WE WERE FLYING in a jeep past W sand dunes lining the cerulean waters of Mexico's Pacific coast.
The breeze, balmy and salt-tinged, flowed through my hair. At the wheel, Ricardo Santa Cruz smiled as he turned onto a dirt road lined with palm trees. "The ultimate luxury is to have space, and a real communion with nature," he said. Santa Cruz is a cofounder of Xala, a multimillion-dollar development slated to open in late 2026 in Costalegre, or "the happy coast"-a part of the western state of Jalisco, south of Puerto Vallarta, that's full of unspoiled beaches, capes, and bays.
Comparisons to the once off-the-beaten-path Riviera Maya come to mind, as do reservations about that region's ultimate fate. Its once-vibrant spirit quickly turned into something more sterile under the economic pressures of overdevelopment. Along Costalegre, however, there's a trend for regenerative, high-end tourism in places like Xala and the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo (doubles from $850), which opened in November 2022 on a nature reserve 63 miles south.
Much of the land along the coast is owned by private developers, who have worked together in partnership with the government to ensure that Costalegre's wild beauty is carefully preserved.
Xala, which has been 15 years in the making, will include a Six Senses hotel, low-density luxury residences, bars and restaurants, and an organic farm. The owners' commitment to social impact, land stewardship, and the right of future generations to enjoy the coast have led Xala to help develop a waterway that has brought clean water to more than 200 families of nearby ranchers and farmers.
As we neared a mango grove, Santa Cruz slowed down and turned onto a wide, shaded aisle of trees. They were young and not yet bearing fruit. Santa Cruz explained that mangoes were chosen because they oxygenate the land.
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Travel+Leisure US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Travel+Leisure US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TOTALLY TANGIER
With the debut of an impeccable seaside villa turned hotel, Morocco's bohemian enclave is suddenly back on the map.
OF SEA & STONE
In a quiet corner of mainland Greece, a glamorous new resort offers access to extraordinary treasures, both natural and archaeological.
Full Speed Ahead
High in the mountains between Spain and France, a long-neglected train station has become an opulent hotel. Simon Willis takes an express trip to a hidden chapter of World War II.
Exceptional in Every Sense - Hilton
From Chicago's thriving avenues to Cancun's idyllic waves, Hilton's stunning collection of hotels and resorts offers the very best in hospitality with beautifully comfortable accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service that goes above and beyond expectations.
FOOD & WINE CLASSIC - CHARLESTON
Join Us September 27-29, 2024 The Food & Wine Classic in Charleston is the premier three day culinary experience on the East Coast showcasing hospitality, foodways, culture, and history of the Holy City.
Changing Nature
A mountain town in Japan has become a showcase for forward-thinking design.
Waking Up Waco
A reality-TV couple did more than open a hotel in the middle of Texas. They gave the city a public makeover.
To the Manor Born
In Mallorca, Spain, new resorts carved from old estates offer a break from the crowds.
NATURE'S KEEPERS
Brazil's vast, varied landscapes are home to enigmatic creatures like the jaguar, the spider monkey, and the maned wolf. Stanley Stewart visits three eco-lodges that are leading preservation efforts to help the animals make a comeback.
AS TIME GOES BY
A decade and a half after a life-changing sojourn in Vietnam, a writer returns to track the country's transformations-and his own.