South of the Border

On a pristine stretch of Mexico’s Pacific shore- between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta- the Brigone family has created a refuge overflowing with art, architecture, and their own glamorous vision for an idealized community. A wild expanse of coastline has emerged over the last 45 years as one of the world’s most eccentric and glamorous respites, renowned for its 50 architecturally inventive villas- some resembling sculptures more than residences. The family patriarch, 85 year old Gian Franco Brigone, founded Costa Careyes back in 1968 when he flew from Italy to this area south of Puerto Vallarta, and was astonished to spot an uninhabited stretch of beach and islands. So he decided to buy almost 9 miles of the coastline for about $2 million dollars. Brigone, a bon vivant banker and real estate developer from Turin, would soon host European aristocrats, British billionaires and South American playboys as his paying guests. Back in the 1970’s, local fisherman would row to the beach with a crate full of live shrimp and barter for Playboy magazines with the Italian family.

Brigone has since built Costa Careyes into a glamorous residential community and resort, attracting the likes of Bill and Melinda Gates, European jet-setters, haute bohemians, starlets, and financiers from the Rothchild family. Today, luxury outposts in remote spots are now a staple of five-star travel, but Careyes was a pioneer in the field. Defining exclusivity, Costa Careyes still captivates visitors with ample sunshine, fresh food and good company just as it did during its start. The remote setting adds to the sense of being in a lost world, as its surrounded by the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, a 32,000 acre wilderness filled with wildlife. In season, Careyes is very cosmopolitan with 42 nationalities living there, and in 2013 the Careyes Foundation began coordinating environmental art and educational programs for the local community. I think it’s time to andiamo to the Careyes now. www.careyes.com