The Good Neighbor Wey
Creative Direction/Photo by: Pablo Rodriguez / Styling by: Laia Torras
I came to Tulum, MX like many do—drawn by the light, the myth, the whispers of reinvention. But it wasn’t until I found myself in September 2020 in La Veleta, nestled within the vibrant heart of this beloved little jungle barrio, that I truly began to understand the real Tulum.
La Veleta is one of those rare places where the rhythm is both local and global. Where morning greetings echo from street-side juice stands, and conversations over mezcal stretch into stories of origin, evolution, and dreams. Once a quiet residential neighborhood, it’s grown organically into a destination for feel-good travelers—those seeking not just a place to stay, but a place to belong.
It was here that Bacab was born—a visionary residence and creative hub developed by Bacab Capital, redefining what it means to live, connect, and create in community. And this year, I said yes to a new kind of experience: stepping in as a Good Neighbor.
So, What Is the Good Neighbor Initiative?
Think of it as the antidote to transactional travel. The Good Neighbor Initiative is Bacab’s seasonal campaign designed to open the doors of the residence during slow season—a time traditionally seen as quiet, even dormant. But here in Tulum, the slow season is actually something sacred. It’s when the jungle exhales, when the pace softens, and when deeper connections have the space to bloom.
The initiative offers extended stays at an affordable rate, allowing guests to immerse themselves more fully in the day-to-day rhythm of La Veleta. You’re not just passing through—you’re part of the community. The slow season becomes the sweet spot: a chance to live like a local, explore with curiosity, and co-create alongside an eclectic mix of international creatives, innovators, and soul-led travelers.
Living the Insider's View
During my time as a Good Neighbor, I shared meals with visiting photographers and morning meditations with lifestyle nomads designing their purpose. I sat in on collective art sessions, danced under moonlight during Jardin’s themed pop-up dinners, and hosted a visioning prayer circle with women from the community. “It blurred the lines between visitor and resident, becoming a lived expression of belonging.”
Everyone had their own project in motion—books, wellness programs, new art ventures—but the magic was in the cross-pollination. We cooked together, worked alongside each other, swapped ideas, skills, and playlists. In this space, guests are housed—and held, encouraged to express, explore, and exchange.
From Guest to Contributor: Apply for Residency or Extended Stay at Bacab
Bacab’s Good Neighbor Initiative opens its doors from March through November, offering a rare opportunity to live within a creative ecosystem designed for depth, collaboration, and meaningful living.
This program is not for everyone—and that’s intentional. It’s designed for artists, designers, architects, photographers, wellness and mystic practitioners, performers, and cultural catalysts—individuals who not only value aesthetics and soul-aligned spaces, but who feel called to share their insight and activate fresh ideas within a dynamic, co-living environment.
Apply as a Bacab In-House Resident
This path is for those who wish to share a project, practice, or body of work with the community during their stay. In-house residents are invited to offer a skill, workshop, or intimate dialogue rooted in their area of expertise.
“Residents are selected for their ability to enrich the space, engage meaningfully, and inspire curiosity.”
Creative Direction Pablo Rodriguez / Styling Laia Torras
Become a Community Member (Extended Stay Guest)
For those simply seeking to live slowly, beautifully, and in good company, the extended stay option offers a flexible model. Rent for 1 to 3 months, or up to 6 months if you’re ready to fully immerse in the rhythms of La Veleta. This is perfect for creatives, remote professionals, and seekers of a more intentional lifestyle—those who appreciate living in a space where art and culture are a 10 minute ride to the beach.
Extended stay members are invited to attend cultural dinners, talks, community classes, and more—becoming part of the Bacab fabric.
Styling Dress by Laia Torras
Apply via: www.bacabtulum.com/good-neighbor
Why La Veleta? Why Now?
La Veleta holds the kind of charm that doesn't try too hard. It’s where jungle meets indie design, where coconuts and laptops coexist in perfect harmony. And while the world may know Tulum for its glossy beachfronts, La Veleta is the soul. It’s the space in between—the wild, creative, inclusive, raw, and ever-evolving community where real life in Tulum happens.
This neighborhood has quietly become a cultural district in its own right. And Bacab, with its 120+ event activations, artist residencies, and immersive programming, has played a powerful role in that evolution—showing how conscious hospitality and mindful development can activate neighborhoods, not overtake them.
The People Behind the Magic: A Collective Heartbeat
What makes Bacab more than just a place to stay is the people who shape it—the team that brings intention, soul, and generosity to every detail of the experience.
Led by a constellation of creative minds, Bacab’s day-to-day is held together by a group that feels more like a chosen family than a staff. They empower others by fostering genuine connection and co-creation—offering both encouragement and platforms for people to feel seen, supported, and inspired to share their gifts and contribute to space that values expression, collaboration, and belonging. Here hospitality feels human, not transactional—a rare quality in an industry often built on performance over presence.
At the helm is Benny, Bacab’s founder—a quiet visionary whose values run deep. His approach is deeply personal: he is driven by a deep curiosity, a quiet pride, and a genuine desire to build a beautiful, values-driven community. With a gift for recognizing people’s essence. His family values are the invisible architecture of the house: warmth, respect, generosity, and room to be yourself. And because of that, Bacab feels like home.
Paola, the project’s director, brings a rare elegance and insight to the way Bacab operates. Her ability to weave together people, moments, and meaning is what allows the community to feel both intentional and organic. And Pedro, as Director of Communications, ensures that Bacab’s story is shared with a tone that’s equal parts cool, flirty, and intentional—capturing Bacab’s playful spirit while honoring its deeper purpose and cultural relevance."
Together, this team doesn't just manage a space—they host a living experience.
A New Way to Travel, Invest, and Inspire
The Good Neighbor Initiative is a blueprint for the future of destination living. It speaks to a rising generation of travelers who crave a new way to live. It invites investors to consider not just ROI, but a new model with influence. It calls on collaborators to join in a movement where hospitality meets artistry, a living platform—an active space where residents are encouraged to share their skills, insight, and creative practices in real time.
And in the quiet of the slow season, among the bougainvillea-lined streets of La Veleta, you just might find what you didn’t know you were looking for.
Visit during the Good Neighbor season and discover the art of staying longer, connecting deeper, and living more beautifully.
As extended offer Cosmo-Nauts activate code: THEKEYS when reserving and unlock the magic.
