Known for fabulous white sand beaches and a stunning coastline, Rivera Nayarit has long been a destination of choice for fun Pacific Mexico vacations. Beyond the surf and sand, there’s plenty to do on land, from jungle canopy ziplining to polo to bird watching, yoga, golf and more. These year-round activities make a great last-minute end of summer vacation.
Here are eight off-the-beachy path adventures:
Bird Watching:
With so many ecological sanctuaries, Nayarit offers some of Mexico’s best bird watching. San Blas, about two hours north from the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz (PVR) airport, has at least a dozen different ecosystems, and is home to 250 bird species. Among the best times to visit is during Mexico’s San Blas International Festival of Migratory Birds, which occurs annually between the last week of January and beginning of February. Other nearby bird watching sites include the Tecuitata community and micro climate hill, Singayta and Isla Isabel where humpback whales breach and whale sharks feed swimming against the nutrient currents flowing out of the estuaries.
Polo and Horseback Riding:
There is perhaps nothing more beautiful than a horse frolicking along the seaside during sunset and Riviera Nayarit provides delightful ways to enjoy the equestrian life. The Riviera Nayarit Polo Cup is played in December at La Patrona Polo and Equestrian Club in San Pancho. They and other clubs offer year-round horseback riding through the jungles around Nayarit, romantic surfside settings, walking on the Sierra Madre foothills or wading through natural mountainside creeks and streams.
Yoga in Riviera Nayarit:
Already the perfect place to feel centered, Riviera Nayarit offers a variety of options for yoga enthusiasts. Many hotels offer yoga, including Sayulita’s eco-chic Haramara Retreat on a natural stone platform overlooking the ocean, nearby Mar de Jade in Chacala, which is an intimate secluded seaside retreat, and Playa las Tortugas, a guaranteed form of serenity.
Golfing:
Riviera Nayarit offers golfing vacations with stunning views of Banderas Bay, the Pacific and the Sierra Madre Mountains as a backdrop to golf courses crafted by some of the world’s greatest designers. Golf vacations in Nuevo Vallarta include the Vidanta Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus, El Tigre Golf Course or the Flamingos Golf course. Other options include Litibu Golf Course, Punta Mita’s Bahia or Pacifico golf courses, along with smaller golf courses like Las Huertas in San Pancho’s or Ensueño in El Monteón.
Colonial Towns:
The Northern Riviera Nayarit Beach towns immerse visitors in history from the Spanish Colonial Period. San Blas is noted for its imposing Spanish colonial fort and fascinating Las Islitas cliffs. Inland nearby is colonial Jala, part of Mexico´s “Pueblo Magico” program, which is known for its charming people and its gorgeous basilica Lateranense that overlooks a cobblestoned square, where mariachi bands fill the air with music. More colonial history comes to life in the island of Mexcaltitan, a place demonstrating the essence of what it means to be Mexican.
Encounters with the Huichol Indian Community:
The Huichol Indians who live near the Nayarit coast in the foothills and highlands of Mexico’s Sierra Madre are direct descendants of the Aztecs, maintaining many pre-Columbian traditions. In almost every town square you find the Huicholes adorned by their crafted jaguars, peyote, blue deer and corn. The Huichol Tour takes visitors to a place in the nearby village of Rincon de Guayabitos, to visit inland one of their authentic ceremonial sites, the Alta Vista petroglyphs.
Galleries and Shopping:
From art galleries, to local craft markets, to the latest boutiques, Riviera Nayarit offers a multitude of shopping options. From the alley of the kiss in Bucerias, to the Boho-chic surfer town Sayulita on the southern Riviera Nayarit coast, visitors will find cobblestone streets lined with art galleries. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Mercado del Mar is the perfect place not only to find fresh fish and seafood, but also for crafts, jewelry and locally produced artisanal food products found in the seasonal farmers market. The luxurious beach resort Punta de Mita is famed for its designer boutiques. Most resorts also have their own shops and clusters of outdoor souvenir vendors.
Jungle Canopy Ziplining:
What better way to explore Riviera Nayarit’s jungles than by ziplining through them? Canopy Adventure Experiences is a safe ecotourism activity that invites visitors to explore Mexico’s emerald green Pacific Coast rainforests. Ziplining adventures await along the 200-mile stretch of Riviera Nayarit’s coastline in most major communities like Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita and Sayulita.
Whether travelers are getting away for a few days or weeks, Riviera Nayarit is the perfect vacation spot for end of summer adventure off-the-beachy path. From ziplining to yoga, golf and more, Riviera Nayarit guarantees travelers will get the most out of their vacation.
