Puerto Vallarta Nominated in the 2026 Food & Travel Reader Awards

Puerto Vallarta continues to solidify its reputation as Jalisco’s premier beach destination. Renowned for its world-class cuisine and immersive eco-tourism hideaways, this coastal haven has earned prestigious nominations in the 2026 Food and Travel Mexico Reader Awards.

Among the standout contenders, celebrated culinary landmark icú is competing for Best Restaurant Outside of Mexico City. Meanwhile, secluded beachside retreats Majahuitas and Xinalani are vying for Best Sustainable Hotel. Readers and travel enthusiasts now have the opportunity to vote and celebrate the exceptional talent, warm hospitality, and eco-conscious luxury defining Jalisco’s tourism landscape.

Celebrating its 11th edition, the annual Food and Travel Mexico Reader Awards showcase excellence across 26 distinct travel and culinary categories. An elite panel of 52 industry experts and the publication’s editorial board curated this year's official nominees. Voting is now open to the public to honor the finest luxury travel and dining experiences in Mexico.

Public voting remains active through January 22, 2027. Support local culinary and hospitality leaders by casting your vote today!

At a Glance: Jalisco’s 2026 Nominees

Food Categories

Best Chef

Fabian Delgado, Palreal and Yunaites (Guadalajara)

Best Up-and-Coming Chef

Mario Papa, Teté Cocina de Barrio (Guadalajara)

Best Restaurant Outside of Mexico City

icú, Puerto Vallarta

Travel Categories

• Best Destination in Mexico
  • Guadalajara
• Best Destination in Mexico
  • Costalegre
• Best Travel Content Creator
  • Gabriela Luévanos
• Best Urban Hotel in Mexico
  • JW Marriott Hotel Guadalajara
• Best Sustainable Hotel
  • Majahuitas, Puerto Vallarta
• Best Sustainable Hotel
  • Xinalani, Puerto Vallarta

icú: Mexican Cuisine with a Unique Identity

Nominated for Best Restaurant Outside Mexico City

Situated in Puerto Vallarta’s iconic Romantic Zone, icú delivers an elevated dining experience rooted in authentic Mexican heritage. Guided by Chef Mauricio Leal, the restaurant focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table local ingredients and creative interpretations of classic regional recipes.

Featuring a dynamic seasonal menu served via à la carte options and multi-course tasting journeys, icú has anchored itself as a cornerstone of Banderas Bay’s fine dining scene. The establishment was awarded a prestigious Bib Gourmand distinction in the inaugural 2026 MICHELIN Guide Mexico.

Recognizing icú celebrates the innovation and culinary mastery shaping Puerto Vallarta’s culinary scene. Cast your ballot to name icú the Best Restaurant Outside of Mexico City.

icú

Contemporary Mexican Cuisine

210 Venustiano Carranza St., Romantic Zone

Monday–Sunday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Reservations: Book online via OpenTable

Two Eco-Friendly Hideaways Celebrating Nature

Majahuitas: Where Ocean Meets Jungle

Located along Puerto Vallarta’s dramatic South Zone and accessible only by boat, Majahuitas seamlessly integrates tropical jungle landscapes with luxury coastal hospitality. Known for its sophisticated beach club, gourmet cuisine, eco-chic accommodations, and curated weekend music experiences, Majahuitas offers an idyllic sanctuary along the Pacific Coast.

Its nomination for Best Sustainable Hotel highlights its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable luxury tourism in Jalisco.

Xinalani: Holistic Wellness in Harmony with Nature

Also vying for Best Sustainable Hotel, Xinalani provides an immersive wellness retreat centered on yoga, mindfulness, and ecological preservation. Nestled on a private pristine beach south of Puerto Vallarta—reachable exclusively via water taxi—Xinalani features eco-designed open-air suites, world-class yoga pavilions, a full-service spa, and locally sourced, plant-forward dining tailored to modern wellness travelers.

How to Vote for Puerto Vallarta

Participating in the 2026 Food and Travel Reader Awards is simple and direct:

1. Visit the official voting portal (in Spanish) at Food and Travel Mexico.
2. Enter your email address to access the ballot.
3. Under Best Restaurant Outside Mexico City, select icú, Puerto Vallarta.
4. Under Best Sustainable Hotel, select your favorite between Majahuitas, Puerto Vallarta or Xinalani, Puerto Vallarta.
5. Click Next, complete the remaining required fields across the category pages, and submit your form.

Be sure to register your selections prior to the official deadline on January 22, 2027.

Celebrating Jalisco’s Broader Representation

Jalisco’s vibrant culture and culinary brilliance shine across several prominent categories this year:

• Culinary trailblazers Fabian Delgado (Palreal and Yunaites) and Mario Papa (Teté Cocina de Barrio) represent the state’s world-class culinary capital.
• Guadalajara and the unspoiled beaches of Costalegre are featured in the Best Destination in Mexico category.
• JW Marriott Hotel Guadalajara shines in the Best Urban Hotel in Mexico category.
• Travel influencer Gabriela Luévanos is nominated for Best Travel Content Creator.

Your Vote Matters

From award-winning dining to eco-conscious coastal retreats, Puerto Vallarta continues to set the benchmark for luxury and sustainable tourism in Mexico.

Cast your vote today to champion the local leaders and experiences that make Jalisco’s premier beach destination extraordinary!