Puerto Vallarta is the perennial darling of sunseekers, nature lovers and the margarita aficionado. But if you think you’ve seen all this slice of paradise has to offer, think again. 2025 is shaping up to be a year of new additions to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, giving even the most veteran traveler new reasons to visit. Here’s what’s on tap for the Bay of Banderas area, from Puerto Vallarta up to Riviera Nayarit, as we head into the new year.
The Hotel scene
When UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya opened in 2017 it turned the all-inclusive, adults-only resort model on its head. It was one of the first resorts to open in Mexico under the luxury all-inclusive concept. Now the brand is making its debut on Mexico’s Pacific coast. In 2025, sister resort UNICO 20°105° Puerto Vallarta will make its debut in Nuevo Nayarit. With Bay of Banderas and Sierra Madre views, this Pacific adults-only retreat promises to deliver the same service and contemporary design that made its Riviera Maya counterpart a success. Expect a rooftop pool touted as the best in town, gourmet restaurants and curated experiences that dive into Vallarta’s culture.
Over in Riviera Nayarit, Milaroca is preparing to open in April as an eco-friendly five-star resort. Spread across 105 acres of beachfront and jungle, the property promises farm-to-table dining, immersive activities like cooking classes and archaeological tours and sustainable design elements like low-density construction, natural cross-ventilation and energy-efficient lighting.
April 2025 will also bring the debut of Breathless Puerto Vallarta. This adults-only all-inclusive resort will have 450 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, five bars and four pools and will be 10 minutes from the airport.
Meanwhile, Rosewood Mandarina, part of the same development complex that includes the One&Only Mandarina, will be a playground of panoramic views, luxury villas and three extremely photogenic pools. Opening in April, it’s perched between the Sierra del Vallejo mountains and a mile-long stretch of beach.
For those drawn to Sayulita’s bohemian vibes, the debut of Zen Sayulita by Melia will bring a new style of resort to this surfer town. Think 125 rooms, villas, a rooftop bar, a beach club and a spa. Alongside Zel Sayulita, Meliá Hotels International will also open a ME by Melia in Sayulita. Located along the beach, the new resort will boast 125 rooms and villas, as well as three restaurants, a spa, pool, gym and rooftop bar with a separate pool.
Don’t sleep on Tryst Puerto Vallarta, which quietly opened in the Fall of 2024. Already making waves for its inclusive vibe, stylish design and beachfront access, it’s a newbie to consider when visiting town.
Getting there just got easier
Puerto Vallarta’s infamously inundated international airport welcomes more than six million passengers each year and has been working on expanding in order to accommodate the increasing number of annual visitors. Its long-anticipated Terminal 2 is officially slated to open in 2025. The LEED-certified terminal will, according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, be the first Net-Zero-certified terminal in Latin America, and the two-story building will increase airport capacity by 125 percent.
Tepic’s airport, now rebranded the Riviera Nayarit International Airport, has received a significant US $250 million upgrade. The expansion includes a new terminal, more than 33,000 square feet of retail and dining, a runway extension and a new car rental center. The airport is expected to receive international flights beginning in 2025.
The coming year is also set to bring expanded air connectivity that will make hopping over a breeze. Sunwing Airlines has launched a weekly service from Bagotville, Quebec, catering to the snowbirds escaping Canada’s icy grip. Alaska Airlines isn’t playing around either, with new weekly flights from Sacramento, Kansas City and St. Louis starting in January, plus four weekly flights from New York. Not to be outdone, Southwest Airlines joins the mix with weekly Sacramento flights kicking off in March.
And let’s not forget the game-changing highway that now connects Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. A quick jaunt through Jalisco’s tequila-soaked countryside allows travelers to pair PV beaches with Guadalajara’s historic streets.
The events
Whale watching – December to March
From December to March, the Bay of Banderas becomes a nursery for humpback whales. Tour operators like Ecotours Vallarta and Vallarta Adventures lead excursions that feature hydrophones so you can hear the whales’ melodic songs — a true bucket-list experience.
Mexico Open at Vidanta – Feb. 17-23
Golf enthusiasts, this one’s for you. The PGA Tour returns to Vidanta Vallarta. Beyond the greens, the Par Tee Deck offers food, VIP lounges, and merchandise for fans.
Puerto Vallarta Marathon – April 6
Runners return for the revamped Puerto Vallarta Marathon, with distances ranging from a 5K to a Boston Marathon-qualifying 42K.
Vallarta Pride – May 17-25
Puerto Vallarta has long been a top LGBTQ+ destination, and 2025’s Vallarta Pride promises to outdo itself. The theme, “Revolution: The Future Has No Gender,” underscores the event’s commitment to inclusivity. Expect parades, beach parties, art exhibitions and more.
Why Puerto Vallarta in 2025
For those who think they’ve “been there, done that,” 2025 proves there are always new reasons to come back to Puerto Vallarta, from new hotels to the spectacles of nature and parties and events year-round.
Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com
Source: Mexico News Daily
