Costalegre's New Airport Set to Boost Jet Set Destination Ana Figueroa - Travel Agent Central
April 3, 2015

Mexico’s Pacific coast is in the news of late. That’s especially true of the Costalegre, the expanse of beaches, capes and bays between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta. Long the favorite of the private jet set, it’s about to become a bit more accessible - in an exclusive way that is.  

A new Costalegre airport is in the works, making it much easier to reach the region. At the moment, visitors flying commercial must arrive either at Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo. Neither is particularly convenient.  

“If all goes well within two years the new airport will be up and running. The runway is already there and they’re working on the buildings. They will also be widening the road going in both directions,” Wayne Hudson tells Travel Agent.

Hudson is spokesperson for Cuixmala, the expansive resort that was once the home of British tycoon Sir James Goldsmith. Cuixmala lies in the middle of the Costalegre, and attracts a distinct crowd.

“Exotic, bohemian, remote, off the beaten path. Cuixmala is truly the brainchild of a rather eccentric billionaire unconstrained by budget or the need to generate money. Where else can you go in Mexico and see free roaming zebras," Journey Mexico Founder and Director General Zach Rabinor tells Travel Agent.

Cuixmala’s remoteness and vastness are what appeal to visitors, said Hudson. The estate itself is more than 25,000 acres. Much of that is a remote jungle habitat to jaguars and pumas, accessed only by biologists.

That suits Cari Gray’s clients just fine. The owner of Gray & Co. tells Travel Agent that her clients are primarily interested in custom, active trips that involve hiking, biking and surfing. A family group she recently sent for a villa stay was delighted that the resort had hired surf instructors for them. One instructor worked with the adults, the other with the kids.

The great vegetarian cuisine (much of it grown on site) was a surprise bonus.  

“Places like Cuixmala are a really good fit. It’s not the classic resort where your clients are going to simply get up and wander to the pool. It’s not for someone who needs a blowout every day at the salon,” said Gray.

“Another attractive aspect is that there are different units and different price points,” she added.

Read the rest at Travel Agent Central.