The Future
Costa Alegre
The Costa Alegre is a chain of unspoiled beaches and quiet coves stretching some 130 miles (209 km) from just south of Puerto Vallarta to the Colima border.
A virtually unspoiled tropical paradise set against the majestic backdrop of the lush Sierra Madre
Recently, a 60-mile (96.5km) section of this coastline was designated an “Ecological Tourism Corridor” by the state of Jalisco, which is now taking a close look at ecologically compatible development and tourism as the key to its economic future. “Sistema Jalisco Pacifico XAPACXXI” is an approved plan for regional development, supported through governmental agencies such as the Department of Tourism, Department of Urban and Ecological Development, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Treasury Department, Office of Planning and Budgeting, and the Communication and Transportation Agency.
Exclusive resort enclaves mingle with tiny fishing villages, hidden beaches, rocky coves, and marshy mangrove lagoons filled with countless species of bird. Combined with a pleasing year-round climate averaging 75 degrees F and 345 days of spectacular sunshine, the Costalegre coastline is a forgotten paradise for those who wish to escape the fast pace of big city life.
Surrounded by lush tropical jungle and the Sierra Madre mountain ridge, spectacular cliff-top mansions and open beaches, the Costalegre Pacific coast area is often referred to as the “Mexican Riviera” for its exclusive location, allure for wealthy European and foreign jetsetters, and pristine landscape.
Activities and pursuits in the Costalegre center around the sea: deep sea fishing, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, boating and yachting. Horseback riding, tennis, golf on three championship courses in the area, bird watching and polo are also favorite past times.
The Costalegre has cultivated its reputation as the playground of the rich and for foreigners seeking their own private escape in an ecologically stunning setting. Although the coast has been slow to development, the Jalisco government has been building and upgrading the regional tourism infrastructure. Several luxury hotel properties exist in the area in their own private enclaves of nouveau aristocracy. President Vincente Fox visited and toured the area in late 2004, as an added sign of confidence in the future developments.
With a flight time of just under three (3) hours from Los Angeles, the Costalegre destination is serviced by Manzanillo’s international airport (ZLO) to the south and Puerto Vallarta’s airport (PVR) to the north. An international airport is also in the planning stages for the Costalegre.
The Costalegre is connected to both by a modern, well-paved, two-lane highway: driving from one end to the other takes less than three hours. A toll-road is planned to be constructed over the next few years that will allow for the same distance to be traveled in 2 hours and thus connecting the Guadalajara-Manzanillo-Puerto Vallarta- Guadalajara tourist loop.
 The Costa Alegre coastline is divided into 5 zones:
Barra de Navidad Bay – This is the southern end of Costa Alegre. Home to a quaint, walk able village and the luxurious Isla Barra de Navidad Marina, Golf Course and 5 Star Resort.
Tenacatita Bay – This is one of the largest bays in Mexico. There is an abundance of fish, crab, snail, clam, lobster and squid here; so it is a great place to try out the local seafood at one of the many beachside restaurants. It is a favorite stop over for “cruisers”. Plus it is one of the few places in the world where you can see the sun rise AND set over the sea by just repositioning yourself in the bay.
Careyes Coast – Mother Nature blessed this special spot. Careyes is known for its dramatic seashore, beautiful beaches and gentle waves The exclusive residential area has a unique European flavor to the Mexican architecture. A polo club, a luxurious boutique hotel and international cuisine.
Chamela Bay –This bay is one of the principal tourist sites in Costa Alegre. It is made up of 9 islands and several coves. There is a wonderful ecological reserve here that protects the vast bird, animal and sea life that prosper here.
Majahuas Coast – This area hosts a series of some of the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific. The coastline has a variety of textures from long, flat, fine sand beaches to rocky shores where the sea sprays high into the air. It is laced with a series of natural estuaries and mangroves: home to a wide diversity of birds, wildlife, and one of the largest turtle sanctuaries in Mexico. Superb fishing and sailing are noteworthy in this area.
 The Costa Alegre coastline south of Vallarta is host to several luxury boutique resorts frequented by the rich and famous like:
Las Alamandas Hotel – an immense property with four beaches, a 1500 acre (607 hectare) ecological reserve
Careyes Beach Resort and Spa – a secluded cove with exclusive hotel and luxury villas
Hotelito Desconocido – an unconventional eco-luxury hideaway hotel
Tamarindo – a privately owned resort with 2000 acres of jungle, luxury homes and the El Tamarindo Golf Resort and Spa which is declared to be one of the most spectacular in the world
Isla Barra de Navidad – Centered around a luxury marina with 27 holes of golf and extensive tennis and spa facilities this is a vacation and residential development for the elite
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Snorkeling / Diving
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Deep-sea fishing
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Boogie boarding
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Mountain biking
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Catamaran sailing
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Kayaking
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Rock climbing | |
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Surfing
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Hiking
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Yoga
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Golf
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Shopping
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Horseback riding
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Crafts | |
For those wishing to experience shopping in Mexico’s outdoor markets, the town of Barra de Navidad is located only 20 minutes away and has a mix of shops selling local and regional crafts, pottery & ceramics, and other artisanal goods. 
Two nearby championship golf courses offer golfers sweeping, manicured greens without the lineups and have equipment available for rental.
