But not everyone is interested in a mega attraction. And for travelers who crave emptier landscapes, quieter beaches, meaningful cultural encounters and nature that hasn’t been packaged into an experience, Nayarit offers a very different story — one that begins just a little farther north and a little farther inland.

Beyond the new development boom in the south, the rest of Nayarit is emerging as one of Mexico’s most compelling hidden-gem destinations for ecotourism. 

Home to wetlands, mangrove forests, surf towns that still feel local, sacred mountains, volcanic valleys, and communities deeply connected to the environment, Nayarit delivers the kind of off-the-beaten-path travel that is increasingly hard to find. 

And with global travel awards and features in publications placing Nayarit on their “Best Places to Go in 2026” lists, this quieter side of the state is finally getting the visibility it deserves.

To find the real Nayarit, head north

Most visitors arriving through the Puerto Vallarta airport naturally drift south toward Nuevo Vallarta, where Vidanta has transformed more than 3,000 acres of beachfront into resorts, golf courses and, now, the landmark VidantaWorld. It’s a monumental project, but it’s also just one sliver of Nayarit.

Drive 20 or 30 minutes north, and the coastline changes dramatically. The beaches stretch wider, the towns get smaller and the daily pace drops. This is where Nayarit’s ecotourism story truly begins.

San Pancho and Sayulita may be well known, but they anchor a coastal corridor where surfing, conservation and community-led initiatives still shape the visitor experience. San Pancho in particular has maintained a strong environmental ethos, with local organizations working to protect turtle nesting sites, support wildlife rehabilitation and manage sustainable tourism practices.

Continue farther north, and you reach Litibú, Lo de Marcos, and a series of beaches where development drops away almost entirely. These stretches of coastline with dramatic cliffs, translucent water and untouched coves represent the version of Riviera Nayarit that early travelers fell in love with, long before the region appeared in travel magazines.

Wetlands, mangroves and an important bird habitat

For ecotourism travelers, one of the most exciting regions in the state is Marismas Nacionales, a vast wetland system considered one of the largest and most ecologically important in Mexico. Covering roughly 200,000 hectares, Marismas Nacionales is home to mangrove forests, lagoons, estuaries and lowland jungles that support extraordinary biodiversity.

Birdwatchers have known about the region for years, but tourism interest is now beginning to broaden. Migratory species arrive in the winter months while resident species, including herons, spoonbills, kingfishers and ospreys, thrive year-round. Kayaking and small-boat excursions offer low-impact ways to explore the wetlands, and community-based guides ensure that your tourism dollars stay within the region.

This area also offers travelers a chance to see conservation in action: Local cooperatives are deeply involved in mangrove preservation, species monitoring and sustainable fishing practices, making Marismas Nacionales a powerful example of ecotourism that directly supports environmental stewardship.

Experiences not found on a booking site

While the coastline is the gateway to Nayarit, its interior is where the state surprises even seasoned Mexico travelers. Within an hour of the coast, the landscape shifts into the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental, where pine forests, waterfalls, river valleys and volcanic formations create an entirely different terrain.

Hiking routes here are becoming more accessible, thanks to small outfitters and local communities that have begun offering guided excursions focused on ecology, geology and Indigenous heritage. 

The mountains are also home to the Cora and Huichol (Wixárika) peoples, whose sacred sites and cosmology are deeply tied to the land. Cultural experiences in these regions are handled carefully and respectfully, ensuring that visitors learn without disrupting traditions.

For travelers who want to combine activity with immersion, horseback riding, waterfall hikes and river swimming provide easy entry points into Nayarit’s inland wilderness.

What really makes Nayarit a hidden gem for authentic ecotourism is that travelers can still experience communities and landscapes before their growing popularity reshapes them. The state is growing, and VidantaWorld’s arrival will only accelerate interest, but the north and interior remain largely defined by local daily life.

Many of Nayarit’s most interesting experiences aren’t found on booking sites but through local cooperatives, small tourism collectives and family-run operations. Visitors can learn traditional weaving or beadwork, join conservation projects or participate in community food experiences that highlight regional ingredients like the bejuco tuber and ancient corn varieties.

In a moment when many Mexican destinations are grappling with overtourism, Nayarit offers a different narrative,  one where travelers have the opportunity to choose how their tourism dollars shape the future of a region. With wetlands, mountains, small surf towns, Indigenous communities and stretches of coastline that feel almost untouched, the state is poised to become one of Mexico’s most important destinations for ecoconscious travelers.

Experience it now, before the rest of the world arrives.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post Despite VidantaWorld, Nayarit still has plenty of authentic, sustainable tourism; here’s where appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Into this moment arrives the next major chapter: VidantaWorld‘s long-anticipated expansion, which debuts in phases this month. Although the hotel complex itself is not new, the opening of a luxury hotel, Cirque du Soleil’s LÚDÕ, and the BON Luxury Theme Park represents one of the most significant hospitality investments the region has seen. It is development on a scale that signals that Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta are well past the stage of rising contenders.

Tourism upgrades in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

To understand the significance of Vidanta’s expansion, it must be viewed against the backdrop of what is happening across the bay. The tourism landscape here is transforming far broader than any single project.

In the north, the opening of Siari, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has introduced one of Marriott’s most exclusive brands to the region. Set within a remote Pacific enclave and limited to fewer than 60 residences, its arrival places Riviera Nayarit among the small handful of destinations worldwide with a Reserve-level offering.

