Boca de Agua

Boca de Agua by Frida Escobedo embodies an architecture of lightness and reverence. It shows how design can quietly withdraw to let nature prevail, creating a harmony between architecture and landscape. Raised among the trees, the structures hover above the forest floor, their weightless stance a gesture of humility and care. The restrained palette of wood and muted tones becomes a canvas for light and shadow, turning each surface into a living register of the surrounding lagoon and jungle. This monochrome simplicity does not diminish richness, but heightens it, allowing air, water, and foliage to shape the experience as much as the built form. Here, architecture becomes less about constructing and more about revealing - an affirmation that the most essential gestures, when shaped with sensitivity, can resonate deeply. Boca de Agua reminds us how presence can be found in lightness, and how restraint can transform into abundance.

Located by the magical Laguna de los Siete Colores (Lagoon of the Seven Colors), Boca de Agua blends into the generosity and exuberance of the Yucatán Peninsula. The conception of this project which opened its doors in November 2023, is built upon the desire to create a place that contributes to environmental, social, and cultural regeneration, while offering its guests an equally regenerative, unique and relaxing experience in spaces designed by the renowned architect Frida Escobedo, who recently undertook the redesign of the modern and contemporary wing of the MET in NY.

Boca de Agua offers treehouse accommodations that float on pillars to avoid covering the ground and reduce the environmental impact. The spaces are designed to allow guests to share space with the mostly intact jungle, including the wildlife that freely roams the property. The 26 accommodations, where wood, natural light, and neutral tones take center stage, merge with the magic that Bacalar's heart offers. The entire construction is designed to age naturally over time and tell its own story.

Enrolled within the framework of regenerative tourism, the project also aims to contribute positively to social inclusion, local economic development, and nature conservation, by merging principles of environmental responsibility with an inspiring environment and a careful design of the experience Boca de Agua aims to offer to its guests.

With references to local culture, the common areas serve as visual anchors in the landscape. A series of passages connect these spaces with the villas, the pool area, and recreational and relaxation areas. The experience's design functions as a modern reflection of the traditional social centers with stone temples and wooden houses of the Yucatán region.

One of the key pillars of Boca de Agua is its strong commitment to the community and local environment. Since its inception, the project has worked closely with regional artisans, who have created exclusive pieces for the hotel using recycled materials, such as leftover wood from a local plywood factory. This approach not only promotes sustainability but also supports the local economy, involving Mexican brands like Bandido Studio, Cacao Design, Nossara Towel, and Hacha Ceramics, among others, to design interiors that capture the essence of the area.

Boca de Agua offers scientifically backed therapeutic programs that include nature therapies, allowing guests to experience the healing and restorative power of the earth itself throughguided exploration of the natural world. A dopamine reset applies scientific methodologies to discover healthier and more sustainable sources of satisfaction, benefiting from the disconnection that Boca de Agua offers. Ancestral rituals complemented by modern scientific knowledge enhance the Boca de Agua experience.

Thanks to the construction on pillars, over 90% of the land remained intact. Local Chicozapote wood was used, sourced from a forest logging program certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Additionally, the property has a wastewater treatment plant for specific on-site uses, ensuring that no waste ends up in the lagoon.

In the field of conservation, Boca de Agua stands out as the only project in Bacalar with a rehabilitated mangrove ecosystem by the lagoon. This initiative, developed in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and local universities, reflects the hotel’s deep commitment to environmental regeneration. Together with the NGO Mono Araña, which studies and protects the spider monkeys that inhabit the area, Boca de Agua works on the preservation and expansion of their natural habitat.

Additionally, the hotel has partnered with Ammper, a company specializing in renewable energy, to ensure that its operations are as environmentally friendly as possible. This comprehensive approach not only guarantees a positive impact on the natural environment but also strengthens Boca de Agua's commitment to truly regenerative tourism, leaving a positive mark on local communities and the region's biodiversity.