Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In the picturesque Mexican Pacific coast, a new chapter in luxury tourism is unfolding with the ambitious Xala project south of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Following the transformation of Mandarina from a pristine beach to a luxury tourism hotspot, housing the world’s eighth-best hotel, the developers are setting their sights higher with the US$1 billion Xala development.
Situated in Costalegre, a stunning 240-kilometer coastal region, Xala is poised to introduce luxury hotels, a hundred stately-style holiday residences, and a dedicated international airport. This ambitious project, located approximately 145 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta and 130 kilometers north of Manzanillo, is envisaged to be the lowest density development project ever undertaken in Mexico. Ricardo Santa Cruz, managing partner of Actur, shared the intricate process of unifying the lands, involving 68 different property agreements over four years.
The cornerstone of this development is the Chalacatepec International Airport, a result of a public-private partnership, strategically located just 10 minutes from Xala. Set to partially open in mid-2024, it will accommodate 737 aircraft on its 2.5-kilometer runway, initially serving private jets and regional flights. The streamlined customs process is designed to whisk passengers to the tranquil beaches within minutes.
Luxury takes a front seat with the planned Six Senses hotel, featuring 51 villas complete with private pools, a turtle sanctuary, mountain biking trails, and natural bays for kayaking. Set to open in 2026, this hotel represents a significant portion of the project’s hefty US$1 billion price tag. The funding mosaic includes contributions from TPG-Axon Capital, Morgan Stanley, the Jalisco State Pension Fund, the National Infrastructure Fund of Mexico, and undisclosed high-net-worth individuals.
Xala’s strategic location near Puerto Vallarta leverages its proximity to luxury resorts and esteemed destinations like Cuixmala, Careyes, Las Alamandas resort, and Four Seasons Tamarindo. These neighboring properties have transformed the region into a sanctuary for sun lovers seeking privacy and luxury, attracting attention from high-end brands like Cheval Blanc.
Despite logistical challenges, Xala promises a sustainable tourism vision. Out of its 1,200 hectares, 230 are earmarked for reforestation, with a focus on marine conservation to protect local reefs. The Six Senses hotel will offer beachfront and ridge-line rooms, emphasizing locally-sourced ingredients in its Alchemy Bar, a beach bar, and a surf club.
With the Six Senses hotel’s opening a few years away, Xala has been marketing its residences. According to Santa Cruz, 30 of the 75 style properties have already found buyers, with starting prices at $5.5 million. Additionally, 25 Six Senses-branded hotel residences are projected to range from $8 million to $12 million.
The differentiation between Mandarina and Xala is evident in their residential focus. Jerónimo Bremer, another managing partner of Actur, expresses pride in Mandarina’s success and looks forward to Xala’s unique residential community, distinguishing it from Mandarina’s resort-centric approach.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In the picturesque Mexican Pacific coast, a new chapter in luxury tourism is unfolding with the ambitious Xala project south of . . .