South of the Ameca River, Puerto Vallarta’s hotel infrastructure is undergoing its own recalibration. The long-standing Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, is converting to an all-inclusive model in May, an indicator of shifting guest behavior and of global brands rebalancing inventory to meet that demand. Meanwhile, construction continues on Garza Blanca’s Sanctuary Tower, slated to open in 2026.

This rapid pipeline of openings has created a foundation for the region to begin courting a new tier of traveler, one driven by design, exclusivity and amenities that compete directly with Cabo and Mayakoba in Riviera Maya. Against this backdrop, VidantaWorld’s expansion lands at a pivotal moment.

The expansion of VidantaWorld

Vidanta’s new development phase has been more than 10 years in the making, according to Iván Chávez, executive vice president of Grupo Vidanta. He noted that the company’s original ambition was never to expand incrementally, but to leap into the global entertainment and luxury landscape. “We knew in order to compete globally (in the) luxury market, we needed to do much more than pools, sand and margaritas. That wasn’t going to cut it,” he said. “Travelers want a much more sophisticated offering.”

The first piece guests will encounter is Cirque du Soleil’s LÚDÕ, which premieres this month in a US $200 million aquatic theater custom-built for the show. The production brings together a 360-degree water stage, a wraparound aquarium and elaborate, cascading set pieces.

Outside the theater, BON Luxury Theme Park begins to take shape — the anchor attraction of VidantaWorld’s next era and the most ambitious piece of the expansion. Inspired by nature, the park will feature 23 attractions, themed areas, spa services, luxury restaurants and movable bar carts for cocktails-on-the-go. Guests will move through a sequence of distinct precincts, including BON Plaza, Fantasy Gardens, Empire of Light and the Cirque du Soleil Zone. These areas will house a mix of thrill rides, family attractions, and media-based experiences developed with globally recognized industry partners.

Food and beverage play an equally prominent role. Chávez said the company tested “luxury low-density” concepts at Jungala Aqua Experience in Riviera Maya — VIP cabanas, mixologist-run bar carts and full-service dining — and found that the model was not only commercially successful but elevated the guest experience. Those same ideas inform BON’s offerings. The park will feature more than two dozen restaurants, many full-service rather than quick-service, blurring the line between theme park and resort.

BON Luxury Theme Park’s steep price of admission 

Admission, however, will come at a premium: roughly US $150 per person per day. While comparable to U.S. theme-park pricing, it is effectively cost-prohibitive for many people who live in the Puerto Vallarta–Bahía de Banderas region. That reality makes the park’s target audience clear. BON is being designed as a destination for high-spend international visitors rather than a local recreational space, a distinction that is likely to shape how residents perceive the project in the years to come.

Underlying the park’s operations is a strict attendance cap. While the physical footprint could accommodate far more guests, Vidanta plans to limit entry to around 10,000 people per day, depending on attractions in operation. The cap is central to the company’s philosophy of “luxury, not lines” — a theme reinforced throughout the property’s design.

The destination is preparing for an exceptionally busy winter, with its airport already operating at near-historic levels. Through the end of October, Puerto Vallarta International Airport handled 5.62 million passengers — a 1.6% increase over the same period in 2024, according to airport operator GAP. International arrivals have dipped slightly, but domestic travel is up more than 10% so far this year, helping keep overall volumes firmly in positive territory.

The winter high season will bring as many as 54 routes and more than 1,000 weekly flights, placing Vallarta among Mexico’s most active terminals. The new terminal building, now past the halfway point of construction, is expected to double capacity and introduce energy-efficient systems, expanded gates, and streamlined passenger flow once it opens next year.

All of this feeds into the region’s interconnected tourism economy. As Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta prepare for an influx of global visibility next summer through the FIFA World Cup, new luxury entrants and VidantaWorld’s expansion, the region finds itself at an inflection point. Growth is accelerating, investment is increasing and projects like BON Luxury Theme Park signal that the bay is no longer simply competing within Mexico, but positioning itself to compete with some of the world’s most recognized leisure markets. 

Whether residents welcome every aspect of that shift is another question. But the direction is unmistakable. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are not here to play small.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post VidantaWorld becomes Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta’s latest international attraction appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Here is a guide to celebrating the holidays in PV. You won’t get snow here, but you will get blazing red and orange sunsets over Banderas Bay, fireworks over the Pacific and plenty of chances to observe traditional celebrations.

Fiestas Guadalupanas: A major cultural tradition

The holiday season officially begins with the Fiestas Guadalupanas, held in Puerto Vallarta from December 1–12, and which honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint. The celebration is one of the most significant cultural events in the region and has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of Jalisco.

For 12 consecutive days, downtown Puerto Vallarta becomes a center of movement and sound: More than 400 processions pass through the historic district toward the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the city’s most recognizable landmark, with its crown-shaped tower overlooking the bay. The processions feature families, schools, civic groups, businesses and neighborhood organizations, often accompanied by folkloric dancers, mariachi musicians and decorated floats. Fireworks punctuate the nights, and plazas fill with vendors preparing seasonal foods — from tamales and pozole to churros, buñuelos and roasted corn.

The most important event, La Peregrinación de los Favorecidos, takes place December 12, drawing up to 20,000 participants. For observers, it is an opportunity to witness a meaningful public expression of identity and faith grounded in the local community. It offers travelers a rare chance to engage with local tradition directly yet respectfully.

