Nuevo Nayarit, Nay., Mexico — January 8, 2024 — Mexico’s state of Nayarit, a Virtuoso Preferred Destination, is poised for a banner year in 2024. In fact, a recent survey from Booking.com shows that Nayarit is the preferred travel destination in all of Mexico. Ninety percent of those surveyed are looking for relaxing vacations by the water in 2024, and with an enviable location on the Bahia de Banderas, Nayarit deliver. What’s more, the survey indicated that 50 percent of travelers are looking for local travel, aiming to enjoy a luxurious vacation at a reduced cost. For travelers looking to tick off their bucket list boxes in 2024, Mexico’s state of Nayarit is truly a dream destination.

Nayarit’s Attributes Lure 2024 Travelers

When it comes to 2024 travel, Nayarit is hitting all the high notes, from unique hotels and romantic escapes to culinary travel, golf, and the rising popularity of “Set-Jetting,” here’s what travelers can expect in 2024.

Unique and New Hotels

Mexico’s hotel scene is expanding at lightning speed, and Nayarit is no exception, with luxury leading the way.

The highly anticipated Rosewood Mandarina is set to open its doors in 2024 as Rosewood’s fourth hotel in Mexico. The ultra-luxe resort will be part of an already impressive compound that the One&Only Mandarina and Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club already call home. The hotel will feature 140 guest rooms, suites, and villas with panoramic views across the mountains, beach, and ocean. Guests will have the option to choose from three bars and restaurants, as well as three pools, a fitness center, and a spa with 10 treatment rooms.

Speaking of the One&Only Mandarina, the resort was ranked by The Knot as one of the best treehouse hotels in the world.

In the Punta Mita area of Nayarit, visitors can expect the debut of Montage and Pendry hotels, as well as a Belmond resort in the coming years.

Meliá Hotels International plans to open its first Zel hotel in Mexico in 2025 in Sayulita. The new Zen Sayulita will be the international debut of the Spanish hotel brand, featuring 145 rooms.

The already established Riu Palace Pacifico reopened to guests after a complete refurbishment and a conversion into an adults-only hotel. The renovation is accompanied by an expansion of new services, including more gastronomy options, improved experiences, and the Elite Club by RIU.

Romance Travel

Romance travel is one trend that will never go out of style, and Nayarit knows how to set the mood. Velas Resorts is offering a new “Mojiganga Wedding Experience” for couples. Mojigangas, a deeply traditional part of Mexican heritage, are dynamic, gorgeously crafted puppets made from papier-mâché. Often seen in processions, parades, and especially at weddings, mojigangas are said to attract both good fortune and ward off evil. These towering figures stand at more than six feet and require a person inside to manage their movements.

Velas Resorts is bringing the tradition to life by creating bespoke mojigangas that represent the bride and groom, adding a personalized and festive touch to destination weddings. This package is available at its properties in Riviera Nayarit, as well as its other destinations in Mexico.

Elevated Cuisine

The coastal cuisine of Riviera Nayarit is second to none, featuring the freshest seafood, locally sourced produce, and succulent cuts of meat cooked over open flame. What’s more, Nayarit has so many gorgeous settings for those once-in-a-lifetime dining moments.

W Punta de Mita, for example, is now offering a private island dining experience at its all new culinary concept, Mesa1. This secluded venue hosts just one nightly seating on a private island on a table made from a 100-year-old Parota tree. Guests indulge in a customizable seven-course tasting menu that celebrates local flavors. Whether guests are looking for a romantic evening, or an exclusive family gathering, this private venue hits the spot.

Swinging into 2024

One of the primary draws to Riviera Nayarit is its golf offerings, and the golf scene is set to grow in the coming years. Mandarina has announced the plans for a new golf course designed by Greg Norman. As part of the Mandarina Experiences program, the golf club will feature a 10-hole short course consisting of par 3 holes, taking inspiration from holes at famous courses around the world. Think Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Pine Valley, and Royal Melbourne. The course is slated for completion in 2025.

Set-Jetting

One of the top travel trends for 2024 is set-jetting, or travel based on popular film and television locations. For travelers who have been hooked to the Bachelor in Paradise, they will recognize the setting as the world-famous Pueblo Magico, Sayulita. Since season 2, Bachelor in Paradise has been filmed at the Playa Escondida Resort.

Visitors can soak up every romantic moment with a visit to the intimate beachfront resort in 2024. The hotel offers activities like horseback riding on the beach, yoga, surfing lessons, paddle boarding, whale and dolphin watching, hiking and bike trails, and golf. For wellness aficionados, a spa provides hot stone therapy, deep tissue massages, four hand massages, and facials.