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December 09, 2025
Did you know that a single journey can change the way we understand tourism, conservation, and sport? A new challenge was born for lovers of sports tourism and nature between the deep blue of the ocean and the eternal green of the mountains: the "Sea and Mountain" challenge, organized by the association Nado por las Ballenas AC.
From November 29 to December 7, the first edition of the event took place, uniting swimmers, runners, and environmental advocates in a distinctive gathering that intertwined athletics, conservation, and sustainable tourism in Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta, and Costalegre.
The "Sea and Mountain" Sports Challenge was led by Stephanie Montero Bending, a renowned open-water swimmer, sea ambassador, and promoter of the connection between body, mind, and environment.
A team of four athletes and their respective teams, including Montero, traveled through the Protected Natural Areas of the Mexican Pacific coast. The route went from Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, to Puerto Vallarta and Costalegre in Jalisco.
The objective: to swim, run, and walk in rhythm with the ecosystems, emphasizing the significance of their conservation for posterity.
The "Sea and Mountain" Sports Challenge was a movement with a clear and powerful message: protecting the ocean and the mountains means protecting life. The journey was a symbol of the interdependence between the ecosystems, reminding us that the rivers that feed the mountains flow into the seas that give life to the planet.
On Saturday, November 29, Angélica Enríquez Rocha took on the challenge of a 22-kilometer night swim in open water, braving the elements to complete the circuit from Punta de Mita to Isla Redonda in the Marietas Islands National Park. She arrived at El Anclote beach in Punta de Mita, Nayarit, in the early hours of November 30.
In two stages, Diego Tron Maza traveled around Banderas Bay on his paddleboard, covering a total of 120 kilometers. The first leg of the race took place on Saturday, November 29, starting from Los Arcos de Mismaloya, Puerto Vallarta, and ending at the Marietas Islands National Park in Banderas Bay.
The second half of the trip took place on Monday, December 1, starting from the Marietas Islands and ending at Los Arcos de Mismaloya, a well-known landmark in Puerto Vallarta renowned for its conservation and management. This segment of the journey marked the successful conclusion of the sporting expedition.
The "Sea and Mountain" Sports Challenge continued with three night swims by Stephanie Montero, who initially swam from December 3 to 5 in Costalegre, Jalisco.
The first stage of the journey took Montero Bending from the Chalacatepec Turtle Camp to Cocinas Island in Chamela Bay, passing the Playa Mismaloya Sanctuary along the way. The second stage of the journey went from Chamela Bay to the Teopa Sanctuary, with the Cuitzmala Sanctuary in view. The third and final stage of the journey began at the Teopa Sanctuary and ended at the El Tecuán Sanctuary.
The Mexican swimmer covered 63.5 km in open water, a feat made all the more impressive by her strong commitment to the cause of Swim for the Whales. On December 6, the swimmer faced a few more hours of swimming due to weather conditions and effects on the sea in that area, but she successfully completed her journey.
The new component of the "Sea and Mountain" challenge was integrated into the mountain portion, from December 4 to 7, with a route that athlete Marcela de Niz coordinated and led.
A total of 242.37 kilometers were covered by the land route, with Vallarta athletes Alejandro and Ana Isabel Chacón, Ana Olivera, Isabel Villegas, Juan Pablo de Niz, and Misael Cuevas taking part.
The spectacular landscapes of the Sierra de Vallejo–Río Ameca in Nayarit and the Sierra Occidental and Sierra El Cuale Biocultural Landscape in Jalisco were traversed by participants in the trail running and mountain biking disciplines, respectively.
The team successfully completed the four-stage challenge on the night-and-day route, which took them through Bucerías, Los Sauces, Soyatán, Las Mesitas, Santa Ana, Cimarrón El Grande, Mascota, and Barandillas, ending in Puerto Vallarta.
The "Sea and Mountain" route traversed some of the most iconic landscapes of the Pacific coast, including Banderas Bay, the Marietas Islands National Park, and the natural splendors of the Costalegre, a hidden gem of the Jalisco coast renowned for its rich biodiversity and pristine beauty.
These areas, called Protected Natural Areas, are vital for preserving species like humpback whales and sea turtles. They also support the growth of responsible, eco-friendly tourism.
This first edition achieved a great deal, including the establishment of a model of sustainable tourism that fosters collaboration among local communities, athletes, and conscientious travelers.
The challenge had two major impacts: it brought the natural attractions of Puerto Vallarta and Costalegre to the forefront, and it prompted tour operators and local guides to adopt sustainability principles in their services.
"Every stroke and every step is an act of love for nature," Stephanie Montero shared on her social media. She highlighted the need to promote "tourism that leaves a mark on the heart, not on the environment."
Nado por las Ballenas will continue its mission to raise 1.5 million pesos in the coming weeks to support eight projects:
To make a direct donation, visit the official Nado por las Ballenas website. Protecting Mexico's seas, mountains, and protected natural areas is something you can get involved in. Join us and be part of the solution.
In Puerto Vallarta and Costalegre, we are inspired by conservation and united by sport!
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