In February 2020, long before I knew how fortunate I was to have this timing, I spent a month traveling alone along the Pacific coast of Mexico. (My days of traveling alone for weeks at a time, with girlfriends, dogs, cats, and work deadlines, are completely in the past, but there is one place I visited on that trip that I couldn't get out of my head: the Costa Regre ("Happy Coast"), located just south of Puerto Vallarta, with its pristine coastline, friendly Surrounded by pristine coastline, friendly people, and thousands upon thousands of acres of protected land and ocean, it was truly a magical area. When I had the opportunity to revisit more than four years later, I had never said yes so quickly.

Now, unlike other Mexican tourist destinations that seem to have gone from zero to señor frog in the blink of an eye, Costalegre is under the stewardship of conservationists, determined to slowly develop a small portion of the land with the blessing of the community.

However, it won't be long before Costalegre's little-known secrets are revealed to the public. Six Senses Spa (scheduled to open in fall 2026), tailor-made residences, restaurants, and jangly, beachy activities galore.

Basically, it's a great way to get away from Cancun, Cozumel, San Miguel de Allende, and other (and, don't get me wrong, lovely...I've been there...I've been there...I've been there...) Unspoiled beaches as far as the eye can see, resorts dotted with neon flowers, cute cotys (like a monkey and a raccoon combined), square kilometers of untouched nature... If you are looking for such a destination, this is the place to be.

Costa Regre's 238 miles of coastline, rugged cliffs, lush rainforests, and secluded beaches are just some of the ways to spend a sunny day.

Costa Regre offers luxurious private resorts as well as affordable accommodations and activities in small towns along the coast. 18 candy bright suites at Las Alamandas, a boho-chic eco-resort on 2,000 acres of secluded land. Book a room and you'll be treated to celebrity-approved luxury. Garden-view villas often cost under $300 per night (with private terraces), and the boutique hotel has four beautiful private beaches, sparkling pools, multiple restaurants, tennis courts, pickleball courts, gym, and spa. The guest book was signed by Jennifer Aniston, Deborah Messing, and Schmanderpump and rhyming last names.

Calais has oceanfront bluffs, bohemian residents, pristine shoreline (dolphins and turtles make frequent appearances), and colorful cliffside midcentury curves, open-air living spaces, and Mediterranean-style finishes that design lovers will drool over. It's a sprawling community famous for its palaces. And a sprawling community famous for its colorful cliffside palaces, coveted by design lovers for their mid-century curves, open-air living spaces, and Mediterranean-style finishes. Stay in a swanky villa fit for a fashion magazine shoot, relax in a colorful casita, or rent a beachside condo at El Callejes Club & Residences. (Casa Aries is such a beautiful rental villa that I got a little boogie-eyed during my stay, whether swimming in the cliffside infinity pool or swinging in a hammock with an ocean view)

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The massive Copa del Sol (they call it a "visual wonder," but certainly "permanent art installation" is not a fair description.

Three cascading infinity pools, a private white-sand beach, a coveted 18-hole golf course, and an expansive spa with a traditional temascal dome (more on that later) - yes, the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo is the spot your Instagram followers It's a spot to be envied. But it's not just the stunning architecture and luxurious amenities that make this resort (opening in 2022) so special. The property sits within a 3,000-acre protected eco-reserve, and the diverse flora and fauna (the latter is also used in the cold-pressed juices, restaurant dishes, and spa treatments.

From December through March, one cannot help but witness whales passing by. If you want to see marine life up close, most resorts will also coordinate beach swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. Pacific Adventures (located in the town of Melaque) organizes surfing, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding trips along the coast. Notably, Meraque is adjacent to Cuastecomates, the state's first barrier-free beach. Cuastecomates has a waterfront wooden boardwalk, adapted wheelchairs, Braille signage, and tactile pavement on the road. [If you visit Costalegre between November and April, check out the Callejespolo Club. The community has two regulation polo fields and stables for 150 horses, and offers polo matches (check the calendar.

The spa at the Four Seasons Tamarindo offers the usual luxury massages and treatments (all of which can be booked even if you are not staying at the hotel), but this healing space also has an outdoor hut in the shape of an igloo for temazcal, a super-traditional Mexican ritual. At Tamarindo, a two-hour shaman-led ritual takes place both inside and outside the domed lodge. Expect a totally unique experience designed to make you sweat, weep, chant, and be spiritually cleansed.

Unless you are going by private jet, helicopter, or yacht (pardon the pun), Costalegre is a bit of a drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport. So I suggest you fuel up for your trip at the Hacienda de Oro at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens in Cabo Corrientes. It is located at the northern end of the Costalegre and is a great pit stop as we drive down the coast. Sorry, designated drivers, but the vanilla mojitos (made with vanilla beans from their own site) are excellent.

Dotted with tables and lounge chairs along the cheerful oceanfront, Lilo's Beach Club in Callejes is a fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine. Don't miss the grilled pineapple cheesecake.