We all earn paychecks for a reason—to make our landlords richer. Well, at least that’s how it feels to me at the beginning of each month.
But the leftovers are always saved to splurge on vacations and Cabo has long been Mexico’s gorgeous getaway for Americans to treat themselves in paradise.
Guilty. As. Charged.
Like any destination, though, there comes a time when the next up-and-comer starts to creep in its shadow, and that’s the case for Mexico’s new luxurious beach destination being hyped as the next big thing south of the border.
Spreading over 150 miles between the ‘Santorini of Mexico‘ and always-buzzing Puerto Vallarta lies a sprawling resort-laden region beginning to see an uptick in travelers with no signs of slowing down, especially with a brand new airport slated to open by year’s end.
That’s why there’s no better time to book a beach getaway to Costalegre while it’s still relatively unknown to the masses.
Discover Mexico’s ‘The ‘Happy Coast‘
Costalegre translates to “Happy Coast” and locals sure were happy until vacationers began flocking here, and it’s only just begun.
We initially featured Costalegre in January 2024 but new travel trends take time; there’s no such thing as instant ramen tourism.
That being said, 2025 may be the last year before it becomes mainstream as Puerto Vallarta continues to set records and obviously draws crowds year-round, it’s only natural for vacationers to seek out new shores.
One such place seemingly hidden in plain sight is Yelapa, a quick ferry ride from Puerto Vallarta for secluded small village with beautiful beaches and hole-in-the-wall, made-to-order eateries with ice cold cervezas, and hidden waterfalls within lush jungles.
This side of Mexico is dotted with small coastal towns that are a far cry from Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta in terms of being ready-made for Americans to land, hop aboard transit, and waste away for a week poolside and beachside.
Costalegre is more adventurous, and there are tons of delightful destinations to discover in such a vast region yet to become mainstream.
‘Santorini’ And ‘Amalfi Coast’ Vibes
Circling back to Mexico’s version of Santorini, the tail-end of Costalegre hosts the beautiful resort town of Manzanillo, which is essentially a diamond in the rough.
The rough part being it’s the only main destination deemed safe in what’s otherwise designated as Level 4: Do Not Travel by the U.S. State Department, but hey, maybe the head hancho will read this and realize it’s time for an update.
Let’s be clear. If Manzanillo were really unsafe for Americans, then why are there more direct flights from U.S. cities than there are domestic flights across Mexico?
In Manzanillo, you’ll find a whitewashed Santorini-esque cityscape towering over the pristine blue-water beaches, largely consisting of upscale resorts, such as:
- Barcelo Karmina (All-Inclusive)
- Gran Festival (All-Inclusive)
- Las Hadas by Brisas Manzanillo (5-star hotel)
But Santorini isn’t the only tagline to sell you on Costalegre. In fact, this region as a whole is commonly referred to as Mexico’s ‘Amalfi Coast’.
This eye-catching reference mostly refers to numerous vibrant, colorful beach towns offering luxe villas atop rugged coastlines such as Costa Careyas.
However, if you’re looking to splurge on the top resort in the region, look no further than one of Mexico’s most sought-after bucket-list-worthy resorts, Four Seasons Tamarindo in the tiny coastal town of La Manzanilla, not to be confused with nearby Manzanillo.
New Hype Surrounding Up-And-Coming Costalegre Beach Town
As more vacationers discover Costalegre, those 150 miles of scenic shores might feel as if they’re shrinking at times.
The good news is there’s new hype surrounding one yet-to-be-discovered beach town that is still considered a peaceful retreat tucked away from other notable Costalegre getaways.
Mexico News Daily, a trustworthy source for all things Mexico, claims the vibrant remote town of Punta Perula is the place to be.
Described as a secret paradise where ‘time slows’ and ‘margaritas flow’, I’m sold already, aren’t you?
This authentic hideaway has no ritzy resorts or world-class spas, but that’s the selling point as a tranquil escape with untouched shores after a rebuild from Hurricane Patricia in 2015.
So Long, Puerto Vallarta! Costalegre’s New Airport Opening In 2025
If you thought America is alone in its bureaucratic nonsense, think again. Opening a new airport is quite a task with countless hurdles to clear.
Initially set to open doors in 2024, the highly anticipated Chalacatepec airport is now slated to open at an undisclosed date by the end of the year.
Located about halfway between aforementioned destinations Careyes and Punta Perula, it gives travelers easier access to quieter coastlines away and without the hassle of flying into Puerto Vallarta, especially since travelers will begin paying new entry fees.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