Christmas in Puerto Vallarta

Christmas is observed here with religious and social customs, ranging from church gatherings and posadas to celebratory dining experiences that spill out onto the beaches and waterfront. 

Posadas — processions reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before the birth of Jesus — are private community events that take place in neighborhoods across the city in the week leading up to Christmas Eve. Your neighborhood might be having one. They often conclude with neighborhood gatherings that feature music, warm fruit punch for everyone and piñatas for the children.

For a more public, commercial experience, many restaurants offer special menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, making dining out a central part of the experience for both locals and visitors. Popular options include La Palapa, El Dorado, Mar y Vino, Daiquiri Dick’s, River Café, La Madalena, NOROC, Casa Prime, Cristina Vallarta, Pinocchio, Sapphire Ocean Club, The Blue Shrimp and Le Bistro. 

Reservations fill quickly — particularly for beachfront seating — so planning ahead is essential.

Holiday dining on the Malecón or directly on the sand is especially fun: Vendors sell street snacks, live musicians perform along the waterfront and the boardwalk’s public art installations are illuminated for nighttime strolls.

New Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of the country’s top destinations for New Year’s Eve, drawing large crowds to the waterfront and hosting a range of celebrations, from informal beach gatherings to organized ticketed events.

The Malecón boardwalk is the epicenter of activity, where thousands gather to enjoy street performances, live music, dancing and the large fireworks display at midnight over the bay. The event is public, free and open to all ages. 

Another major gathering site is Holi Beach, where festivities take on a more grassroots style. Families arrive early to set up small camp-style areas with tables, grills, coolers, string lights and portable speakers, giving the beach a pop-up festival environment. 

The celebration often continues well past sunrise, with people swimming, dancing and watching the first light of the new year over the bay.

Across the city, hotels, villas and private boats offer their own celebrations, ranging from gala dinners to DJ-driven parties. Major events take place throughout Marina, Centro, the Romantic Zone and Cinco de Diciembre. Keep your eye out for website and social media announcements about these events, and for signs at local hotels and on the street to find out where these events will take place.

Local traditions and large public celebrations coexist

What distinguishes Puerto Vallarta from other coastal destinations during December is the coexistence of authentic local traditions and large public celebrations that remain open to everyone. Travelers can participate in the Fiestas Guadalupanas, share a Christmas meal on the beach and then join thousands along the waterfront to welcome the new year in one of the most magnetic atmospheres along the Pacific. If celebrating the winter holidays in short sleeves sounds good to you, there’s no better place to do it than Puerto Vallarta. 

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post How to celebrate the holidays in Puerto Vallarta appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Porter Airlines launches Toronto–Puerto Vallarta service, expands winter schedule in Mexico

Porter Airlines has launched round-trip service between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). The route, which began operating on Nov. 14, adds another Canadian gateway to the Pacific coast destination as winter travel demand increases.

The airline plans to expand the frequency of the Toronto–Puerto Vallarta route to five weekly round-trip flights beginning Dec. 14, up from three per week. In December, Porter will also introduce nonstop seasonal service to Puerto Vallarta from Hamilton and Ottawa, broadening access to Mexican beach destinations for travelers across Ontario.

Flights on all routes will be operated with the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, configured with 132 seats in a two-by-two layout, eliminating middle seats. Porter markets the aircraft as offering an elevated economy experience, including complimentary Wi-Fi, beer and wine served in glassware, and snack options.

The new routes form part of Porter’s expanded winter schedule, which includes destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the United States, and connections through Air Transat.

Puerto Vallarta approves permanent maintenance program for city bike lanes

Puerto Vallarta’s City Council has approved a permanent rehabilitation and maintenance program for the municipality’s bike lanes, aiming to improve safety and support sustainable mobility for residents. The initiative, presented by Councilwoman Erika Yesenia García Rubio, is expected to benefit more than 6,000 cyclists who regularly use the network.

The plan authorizes the restoration of 14 sections of bike paths spanning a combined 734,721 meters and linking 30 neighborhoods across Puerto Vallarta. City officials say the effort is intended to maintain cycling infrastructure in safe and functional condition while encouraging alternative forms of transportation.

Under the program, multiple municipal departments will coordinate responsibilities, including the Directorate of Infrastructure and Public Works, Public Safety, Territorial Planning and Urban Development and the Municipal Treasury. The city noted that collaboration with civil associations, cycling collectives and neighborhood groups will be important in implementing the initiative.

During the council session, García emphasized the importance of shared responsibility in caring for public spaces, and Mayor Luis Munguía reiterated the administration’s focus on environmental improvement and mobility planning.

Local cycling advocates welcomed the decision. Representatives from the Movci and Bocion collectives said the effort responds to long-standing requests for safer and continuous bike routes throughout the city.

Street performer known as Puerto Vallarta’s ‘Sand Man’ found shot dead

A well-known street performer on Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón was found shot dead early Friday morning (Nov. 14) in the López Mateos neighborhood, a few minutes inland from the waterfront.

According to Puerto Vallarta News, authorities received a report shortly before 1 a.m. and arrived to find a gray Volkswagen Vento parked with its doors open near the intersection of Río Danubio and Río Grijalva. A man in the driver’s seat had a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police secured the area while forensic teams collected evidence from the vehicle and the surrounding streets. 

