14 hours ago
New LAX-Tepic route turns the page to Nayarit's next chapter
Most travelers heading to Mexico's Pacific coast have long defaulted to the well-worn paths: Puerto Vallarta for beach, Guadalajara for city and the Riviera Nayarit corridor for luxury. But there's a new route on the radar that throws a new opportunity for travel advisors and their clients.
On July 16, Volaris will launch its first international flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tepic-Riviera Nayarit Airport (TPQ). For the first time, travelers can fly directly into the heart of inland Nayarit without needing to connect through Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara. It's a move that quietly signals a transformation for the state of Nayarit, and an opportunity for travel advisors looking to tap into a destination that's under the radar for U.S. travelers.
The three-times-weekly route (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) will simplify access to Nayarit's capital and surrounding regions. Tepic may not yet be a household name, but the revamped airport and new airlift marks a shift. It opens a gateway that connects travelers to the entire estate, from the highlands to the beaches.
For travel advisors, this new flight is a chance to expand beyond the traditional resort-heavy offerings of the Riviera Nayarit and craft itineraries that combine culture, food, mountains and beach.
Additional infrastructure investment
In preparation for its international debut, Tepic's airport underwent a major face-lift to the tune of $240 million in public and private investment. The expansion included a bigger runway to accommodate larger aircraft, building a new passenger terminal and adding customs and immigration facilities. The newly international-ready airport is expected to handle up to 4 million passengers annually in its first phase.
Road infrastructure has also improved, with direct highways connecting Tepic to the coast in just over an hour. Travelers can now access the northern Riviera Nayarit beach towns without flying into Puerto Vallarta.
For travelers visiting family in the region or returning to explore their roots, the LAX-TPQ flight eliminates the extra leg in what is typically a lengthy journey. For leisure clients, it means easier access to less crowded parts of Mexico that still feel off the typical tourist trail.
With this new flight, advisors can begin to spotlight destinations that have been bypassed in favor of bigger-name beach towns. San Blas, for example, is just 90 minutes from Tepic and is known for its surf waves and mangrove estuaries. Magical Towns Compostela and Jala provide a change of pace with cool mountain air, Spanish-influenced architecture and cobblestone streets. Tepic itself is growing as a destination, with a historic downtown, museums and hotels.
It's also worth noting that inland Nayarit is positioning itself to become a hot spot for boutique wellness and nature-focused escapes. Advisors looking to cater to the slow travel movement will find opportunities in the state's highland towns, forested reserves and eco-lodges. On the coast, luxury names like the newly opened Rosewood Mandarina are still accessible — now from a less congested airport with shorter wait times and less competition for flights.
