Unlike the other hotels that line the road between Cancun and Tulum, Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection (Spanish for “ethereal”) made the bold choice not to dip its toes in the sand. Yes, the beach is easily accessible, but it’s the floating bridges through the verdant mangroves that make it a journey worthy of the name. Delivering on its unspoken promise to transport guests to another plain, the invite to switch off from daily distractions is easily accepted, settling into private cabanas and stargazing platforms that make the most of the encircling forest. While inside, the adornment of locally crafted soft furnishings in terrace, hot tub, or plunge pool accented rooms – alongside an ode to Mexico’s artistic side with displayed works by the late Manuel Felguérez – complete Etéreo’s uniquely independent aura.

The realm of experiences between the ocean facing rooms and the jungle outside completes the ode to the region. There’s the in-house botanist team, brought in to help conserve the 500 acres of protected mangroves. They’re the ones to thank for working with local conservation groups and communities to put together some of the ecological activities here, including a non-intrusive exploration that reveals all walks of wildlife from whale sharks and sea turtles to manatees and jaguars. Then a more transcendental tone is felt in SANA spa, where the resident shaman – Yaotekatl – resides, Mayan clay wraps are applied and lunar purification is experienced during full moon ceremonies.