Landscaping in Playa del Carmen: Tropical Gardens Built on Limestone
Under most gardens in the Riviera Maya there are only a few centimetres of soil over solid limestone. A good landscape starts below ground: breaking rock for planting pits, bringing in real topsoil, and drainage so the first storm does not drown the plants. We design and build gardens, irrigation, outdoor lighting, decks, pergolas and pool surrounds with native and adapted species that survive sun, salt and hurricane winds.
Our Landscaping Services
Landscape Design
Plans and 3D views with plant palette, paths, lighting and irrigation zones before anything is planted.
Native & Tropical Planting
Palms, chit and kuka palms, ziricote, bougainvillea, ferns and grasses chosen for sun, shade and salt exposure.
Irrigation Systems
Drip lines and sprinklers on timers, with filters for hard water and connection to cisterns or treated greywater.
Garden Lighting
Low-voltage LED uplights, path lights and palm lighting, with waterproof connections that survive the rainy season.
Hardscape
Paths, stepping stones, retaining walls, planters, fire pits and pool decks in stone, concrete or wood.
Garden Maintenance
Pruning, fertilising, pest control and hurricane preparation for villas, condos and hotels.
Plants that survive here, and the ones that don’t
Many gardens are planted with species from catalogues that die in the first dry season. We work with plants that belong in the Yucatán Peninsula or have proven themselves here: native palms, sea grape on the coast, ziricote and ramón for shade, agaves and sansevierias for dry corners, and flowering shrubs that tolerate full sun. Near the beach we plan wind- and salt-resistant layers first; in Tulum and the jungle we keep existing trees and design around them, which also helps with environmental permits.
From bare rock to finished garden
- Site study: sun and wind, soil depth, drainage and where the rock is.
- Design and budget with phases, so you can plant the structure first and fill in later.
- Earthworks: breaking rock, planting pits, imported topsoil and drainage layers.
- Irrigation and lighting laid before planting, so nothing is dug up later.
- Planting, mulching and handover with a care plan; maintenance contract if you are away.
Read more in our guide tropical landscaping in the Riviera Maya.
Landscaping Prices (2026)
| Item | Detail | Price (MXN) |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape design | Plan, plant palette, irrigation and lighting layout | $8,000–$25,000 |
| Complete garden | Topsoil, plants, mulch, drip irrigation | $650–$1,400/m² |
| Palm or tree in rock | Pit breaking, soil, planting, staking | $1,800–$4,500 each |
| Maintenance | Monthly visits, pruning, fertiliser, irrigation check | from $2,500/month |
Useful pages: Bathroom Remodel · House Painting · Flooring & Tile · Home renovation · Kitchen remodel
Why Owners and Hotels Choose Recrea for Landscaping
- 18+ years and 196 projects in the Riviera Maya, written warranty on workmanship
- Our own crews, not a chain of subcontractors: the same supervisor from first visit to handover
- Materials chosen for salt air, humidity and 35 °C, not for a showroom in a cold climate
- Fixed written quote with materials, brands and quantities listed line by line
- Photo and video reports for owners who live abroad, plus a bilingual project contact
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