Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - According to the North Coast Regional Director of Tourism, José Ludwig Estrada Virgen, the Secretary of Communication and Transport (SCT) has announced that the first stretch of the Jala-Compostela highway, in the state of Nayarit, will open in time for the Semana Santa holidays.

Budget cuts and environmental issues have delayed the construction of the new Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway, but the SCT asserts that the first stage, a 67.9 kilometer stretch between Jala and Compostela, will provide travelers, especially those coming from Guadalajara, with shorter drive times and easier access to the entire Banderas Bay region during the two-week Easter vacation period.

The trip from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta usually takes a total of four hours, and sometimes more, but the opening of this section will reduce travel time, in addition to improving coastal road traffic.

"This road from Jala was to be completed last year, in fact the year before... in December 2015. They are now working on the junctions, so let's hope they are completed before the holidays," he said.

He added that early reservations indicate that Puerto Vallarta hotels will be at 100% occupancy on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Easter.

On that subject, the Regional Director of Tourism assured that there is no doubt that 2017, so far, has been a very good year for all providers of tourism services in the municipality of Puerto Vallarta.