Hotel Humano, a new barefoot luxury paradise in La Punta Zicatela

Steps away from Zicatela Beach, one of the most famous surf destinations in the world, the brand-new Hotel Humano by Grupo Habita is a laidback luxury paradise. Both inspired and created by the surrounding community, the hotel caters to travelers and locals alike, juxtaposing the privacy of guestrooms and a central courtyard with permeable latticed façades that seamlessly integrate the lobby with the street life beyond.

Located on a pedestrian-only street in the world-renowned surf destination of La Punta Zicatela in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Hotel Humano offers a place for rest and connecting with the local community before and after days spent on the water. The newest opening by Grupo Habita—pioneers of lifestyle hospitality in Mexico whose Hotel Escondido and Hotel Terrestre are also nearby—the property welcomes barefoot guests among simple luxury, placing the focus on the enchanting Oaxacan coast and allowing visitors to effortlessly integrate with the local culture.

Finding inspiration in the hotel’s location only blocks away from the beach, architect Jorge Hernandez de la Garza and the team at Plantea Estudio created a suite of buildings and a design concept that reflect the loose and relaxed spirit of the surroundings. Complementing this architectural vision, the hotel’s brand identity was brought to life by Ciao Lobby, a hospitality creative studio that wove the local culture and lifestyle into the graphic and experiential design, ensuring every detail resonates with the destination’s unique charm. The buildings are primarily made of concrete, clay tiles and bricks, and tropical wood, while the lobby’s double-height ceilings give way to permeable latticed structures by Adolfo Sánchez Rojas that merge the interior and exterior. Custom dark-orange, off-white, and wine-colored textiles, including quilts by Reina Silva at the studio Dushill, as well as screens, doors, and furniture crafted from tropical woods by Javier Gómez exude a warmth that is complemented by indirect lighting. With entirely bespoke and locally crafted furnishings, each space captures the essence of Oaxaca, generating a contemporary design while embracing and honoring the region’s artisanal techniques.

This concept extends throughout the hotel’s 39 rooms, including 8 suites, where areas for sleeping, bathing, and relaxing are interconnected with differing amounts of privacy created through the use of freestanding walls and curtains (toilets are in a separate cubicle). The recurrence of certain materials—such as handmade wine-colored tiles by San Pedro Ceramics, which are used to line the shower, freestanding washbasin and mirror unit, and the bed’s headboard—create a lingering sense of integration. Each room is further accented by one-of-a-kind drawings by Mexico City–based artist Lucio Muniain.

Atop and among the concrete structures—a material used for its thermal properties to keep indoor spaces cool as temperatures rise—guests and locals alike will discover a serene rooftop garden and a central courtyard with a pool, sun loungers, restaurant, and bar, and an Outdoor SPA featuring a sauna, two cold plunges and a massage room for rejuvenation. On the roof, light snacks and drinks can be enjoyed while watching the sun set over the ocean or cozying up around firepits. In the courtyard, lush tropical vegetation surrounds a large pool and creates smaller nooks amongst the poolside loungers. Here, visitors can also enjoy simple, fresh dishes from the region at the alfresco restaurant overseen by Executive Chef Saúl Carranza and with dinners by Chef Marion Chateau of La Relève in Marseille. Plus, come summer 2025, Hotel Humano will unveil the Beach Club, featuring six private bungalows with stunning ocean views, an oceanfront swimming pool and sun deck with beds and hammocks, and a grill-style restaurant serving fresh seafood.

Location

Hotel Humano is located in La Punta Zicatela, a town renowned for its beaches and large waves on Mexico’s Pacific coast near Puerto Escondido. Zicatela Beach is often referred to as the “Mexican Pipeline,” drawing professional surfers and hosting a number of international surfing competitions, while other nearby beaches, such as La Punta or Carrizalillo, are more beginner friendly. Zicatela Beach is within walking distance of the hotel, as are numerous small restaurants, cafes, and bars. The nearest airport is Puerto Escondido International Airport, about a 20-minute drive from Hotel Humano.

About Grupo Habita

Grupo Habita has been leading a design revolution in Mexico’s hospitality industry since 2000 with its first lifestyle hotel in Latin America: HABITA Hotel. The hospitality group has built a collection of over a dozen diverse, award-winning hotels across Mexico, as well as in the United States with The Robey in Chicago. Grupo Habita excels at choosing untapped locations in Mexico where they integrate their vision into the personality of the city and the neighborhood. As they state: “It’s about creating experiences for your guests and making the world better through hospitality.” News about future openings include upcoming hotels in Mérida, Yucatán, San Agustinillo, Oaxaca, and Puebla by Frida Escobedo, among others.