Mexico has more tourism options than the Cowboys defense has points allowed in ’24, but there’s only one official Mexico destination of the Dallas Cowboys—it’s the State of Nayarit. A state in western Mexico, Nayarit is situated between the Sierra Madre Occidental forested mountains and Pacific Ocean sugar sand beaches. The region is an ecotourism wonderland with volcanoes and freshwater lagoons, but it’s the kind people in its charming colonial surfing towns that make it one of Mexico’s most celebrated destinations.
The partnership was formally introduced at The Star, Dallas Cowboys headquarters in Frisco, Texas. The cocktail and small plate reception was hosted by Juan Enrique Suarez, Nayarit Minister of Tourism and Jacob Stone, Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships of the Dallas Cowboys. The chic venue offers overhead views of the Cowboys practice field (no photos allowed) and the 12,000-seat Ford Center indoor football stadium. The room was outfitted with several pieces of Nayarit local art and beautiful ocean views that can be experienced only in Nayarit.
“The Dallas Cowboys are a part of life for so many people worldwide. This partnership will bring the state of Nayarit top of mind to so many potential visitors that we would never have been able to reach otherwise. Nayarit’s beaches, Magical Towns, food scene, and outdoor adventures are ready to take the front stage,” said Nayarit Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero.
Just a two-hour flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Nayarit’s golf course roster is as strong as the Super Bowl champion 1992 Cowboys. Punta Mita Golf Club, Flamingos Golf Club and Higuera Golf Club are like the Troy, Emmitt and Michael of Mexican golf courses. Mexico has reinvented golf and made it a party with an emphasis on fun, tequila and some of the best ocean views in the world. And with a slow start for America’s Team this season—fans might be looking for a weekend getaway and Nayarit is always a good idea.
For all the sunshine and paloma-glory in this partnership—it could have been better. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys general manager was notably quiet in the free agency market this summer. But his biggest miss was not re-signing the 2017 first round draft pick Taco Charlton to a one-day contract as part of the Cowboys-Nayarit partnership announcement. Charlton only started seven games in two years with Dallas, but he would’ve shined as a literal and figurative Taco frontman. For all of Taco’s shortcomings as first round draft pick pass rusher, he would’ve been the Michael Jordan of Nike for Nayarit.
But this missed opportunity isn’t all on the Cowboys—Taco Charlton could’ve made this situation easier if he’d met expectations and was still on the roster playing opposite Micah Parsons. If he was on the roster, Taco could’ve finished practice and made the short walk to the Quarterback Corner in The Star for the party—alas, he’s playing for some team in Europe.
They call them comfort stations in Mexico—little taquerias and bars on golf courses and Higuera has one on the front and another on the back. Tacos, cold Mexican beer and mezcal are included in the $100 green fee and are served just off the back of the 4th and 12th greens at the Greg Norman-designed Higuera Golf Club. The Pacifico Course at Punta Mita has a palapa bar on the first tee and just off the 9th green. Mexico has made tacos and tequila on the golf course famous and they’re the best thing to happen to golf since the titanium head driver.
Mexico connoisseurs know that its popular tourism hubs Cabo, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta each offer something unique to its own. But Nayarit is the rare destination to experience Mexico like a local, or pampered tourist. Some visitors never leave their resort’s gates while others immerse into the local surfer lifestyle. With this new partnership, perhaps more Cowboy fans will head down to Nayarit and discover their own taco-fueled experience.