Riviera Nayarit gears up for the future
From airport enhancements to multiple hotel projects in the pipeline, major expansions are underway in Riviera Nayarit, known as Mexico’s youngest tourism destination. The destination noted a remarkable uptick in recent visitors, with a 20% increase this June compared to 2019.
Travel Courier caught up with Marc Murphy, managing director for the Riviera Nayarit Visitors and Conventions Bureau, to find out more about what’s in store and to discuss the significance of the Canadian market.
With all precautions in place, Riviera Nayarit saw an uptick in visitors this June, with an approximately 20% increase as compared to the same month in 2019. According to data collected from the region’s three hotel associations, the domestic market generated the highest demand, followed by the United States. Riviera Nayarit is prepping for its continued evolution with multiple hotel investments in the pipeline, the enhancement of the Tepic International Airport, improved ground connection with two important highways, new attractions, and more. The local government has been very careful to pace its complete reopening, adjusting restrictions during peak periods, which has shown to be the best route to ensure the wellbeing of everyone. As we look forward to the second semester of this year and beyond, we are excited about the many developments underway that will continue luring curious travellers from around the world to this very unique treasure on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Travel is resilient and people will always be curious to explore the world and experience new cultures. Our destination is seeing a steady rebound in visitors after carefully reopening in phases and as we look forward to the second semester of this year and beyond, we are excited about the many developments underway that will continue luring curious travellers from around the world to this very unique treasure on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
We believe that tourism should not only benefit visitors, but also local communities. We of course want to create greater awareness of the travel experiences available in the Riviera Nayarit. But in doing so, we also want to ensure that our tourism activities do not harm the environment or the local community. We are proud to be at the forefront of community tourism and to incorporate elements of this approach into our tours. For example, our CVB recently ran a three-month-long ‘Sorting Counts’ campaign where speakers gave lectures on environmental education, and volunteers cleaned beaches, among other activities. Guests from hotels including Iberostar Playa Mita, Hard Rock Vallarta and RIU hotels were all able to participate in the beach cleanups as well.
Totalling over $5 billion USD, hotel investments alone are contributing to the destination’s tremendous growth and transformation. This month, we welcomed the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott, Riviera Nayarit, an All-Inclusive Resort. Last fall, the 324-suite Conrad Punta de Mita opened, followed by the highly anticipated One & Only Mandarina featuring 104 villas and 54 Private Homes. The property will later include a world-class Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club slated to open by 2022. Next up is the August 1st opening of the 363-room Dreams Bahia Mita Resort & Spa and 278-room Secrets Bahia Mita Resort & Spa. In 2022, Auberge Resorts Collection will open the ultra-luxurious 59-suite property Susurros del Corazon in Punta de Mita, followed by a Fairmont and Ritz Carlton Reserve in the master-planned community of Costa Canuva.
Other impressive brands set to open in 2023 and beyond include the 130-room Rosewood Mandarina, a 500-room Marriott, a 400-room Westin, a 500-key Autograph Collection property, and a 240-room Ritz Carlton Resort. At Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, Grupo Vidanta is continuing its plans for VidantaWorld, an immersive 830-acre entertainment destination consisting of three Dream Parks. The first phase of VidantaWorld is slated to open next year with a fire village in the jungle featuring special attractions, world-class rides, experiential dining, and much more. Later phases of VidantaWorld will include a world-class water Dream Park with thrilling attractions for both adventure seekers and families; a new Cirque du Soleil zone at the Immersive Dream Park, including the dedicated theater for nightly shows; and a nature and adventure Dream Park.
- Seeing – Whale watching in Riviera Nayarit is a spectacular water activity and one of the most popular things to do while vacationing in the destination between mid-December to end of March. Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Punta Mita and Sayulita are a few of the beach towns where guests are able to witness whale watching
- Doing – A visit to Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach) is a must. It’s so beautiful and so magical that many people, upon seeing photographs, assume it can’t possibly be real. It’s a secluded sandy cavern on one of the islands that make up Marietas Islands National Park only accessible by an hour-long boat ride.
- Eating – The pescado zarandeado is actually one of the signature seafood dishes of the Riviera Nayarit! The pescado zarandeado is, quite simply, baked fish. This is a traditional dish prepared along the estuaries of the Isla de Mexcaltitán, where they fish the tidal waters and once—way back when they could take full advantage of their natural resources—burned local mangrove wood to make the charcoal to cook their catch. As time went by, newer and just as delicious recipes came into play, including adding seasonings made with regional chiles such as the Cora and the Guajillo.
