New tourism developments making Riviera Nayarit a hot destination

Thanks in part to major investments in the region, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s fastest growing new tourism destination, is becoming one of the hottest areas in North America. Developments include:

o        Construction has begun on a major, multi-million dollar road building project designed to provide modern infrastructure to strengthen the region’s tourism industry. Involving nine road segments between Tepic and Bucerias as well as viaducts and 40 bridges, the system will positively impact at least 44 high-level tourism developments, including six golf courses and four marinas.

o        The St. Regis Punta Mita is scheduled to open this October, 120 guest rooms and suites which include 89 Casita rooms with beach views, 70 with king beds, various other rooms and a presidential suite. The resort also will feature Punta Mita’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.

o        Riu Resorts’ third hotel in Riviera Nayarit will offer 445 Junior Suites and Jacuzzi Suites plus all of the facilities and services of a world-class resort. These include a spa and fitness center, special activities for adults and children, a variety of excellent dining venues and 24 hour food and beverage service.

o        Villa la Estancia Beach Resort & Spa opened its doors in 2008 and features 245 spacious suites. The Villa la Estancia also offers a 17,000 square foot Tatewari Spa offering signature treatments covering massages, facials, hydrotherapies, body scrubs, wraps as well as salon services. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center.

o        Secrets Punta de Mita Resort & Spa, opening in late 2009, will become the first Secrets property in the Riviera Nayarit region. Set against a backdrop of white-sand beaches, natural islands and the turquoise Pacific Ocean, the luxury 437-room resort will be located in the Litibu area. 

o        Leading Spanish hotel company, Iberostar plans to have its first hotel in Riviera Nayarit open in 2009. The Iberostar hotel complex will be developed on the beach in Litibu near the new 18 hole-Greg Norman designed golf course. It will provide   456  guest rooms, all with ocean views, including 168 King Suites; 168 Double Suites; and 120 junior suites.

o        Mii Amo Punta Mita will open in 2010 as the first destination spa in the 1,500-acre master-planned Punta Mita resort community.

Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest travel destination stretching along 100 miles of Pacific coastline framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta.  Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends from  the resorts of  Nuevo Vallarta to the  historic, colonial town of San Blas, including exclusive Punta Mita and  Banderas Bay.

The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures.

Report by David Wilkening