Local media have since identified the victim as Ángel Silva Morán, widely recognized as “El Hombre de Arena,” a performer who for nearly two decades appeared on the Malecón covered in sand-colored makeup and clothing, posing motionless at a chess table as part of a living-statue act.

The killing has prompted an outpouring of messages on social media from residents and visitors who shared photos and memories of interactions with him on the boardwalk. No information has been released regarding possible suspects or motive.

Westin Puerto Vallarta to convert to all-inclusive resort by 2026

The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta has announced a full conversion to an all-inclusive model, with completion expected by May 2026. The property will be rebranded as The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort, becoming the first Westin-branded all-inclusive in Mexico.

The transformation is part of a multi-million-dollar renovation project that began last year and will reconfigure guest rooms, public areas and recreational spaces. The resort, located near Marina Vallarta and minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, occupies 14 acres of beachfront land and currently remains open to guests during the renovation period.

According to the announcement, the updated resort will feature 281 remodeled suites, including plunge-pool and swim-up room categories, along with 10 dining and entertainment venues. Planned additions include renovated pools, pickleball and padel courts, a WestinWORKOUT fitness studio and redesigned spa facilities. The property will include adults-only and family-friendly zones.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post MND Local: Puerto Vallarta news appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Federal court ruling may clear the way for Uber pickups at Puerto Vallarta Airport

A federal court has granted Uber a definitive injunction that allows its drivers to operate inside federally regulated airport zones across Mexico while a broader constitutional case proceeds. 

The decision, issued October 27 by District Judge Adriana Judith Uribe Vidal, prevents authorities from detaining or fining drivers who are completing app-based trips at more than 70 terminals nationwide.

In Jalisco, Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro confirmed that the state will honor the ruling, authorizing pickups and drop-offs at Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports. However, local reports indicate that the National Guard has yet to receive formal notification of the injunction, leading Uber drivers in Puerto Vallarta to delay their operations inside the airport zone to avoid possible detentions. 

The governor has called for a “piso parejo,” or a level playing field, between ride-hailing platforms and airport taxi concessions.

At Puerto Vallarta’s Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, the ruling could soon end years of restrictions that forced travelers to meet Uber drivers outside terminal grounds. However, the federal government is currently claiming that the judge’s decision does not address Uber’s right to operate in Mexico’s airports.

In an October 29 press release, Mexico’s federal transport authority (SICT) clarified that the measure requires the National Guard to “follow the Federal Roads, Bridges, and Motor Transport Law, and the corresponding applicable regulations, preventing them from being arbitrary and discriminatory” but does not replace the existing permitting system and thus does not allow Uber to operate in airports, since the company does not have a federal permit to do so. 

No Supreme Court ruling issued

Despite what some Mexican social media channels and local media reports have reported since the federal judge’s ruling, the Mexican Supreme Court has not recently weighed in on the debate.

As the holiday season approaches, authorities are working to coordinate curbside access and signage to ensure smooth service for passengers.

City advances on Agua Azul ecological park plans

Puerto Vallarta is moving forward with plans to develop Agua Azul Park, a new ecological and recreational area designed to promote environmental conservation and community use. The project aims to transform an abandoned natural space into a sustainable park featuring hiking trails and outdoor gathering areas, while maintaining the site’s ecological balance.

The initiative is part of Mayor Luis Munguía González’s broader strategy to expand green spaces throughout the city. PV’s Manager of Territory and Sustainable City, Vincent O’Halloran Lepe, recently led a coordination meeting with representatives from academic, cultural and private sectors to refine the park’s design and purpose. 

Attendees included Dr. Alberto Reyes from the Jalisco Higher Technological Institute, Óscar Morán from the Office of Cultural Projects (OPC) and Luis Salazar and Eduardo Tapia from the Banderas Bay Project.

Officials say that collaboration among the government, civil society and private sector is a key to ensuring the park reflects community needs and environmental goals. The proposed design emphasizes eco-friendly recreation, such as hiking and nature observation, as tools for education and preservation. 

Once complete, Agua Azul Park is expected to become a model for sustainable urban development and a new gathering place for residents and visitors.

TAFER Hotels expands its PV portfolio in 2026

TAFER Hotels & Resorts has announced the upcoming opening of Garza Blanca Sanctuary Tower, a new addition to its Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa complex in Puerto Vallarta. 

The first tower is scheduled to open in early 2026, with a second Sanctuary tower set to debut later next year.

The 20-story development will feature 118 oceanfront suites overlooking Banderas Bay, featuring private balconies and Jacuzzis. Accommodations will include family-friendly and adults-only options, with designs ranging from themed suites to luxury penthouses.

Guests will have access to the neighboring Garza Blanca Preserve’s amenities, including multiple pools, Jacuzzis, a white-sand beach, TierraLuna Gardens, a fitness center and a Kids’ Club. The culinary offerings will feature eight restaurants and two bars, including new Mediterranean and Japanese concepts, plus an adults-only rooftop lounge.

The project expands TAFER’s presence in Puerto Vallarta, where it already operates several properties under brands such as Garza Blanca Resort & Spa, Hotel Mousai and Villa del Palmar. Reservations for Garza Blanca Sanctuary are expected to open this month.

The post MND Local: November news in Puerto Vallarta appeared first on Mexico News Daily

From June 11 to July 19, 2026, 48 teams will play 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Guadalajara will host four of those matches at Estadio Akron, including one featuring Mexico’s own national team. For the first time, “El Tri” will play a World Cup game on Jalisco soil, and local pride is running high.

