Nayarit pitches itself as Mexico’s Pacific Coast golf capital

Nayarit is leaning into championship courses, luxury resorts and winter sun to attract U.S. and Canadian golfers escaping cold-weather closures. The state is framing Riviera Nayarit as a multi-course golf destination with easy air access and enough non-golf options to appeal to mixed groups.

Why it matters: - Nayarit is trying to capture winter golf demand from the United States and Canada when courses in those markets close or become less appealing. - The state is positioning Riviera Nayarit as a destination where golf, beaches, resorts and culture can all fit into one trip. - The pitch is aimed at buddies trips, couples and groups that want a golf vacation without making golf the only activity.

What happened: - Nayarit highlighted its golf inventory as one of Mexico’s strongest Pacific Coast offerings. - The destination is promoting courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Robert von Hagge. - The state is also pointing to a course used for PGA TOUR competition and to oceanfront fairways along Banderas Bay. - The campaign centers on Riviera Nayarit, Punta Mita, Nuevo Nayarit and nearby golf stops.

The details: - Punta Mita features two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, Pacífico and Bahía, on a 1,500-acre peninsula. - Pacífico includes seven holes facing or running alongside the Pacific Ocean. - The optional par-3 3B, known as the “Tail of the Whale,” plays to an offshore natural island green that is reachable from land at low tide. - Bahía stretches to 7,035 yards and includes undulating fairways, deep bunkering and five ocean holes. - Punta Mita also gives access to Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. - Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf combines tournament play, chefs, culinary experiences and social events. - In Nuevo Nayarit, VidantaWorld’s Vidanta Vallarta Course is a Greg Norman design that plays 7,287 yards as a par-73, with 55 bunkers, six lakes and paspalum turf. - Vidanta Vallarta is home to the VidantaWorld Mexico Open. - VidantaWorld also includes the Nayar Course, a 6,668-yard par-70 layout, and The Lakes Course, which has 10 par-3 holes and night golf under the lights. - El Tigre Golf & Country Club, designed by Robert von Hagge, adds another championship option with water features and strategic bunkering. - Flamingos Golf Club offers a tropical setting. - Litibú Golf Course brings Greg Norman design to a setting where jungle, mountains and the Pacific meet near Punta de Mita. - Las Huertas Golf Course in San Pancho adds a more relaxed option. - Puerto Vallarta International Airport remains the principal gateway to the southern Riviera Nayarit golf corridor. - Tepic–Riviera Nayarit International Airport is being developed as an alternative gateway to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. - Tepic–Riviera Nayarit International Airport has year-round nonstop service from Los Angeles on Volaris. - Winter service from Tepic includes direct flights from Calgary on WestJet and Houston on United Airlines.

Between the lines: - Nayarit is not selling golf as a standalone product. - The state is bundling golf with luxury hospitality, Pacific beaches, surf towns, whale watching, seafood and regional Mexican cuisine. - That broader mix gives the destination a stronger chance to win travelers whose companions do not play golf. - The airport story matters because convenience often decides winter golf trips, especially for western U.S. and Canadian travelers.

What's next: - Nayarit appears to be building a longer-term golf identity around repeat play, multi-course itineraries and easier seasonal access. - Continued air connectivity and resort development will likely shape how quickly the destination converts attention into bookings. - The state is likely to keep marketing its winter-weather advantage as the northern golf season slows.

The bottom line: - Nayarit wants travelers to see Riviera Nayarit as more than a beach escape. - Its message is simple: come for the ocean views, stay for the golf, and have enough to do after the final putt.