For many years the Riviera Nayarit was one of those places that were kept almost secret, in the shadow of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. In recent years the Riviera Nayarit has gained relevance as a tourist destination, not only nationally but internationally, competing alongside destinations such as Cancun or the Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo.
Where is the Riviera Nayarit?
The Riviera Nayarit Beaches stretch for 307 kilometers on the Pacific, starting from Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, north of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, until reaching Boca de Tecapán, adjacent to the State of Sinaloa. As you can see in this map of the Riviera Nayarit, the route is full of mangroves, wetlands, coastal lagoons, archaeological remains, magical towns, and ecological reserves such as the Sierra de Vallejo Biosphere Reserve, which is home to various endemic species; as well as the Isla Isabel National Park and the beautiful Marietas Islands, all this between valleys, beaches and beautiful mountainous landscapes.
It is here where the indigenous Huicholes or Wixárika, as they call themselves, have lived for years. In fact, throughout the mountains and the coast of Nayarit, you can find beautiful crafts made of beads and colorful motifs.
How to get to Riviera Nayarit?
There are several transportation options available to get to the Riviera Nayarit, depending on your starting point. Here are some common ways to reach Riviera Nayarit:
- By Plane: The most easy and convenient way to reach Riviera Nayarit is by flying into the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) in Puerto Vallarta. This airport serves as the main gateway to the region. From there, you can take a taxi, private transfer, or rent a car to your specific destination within Riviera Nayarit. The airport is well-connected to major cities in Mexico and also receives a lot of international flights.
- By Road: If you are already in Mexico and prefer a road trip, you can reach Riviera Nayarit by driving. The region is easily accessible via the major highways in Mexico. From Puerto Vallarta, you can take Highway 200, which runs along the coast and provides scenic views. Keep in mind that driving times will vary depending on your starting location.
- By Bus: If you are in Mexico another option is to take a bus to Riviera Nayarit. Several bus companies offer routes to the region from various cities in Mexico. Buses are a comfortable and affordable option, with regular services available. The bus terminals in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and nearby towns such as Sayulita and Nuevo Vallarta are well-connected and serve as entry points to Riviera Nayarit.
- By Boat: For a unique experience, you can also reach Riviera Nayarit by boat if you are coming from nearby coastal areas or islands. There are boat tours and ferry services available that connect certain destinations along the coast.
The Riviera Nayarit also owes its charm to the excellent climate, since its average temperature ranges between 23 and 28° Celsius on average, with the rainy season from June to October, making it very pleasant to visit at any time of the year.
Location, history, excellent weather, as well as modern hotels in the Riviera Nayarit: boutique, golf courses and luxury resorts, create the perfect environment for a dream vacation. I invite you to accompany me to know the main points and tourist attractions in the Riviera Nayarit:
Nuevo Vallarta
As its name indicates, it is the New Puerto Vallarta of the region. It is a place full of glamour, it has two golf courses, modern hotels installed along 5 kilometers of fine sand beaches as well as a marina with 10 kilometers of navigable channels and a capacity for up to 250 boats. It is also a good place to go shopping as it has shopping centers where you will find prestigious brands and stores recognized worldwide. It also has two dolphinariums and a water park.
Some of the most popular luxury resorts are Hotel Mayan Palace, Vallarta Palace, Riu Place, Samba Vallarta and Mayan Place Nuevo Vallarta.
Flamingos
It is an area that has beautiful golf courses surrounded by hotels, condominiums and lagoons that are a natural refuge for birds and other species. There is also a crocodile farm and to one side are the La Vejiga and El Quelele natural areas.
Also by the way, if you are interested in buying and selling real estate here is a good place to take a look.
Bucerias
Bucerías has one of the longest beaches in the Riviera Nayarit and it is also one of the best places to enjoy the nightlife, along the beach you can find some restaurants, clubs and bars that will make you vibrate and dance every night. The town of Bucerías also has its charm, its cobblestone streets are characteristic of a typical Pacific town.