Guadalajara to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches

Guadalajara’s connection to soccer runs deep. The city was a host venue for the 1970 and 1986 World Cups and has long been one of Mexico’s football capitals, home to the legendary Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) and Atlas FC. Estadio Akron, located in the Zapopan suburb, has already seen international action. It was a major venue for the 2011 Pan American Games and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The stadium will once again take center stage on June 11, 18, 23 and 26, 2026, when tens of thousands of fans are expected to fill its 48,000 seats. But the preparations taking shape across Jalisco go well beyond the matches themselves.

Less than a year before kickoff, Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro met with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo in Mexico City to present an ambitious slate of projects designed to strengthen Jalisco’s role. The meeting focused on investment across infrastructure, mobility, security, hospitality and culture. The state projects that more than 2.5 million visitors will arrive in Jalisco during the World Cup, a major boost for the local economy and a chance to showcase the state’s tourism identity on a global scale.

Infrastructure upgrades and other World Cup preparations are underway

Central to that transformation is a 2.5 billion peso rehabilitation of the Chapala Highway, the key artery connecting Guadalajara International Airport with the metropolitan area. The project includes new lanes, improved lighting, and modernized public transport access. Plans for the city’s future Line 5 metro are tied to the same corridor.

The Guadalajara International Airport is also expanding, part of a broader upgrade of Mexico’s major air gateways. With more international flights expected from North America, the airport’s capacity, security and customs facilities are being scaled up to handle the expected surge in passenger traffic.

Security remains another pillar of the state’s preparations. The modernization of the C5 Escudo Jalisco surveillance system, a network of cameras and control centers, is underway to monitor key areas during the tournament.

Jalisco is readying its destinations and hotel rooms

Jalisco already offers around 83,000 hotel rooms, but another 38 hotels are in development with an estimated investment of 20 billion pesos. These new properties will be spread across Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Costalegre, Tapalpa and Autlán. To support sustainable growth, Jalisco is offering incentives for hotels that adopt green building practices, like reusable water systems and renewable energy. The state is launching hospitality academies in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta to help train and certify hospitality staff, from front desk to housekeepers, and everyone in between. 

Puerto Vallarta, in particular, is expected to see indirect benefits. Many visitors will likely split their time between Guadalajara and the coast, combining matches with beach escapes. The state’s Pacific destinations are already popular among international travelers, and additional air routes and resort investments are expected to enhance that draw.

State cultural assets will be displayed for visitors

Jalisco’s preparations aren’t all about roads and rooms. The state is leaning heavily on its cultural assets to make the World Cup a celebration of identity. In Guadalajara’s historic center, a World Cup Fan Festival will transform the plazas into a hub of music, art and gastronomy, featuring mariachi performances, charreadas and regional cuisine.

Beyond the capital, the state’s 12 Pueblos Magicos, including Tapalpa, Mazamitla, Lagos de Moreno and Tequila, are undergoing beautification projects under the Rutas Magicas de Color initiative. These efforts aim to improve public spaces and strengthen tourism infrastructure ahead of the global spotlight.

The federal Pueblos Mágicos program itself is also evolving. The Tourism Ministry recently announced new classification tiers — A, AA, AAA — that will assess each town’s readiness based on sustainability, service quality, and innovation. Evaluations are expected to conclude by late 2025.

Jalisco is becoming a global event hub

Officials predict the World Cup is just the start of a larger push to position Jalisco as a global event hub. Later that same year, Guadalajara will host ITB Americas, one of the world’s largest travel trade shows, for the first time. The fair will attract thousands of industry leaders from across the Americas and is expected to generate nearly US $12 million in tourism revenue.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post How Jalisco is getting ready to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Mexico News Daily

The announcement coincided with the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. This international tasting event brought producers and judges to Guadalajara, Tequila, Puerto Vallarta and several of the state’s Pueblos Mágicos. With Guadalajara preparing to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jalisco’s tourism officials see an opportunity to set part of that global spotlight on the region’s agricultural interior.

A new tequila trail

For more than a decade, the original Tequila Route west of Guadalajara has drawn visitors to the namesake town and surrounding UENSCO-listed agave fields. The new Los Altos circuit turns the focus eastward, to higher elevations, where the soil is rich with iron and the cooler climate yields sweeter, fruit-forward agaves.

The route connects Acatic, Tepatitlán, San Ignacio Cerro Gordo, Arandas, Jesús María, Atotonilco El Alto, Ayotlán and Tototlán, communities that together offer more than 1,600 rooms, 530 restaurants and 75 organized visitor experiences. Travelers can tour small-batch distilleries, stay at family haciendas or join workshops that walk them through every stage of tequila production, from hand-harvesting the piñas to barrel aging and tasting.

Signature attractions

Among the signature stops is the forthcoming Clase Azul Interpretive Museum and Los González Reserve, which plans to combine horseback rides through agave plantations with interpretive exhibits exploring the craftsmanship behind the brand’s ceramic bottles. In Arandas, construction has begun on Mundo de Don Julio, a cultural complex that will include a restaurant, museum and guided experiences celebrating one of Mexico’s most recognized labels.

