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To be sure, there are plenty of scenic venues where you can see your favorite artists perform, but few places can beat the intimacy and beauty of Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico, where artists have been popping up this year for small, ocean-side performances for 30 guests or less.
It’s all part of the resort’s “Naviva Unplugged” series, which offers a truly up close and personal experience with both superstar artists and rising talent alike. This year’s lineup has included Shooter Jennings, Lee Brice and Brittney Spencer to name a few, along with modern-day jazz pianist and balladeer Louis B. Middleton. The series concludes next month with singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun taking the sand for a night of music and conversation.
The Nashville-based Americana artist performs December 17 at Naviva, with a sunset set perched above the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean below. Though Oladokun’s setlist has yet to be revealed, Spencer’s recent performance featured the country star (and Cowboy Carter contributor) regaling the audience with a 70-minute long set that included songs from her 2024 album, My Stupid Life, along with unreleased tracks and even a cover of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.” Spencer remarked that it was “so special” to be able to share her thoughts and tell the stories behind her songs in such a relaxed and informal setting.
Indeed, the crowd of 20 or so resort guests sipped on tequila and mezcal cocktails while spread out on lounge chairs or with their toes in the sand as Spencer talked about how she was still catching up to her so-called “breakout” success. At one point, Spencer forgot the words to her hit single, “Sober & Skinny,” joking that it was a song she’s used to singing with her band and backup singer — both of whom were not present for Spencer’s solo showcase. The audience didn’t seem to mind, cheering her on and lapping up the singer’s explanation with an “it’s all good” toast with their drinks. It’s exactly this laidback energy and sense of comradery that brings people, after all, to Naviva.
Located on a secluded stretch of beach just steps from the ocean, Naviva is a true piece of paradise, with a mere 15 bungalows laid out amongst the quiet yet sprawling property. The vibe here is decidedly unhurried, with meals served at your leisure and no menus to choose from — the kitchen (and chef Sofía Mojica) is ready and well-equipped to make you whatever you want… literally. Fancy chilaquiles or steak and eggs for breakfast? They’ll whip that up. Want a chicken parm or pizza for dinner? Even on the coast of Mexico, Naviva can offer Italian fare too.
The laidback vibe continues through the resort’s programming, which lets guests choose everything from fitness and stretching classes with the on-site trainer (in an open-air gym built into the cliffs), to yoga or a sound bath meditation in a hilltop studio. Guests can also participate in a guided temazcal ceremony — a traditional healing ritual performed inside a domed sweat lodge — which is not to be confused with a traditional mezcal tasting at Copal Kitchen (the bartenders will also happily pour you a taste of their handcrafted raicilla or introduce you to some surprisingly good Mexican wine).
The spa is a welcoming oasis that offers a respite from the busy world you came to Naviva from, or you can retreat to the crystal clear waters of Selva Pool or back to your bungalow’s private plunge pool, for a dip. There’s an aura of restoration here that encourages a “go with the flow” pace, so you can do as much — or as little — as you want. Naviva calls it their “daily unscripted experiences,” and just as the musicians that perform on the property are free to explore their catalog of songs and inspirations, guests too, are encouraged to find balance and harmony in their day-to-day.
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The resort says the property and its “Naviva Unplugged” series allows guests and artists alike to “rediscover the profound connections that emerge when we strip away distractions and return to the essentials – nature, creativity, and shared human experience.”
“These extraordinary performances dissolve the boundaries between artist and listener, creating moments impossible to replicate in conventional venues,” a press release says. “At Naviva, musical notes intertwine with ocean breezes and the rhythms of the wild, weaving a sensory tapestry where music, nature, and human connection flourish in their purest, most elemental form.”
Music has long been a source of comfort, connection and creativity, and with the beautiful setting of Naviva as a backdrop, Punta Mita now has a musical community as well.
Find out more about Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, and see their latest events calendar here.
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