingle with simple, no-frills furnishings, while white macrame detailing gives the structure a special charm and unique appearance. The windows offer 360-degree views over the lush jungle and the jade-blue waters of the Caribbean Ocean. Fusing the beach with the jungle was an important element to the location of the structure for Heredia. “Our mission is to promote a holistic and spiritual life, consciously responsible with nature and with the community. We also wanted to create spaces where guests experience the beauty all around them, physically and emotionally.”
Made by Originals
Emilio Heredia has spent the last 30 years dedicated to his own spiritual development through the study of yoga, karate, the Tao, and corporal psychotherapy. His business expertise is equally profound. With degrees in electronic engineering and finance, he has served as chairman of various financial institutions in Mexico and New York. Twelve years ago, Heredia moved to Tulum with the vision of merging his passion for personal development with his financial know-how. The result is a sustainable community that learns from and gives back to the local community.
Situated on a 900-meter stretch of oceanfront paradise on the Carribbean coast of the Mayan Riviera, the barefoot luxury camp has an urban spirit that encourages visitors to come together and be inspired. Renovated by the Design Hotels creative team, the 85 cabanas are all ecological built with local materials including palapa (thatched) roofing, wood/plaster composite walls, and bamboo window coverings. The resort's restaurant overlooks the azure waters, where diners can enjoy locally sourced specialties: along the beach, drinks and snacks are served from late morning until late evening at the resort's Beach Club. In addition to massages and beauty treatments, guests can also enjoy yoga, tai chi, and meditation to complete the holistic circle. All communal areas encourage creative collaboration—there’s even an amphitheater on the beach, where guests can come together to perform, present, or communicate in their chosen fashion with music, readings, inspiring lectures, and more. Papaya Playa Project is a destination for those looking to merge nature, relaxation, and spirituality.
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