A JUNGLE FAMILY STORY
Our ecolodge began as a family daydream and a shared love of adventure, wilderness, and the feeling of being fully alive in Mother Nature's playground. Our Jacobi family roots stretch back to the border of northern Vermont and Quebec. After years of wilderness expeditions together and long chats around campfires, we felt the pull of Mexico — the culture, the tropical jungle, and the charming coastal community of San Pancho, Nayarit.
So we traded our skis for surfboards, and headed south. We arrived in San Pancho in 2005 (it was a sleepy fishing village at the time!) and rolled up our sleeves to begin building on our dream on wild canvas of jungle — one palm frond, one trail, one shell at a time.
To, the Tailwind Jungle lodge is more than a yoga retreat or family adventure in Mexico, it is a example of what can grow when passion meets purpose (and persistence!). It’s been twenty years since we first arrived, and our family (now three generations) continues to work, play, and thrive together here in the vibrant Mexican jungle of Nayarit. We're share our home and the spirit of sustainable travel and adventure with travelers from around the world.
The creation of this eco lodge has been the most rewarding and challenging adventure our family has ever undertaken — a journey from wild daydreams to reality. You can read more about our story in Wildpreneurs: Turning Passion into Business (published by HarperCollins Leadership).
Our family adventures together have included:
Mountain Biking 2000 miles of the USA's Continental Divide
Mountaineering Pico De Orizaba (Elevation 18,491 ft, highest peak in Mexico)
Sea Kayaking 900 miles of the Baja's Sea of Cortez
Backpacking California's John Muir Trail (220 miles)
Vermont's Long Trail (270 miles)
Why the Name "Tailwind"?
After battling many headwinds on their adventures (kayaking and biking), the Jacobi family has decided that life is always much more enjoyable with the wind at your back. Thus, the name Tailwind (also the name of our sailboat!). Where will the wind blow us?
Meet Your Hosts
El Tigre
Tigre Jacobi >>
Builder Designer, Sailing/Kayak Guide & Lifelong Dreamer
A lifelong dreamer, adventurer, builder, and traveler, Tiger has been exploring this wild stretch of the Mexican Pacific for over 40 years. When he discovered this spectacular piece of jungle, he knew instantly—it was home. His deep love for nature, adventure, and sustainable living inspired the creation of Tailwind Jungle Lodge, an ecolodge in Mexico that celebrates both wilderness and community.
Tiger’s Swiss Family Robinson–style creativity shines through every hand-built corner of the lodge. For him, crafting this jungle retreat has been the ultimate family adventure and a lifelong dream fulfilled. He’s passed his passion for sustainable travel in Mexico and outdoor living to his family and to every guest who visits.
When he’s not building or tending the lodge, you’ll find exploring nearby wild beaches or making his favorite margaritas (ask for his secret recipe!).
Born one of six children in Alaska, Judi Jacobi (aka "Jungle Judi") grew up surrounded by untamed beauty. Her father was a commercial fisherman, and her fondest memories are of summers at their remote fishing camp—reachable only by small plane or boat. With no power or plumbing and only rainwater to drink, Judi lived alongside bald eagles, beluga whales, and seals. This wild upbringing, flanked by snow-capped mountains, sparked her lifelong love for nature and simple, sustainable living.
Years later, together with her husband Tiger, Judi carried that spirit of adventure into family life—backpacking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing to share the wonders of the wild with their children. In 2005, the family discovered a breathtaking piece of jungle on the Mexican Pacific coast, and Judi knew this was their new home.
Through the long process of securing the land, Judi made a promise to the universe: to honor and protect this delicate environment. That vow became the foundation of Tailwind Jungle Lodge, a family-run ecolodge in Mexico dedicated to sustainable travel and connection with nature.
Today, Judi finds deep purpose in sharing this special place with guests from around the world and the local community alike. Her vision continues to guide Tailwind as a shining example of eco-friendly building and family adventure in Mexico—where nature always comes first.
Jungle Judi
Judi Jacobi >>
Hostess, Yoga Teacher, Community Outreach
The Jungle Girl
Tamara Jacobi >>
Manager, Hostess, Guide
& Writer
Tamara dreamed up the business plan for Tailwind Jungle Lodge during her final semester at Middlebury College, Vermont, in 2007—and she’s been working and playing in the jungle ever since! What began as a college project has blossomed into a thriving ecolodge in Mexico, where adventure, sustainability, and creativity meet.
When she’s not welcoming guests and hosting yoga retreats or family adventures in Mexico, Tamara can often be playing with her jungle kids (Zephyr and Dasen). She’s the author of Wildpreneurs: Turning Passion into Business (HarperCollins Leadership), a must-read for free spirits and entrepreneurs eager to transform their passions into sustainable ventures.
Tamara brings a contagious energy to Tailwind—sharing her love of the jungle, her belief in sustainable travel in Mexico, and her commitment to living wildly, purposefully, and in harmony with nature.
Walter Wright beautifully carries forward the Jacobi family spirit—blending a lifelong love of mountains and ocean into every adventure. His background spans from ski instructor and mountain guide to environmental consultant, with graduate studies in marine conservation ecology. As a USCG-certified Master boat captain, Walter has guided at surf lodges, led eco-friendly tours, and designed ocean-based adventures across the globe.
Now part of the Tailwind Jungle Lodge family, Walter brings his expertise and passion to expanding the lodge’s ocean exploration programs on the Mexican Pacific coast. Whether he’s captaining a sailing trip, leading a sea kayaking tour, or teaching about marine ecosystems, Walter creates experiences that embody the essence of sustainable travel in Mexico—fun, educational, and deeply connected to nature.
With his knack for personalized adventure design and a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, Walter invites guests to discover the wild beauty of the Pacific and embrace family adventure in Mexico—from jungle trails to open seas.
Captain Walter
Walter Wright >>
Surf & Sail - Adventure Guid, Expedition Leader, and Sustainability Guru
Ecolodge Love Notes
Amy
Aspen, CO
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for building this beautiful sanctuary and opening your hearts to allow the rest of us to enjoy it with you. I will certainly miss the beauty of waking up to such a serene environment, but will always keep the memories of this place in my heart :). Thank you for the wonderful hospitality!
Liz Deleo
Oregon
We fell in love with San Pancho, Los Muertos, the jungle, Tailwind, Mexico, all of it and were in a total trance the whole time, maybe just being able to be that quiet. Thank you and your family so so much for creating a place that can allow humans to still experience that kind of magic! Thank you guys a million, it was true luxury, and a honeymoon we will of course never forget.