Condé Nast Traveler just dropped its list of the 50 best places to visit in 2026, and Riviera Nayarit made the cut. That’s not a participation trophy. That’s global recognition for a region that’s been quietly building something extraordinary while the world wasn’t looking.
The headline grabbers are the luxury resorts opening this year. Rosewood Mandarina welcomed its first guests in May 2025. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Siari, perched on a pristine stretch of Punta Mita coastline, starts taking guests in November with bookings already live. Add Gran Melia’s 180-room property and Hotel Zel Sayulita to the mix, and you’ve got over a billion dollars in hospitality investment hitting the market simultaneously. Punta Mita isn’t just keeping pace with Cabo anymore. It’s setting its own standard. Check out our complete guide to Punta de Mita luxury resorts and beaches to plan your visit.
But the real story runs deeper than thread counts and infinity pools. Nearly 40% of Riviera Nayarit hotels now hold sustainable tourism certifications. The target is 60% by year-end. That’s not greenwashing. That’s infrastructure, wastewater treatment, renewable energy, and community programs that actually change how tourism operates on the ground.
Then there’s the Tepic International Airport transformation. A $250 million rebrand to “Riviera Nayarit Airport” creates a northern gateway that bypasses Puerto Vallarta entirely. Sayulita, San Pancho, and the entire northern coast become directly accessible to international travelers. If you’re planning to explore the surf town vibe, our Sayulita travel guide covers everything from beach breaks to the best tacos.
Riviera Nayarit spent years as Puerto Vallarta’s quieter neighbor. Those days are over.
Sources: Visit Nayarit; Travel And Tour World; Travel Weekly; Mexico News Daily
