Rota, Costa Ballena and Chipiona Braces for MotoGP 2025
Situated just a short drive from the legendary Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, Rota, Costa Ballena, and Chipiona have become favored destinations for racing enthusiasts seeking coastal charm alongside their motorsport fix. Across these coastal towns, seafront promenades and restaurants are already seeing increased activity as early arrivals begin to filter in ahead of Friday’s practice sessions.
Official MotoGP website and ticket sales
Rota is preparing for an extraordinary weekend as the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix approaches, with hotels expected to reach a remarkable 97.96% occupancy rate. The Saturday of race weekend will see an even higher 98.79% of rooms filled, according to forecasts from Horeca, the provincial hotel and restaurant association.
“We’re seeing bookings from across Europe and beyond,” says Marina Sánchez, who manages a beachfront hotel in Rota. “Many of our guests are returning visitors who discovered us during previous Grand Prix weekends. They appreciate the relaxed atmosphere here compared to the intensity of staying in Jerez itself.”
The appeal extends beyond Rota to the entire Costa Ballena area, which has emerged as a viable alternative for race spectators. This stretch of Atlantic coastline, with its golden beaches and golf courses, offers a perfect counterbalance to the adrenaline of the racetrack. Many visitors are combining their passion for MotoGP with a longer stay to enjoy the region’s other attractions.
While neighboring Jerez will experience the highest occupancy rates at an astonishing 98.95% (with 98.56% on Friday and 99.33% on Saturday), other towns in the province are also benefiting from the event’s massive draw. Sanlúcar, just north of Rota, reports average bookings exceeding 98.75% for the weekend, representing a three percentage point improvement compared to last year.
El Puerto de Santa María expects 94.65% average occupancy, while even towns further from the circuit are seeing significant increases. The provincial capital Cádiz forecasts 94.07% occupancy, and San Fernando has experienced the most dramatic improvement, jumping from 70.84% last year to an expected 93.49% this weekend.
Antonio de María, president of Horeca, notes that the entire region expects a significant economic boost from the event. “The impact goes far beyond just hotel stays,” he explains. “Restaurants, bars, shops, and transportation services all benefit tremendously. And importantly, this happens even if weather conditions aren’t perfect.”
Indeed, de María points out that while good weather is always preferred, the race weekend’s economic impact is somewhat weather-resistant. “Team personnel arrive up to ten days before the championship because they technically need to be with the motorcycles in the paddock,” he says. “The specialized media covering the event will also be here regardless of conditions. The motorcycles will race with water and without water.”
This resilience is good news for local businesses, as spring weather in Andalusia can occasionally be unpredictable. However, current forecasts suggest favorable conditions for the upcoming weekend.
For Rota and its neighboring communities, the MotoGP weekend represents one of the year’s most significant tourism opportunities. With the province-wide occupancy projected at 91.62% (five points higher than 2024), the event’s growing popularity is clear.
As Thursday approaches and the first teams begin their final preparations at the circuit, Rota’s streets will increasingly fill with the distinctive sound of motorcycles and the animated conversations of racing enthusiasts from around the world. For this weekend at least, this charming coastal town becomes an extension of the MotoGP paddock – a place where the passion for racing meets the relaxed rhythm of Andalusian coastal life.