What to do on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit

What to do on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit

Families or couples, adventure travelers or those seeking seclusion – whatever the personality, all travelers should keep Riviera Nayarit top of mind as they plan their beach vacation this year. Nestled between the magnificent Sierra Madre Mountains and remarkable Banderas Bay, the eclectic destination is home to 192 miles of Pacific coastline and 30 pristine beaches with something special to offer every type of sunbather.

Here’s the ultimate guide to beaching in Riviera Nayarit:

  • Nuevo Vallarta dazzles families and multi-generational groups

Vibe: Fun, family-friendly and all-inclusive, Nuevo Vallarta is a lively destination and three-mile shoreline of welcoming golden beaches waiting to be explored. Families can delight in the turquoise-blue ocean and fine sands along with the various activities offered.

  • Punta de Mita for luxury and wellness lovers

Vibe: High-end and quiet, those seeking exclusivity should look no further than secluded Punta de Mita. The coastline is home to some of the most luxurious hotel accommodations in all of Riviera Nayarit, with six miles of pristine beach coast surrounded by lush green hills. Travelers can take a stroll to nearby Playa Destiladeras, where they can meditate to the crashing waves and watch the sunset after a day of surfing.

  • Isla Marieta’s Playa Escondida for couples and honeymooners seeking a hideaway

Vibe: Playa Escondida is for lovers, a romantic place also called Playa del Amor, or the beach of love. Tucked inside one of the Islas Marietas, Hidden Beach is one of Riviera Nayarit’s most exclusive destinations – only 117 can visit this tranquil, insta-friendly location per day.

  • Sayulita invites shoppers and surfers

Vibe: Boho, hippie chic and a Surfing Capital, Sayulita is one of the region’s most charming destinations. This surf town offers cobblestone streets great for shopping lined with art galleries and unique stores. Its diverse gastronomy goes from taco stands to high end restaurants, offering different options for every day. A highlight is to explore its beaches on horseback.

  • San Pancho calls culture travelers

Vibe: San Pancho is the area’s Cultural Capital – a tranquil fishing village thriving on community spirit. Pancho is the nickname for Francisco and similarly the area has a formal and informal side. It’s also home to La Patrona polo club and in November the Cultural and Comercial Expo Wixaritka Nayarit is an impressive market of Huichol crafts made by locals.

  • Los Ayala for families keeping calm and cool

Vibe: The tranquility and warmth of Los Ayala’s Playa Tortuga and Playa del Beso is the perfect beach destination for families wanting to float around on gentle waves or take a short boat ride to Coral Island or Cangrejo Island to snorkel off the shore.

  • San Blas for seaside bird watchers

Vibe: A paradise for bird enthusiasts, this historic ecoregion has the highest concentration of migratory birds and features over 500 species. When birders aren’t scoping out the mangroves and estuaries, they can lay out on Playa El Borrego’s two-mile golden sand beach.

More Reasons to Visit:

  • In 2018, Rincón de Guayabitos and Isla de Coral where added to the list of Certified Clean Beaches, which includes Palladium at Punta de Mita; Platanitos in San Blas; Chacala in Compostela; Los Muertos in Sayulita; Vallarta Norte II, Nuevo Vallarta Sur and Nuevo Vallarta Norte; and Bucerías in Banderas Bay. Playa Nuevo Vallarta Norte, Laguna de Santa Maria del Oro, Marina Riviera Nayarit and Marina San Blas have Blue-Flag Certifications, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches and marinas that meet quality, safety, education and environmental criteria. Bucket-list travelers can also visit Novillero. With 50 miles of coastline it’s the longest beach in Mexico, second longest in Latin America, and sixth in the world.

These are a few of the many beaches that make Riviera Nayarit the ideal vacation spot for beachgoers.  Additionally, the destination offers easy connections to most major U.S. and Canadian cities through the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport, serviced by 250 international and national flights per week.

Renowned for its eclectic charm, luxurious hospitality and authentic appeal, Riviera Nayarit has earned global recognition as the Pacific Coast’s treasure destination. Situated within Mexican state Nayarit, the region offers 192 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, the wondrous Sierra Madre Mountains, the spectacular Banderas Bay and endless protected natural marvels. Riviera Nayarit is home to resort town Nuevo Vallarta, historic village San Blas, exclusive celebrity haven Punta de Mita, “boho-chic” surf mecca Sayulita and a variety of picturesque fishing villages. Activities abound from world-class golf courses, zip lining, diving and surfing to bird watching, whale watching and turtle release programs. Accommodations range from luxury branded resort destinations and family friendly all-inclusives to intimate boutique properties and everything in between. A further testament to the destination’s hospitality offerings, Riviera Nayarit boasts four AAA Five Diamond hotels, 11 AAA Four Diamond hotels and 13 AAA Three Diamond hotels. Rounding out the destination’s allure, superior quality international gastronomy awaits including a AAA Five Diamond restaurant, six AAA Four Diamond restaurants and 26 AAA Three Diamond restaurants. Riviera Nayarit is just  10 minutes north of Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). To discover the Pacific Coast’s treasure destination, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com