Majahuitas

Laid-back hideaway accessible only by boat, with 8 open-air casitas hidden among tropical greenery and overlooking a pristine beach

Pile your luggage into a motorized panga and kiss the ‘real world’ goodbye. Twenty minutes later you’re stepping out onto the beach in a secluded cove 13 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, greeted by the smiling staff at Majahuitas (pronounced mah-ha-WEE-tas). This Swiss Family Robinson-style cluster of solar-powered casitas is tucked into a lush jungle setting and backed by forested hills. There are no phones, no TVs - not even a plug socket for your hairdryer.

Guests who arrive crackling with BlackBerry-fuelled angst quickly mellow to the persistent thump of the surf and the quiet rustle of the coconut palms. Each morning a pot of coffee magically appears by your door, and breakfast is a platter of tropical fruits accompanied by an ocean view. The day is yours: borrow a kayak or snorkel gear, book a massage or a zip-lining tour, or simply sprawl out on your sun lounger, raising your flag when you’re thirsty for a Margarita. At sunset, follow a candlelit path to a dinner on the beach. This is the life!

Highs

• The perfect crescent-shaped white-sand beach and the crystal-clear emerald sea are ideal for swimming, kayaking and snorkeling
• It’s an ideal hideaway for romantics looking for pure relaxation, or adventurous families - the atmosphere is friendly and informal, with 4 well-trained Labrador Retrievers in residence
• There are just 8 casitas, all with sea views
• Three delicious meals are included in the daily rate, and there’s a full bar
• You’re surrounded by nature - fall asleep to the sound of waves, listen to parakeets in the mango trees, go whale-watching in season, and watch newly-hatched sea turtles making their way to the sea

Lows

• Day-trippers from Puerto Vallarta arrive on a mock pirate ship at around 11am. Beaches in Mexico can’t be privately owned, so there’s little the resort can do to stop them; however they're not allowed to use the resort's facilities, keep to one end of the beach and are usually gone by 1pm
• The lack of mod cons (no phones, electrical sockets, TVs or air conditioning) might not appeal to all, though you can recharge laptop batteries using the generator
• This is a remote location with no road access; if you want to explore beyond the resort you'll need to take a boat or go by foot
• The rustic open-air accommodation means there are visiting bugs and lizards (though there are mosquito nets on the beds)