Riviera Nayarit is ringing in the occasion in many way as it approaches its 10-year anniversary. A year's worth of celebrations are scheduled to honor the milestone, but the region is also looking forward with a bevy of new developments.

Several new projects are underway that are sure to make the region even more attractive to visitors. New resorts are in the works, as are upgrades to the area's highway system. A significant new development in the entertainment sector is also nearing completion and scheduled to debut midway through 2018.

One of the most important is the completion of the Jala-Bahía de Banderas Highway. The 105-mile highway will make travel from Guadalajara and vice versa much more accessible, reducing drive times from five hours (currently) to just two.

The first stretch of road was recently completed, and upcoming segments are due to be finished in December. Las Varas and Las Vara to Bahía de Banderas is are slated to begin construction in 2018.

Another new highway has just been inaugurated, connecting the Tepic and San Blas while reducing the drive between the two cities to just 20 minutes. Along with a new dock in San Blas, the coastal town is now much more accessible to visitors.

Hotel developments continue to blossom in the relatively young region. They range in scale from mega-resort complexes to more boutique undertakings.

One of the largest of the current projects is Costa Canuva CIP. Spanning an area of more than 550 acres and more than four miles of beachfront, the development is expected to add at least 7,000 guest rooms to the area. Plans call for five new luxury hotels, including the area's first Fairmont hotel. There will also be a PGA golf course co-designed by Lorena Ochoa and Greg Norman.

The La Mandarina Complex is another large-scale development. It will be home to the 125-room One&Only Mandarina, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open during late 2018. The complex, located in the Monteon at Compostela, will also feature two polo fields, an equestrian center, two obstacle courses, villas and new hotels including a Rosewood property. It will span more than 630 acres.

Smaller additions to Riviera Nayarit's hotel market include the acquisition and expansion of the Hotel Bel Air in Flamingos - the completion of the second stage of Grand Sirenis Matlali that adds 140 suites to the property. Marival Group will also expand via their first beachfront property set to open in October 2018.

An $80 million Iberostar Litibu will also start construction, and the Brisas Group will expand with Hotel Nizuc - the luxury brand for the group.

From an entertainment perspective, Grupo Vidanta is scheduled to open a Cirque du Soleil theme park in Nuevo Vallarta in 2018. The immersive theme park will include a water park and nature park as well as an outdoor evening show that will accommodate between 3,000 and 5,000 spectators.