This November, some 600 or so artists, nomads, bohemian souls, and VIPs of the creative world will descend upon Mexico’s Pacific coast, not as tourists but as pilgrims answering the quiet call of Ondalinda x Careyes. It’s a name that many won’t recognise, and that’s entirely by design – the members-only festival, now celebrating its eighth year, operates by personal invitation only. But for those fortunate enough to get their foot in the door, it promises four days of discovery, creativity, and personal renewal in a setting as extraordinary as the event itself.
Back in the late 60s, Italian banker and entrepreneur Gianfranco Brignone was flying over a remote stretch of Pacific coastline between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo when he became besotted with what he saw from his plane window: a paradisiacal landscape of powder-soft beaches, jungles, and cliffs that plunge into the ocean – the perfect canvas for his vision of a utopian refuge rooted in art, nature, and the human collective. He purchased the land, of course – 25,000 acres of it – and, with the help of a few renowned architects and local artisans, transformed its raw, untamed expanse into one of the most coveted luxury destinations on earth. And that’s how Careyes came to be.
Today, the resort community is still managed by the Brignone family, and its enclave of around one hundred candy-coloured castles, casitas, and villas has become a hotbed for the who’s who of the art and entertainment world – Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, and Mick Jagger to name a few – and jet-set hippies who show up and show out every year for the annual Ondalinda x Careyes festival.
The festival, whose name combines the Spanish words for wave (onda) and beautiful (linda), was conceived in 2016 by French-born, LA-based entrepreneur Lulu Luchaire in partnership with Filippo Brignone (son of Gianfranco) after the two met in Cuba. Together, their goal was to reimagine the concept of a tribal gathering for the modern age, creating a space for the exchange of culture, knowledge, and experiences while uplifting and honouring the Indigenous peoples that have long blossomed in this breathtaking part of Mexico. From the very beginning, the idea of fostering a close-knit community and building lifelong connections has been central to Ondalinda’s ethos. To help nurture this, Lulu and Filippo personally curate the guest list that caps at around 650 attendees. The intimate size, compared to most mainstream festivals, isn’t just a practical necessity but a deliberate choice that allows guests to be active participants, rather than just spectators, in a fully immersive cultural experience.
This year’s edition will take place from November 7th to 10th under the theme ‘The Collective Symphony’, a tribute to the potential we unlock when we come together as one – something we feel is especially relevant in a world that feels so divided right now. Over four days, festivalgoers will be treated to a slew of meticulously curated and multi-sensory experiences: gallery shows featuring Mexican art, themed dinners, visual arts spectacles, and live performances by internationally renowned DJs and musicians. Music is the nucleus of Ordalinda, but the wellness offerings are no less worthy of attention. Yoga and meditation classes, cacao ceremonies, detoxing mud-healing therapy, and the ancient Mexican steam bath ritual called temazcal are all a part of the agenda – and largely facilitated by artists and artisans from local communities.
Any festival can, unfortunately, ‘borrow’ cultures and traditions for a few fleeting days of entertainment without truly valuing or supporting the communities they come from. It’s something that is all too common in the travel and hospitality sector. But Ondalinda strives to support the communities which are woven into its foundation, even when the music stops and the lights go out. Through the non-profit Ondalinda Foundation, the festival actively supports indigenous artisans and their communities, investing a portion of its proceeds into infrastructure improvements, sustainability projects, and the preservation of cultural heritage. In fact, in its first year alone, the festival raised $20,000 for the Huichol, an indigenous people known for their vibrant beadwork and deep spiritual traditions. By empowering local artists and craftsmen, the festival ensures that their traditions thrive not just for the duration of the festival, but for years to come.
For savvy travellers today, sustainability and responsibility are key deciding factors when choosing experiences. Ondalinda’s promise to uplift Indigenous communities and ensure that every event is executed with sustainability in mind will certainly resonate with conscientious festivalgoers.
With more and more of us pivoting towards fulfilling and purposeful experiences over material possessions (as recent travel trends have shown), festivals like Ondalinda x Careyes are finding their moment – and honestly, we’re here for it.
Photography courtesy of Ondalinda and Careyes
