Mexico is well-known for its bustling Pacific coastline, popular beaches, quiet coves, and sleepy fishing villages. But it’s the Costalegre which can be the best-kept secret of the country! With its sandy unpaved roads, one of America’s largest bays, and gentle arching sand curves on the backdrop of towering mountains, this quaint coastal spot is a true hidden gem in Mexico. Like every newly discovered spot, the Costalegre is also gradually drawing tourists and big hospitality players around. But even a few years ago, you could enjoy a freshly grilled fish taco here underneath a thatched palapa, without a single building or hotel in sight!
The Location
Running south from Puerto Vallarta toward Manzanillo in Mexico, the Costalegre is a long stretch of coastline. The place has everything matching the name’s literal meaning — ‘the happy coast.’ Here you’ll find miles of pristine golden sand being washed in and away by churning and crashing Pacific waves. Mountains creep back from the horizon of the coastline, creating a carpet of lush forests. Palm tree groves spring up from low creek beds, forming a landscape more similar to the coastal corners of Southeast Asia or Hawaii.
The Changing Scene
The landscape of the Costalegre seems to be the perfect blank canvas for a thriving tourism scene with restaurants, nightclubs, and all-inclusive resorts. But surprisingly, unlike the other beach destinations of Mexico, this area has remained purposefully protected and low-impact for several decades. But still, the boom of development has touched its shore too. The recent launch of the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo and another multi-million dollar luxury development project named Xala opening in consecutive phases have caused a surge in tourists and other big industry game-players.
The Gatekeepers of the ‘Last Coast’
Even with the recent development of tourism, the Costalegre largely remains unique with an abundance of raw and wild nature. And it’s not just mere luck! While almost all beautiful parts of Mexico are discovered and then invaded by deep-pocketed developers and glamorous hoteliers, the coastline of the Costalegre is still uniquely owned by five local developers. Acting as the gatekeepers of the paradise, they control the surrounding area and in collaboration with local communities and governments, also have laid out rules, regulations, and guidelines for keeping the location protected. Keeping it untouched on purpose, they’re developing the Costalegre to be undeveloped with the most intentional designs, making the destination the true ‘last coast’ of Mexico.
A New Canadian Bike Trail Will Let You Cycle The Pacific Coastline
If you have ever been to Canada, you’ll know that this country almost doesn’t look real. The aquamarine lakes look as though they have been painted, the mountains look as though they have come straight out of a snowglobe, and the forests are just too good to be true. However, this place is all real, and it’s all ready to be explored by adventurous people who want to check out this planet’s natural beauty. If you’re someone who loves to cycle, we have a feeling that a brand new bike trail will get you pretty excited…
A New Bike Path
While there are countless bike trails and paths in Canada, it seems as though there could be a new one on the horizon. According to Lonely Planet, this new addition will give explorers the chance to cycle their way from Tofino and Ucluelet. Anyone who is familiar with these two towns will know that they are already popular destinations for surfers and water sport enthusiasts, as they sit right on the Pacific Ocean and near to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island.
Surfing And Cycling
The new proposed bike trail will allow any potential surfers and cycling enthusiasts to ride from town to town, and we have a feeling that the views will be pretty incredible. That’s because it will offer around 40 kilometers of unobstructed views of the coastline and the National Park. It will allow riders to cycle through beaches and forests, and make their way from one stunning destination to the next. Although the trail won’t be ready for another couple of years, plans are in place to make sure that it’s open by the end of 2022.
If you fancy a trip to Vancouver Island in the next few years, you better get yourself ready to cycle and surf your way along the Pacific Coastline. What could be better than that?