The “Tourism Corridor” Plan
As of June 2008 there are more than a dozen new 15 to 30-floor condominium buildings either under construction or planned for the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta areas.
The large marina at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is essentially complete, the “Four Seasons” complex on Punta de Mita is well-developed, and the new resort area at Litibu near Sayulita is in advanced stages of construction.
Sayulita and San Francisco (San Pancho) have seen an explosion of tourism-related populations, while availability of beachfront development properties has virtually disappeared.
During the first week of June 2008 the Governor of Nayarit attended the ground breaking of the first major resort hotel at the new Punta Raza development which is located near the resort towns of Rincon de Guayabitos and La Penita de Jaltemba, more than one hour north of Puerto Vallarta.
During the next 5 to 10 years the state of Nayarit, Mexico, from its southern border with Puerto Vallarta up north to San Blas, is projected to see very strong growth in tourism-related real estate development.
Growth of our “Riviera Nayarit” area is due in a large part to a long-term “Tourism Corridor” program for Puerto Vallarta and the State of Nayarit, Mexico which was developed around the beginning of 2000 and is being instituted through the joint efforts of private enterprise in conjunction with local, state, and federal government agencies.
The “Tourism Corridor” plan focuses on transforming the coast of Nayarit north of Puerto Vallarta up to San Blas into a sustainable tourism destination, branded as the “Riviera Nayarit”.
The portion of Nayarit included in the plan is from Nuevo Vallarta to San Blas, including the municipalities of Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Banderas), Compostela, and San Blas. The total area considered by the plan in Nayarit is approximately 118,000 hectares or 303,000 acres.
Mexico’s national department for tourism development, FONATUR, the agency responsible for spear-heading development of Los Cabos, Cancún, Loreto, Huatulco and Ixtapa, is providing considerable support to help insure success of the Nayarit “Tourism Corridor” plan. The strong growth of our Nayarit area is reminescent of what transpired in other successful major tourism areas of Mexico where FONATUR previously focused their resources.
The versions of illustrations of the tourism corridor plan that follow are from the original plan published in 2002. You will see that many of the projects forecasted have been started, and some completed.
Playa Las Tortugas, “Riviera Nayarit”
Playa Las Tortugas”, in its setting of 4 kilometers of coconut palm groves, is found in the heart of the rapidly growing “Riviera Nayarit”. A significant level of new development is occurring within the “Tourism Corridor” area, and projects are being announced at an ever increasing pace. Please click on the image below to see project locations.
Over the next 5 to 7 years there will be at least two very important tourism markets looking to enjoy the beaches of Nayarit.
While millions of “baby boomers” from northern climates of North American and European countries are searching for their spot on the warm, sunny coasts of Mexico, there is also a burgeoning middle and upper-middle class in Mexico flexing their buying-power via increasingly competitive mortgage loans and interest rates.
The “Tourism Corridor” Overall Plan Strategy
Major Components of the “Tourism Corridor” Plan
The “Tourism Corridor” plan initially employs Puerto Vallarta, a traditional beach vacation center (CTP) with its international airport, to “jump-start” development of the first “Integral Tourism Projects” (PTI’s).
There are six initial PTI’s that comprise the most important areas to be developed, numbered as “PTI-1” through “PTI-6”. Two of the PTI’s (1 and 6) are made up of multiple locations.
Integral Tourism Project (PTI) 1
“PTI-1” includes Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta and Flamingos Vallarta projects, already well-advanced, and the expansion of the Puerto Vallarta International (PVR) Airport.
The airport expansion has been in process for several years. First a raised section of highway was installed to provide room below for better access, then a new departures check-in section was added to the terminal, and in early 2008 a new set of gates and jetways (Terminal B) has been completed. The plan also calls for addition of another runway.
Integral Tourism Projects (PTI) 2 and 3
“PTI-2” is the area on the north shore of Banderas Bay between Bucerias and Punta Mita including the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle’s new marina. “PTI-3” is Punta de Mita, also well advanced with its world-class “Four Seasons” resort and other new resorts coming on line in 2008 and 2009.
Integral Tourism Project (PTI) 4
The “PTI-4” includes an area just 18 kilometers south of “Playa Las Tortugas” known as “Boca Chila”. Numerous parcels of land have already been purchased by investors in the Boca Chila area and consolidated so that a development of significant size can be carried out. Adjacent to “Boca Chila” is Chacala and the “Marina Chacala” project where ocean front and ocean view lots have been developed and several homes from $1,800,000 to $2,500,000 USD are currently under construction or for sale.
Integral Tourism Project (PTI) 5
“PTI-5” is the “Lima de Abajo - Puerta de la Lima” area, north of Guayabitos/La Penita and south of Las Varas. This PTI includes Punta Naranjo, Boca el Naranjo, and Playa el Naranjo. In 2008 FONATUR is already actively working on development of the “PTI-5”, which includes resort hotel and residential properties accompanied by golf and other recreation activities.
