Introduction to Nayarit’s Tourism and Investment Leadership
Nayarit, a Mexican state on the Pacific coast, has solidified its position as a crucial player in Mexico’s tourism sector. According to data from the federal Secretaría de Turismo (Sectur), Nayarit, along with Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, accounted for 75.1% of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the tourism industry in 2024, totaling $2,870.9 million nationally.
The New Luxury Golf Course in Costa Canuva
The recent inauguration of the Nauka golf course in Costa Canuva, Compostela, Nayarit, highlights the state’s continued allure for investors. Developed by Mota Engil México, this new attraction is part of the Costacapomo project announced in 2014 by the Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo (Fnonatur) and a Portuguese group, which initially planned to invest over 28,000 million pesos in building 7,208 hotel and residential rooms.
Government Support and Infrastructure Development
José Miguel Bejos, director of Mota-Engil México, emphasized the company’s commitment to Nayarit during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project, long neglected, required local government support to complete infrastructure connecting the destination to the country’s center, including the Guadalajara-Vallarta highway and the Aeropuerto Internacional de la Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s first mixed investment.
Key Tourism Developments in Nayarit
According to the Annual Tourism Reports (RAT) by Sectur, 48% of Mexico’s lodging room offerings are concentrated in seven states, including Nayarit. Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero reaffirmed Nayarit’s potential as a Pacific Mexican development pole, leveraging the state’s dynamic road connectivity.
Tourism Statistics and Future Prospects
As of July 2025, Nayarit’s hotel occupancy rate was 67.6%, with an average individual expenditure of 14,904 pesos and a monthly economic impact of three million pesos in the tourism sector, according to Silvia Lorena Serafín González, director of Nayarit’s Tourism Promotion Trust.
Projections for year-end anticipate an 80-90% occupancy rate, driven by new road and air transportation infrastructure. The first half of the year saw 35 million pesos in tourism economic impact for the state.
The conventions agenda includes events like the Bancaria Convention, specialized medical conferences, and the World Meeting Forum, scheduled for the second half of 2025. The golf course’s opening is expected to attract international events and high-end tourism markets alongside athletes.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of Nayarit’s position in Mexico’s tourism sector? Nayarit, along with Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, accounts for 75.1% of foreign direct investment in Mexico’s tourism industry, totaling $2,870.9 million nationally in 2024.
- What is the Nauka golf course and its developer? The Nauka golf course, recently inaugurated in Costa Canuva, Compostela, Nayarit, was developed by Mota Engil México as part of the Costacapomo project.
- How has government support contributed to Nayarit’s tourism development? Local government backing was essential in completing infrastructure projects, such as the Guadalajara-Vallarta highway and Aeropuerto Internacional de la Riviera Nayarit, which have bolstered the region’s tourism appeal.
- What are Nayarit’s future tourism prospects? With projected occupancy rates of 80-90% and ongoing infrastructure investments, Nayarit is poised for continued growth in the tourism sector.