You can find good places to eat near its main square as well as on the beach. If you want to buy a souvenir, it is best to visit the craft market, where you can buy them directly from the artisans.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
If you arrive in the Riviera Nayarit by yacht, this is a good point to dock your boat, it has a huge marina to house almost 400 boats.
Delicious typical dishes are eaten in the town’s restaurants and there is also a Huichol gallery and a street market that opens on Wednesdays.
Destiladeras
Destiladeras is one of those corners of the world that make you feel in paradise.
It is a strip of 5 kilometers of virgin beaches. The waves are strong, so it is also ideal for surfing. If you are looking for a charming place, away from hotels and in contact with nature, you will love Destiladeras.
Costa Banderas
Another paradisiacal place with wonderful beaches surrounded by jungle landscapes. Ideal for walks as a couple to contemplate beautiful sunsets.
Along the way, there are rock formations where you can rest from time to time. The sea is also ideal for practicing water sports.
Punta de Mita
Punta Mita is a place of exclusive luxury hotels. If you are looking for the best among the best Punta Mita is for you.
It has an 18-hole golf course and is located near the Ecological Sanctuary known as Islas Marietas, ideal for snorkeling or diving. It is a luxury destination very popular with honeymooners.
Litibu
If you want a combination between ecotourism and beach, Litibu is what you need. It is about two kilometers of beach surrounded by a jungle landscape and it is also a good place for whale watching and turtle release.
Several service providers in the area offer you ecotourism safaris. Highly recommended!
Sayulita Beach
Sayulita is known as an excellent place to buy handicrafts, get closer to the Huichol culture and enjoy the bars and good music by the sea. There are places to camp and also excellent hotels and resorts with spas to rest.
Every year during December, a surfing event is held in Sayulita, attended by internationally renowned competitors.
San Francisco or San Pancho
Enjoying the sea, relaxing in the sun on the beach and watching time go by relaxed surrounded by a paradisiacal landscape is what awaits you in San Pancho, as it is popularly known.
Here those with an adventurous spirit can ride a horse or practice on their surfboards. There is a coastal town that curiously has adopted names from Asian countries for its streets. There are also small restaurants, artisan bakeries and even a golf course.
San Pancho is also the venue for a Polo tournament that takes place from November to May.
Lo de Marcos
Lo de Marcos is a fishing village with quiet streets and beautiful beaches. The hospitality of the people is unique and you can try wonderful homemade food in its fondas and restaurants.
The hotels are modest but have a typical Mexican style. There is a small golf course, which is ideal for novices. Its beaches are very calm and they say that when they break on the beach you can even see the fish.
You can visit the turtle camp and the fish hatchery.
Punta Raza
If you like to explore and adventure, this place in the Riviera Nayarit offers you a mountain behind which you can find beautiful and virginal beaches surrounded by jungle vegetation.
It is excellent for the practice of ecotourism, camping, or bird watching. It is also worth taking a walk around the Pimintillera Lagoon in the Monteón and the Canalam estuary.
You must consider that it is a mountainous area and far from services.
El Capomo
El Capomo has a beautiful cove and beach where you can practice surfing. Like almost all of the Riviera Nayarit, it has beautiful rocky and jungle landscapes.
In the surroundings, you can visit the estuaries that are navigable and visit the crocodile habitat, practice bird watching, and participate in turtle release or camping.
Rincón de Guayabitos
Rincón de Guayabitos is a very popular destination among local people and tourists in general. It has all the services that any of the best Mexican tourist destinations would offer.
It is worth mentioning that it is also delicious, has a spectacular view of the Isla del Cangrejo y Coral and a 9-hole golf course. Its beaches are ideal for fishing and diving.
Nearby you can visit the archaeological zone of the King. As for lodging, it offers a wide variety of hotels for all budgets, but in high season it is best to arrive with a reservation in hand since hotel occupancy almost always reaches 100%.
By the way, 20 minutes north is Peñita de Jaltemba, famous for its nightlife, bars and discos. In addition to the fact that you can find delicious food in the palapas located on its beach.