The acces road from Federal Highway 200 has been paved down into the development area, and a new high-speed federal highway is approved (with the first section funded) to link Nayarit beaches in this area with the international highway, Guadalajara, and other inland cities.
This new highway connection to Puerta de la Lima will originate from the four-lane international highway near Jala (Jala is between Tepic and Guadalajara on the four-lane toll road) and terminate at Highway 200 near Puerta de la Lima.
The new highway will make for easy beach access from large metropolitan areas such as Guadalajara (more than 4 million population), Aguascalientes (more than 750,000 inhabitants), Leon (Leon-Silao more than 3 million residents) and other important inland cities, opening Nayarit beaches to Mexico’s growing middle and upper-middle classes. You can see the approximate highway location in the above plan, departing from Puerta de la Lima and headed right (east) just underneath the “SSR” label, as well as below. The illustration below originated from a file generated by the Secretary of Communications and Transport.
Integral Tourism Project (PTI) 6 Litibu/Punta Raza/Plataniots
“PTI-6” includes Litibu (well-advanced), Punta Raza (first world-class five-star hotels under construction in June 2008 and to include a marina & golf), an area north of Platanitos which is still in planning stages with some properties destined, and Jolotemba where there is a development project underway.
Integrally Planned Center (CIP) Chila/Naranjo/Las Varas
Above is another view of a portion of the proposed “Riviera Nayarit” tourism corridor plan, with Playa Las Tortugas seen at the upper side, that includes the PTI’s 4, 5, and 6 (Punta Raza). The dashed line encloses the “CIP” (Integrally Planned Center) and indicates an area of proposed major development, with three specific subareas denoted by “PTI-4”, “PTI-5” and “PTI-6” circles, and the town of Las Varas in a circle “SSR” (Subregional Services) as a center for employee housing and employee or tourism services.
Development is generally arriving from the south towards the north, or from bottom to top of the proposed plan. Currently under development are “Marina Chacala” and “Punta Raza”, as well as “Playa Las Tortugas”.
The plan provides for protection of the turtle-nesting habitat on beaches between Platanitos (Playa Las Tortugas) and Chacala, as well as protection of the estuary bordering Playa Las Tortugas as a “protected natural area”.
Note that the long-term plan also provides for an airport between Zacualpan and the coast, about 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) south of Playa Las Tortugas. There is an existing paved 1000 meter runway between La Penita and Lima de Abajo which is proposed to be extended to 1500 meters, in order to service a variety of private craft and smaller jets with capacities possibly up to 40 passengers. It is assumed that this runway will be expanded in time to help service the new Punta Raza development.
New Development at “Punta Raza”
A new development was announced this November at “Punta Raza” between Monteon and Los Ayala, just south of Guayabitos. A ground breaking ceremony for the first two hotels which are the Gran Hyatt and Park Hyatt occurred during the first week of June 2008, attended by the Nayarit Governor Ney Gonzalez Sanchez.
“Punta Raza” is located on the beach, 58 kilometers (36 miles) north of the Puerto Vallarta (PVR) International Airport and only 52 kilometers (32 miles) south of Playa Las Tortugas.
The developer is “C&C Capital” which is a consortium of successful Mexican companies dedicated to development of luxury tourism projects. They announced the “Punta Raza” project on November 7th, 2007 having acquired the land in November of 2006.
The first phase of development in “Punta Raza” contemplates installation of the roads and accesses, and also construction of two hotels which are the Gran Hyatt and Park Hyatt, a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., and some residences. “C & C” is projecting that the two hotels and golf course will be ready for occupancy by December 2008, though possibly more realistically it will be during 2009.
Ultimately the project will have up to 6 luxury hotels, 950 residences, the golf course, and a 250-slip marina. The residential prices are expected to range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 USD. Carlos Brockmann, vice president of “C & C” says that now it is almost impossible to put together tracts of land this large [in the area].
This means we’ll see world-class golf within an hour of PLT probably in less than 2 years, and maybe in only 18 months. The new “Punta Raza” project, along with others in the quickly developing “Riviera Nayarit” will help make an investment at PLT more attractive financially.
Another positive result of the “Punta Raza” project is that the proposed alternate route from Puerto Vallarta to Monteon is now projected to be completed prior to the end of 2010. This alternate route will likely cut travel time from the PV airport bat least 20 minutes or more. The projected route leaves the four-lane north of the airport just before the Flamingo’s golf course and intersects the two-lane highway just south of Monteon, some 5-minutes south of Guayabitos.
Proposed Alternate Route from Puerto Vallarta to “Punta Raza”
The executive project (surveying and planning) is under way for a new highway which is proposed to run from near the Flamingos golf club outside of Puerto Vallarta to Highway 200 near “Punta Raza”. This highway will help save driving time to Playa Las Tortugas, by making a more direct route and avoiding coastal traffic bound for Punta Mita, Sayulita, San Pancho, and other points prior to Monteon. The developers of “Punta Raza” are helping to move the project forward, and estimate it will be completed by 2010.