The 18-hole El Tamarindo (20 mins) was designed by David Fleming and features spectacular oceanside greens and stunning tee offs from cliff tops overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
The 27-hole Isla Navidad (40 min) designed by Robert Von Hagge is a three-part dream featuring lagoon, jungle and ocean courses that prove to be a blend of scenic beauty and challenging golf game.
One hour away, the city of Manzanillo also offers golf courses; the 18 hole Las Hadas - La Mantarraya by Pete and Roy Dye, the 9 hole Santiago Country Club, and a new course in currently under construction.
Weather
This area offers some of the best beach weather in Mexico. It is sunny almost everyday with mild temperatures through out the year.
Winter Daytime: Mid 70s - 80s F (19-24 C) Winter Nighttime : Upper 60ºsF and low 70ºsF (19-24 C) Summer Daytime: Mid 90ºsF (mid 32º C) Summer Nighttime: Mid 80ºs F (about 25 C)
Travel
Boca de Iguanas boasts a pleasantly remote yet accessible location along Mexico's undulating Costalegre coastline, roughly 35 minutes north of the Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO), three hours south of Puerto Vallarta and a four hour 30 minute drive from Guadalajara.
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Direct non-stop flights to Manzanillo are available several times a week from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) on carriers Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines. These 3 hour flights make it very simple to arrive at Boca de Iguanas from San Francisco, San Jose, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Salt Lake City, and basically all of the western USA.
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Continental airlines also offers direct non-stop flights from Houston International airport, which makes Texas and the Central USA only a few hours away.
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From December to April, America West airlines offers direct non-stop service to Manzanillo from Phoenix.
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Also during the winter months, Sun Country Airlines, offers non-stop direct flights from Minneapolis/St. Paul region.
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Canadian residents are also in luck! Seasonal weekly direct flights, from Toronto,Vancouver, Calgary and more are available through your local vacation planner on airlines such as Air Transat and WestJet.
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Mexicana Airlines, AeroMar and Magnicharters, provides direct on-stop flights to Manzanillo from Mexico City.
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If you are looking to drive to Boca de Iguanas from the USA, it is located approximately 18 hours from the boarder in Laredo, Texas and 22 hours from the boarder Nogales, Arizona. |
With an initial investment of 67 million pesos a new airport is being built in Costa Alegre. Upon completion, it will be the third largest in the State of Jalisco, the first being Guadalajara and the second being Puerto Vallarta.
The airport is located in the municipality of Tomatlán. Even the name of the airport is not confirmed yet, but it is currently known by the government as the Costa Alegre Airport. Being located in the municipality of Tomatlán it has the capability to grow according to the demand of the area.
The construction companies “Autlense" and "Orva Engineers” started the project in June 2005. The first stage of the project includes: choosing the location of the airport, surveying the land, drawing and approval of the blueprints, and clearing of the property. According to the Mexican Chamber of Construction, the first stage has been completed.
The runways are currently under construction. The dimensions are 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) length and 45 meters (50 yards) wide, with the capacity to be extended to 2.4 kilometers, depending on the future demand. This will make it possible for large aircraft to land thus covering the necessities of tourists whom would love to visit this area without having to take connecting flights.
The need of a new airport is fundamental for this zone. It will represent a new opportunity between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo that will give access to other tourist destinations while also enhancing the commercial and residential development of the region.
Ecology
The forests of the Costalegre are among the richest tropical dry forests in the world, supporting more than 700 species of vertebrates and almost 1,200 species of plants. One of the most threatened ecosystems in the world also thrives here in this delicately balanced chain of life: the mangroves that exist within the lagoons, rivers and streams throughout the Costalegre.
 Coastal mangroves, like the 52 acres in La Manzanilla and small system located on the Boca de Iguanas development terrain, are part of a complex and fragile ecosystem that connect terrestrial and marine species in a nurturing web of life. A plethora of plant, insect, bird, mammal and reptilian species live in the waters surrounding healthy mangroves and find a safe haven among their woven branches. The deep and acidic, moist soil underlying the mangroves are rich and very productive. Large communities of invertebrates feed on the organic matter deposited at the base of mangroves.
Mangrove trees are unique in their ability to remove excess salt from the water in which they thrive, enabling them to live their entire lives in a salt water environment, such as the beach location of the Boca de Iguanas project. Because they grow so close together, their roots and branches become large nets that work as filters letting water flow but stopping harmful sediments that damage reefs. Thus, they help protect the coastline from erosion, storm damage, and wave action while providing a sheltered habitat for crocodiles, herons, key nursery areas for fishes and other wildlife.
But mangrove habitats around the world are being destroyed as infrastructure from tourism encroaches on swampy land. Commercial shrimp farming destroys many due to expansion of cultivation ponds which dry waterways and lagoons. One of the mandates of the Boca de Iguanas project is to work in conjunction with ecological conservation groups to investigate and study the impact on these delicate ecosystems and work out solutions to keep them thriving. As an eco-hotel, the project hopes to use the small mangrove system onsite as an enclosed environment to research plausible sustainable solutions that can be introduced around the world to other endangered systems.
The devastation of the mangroves wrecks havoc on vital and thriving aquatic forest ecosystems that support abundant food chains from coastal to reef life, and affects many communities, both animal and human.
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