Quintana Roo’s Bacalar Lagoon—also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors—is wrapped in dense vegetation, including mangroves, and a kaleidoscope of colors emanating from the water.

This stunning natural canvas served as the muse for Boca de Agua, an experiential destination crafted to express the splendor of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico while also contributing to the region’s environmental, social, and cultural regeneration.

The Master Pool Treehouse is complete with a king bed that faces a private plunge pool

Mexican architect Frida Escobedo, founder of her eponymous Mexico City-based firm Taller Frida Escobedo, was tasked with bringing the project to life while paying homage to the verdant landscape.

“We wanted to focus on and draw inspiration from the surroundings, allowing the spaces to speak for themselves and tell their story over time,” she says. “We aimed for the color and material palette to be locally inspired, thereby respecting and acknowledging the support of neighboring communities.”

The Yucatán’s stone temples and wooden houses, for example, are transmuted through Escobedo’s signature modern lens to dramatic effect as structures seemingly ascend into the jungle, high above a rehabilitated mangrove ecosystem. Supportive pillars composed of locally sourced chicozapote wood ensure minimal disruption to the site’s land and surrounding habitats—including that of a family of spider monkeys protected with NGO support.

In the 26 villas, 22 of which are suites, Escobedo’s distinctive latticework supports natural ventilation and shading, while an abundance of wood and concrete make up the earthy palette. “Each space is introverted in the best sense of the word,” she points out, “offering privacy and personal enjoyment while still allowing for contemplation of the landscape.”

The property’s 26 villas, perched on stilts, offer stunning views while allowing the landscape’s vegetation and wildlife to thrive below

The structures, set on stilts and designed using upcycled and salvaged materials, serve another purpose. Beyond facilitating the stunning views of either the jungle or the lagoon, their height allows vegetation to grow underneath so wildlife can move freely about.

While the elevated villas seemingly provide an escape, other structures ground guests to the site and the topography, such as the pool, the light and airy public spaces, and Flora restaurant. For the latter, chef Carlos Bordonave took a page from Escobedo’s design, embracing the site’s history with a menu that uses local ingredients that are rooted in tradition. Meanwhile, a spa with a cenote is set to open at the end of the year.

While common areas invite interaction, guests are encouraged to explore the property and connect with the land via unpaved and discrete roads. “These are the moments guests will discover—hidden among the flora—that become intimate,” Escobedo adds.

The living space in the Master Pool Treehouse features seating areas and a hammock

Lined with sun loungers, the pier provides guests access to the lagoon

The Master Pool Treehouse is enveloped in distinctive latticework that supports natural ventilation and shading

This article originally appeared in HD’s October 2024 issue.