Four Seasons has opened a resort within a nature reserve on Mexico's coast: Travel Weekly

Costalegre is a quiet enclave of luxury.

Those in the know have been stealing away to the wild and wind-swept beaches that edge the coastline for 90 miles south of Puerto Vallarta. Since the 1960s, Careyes, Cuixmala and Las Alamandas have been serving elegant and understated travelers.

The rest of the world will soon be familiar with one of the last great undiscovered coasts of Mexico, thanks to the opening of the new Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo.

Costalegre is one of the prettiest places in Mexico. The region has been named an Ecological Tourist Corridor by the Jalisco state government because of its unusual and magnificent culture. The region runs from south of Puerto Vallarta to Manzanillo in the state of Colima.

In addition to being a low-key luxury retreat for some, the coastal stretch is home to many small communities, fishing villages and smaller hotels that are a favorite with regional travelers.

Will the ethos of Costalegre change with the introduction of a world-recognized brand like Four Seasons? The Costalegre resort has taken the necessary steps to make sure that the heart and soul of the Costalegre remains the same.

There are miles of beaches to explore at the resort, which is part of a 3,000-acre private natural reserve. The photo is courtesy of Four Seasons.

An emphasis on conservation

The Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo will be part of a 3,000-acre private natural reserve.

The tescalame tree is one of the 70 endemic species of flora and fauna found in the reserve. The reserve has 33 species of birds, 16 mammals, 11 amphibians and 30 reptiles.

The Discovery Center at the resort has brought on a team of biologists to share their knowledge of the land as well as lead educational sessions and reforestation efforts.

The Four Seasons will have more than 26 miles of hiking trails, and guests are encouraged to download a platform used around the world to help catalog endemic species.

Guests will be able to help build a database of species found within the 3,000 acres of the property, with the option to register flora and fauna from the reserve.

The resort is on 6 miles of beach. The photo is courtesy of Four Seasons.

The 157-room resort was designed to blend in with the environment. The natural formation of the landscape allowed for impressive views from the property without taking away from the natural beauty of the coastline. The team worked to match the colors of the buildings with the sand on the beach.

The amplification of local artists and designers was part of the design of the resort. The work of artisans from across Mexico are on display, and the Four Seasons team has worked with Ensamble Artesano and Taller Maya, organizations that work with local artists, artisans and designers, to preserve and promote the ancient, pre-Hispanic culture and highlight local artists.

One of the 157 rooms at the resort has 63 suites. The photo is courtesy of Four Seasons.

Staying at the Four Seasons

There are 63 suites and private residences in the 157 accommodations. All rooms and suites will have views of either the ocean or the jungle, while cliffside suites will have their own private pools.

The resort is located on 6 miles of beachfront and has several different beach hideaways as well as hidden coves and pool areas. Four restaurants and bars, a golf course by David Fleming, tennis facilities and a boat dock are some of the things it will have.

Coyul will highlight Mexican traditions. The restaurant will serve seafood. The taco traditions from Jalisco and Colima will be the focus of the experience. Nueve will be a lunch restaurant on the golf course, which will become a place for steaks in the evening.

The spa at the Four Seasons will have eight treatment rooms, hot and cold plunge pools, saunas and steam rooms. The fitness center will be open for guests. The spa's treatments are derived from local traditions and are based on ancient healing traditions.

Getting there

The closest resort to the Four Seasons Resort is Puerto Vallarta, which is four hours away. The airport in Manzanillo-Costalegre is the best way to get to the resort.

Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Mexico City are some of the cities that have weekly direct flights to the airport.