Selvadentro is a masterplan located in the jungle of Quintana Roo, just minutes from Tulum's beach, with strategic access via the Maya Train station and the region's new airport. The complex is conceived as a habitable sanctuary spanning 103 hectares, designed for those seeking an authentic connection with nature and a lifestyle rooted in respect, coexistence, and harmony with the environment.
The project has been thoroughly developed by Estudio AMA, which not only designed the residences and amenities but also its graphic identity. Every element has been thoughtfully crafted to emphasize the site’s natural richness, creating an immersive experience that dissolves the boundaries between architecture and landscape.
Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, Selvadentro serves as a retreat where the Mayan jungle seamlessly integrates with the architectural design. Towering trees, native plants, and vibrant gardens create a dynamic and lively landscape, while fine sand areas evoke the feeling of a hidden beach within the jungle. In this setting, cenotes emerge as hidden gems—crystal-clear pools of water framed by vegetation and natural rock formations, offering a private sanctuary where nature reveals its full splendor.
Revered as sacred by the ancient Maya, the cenotes invite residents to immerse themselves in their pure, refreshing waters, fostering an intimate connection with the land and its millennia-old history. With a strong commitment to conserving this habitat, the developer has prioritized the integral preservation of the cenotes, hiring specialists to map them and implement restoration strategies.
The master plan is divided into four phases, linked by a central spine that connects the residences with the amenities. To preserve the natural balance, only 30% of each plot is designated for construction, leaving the remaining area intact to allow the original vegetation to thrive. Building regulations include 10-meter setbacks in the front, 10 meters in the rear, and 7 meters on the sides. Furthermore, the architecture must be elevated 60 cm above the ground level, enabling vegetation to flow freely beneath the structures, ensuring full integration with the jungle and providing a truly immersive experience.
To minimize environmental impact, the project incorporates sustainable design strategies, respecting the topography and utilizing local materials combined with traditional construction techniques. The main access road is unpaved, ensuring minimal disturbance to the natural environment, which contributes to a nearly zero impact and facilitates the integration of the complex with its surroundings.
Along the master plan’s journey, residents will encounter a series of natural attractions and amenities designed to deepen their connection with nature.
Each space offers a unique experience of contemplation and interaction:
Casa de los Cenotes (The House of Cenotes): The heart of the complex, a clubhouse inspired by cenotes, designed with minimal impact. Its pool merges with the aquatic landscape, while the restaurant and bar areas offer gastronomic experiences that highlight the region’s richness.
Nidos - Mirador (Nests - Lookout): An elevated structure that provides a visual immersion into the jungle. Nestled within a cenote, the lookout emerges six meters below ground level and spirals upwards to a 360-degree platform. Designed with a wooden frame and an enveloping mesh, its structure naturally integrates with the landscape, intended to be gradually reclaimed by vegetation over time. At its highest point, it becomes a space to pause, breathe, and contemplate the vastness of the jungle.
Casa del Árbol (The Treehouse): The second-largest gathering space in Selvadentro, housing multiple levels of recreational spaces, a bar, and relaxation areas.
Wellness: A wellness sanctuary carved into a cave before reaching a cenote, designed to provide relaxation experiences in a one-of-a-kind natural environment.
Jungle Bar: A hidden retreat within a natural basin, where architecture merges with the jungle. Surrounded by lush vegetation, this space invites visitors to enjoy handcrafted cocktails in an intimate, organic setting.
Holistic Pavilion: An introspective space dedicated to yoga and meditation, where architecture and nature converge to create a serene sanctuary for inner connection.
Kids Jungle: A playground that blends with the landscape, using natural elements like logs and vines to encourage exploration and learning.
Jungle Gym: An outdoor gym integrated into the environment, where local materials form structures designed for functional training in harmony with nature.
Pets Jungle: A space designed for pets to enjoy the jungle in its purest form, with expansive and secure areas for them to run and explore freely.
The residences at Selvadentro have been designed to amplify the experience of living within the jungle. Each space prioritizes cross ventilation, natural light, and continuity between interior and exterior, allowing the architecture to merge seamlessly with the surroundings. With 100 lots in total, building restrictions ensure each residence is harmoniously integrated with nature.
The master plan includes three distinct residential typologies:
Casa K’uuchil: Its “C”-shaped structure revolves around a central courtyard, allowing natural light and ventilation to enter while integrating the surrounding vegetation as part of the living space.
Casa Tuukul: A central split runs through the residence, allowing light and air to flow in, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior.
Casa K’aab’al: A central courtyard serves as the core of the home, connecting its inhabitants with the essence of nature.
Material selection at Selvadentro plays a crucial role in its integration with the environment. Every texture and color has been thoughtfully chosen to harmonize with the landscape:
Local stone and wood used in the structures and roadways.
Chukum, a traditional finish that blends contemporary design with indigenous roots.
Tones inspired by the site’s vegetation and the blue of the Caribbean.
Local craftsmanship, using traditional construction techniques from the region.
At Selvadentro, architecture dissolves into the jungle, everyday experiences are transformed into rituals, and the landscape dictates the way we inhabit. A sanctuary in the Riviera Maya that not only respects its environment but elevates it.
About Estudio AMA
Estudio AMA is a creative space that encompasses all areas of design: architecture,in- teriors, graphic design, and art. With the conviction that an integral project requiresa thorough process starting from a story that deserves to be told, narrative is the key initial element.
A bunker of ideas that evolve through the creative collaboration of teams that interact with shared values. A broad vision that allows us to understand both present and future needs. Estudio AMA is a studio with a presence in Mexico and Latin America, offering a clear and honest path, always striving for excellence in design and the creative process.