To the south, El Tesoro de los Altos by Campo Azul is being developed as a countryside retreat with cabins overlooking the fields, ATV excursions, and blending workshops led by local distillers. Nearby, Farm-to-Table by Tequila San Matías will showcase regional ingredients — corn, goat cheese, chiles and fresh herbs — served with tequila pairings and talks on sustainable agriculture. And at Casa Loy, outside Tepatitlán, chefs are designing menus that connect contemporary Mexican cooking with traditional highland spirits.

These plans are all part of the tourism board’s greater design to expand the state’s tourism sectors beyond the coastal resorts and Guadalajara, especially as the state braces for an influx of tourists during the World Cup.

A booming industry, but how much room to grow?

Tequila’s tourism appeal is undeniable. Tequila received 1.2 million visitors in 2023, a 19% increase from 2019. While that period includes the pandemic years, when international travel slowed, it’s worth noting that Mexico was one of the few countries to keep its borders open. As a result, domestic and regional travel surged, and destinations like Tequila saw massive growth.

For a small town, 1.2 million annual visitors is a significant number, and it signals a clear appetite for spirits-based tourism. The question now is whether the Los Altos corridor can capture a share of that interest and disperse it more evenly across the state.

Jalisco as a whole is riding a wave of momentum. In the first trimester of 2025, the state recorded 11 million visitors. Puerto Vallarta alone receives about two million travelers per year, while Guadalajara welcomed roughly 16 million in 2024. The new highlands circuit could help balance that flow, but whether it can divert enough travelers from established destinations to make a measurable difference in overcrowding remains to be seen.

What’s clear, however, is that there is real demand for tequila-related experiences, and the highlands offer a way to expand the narrative beyond one small, over-visited town. 

Positioning for the World Cup boom

State officials expect the Los Altos route to be fully operational by the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins. Guadalajara will serve as one of Mexico’s three host cities, and tourism authorities estimate that the tournament could bring an additional five million visitors nationwide and generate several billion dollars in tourism spending.

By opening up a new tourism corridor, the plan is to help thin out the rush of crowds who will surely flood Guadalajara and the beaches around the Bay of Banderas. Road improvements, new signage, and a digital map are in the works to make the circuit easier for self-guided travelers.

Ready for diversification

Tequila remains one of Mexico’s most lucrative exports, generating nearly US $4 billion in 2024, according to the Tequila Regulatory Council. But much of that profit still flows to large-scale producers. The Los Altos initiative aims to integrate smaller distilleries, agave farmers and local entrepreneurs into the formal tourism network.

Community cooperatives and municipal governments are collaborating on training programs for guides, restaurateurs and homestay owners to help professionalize services while keeping management local. 

The highlands of Jalisco were inscribed by UNESCO in 2006 as part of the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila. Preserving that legacy has become central to the route’s long-term vision. 

Participating distilleries are adopting water-recycling systems, composting agave waste and restoring native vegetation around their fields. Many of the new visitor programs include lessons on biodiversity and reforestation. The state’s Sustainable Tourism Council has said that it will oversee certification to ensure that growth does not compromise environmental standards.

A new tourism model

Los Altos is one element of a larger push to diversify Jalisco’s food and beverage tourism. Along the Pacific coast, the Raicilla Route continues to expand, introducing travelers to the lesser-known smoky spirit native to Jalisco. Two wine routes are also being developed in the highlands. 

Together, these projects are pointing to a new phase in Jalisco’s tourism model, one that has traditionally relied on sun-and-sand tourism. For travelers, the Los Altos Tequila Route is a window into the landscapes and the personalities behind Mexico’s national drink. Visitors driving the route will pass small roadside distilleries, open-air markets and fields where jimadores still harvest by hand.

As the countdown to the World Cup continues, Jalisco is betting that these quiet hills will draw as much curiosity as the crowds in the stadium of Guadalajara. For the communities of Los Altos, the hope is that attention may bring recognition and a more sustainable future.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post Jalisco’s Los Altos Tequila Route opens new path for rural tourism ahead of 2026 World Cup appeared first on Mexico News Daily

In recent weeks, the city has seen major developments shaping daily life and mobility — from the opening of the new Las Juntas overpass to the brief suspension of the Malecón expansion amid resident protests. 

Meanwhile, the community continues to rebound from weather-related setbacks, including flooding and the loss of the Marigalante pirate ship.

Historic Marigalante pirate ship replacement en route

The Marigalante, Puerto Vallarta’s beloved pirate ship and one of the city’s most recognizable silhouettes, sank earlier this month after high tides from Hurricane Priscilla and a failed bilge pump caused the vessel to take on water, according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board.

The ship, a replica of Christopher Columbus’ Santa María — a 15th-century carrack — had hosted nightly pirate-themed dinner shows since the 1990s. It will not be restored. Instead, its sister ship, the Jolly Roger, will arrive from Cancún after a transit through the Panama Canal, with the company expecting it to reach the Bay of Banderas before December 2025.

Built in Mazatlán in 2009 from a mix of steel and wood, the Jolly Roger combines the look of a classic galleon with modern durability. The company behind the Marigalante confirmed that the move aims to preserve local jobs and continue the city’s signature pirate entertainment. Crew members from both ships will be invited to join the new operation, and officials say they may even retain the Marigalante name to honor the legacy of a Vallarta icon that defined the city’s skyline for decades.

Puerto Vallarta Malecón expansion stalls amid protests

Plans to expand and rehabilitate Puerto Vallarta’s famed oceanfront walkway came to a brief halt earlier this month after residents and taxi drivers blocked Avenida México, the main site of the proposed works. The demonstration, sparked by concerns over timing and community input, forced construction crews to suspend activity just hours after City Hall announced the start of the 18-million-peso project.

Videos circulating on social media show a line of protestors marching with signs. The project, funded through the Federal Maritime Land Zone (ZOFEMAT) program, aims to extend the Malecón north from Calle 31 de Octubre to Calle Argentina, connecting it with Parque Hidalgo and the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood. Planned upgrades include new lighting, resurfacing, sidewalks, benches and utilities. The 80-day timeline targets completion before the holiday season.

Residents say the work was rushed and imposed without sufficient consultation, while officials cite a three-week public survey as evidence of outreach. Business owners worry that construction will disrupt customer access during Puerto Vallarta’s high season.

New overpass eases traffic at Las Juntas Interchange

The newly opened overpass at the Las Juntas Interchange has significantly improved traffic flow in Puerto Vallarta’s northern corridor, reducing travel times between the airport and the interchange from as long as two hours in heavy traffic to just 10 to 15 minutes.

Although additional work continues, such as the installation of a pedestrian bridge and roadway adjustments requiring traffic officers, the benefits to daily commuters are already visible, including enhanced mobility for residents as well as streamlined travel to and from the airport and hotel zone.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post MND Local: Puerto Vallarta October news roundup appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Renewing from a one-year temporary residency to a three-year card is the next natural step for anyone on an immigration journey. Compared to getting your original residency card approved, the process this time around is blissfully straightforward. While many people choose to hire a fixer to handle everything, and understandably so, it’s also absolutely possible to do it yourself. I did it solo in Puerto Vallarta, and it was smooth sailing from start to finish. Here’s how it works.

Why a fixer might be worth it (and why I didn’t use one)

Many immigrants in Mexico swear by their fixers — local professionals who specialize in navigating Mexico’s famously variable bureaucracy. It’s a common joke that each INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office has its own “interpretation” of the official rules. Some offices might require extra documents that others don’t.

A good fixer can anticipate those quirks, saving you time, frustration and possibly a few gray hairs.

That said, fixers can be pricey, often charging several thousand pesos for something you can do yourself with a printer, a bit of Spanish and a dose of patience. If you’re organized and don’t mind handling paperwork, doing it on your own is totally manageable. The process is clearly outlined online, and, in my experience, the immigration officers in Puerto Vallarta were professional, kind and even encouraging.

Step 1: Go to the official INM website

Start your journey at www.inm.gob.mx/mpublic/publico/inm-tramites.html. Click Trámites Migratorios and select Expedición de documento migratorio por renovación. This section is specifically for renewing your existing residency, not applying for a new one.

Here, you’ll find a detailed list of requirements and links to all the forms you need. Begin with the solicitud, which is the main application to extend your stay. Under Motivo de solicitud, choose Extender la estancia, and specify Expedición de Tarjeta de Residente por Renovación.

You’ll be asked to fill in details from your current residency card and passport. Once completed, the system will generate a número de pieza — a unique tracking number. Print or save this page; you’ll need it later to schedule your appointment. You’ll also need to bring this tracking number with you to your appointment.

Step 2: Schedule your appointment

With your número de pieza in hand, return to the Trámites page and click through to the Requirements section to schedule your appointment (cita) at your local INM office. If you’re renewing in a busy area like Puerto Vallarta, book early; slots fill up quickly.

Once your appointment is confirmed, it’s time to gather your documents.

Step 3. Gather your paperwork

Here’s what you’ll need to bring to your appointment:

• Your old resident card, plus a copy of the front and back of the card, copied onto the same page.
• Passport, with a copy of the data page.
• Printout of your número de pieza.
• Formato básico, a simple information form. Most INM offices provide this in person, but some require it in advance. To be safe, you can download it here: https://www.gob.mx/inm/documentos/informacion-formato-basico.
• Proof of payment. The fee for a three-year renewal (as of 2025) is 10,570 pesos. It’s easiest to pay by credit card at your appointment, although you can also pay in advance via bank transfer.

Don’t worry about bringing photographs in advance — you’ll take them during your appointment.

The last piece depends on your type of residency. If you have residency through a job, you’ll need a letter from your employer. If you’re a student, you’ll need to provide proof of enrollment.

For those of us living in Mexico under the general “living here” category, you’ll click the option for “Written renewal accrediting the circumstances subsist” — essentially a letter confirming that your situation hasn’t changed. The system will generate this document for you to print and sign.

Here’s where I hit a small snag: I forgot to bring this letter with me. Luckily, the immigration officer who helped me was an angel of empathy, who was clearly used to gringo errors. She showed me exactly where to find it online, told me where I could print it nearby, and even held my spot while I dashed out to get it. This kind of patience is not guaranteed, so learn from my mistake and have all your documents ready to go.

Step 4: Attend your appointment

On the day of your appointment, arrive early, dressed neatly and with your documents in order. Depending on the office, you might need to wait a bit, but once called, the process moves quickly. You’ll review your information, make your payment, take your photo and fingerprints and confirm your details. If all goes well, you’ll leave that same day with your brand-new three-year residency card — valid, sturdy and beautifully laminated.

