COAST ALONG

A slice of the Mexican shoreline in Costalegre is reconsidering what sustainable travel can look like, through gentle development and thoughtful community.

- ANDREA BARTZ

In February 2020, long before I knew just how fortuitous my timing would be, I spent a month solo traveling along Mexico’s Pacific coast. (I know; don’t hate me.) Though my days of traveling alone for weeks at a time are squarely behind me—a girlfriend, a dog, a cat, work deadlines, will do that to you—there’s one spot I visited on that trip that I couldn’t get out of my head: Costalegre ("happy coast").

I’ve been lucky enough to visit many of Mexico’s most–loved destinations over the years, but Costalegre is just different: 200–plus miles of stunning coastline, rugged cliffs, lush rainforest, and secluded swimming coves, populated by locals and visitors who are just as in love with this sacred–feeling spot as I am.

I got the chance to visit again recently, and somehow, it was even better than I remembered— the whole region is brimming with soul–changing places to stay and memory–making things for you to include in your itinerary.

Unlike some other Mexican destinations that seemingly went from zero to Señor Frog in the blink of an eye, Costalegre is under the care of conservationists who are determined to develop slowly, with the community’s blessing, and only in tiny portions of the land—so, thankfully, we’re not about to see all that natural beauty giving way to a Lego–like lineup of glassy chain hotels.

But I do think it won’t be long before the word gets out on Costalegre’s best-kept secrets—after all, the new Chalacatepec International Airport is under construction (no more multi–hour drives from Puerto Vallarta!), and crews are on the ground right now building Xala, an eco–conscious $1 billion development that will house a Six Senses hotel and spa (scheduled to open in fall 2026), bespoke residences, restaurants, and tons of jungly and beachy activities, all spanning 3,000 acres.