Highway Projects Proposed or In-Process
A number of highway projects are proposed or in-process for the greater Puerto Vallarta - Riviera Nayarit area. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit would both like to encourage more tourism from Guadalajara and Leon, where over 7 million live. Also, most retail and wholesale products come to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit either via Guadalajara or down the coast from the north. The international highway from Nogales to Guadalajara is now practically 100% four-lane highway, with just a small stretch between Mazatlan and Tepic in the final stages of construction.
The Secretary of Communications and Transport (SCT) has a number of projects in or near completion of their design phases, including projects which will provide better highway access from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. Three proposals address an alternate route from the greater Puerto Vallarta area to a point just south of Rincon de Guayabitos, a bypass around Guayabitos and La Penita up to Puerta de la Lima, and a route from Puerto de la Lima to Jala (Tepi - Guadalajara highway). You’ll see the bypass indicated in the PTI-6 Punta Raza plan, from Monteon to just above La Penita. The new route from Puerto Vallarta to Monteon is indicated in the “CTP” plan, though that route is expected to be modified somewhat. Some of these highway projects may initially be funded with money from the private sector, operated as toll roads, and then sold to the federal government at a later date.
The Nayarit state government is also encouraging a number of highway improvement projects, some of which are already being built, and some of which have topography and construction plans completed. Many of the proposed projects are targeted at helping increase access for tourism.
Travel & Outdoors | March 2007 CNN: Riviera Nayarit Poised to Become a Premier Vacation Destination
“Apple Vacations, the nation’s leading tour operator to Mexico, was honored this week for its contributions to tourism development in Mexico, specifically in the State of Nayarit, located just north of Puerto Vallarta on the central West Coast of Mexico. The award was presented by Governor Ney Gonzalez Sanchez of the State of Nayarit, which is poised to become the one of the leading new tourism destinations in Mexico.
“Receiving the accolades, Apple Vacations’ Chairman and C.E.O. John Mullen noted the tremendous growth opportunities for travel to this developing region of Mexico.
“With the continued planned development in this emerging vacation destination, Apple Vacations will support the State of Nayarit with a commitment to double the number of passengers to the region within the next five years.
“Part of the support includes an increase in the number of dedicated charter flights from U.S. cities to Western Mexico, and plans to offer new nonstop flying from East Coast gateways including Philadelphia and Baltimore. This is in addition to nearly 20 weekly flights from Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Dallas.
“A recent visit to Philadelphia by Governor Sanchez and other state officials, including the Minister of Tourism, marked the official launch of a major initiative, the introduction of a distinct new tourism region known as Riviera Nayarit.
“Riviera Nayarit, just north of world-famous Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast, is largely undeveloped and is being carefully planned to ensure the natural resources are protected. Stretching from Punta de Mita all the way to the ancient fortress of San Blas, Riviera Nayarit provides a more laid back vacation experience. Eco-tourists can discover mangroves and habitats for hundreds of birds, dolphins and sea turtles. Accommodations are built with the utmost care in preserving the ecosystem, and range from quaint posadas on the beach to upscale luxury resorts. Activities include its world-renowned surfing, shopping at boutiques featuring local artwork and traditional handicrafts, golf, whale watching, hiking, horseback riding, and endless miles of unspoiled beaches and golden coastline waiting to be discovered.
“‘The tourism development in Riviera Nayarit is on par with what we saw happen in Quintana Roo, with the development of Riviera Maya over a decade ago,’ said Mullen. ‘This is where vacationers will want to go—it is the ‘new’ Mexico and Apple Vacations plans to be at the forefront of bringing passengers to this exciting, up and coming region.’”
Riviera Nayarit, Tourist Destination in Mexico | March 2007
“Nayarit Governor Ney Gonzalez Sanchez officially announced Costa Vallarta’s North Shore rebranding as Riviera Nayarit at the recent Acapulco Travel Wholesalers Convention.
“Riviera Nayarit consists of a 160 kilometers stretch that spans Banderas Bay, Compostela and San Blas. Spectacular natural settings and diverse tourism-appealing areas will coexist with planned developments that include a hotel zone which will encourage the arrival of national and international premium tourism. Riviera Nayarit’s growth is planned in a responsible and sustainable tourism model that will include ecotourism, cultural activities, adventure options, golf, whalewatching, fishing, gastronomy, diving, and much more.
“Riviera Nayarit has so far developed 12 thousand hotel rooms, 60% ranging from 4-star hotels to Gran Turismo. More than 490 million dollars has been invested during this year. Litibu, an important project that is already in construction, is an Integral Planned Center developed by the National Tourism Office (Fonatur). A sophisticated development, Litibu includes boutique hotels, a marina, heliport, hospitals, shopping malls, and a Greg Norman-designed golf course, presently in the final phase of construction, expected to open during the summer months.”
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