Remember the days when some of Mexico’s most perfect beaches weren’t lined with yoga retreats and vegan juice bars, and Noma hadn’t yet popped up? When one didn’t have to wear a $300 caftan to the beach just to fit in? Neither do we. It’s no newsflash that much of Mexico’s coastline has been snapped up by boho tourists and mega resorts, leaving little opportunity for a truly easygoing vacation, but it’s not the case everywhere. On the country’s central and southwest Pacific Coast, there’s a string of sleepy retreats, incredible under-the-radar hotels, and design-savvy spots that all make for an ideal getaway. Here’s where to find them.

Lo Sereno Casa de Playa

In the sleepy town of Troncones, everything moves at the pace of a coconut frond blowing in a gentle breeze. On the main beach there are a few beachside retreats to choose from, but the most covetable is Lo Sereno Casa de Playa. With only 10 rooms, the Design Hotels property feels part hotel, part private beach home. The design is shockingly simple: a modular building with minimalistic rooms that have sliding slatted wooden doors that tumble onto private patios. The main bar and restaurant area, which flows around the oblong charcoal pool and onto the flaxen beach, serves seafood, tacos, and cocktails until long after the sun has sunk. losereno.com

Cuixmala

Cuixmala’s location is so remote, celebrities have been known to land their jets on the private runway. But the location, which is on a wildlife reserve that runs along an isolated two-mile beach, isn’t the only reason the hotel draws an It crowd. From the main room of Casa Cuixmala and the bungalows, guests take in unbroken views of the gleaming Pacific Ocean. Inside, the suites have towering ceilings and stark-white walls contrasted by bright fabrics. At the beach-facing pool, lined with sun beds all in primary colors, fresh seafood and icy margaritas are the perfect post-swim treat. Consider staying a few extra nights at the nearby uber-plush sister property, Hacienda de San Antonio, huddled at the base of a volcano. cuixmala.com

Hotel Escondido

From Mexico’s acclaimed hospitality group Grupo Habita, Hotel Escondido is a sliver of paradise located near Oaxaca’s Puerto Escondido. The 16 unfussy palapas have pitched palm roofs, wooden floors, and private decks with inky pools. The hammocks, which are strewn around the property (from the rooms to the communal areas), are a sure sign that the hotel’s main aim is to get guests to chill the hell out. The beach, on which the hotel is located, is a surfer’s delight and is known as one of the country’s best (but still low-key) surf spots. hotelescondido.com

Thompson Zihuatanejo

Zihuatanejo couldn’t exactly be described as a sleepy retreat. Home to a major airport, the city is often considered a gateway to the area. But that doesn’t mean it lacks in prime beach spots—they’re just not as remote. At the Thompson Zihuatanejo, set along Playa La Ropa, guests can experience a bit of luxury in a swanky setting without having to travel too far. The hotel’s sharp interior is all wood, stone, and neutral tones. It’s not what you’d expect from a beachside resort and feels somewhat urban, but it’s this contrast that makes it so distinctive. thompsonhotels.com

Verana

Set on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, this jungle hotel is cool mix of modern and traditional Mexican elements. The property, which is made up of a collection of rooms and cottages that all have individual personalities, has uninterrupted views of the ocean. If remote is what you want, then at this eco-lodge, remote is what you’ll get. Getting there requires a flight, car ride, and boat ride. But paradise wouldn’t be paradise if it was so easy to access. verana.boutique-homes.com

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest