The long-running show underscores cooperation between two prominent Mexican tourism locales
Two prominent Mexican tourism locales have again teamed up to demonstrate to the international travel industry what they offer to those seeking a vacation on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Late March saw Puerto Vallarta and the bordering Riviera Nayarit stage the 30th edition of the Gala Riviera Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta, a showcase for two destinations that are found in separate states but are side by side.
And while those who vacation in the region can opt to stay in modern resorts, they also can see long-standing sides to the Latin American country they are holidaying in, delegates were told.
“You know tequila. You know mariachi. We like to say Jalisco is Mexico,” Jalisco tourism minister Michelle Fridman Hirsch told show attendees during the opening event in Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta, known in part for the cobblestone streets and colonial architecture found in much of the city, is in Jalisco.
The Riviera Nayarit has seen rapid tourism infrastructure growth in the past decade, with many new all-inclusive resorts found there. But tourism authorities note its proximity to Puerto Vallarta means that those staying in a Riviera Nayarit resort can easily visit Puerto Vallarta during their stay.
Tourism authorities note both the states of Nayarit and Jalisco can accommodate nature enthusiasts, among them those eager to see whales that appear in area Pacific waters during the winter months.
They also note that it’s easy for tourists to visit smaller towns in the area, enabling them to experience everyday Mexico.
“I was grateful to be invited to Gala and experience all that Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit has to offer us and our guests,” said Tasha Walsh of Calgary agency Destinations Await. “It was so nice to go and visit the magical towns of Jala, Tepic and Compostela. To see the countryside and experience a different side of this area rather than just the hotels and resorts. The countryside is beautiful and these towns are vibrant and full of history and culture.”
Walsh added that she was able to meet with hoteliers, DMCs, adventure companies, airlines, and others, learning about their products.
“There were four of us agents who met each other for the first time at last year’s gala and we kept in touch all year,” she continued. “It was so good to see them! I met new friends and colleagues, was able to network with suppliers and more. It was a great time and I hope that I get invited back for Gala 2026.”
Regional hotel news includes Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit adding another tower to its resort. The new tower, called Zafiro, is designed with “modern elegance and thoughtful comfort. It features an additional 100 spacious and beautifully appointed rooms and suites with stunning views of the mountains and some bay views of the Pacific Ocean, adding to the existing 212 rooms. This tower includes 46 Standard Rooms with 2 Queen beds, 34 Standard Rooms with 1 King bed, and 20 Master Suites with 1 King bed.”
This Easter, Velas Resorts is inviting travellers to experience a holiday filled with family-friendly celebrations across its properties in Mexico, including the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta.
At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, “Eastercity” brings bungee trampolining, water games, inflatable courses, foam parties, archery, and kid-friendly spa treatments like “bunny feet” massages, culminating in Easter Sunday festivities with the Easter Bunny, an Easter Egg Hunt, and Chocolate Egg decorations by the pastry team in the hotel’s Azul restaurant.
Meanwhile, Grand Velas Los Cabos hosts grand events like the Dinner of the Souls (April 16) with Mexican cuisine and live music, and the Fire & Smoke Dinner (April 24) featuring robata stations, BBQ, a fire show, and live performances. Easter week activities include bungee playgrounds, magic shows, pirate parties, face painting, Kids Club camping, and an epic Easter Egg Hunt on April 20, while adults can enjoy wine tastings, mixology classes, and yoga.
The adults-only Casa Velas offers an elegant Easter Brunch with a seasonal menu and Easter-themed amenities delivered to each suite. “With a perfect mix of cultural experiences, gourmet dining, and engaging activities for all ages, Velas Resorts promises an Easter holiday filled with joy, relaxation, and adventure,” Velas Resorts stated.
Tourism authorities note that those staying in Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Nayarit can visit Guadalajara, where the Riu Plaza Guadalajara recently saw the inauguration ceremony of its revolutionary new addition, a 360-degree rooftop bar that “combines elegance, great food and unique experiences with the famous RIU service at the highest point in the city, on the 41st floor of the skyscraper. The establishment, located just a stone’s throw from the iconic Matute Remus Bridge, opened in 2011 and was RIU’s first city hotel in Mexico and second in the world,” RIU said.