The difference between a one-year card and a three-year card might seem small, but it’s a game-changer in practice. Not only do you save yourself two years’ worth of renewal appointments, but you also gain a sense of long-term stability. You can travel in and out of Mexico freely, rent apartments more easily, open bank accounts and build a life here without the yearly stress of expiring paperwork.

Plus, once your three years are up, you’re eligible to apply for permanent residency, which is the ultimate goal for many people who plan to stay indefinitely. Permanent residency means no more renewals, ever.

Renewing your temporary residency might not sound glamorous, but it’s one of those necessary rites of passage for anyone putting down roots in Mexico. And if you handle it yourself, it’s surprisingly empowering.

Walking out of the INM office with that new card in hand felt like a tangible reminder that Mexico is home, at least for the foreseeable future. And as my plane lifts off the runway, I can’t help but smile at the thought that, for the next three years, my only paperwork will be postcards.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post How to renew your Mexican temporary residency card yourself — without losing your mind appeared first on Mexico News Daily

From the airport to the Malecón, and from mountain roads to neighborhood streets, infrastructure is changing. The question now is how these changes, some ambitious, others controversial, will reshape daily life and the visitor experience in the years ahead.

A bigger, greener gateway

The most visible project is the long-awaited expansion of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) reports that the new terminal has reached 54% completion, with phased operations expected in 2026 and full capacity by 2027.

The 9.2 billion peso investment will add 74,000 square meters of space, doubling the airport’s passenger capacity and allowing 6 million more travelers per year. Once complete, the facility will include eight new jet-bridge gates and seven remote positions, increasing the total gate capacity to 32. 

Sustainability is a centerpiece of the design. The terminal is targeting LEED Gold certification with solar panels, rainwater harvesting and solar-control glass facades. That eco-minded touch is a response to the growing demand for responsible travel, and comes at a time when Vallarta is receiving more international flights than ever, including new services from Porter Airlines and Southwest.

Highways that shorten distances

Air connectivity is only part of the equation. On the ground, a network of new roads is set to cut travel times dramatically. The most anticipated is the Tepic-Compostela highway, scheduled to open on November 1. Spanning 26 kilometers with 10 bridges, two railroad crossings, and a branch to Tepic Airport, the project will reduce the Tepic-Vallarta drive from three and a half hours to 75 minutes.

In parallel, construction has begun on the Amado Nervo Bridge, linking Puerto Vallarta with Bahia de Banderas by late 2026. Beyond easing vehicular congestion, the bridge will feature pedestrian and bike lanes, aligning with the city’s larger mobility push. Officials estimate the bridge will benefit nearly half a million people across the metropolitan area.

Meanwhile, smaller projects like the new four-kilometer El Jorullo access road are giving long-isolated mountain communities safe year-round connectivity. For travelers, this means easier access to Vallarta’s natural hinterlands for additional canyons, waterfalls, and adventure tourism.

A malecón for the future

Originally built in 1936 and last renovated in 2011, the oceanfront malecón boardwalk is once again set for expansion. The city has approved a northern extension stretching from 31 de Octubre to Argentia, with new lighting, planters, and automated irrigation. 

The addition will create a northern gateway to the waterfront, connecting the Malecón to Parque Hidalgo. 

Tackling mobility: Bikes, buses, and parking

Mobility within the city is a pressing issue, and several projects aim to ease congestion while nudging residents and visitors toward more sustainable options. Puerto Vallarta is preparing to launch a free public bicycle system financed through the city’s lodging tax. The first step will be to rehabilitate the bike lane network; afterward, racks and fleets of bicycles will be introduced across hubs like Plaza Caracol, Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas, and the southern Malecón.

In Marina Vallarta, a free shuttle bus service has returned, offering residents, workers, and tourists no-cost transport through the neighborhood. The loop runs every 18 minutes from early morning until night.

Still, car use remains central, and parking is a flashpoint. City leaders are weighing a digital meter system using QR codes, with proposed rates of 18 pesos per hour across Centro, Zona Romantica, Versalles, and Marina Vallarta.

Investing in water and the environment

Behind the visible projects, Puerto Vallarta is also confronting a less glamorous but essential challenge: water. SEAPAL Vallarta, the city’s water utility, has struggled with financial shortfalls and service disruptions. 

At the same time, environmental initiatives are being tied directly to tourism. A proposed municipal tax on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb would funnel 1-3% of booking fees into clean-water infrastructure, wastewater management, and the preservation of green zones. This would supplement Jalisco’s existing 4% lodging tax.

Puerto Vallarta going forward

Business chambers and civic leaders are urging coordination between all these projects —airport, port, bus station and urban upgrades — so that Puerto Vallarta presents a unified vision for handling tourism growth. Their proposals also emphasize culinary tourism, sustainability, training for restaurants and revitalization of landmarks like the Río Cuale and the Cerro neighborhood. 

For now, the projects paint an ambitious picture of what Puerto Vallarta could become: better connected, easier to navigate and more sustainable. But many of these initiatives are still under construction or awaiting approval, and not all will unfold as envisioned. Budgets can tighten, community pushback can alter plans and maintenance often lags once ribbon-cuttings are over.

But what is clear is that Puerto Vallarta is at a crossroads, investing heavily in infrastructure at a moment when tourism demand is rising and resident needs are pressing. Whether the city can strike a balance between growth, livability, and long-term sustainability remains to be seen.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

The post Puerto Vallarta braces for 2026 and beyond with new infrastructure initiatives appeared first on Mexico News Daily