One&Only Mandarina occupies 300 acres of jungle-covered hillside on the Riviera Nayarit, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. The property cascades down from clifftop villas to a private beach, with the jungle as thick cover throughout. What makes it distinct is the treehouse concept—some villas are built into the canopy on stilts, others perch on cliff edges with Pacific views, a few sit directly on the sand. The setting is dramatic in a way that photos don't quite capture.

The villas range from one to four bedrooms, each with private infinity pools, and indoor-outdoor living areas that open completely to the jungle or ocean. The treehouse villas feel like living in the canopy—you're at eye level with howler monkeys and birds, with floor-to-ceiling glass on all sides. Cliff villas get the sunset views and feel more open to sky than forest. Beach villas trade elevation for direct sand access. All have outdoor showers, daybeds positioned for the view, and kitchens if you want them stocked. The design is contemporary Mexican with natural materials—stone, wood, palm-thatch roofs—but nothing feels rustic. This is polished luxury that happens to be set in wilderness.

Carao is the main restaurant, doing elevated Mexican with ingredients from the property's organic farm. Jetty Beach Club sits right on the sand and handles lunch and casual dinners well. The spa is built into a hillside with treatment rooms that open to jungle views, and they take the wellness programming seriously—sound healing, temazcal ceremonies, yoga that isn't just for show. There's also a kids' club that's actually thoughtful, designed by child development experts, which matters if you're traveling with family.

The Riviera Nayarit is less developed than the Caribbean side, which is part of the appeal. You're removed from crowds but still have access to surfing towns like Sayulita and the cultural draw of Puerto Vallarta. The property itself encourages you to stay put—between the beach, jungle trails, and villa pools, there's little reason to leave unless you want to.

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