Chacala
The truth is that it would take more than a week of vacation in the Riviera Nayarit to discover places like the ones we have described here, one more is Chacala, a place with typical townhouses, craft shops and above all a sweet sensation of tranquility.
I recommend that you try the zarandeado fish in one of the restaurants on the beach, where the waves are strong. There are some small hotels and spas. Near here you can visit La Laguna Encantada, ideal for horseback riding and bird watching.
Las Varas
Las Varas, more than a fishing village, has an agricultural tradition. Its inhabitants have deep-rooted traditions and it is manifested in their popular festivals, such as those of Holy Week, the parade of Santo Santiago or the Carnival in which they carry out everything from dances to luck with bulls in the charro canvas.
Here you can visit the Community Museum, which exhibits some fossils, pots and other utensils. Be sure to try the typical food of the region in one of its inns or restaurants. If you want something more adventurous, take a walk around the Mataiza Lagoon, there is a boat ride and places to camp.
Boca de Chila
Ahead of the farming town of Las Varas you will come across mango, watermelon and tobacco fields. At the end will be Boca de Chila, a unique place of gold and white beaches along 7.5 kilometers, with lagoons, estuaries and exuberant vegetation.
Here you can see the occasional turtle laying its eggs (please do not disturb them) or a whale having fun in the sea. Here some petroglyphs have been found that are exhibited in Zacualpan, a town 8 km away. Stay at sunset, I assure you it will be spectacular.
There are no large resorts yet, but there are plans to build golf courses, restaurants and elegant hotels with everything you need for your vacation.
Punta de Custodio
Punta de Custodio is perfect for ecology lovers because most of its constructions claim to be of low ecological impact.
There is one of the most important turtle camps in the entire Riviera Nayarit, since every year thousands of turtles arrive to nest, which requires the presence of national and even foreign volunteers. It has an 8 kilometer long beach where you can practice surfing. Its atmosphere is totally familiar and its sea is calm, perfect for children, especially in Tortugas beach.
If you walk a little further north you will see a whimsical rock formation known as Isla Bonita, and on the other side Playa Platanitos, an excellent place to go to eat some good seafood.
Bahia de Matanchen
Do you want to feel at ease? This is a beach that is 7 kilometers long by 30 wide. Its sand is fine and its waves, unlike other areas, are moderate.
You can practice some water sports, savor excellent dishes such as zarandeado fish, and shrimp with garlic mojo, or walk, sunbathe, swim and enjoy the beautiful Mexican sunset.
San Blas
Beautiful place, with a famous beach and town full of pirate stories. It has a good hotel infrastructure and some tourist attractions such as the Fort of San Basilio, founded in 1530; The Temple of Our Lady of the Rosary; de La Marinera built in 1769 and the Accounting Building from 1770 among others. Nearby is the La Tovara National Park, a protected natural area home to an important reserve of crocodiles and a reservoir of crystalline waters.
Further north is the town of Singayta where you can rent some tours on horseback, bicycles or kayaks to walk through the mangroves. And if you want to venture to the sea, visit Isla Isabel, an island of volcanic origin with beautiful beaches that today is a refuge for birds and is located about 70 kilometers away.
Mexcaltitlan Island
It is said that this island was the first place where the Aztec civilization settled, some affirm that it can even be the legendary Aztlán. It is a small island on which a picturesque town sits whose streets in the rainy season become navigable channels.
Visit its central square where there is a temple and a site museum. It is located only 36 km from Santiago Ixcuintla.
Marietas Islands
We could not leave aside the Marietas Islands, a group of islands located off the Riviera Nayarit some 112 kilometers from the coast.
These islands in 2010 were declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, they are ideal for snorkeling, kayaking or swimming. Its waters are warm and crystalline and also the rock formations create spectacular landscapes.
As you will see there is a lot to do and see in the Riviera Nayarit, it is well worth spending more than 3 days in this area. For this, do not skimp on choosing a good hotel according to your plans, budget and the tourist attractions that you would like to visit.