The strikingly beautiful region of Riviera Nayarit covers 200 miles of the Pacific coastline in Mexico – stretching from Puerto Vallarta in the south to San Blas in the north.
Loaded with authentic beach towns, all-inclusive resorts, luxurious as well as affordable accommodations, colonial history, golfing, and a wide array of water activities, Riviera Nayarit is undoubtedly a travel destination to watch out for in the coming years.
At present the Riviera Nayarit is somewhat away from the well-traveled zone in Mexico, which is why we are giving you a rundown of the 4 best places in the region that you must explore before the crowds start pouring in:
SAYULITA
Excellent waves explain the booming surf scene of Sayulita. Surfing or paddle-boarding lessons are also quite popular here.
Low-rise buildings, street vendors lining the streets and beaches, open-air restaurants, and travelers moving around in golf carts give this tiny, free-spirited town quite an old-world Mexican feel.
PUNTA MITA
For those who love getting pampered in style, it just cannot get any better than Punta Mita! A former fishing village, Punta Mita now serves as a luxury escape with two Jack Nicklaus golf courses and a number of swank resorts. From Punta Mita, you can also take a brief but adventurous boat ride to the Marietas Islands- a UNESCO natural protected reserve formed by volcanic activity. Keep an eye out for dolphins, manta rays, and turtles along the way!
SAN BLAS
Holding on to its old-world charm from the early Spanish colonization days, the peaceful and friendly little town of San Blasis full of isolated beaches, fine surfing, ruins, tropical jungles accessed by riverboats, impressive bars, restaurants, and birds! Yes, San Blas can be an absolute delight for the avid bird watcher. The huge variety of birds found here is what makes this town one of the best birding areas in the Americas. San Blas also features a crocodile reserve at La Tovara National Park where visitors on boats can have close encounters with crocodiles.
NUEVO VALLARTA
Nestled on the Banderas Bay, the largest natural bay in Mexico, Nuevo Vallarta is the most ‘touristy’ town in the Riviera Nayarit. Not just some wild bars but this town also features a ‘Starbucks’ outlet, the only one in the region! Brimming with all-inclusive resorts, Nuevo Vallarta is also a fantastic place for nature lovers with hawksbills, leatherback turtles, and humpback whales arriving on its shores every year!
The Riviera Nayarit offers a wide price range of accommodations and services and therein lies its charm! Depending on your budget you can either opt to put up at the opulent St. Regis Punta Mita Resort or in a bed and breakfast in one of the charming coastal towns like Sayulita. The dining choices are also varied. From world-class restaurants serving the best gourmet meals to traditional taco stands and everything in between, foodies are sure to be spoilt for choice! Also, the Riviera Nayarit offers an abundance of water sports like sailing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sea kayaking and also fun activities like whale watching and swimming with the dolphins or sea lions. In a nutshell, Riviera Nayarit has something to suit every taste and budget.