Riviera Nayarit

Take off your shoes and let the surf cover your toes in Riviera Nayarit where the pristine Pacific Coast is framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains. This planned vacation resort, twenty five minutes north of Airport Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, Puerto Vallarta's International Airport, is its own separate stand-alone destination dotted with sleepy fishing villages, stunning views, and an assortment of modern hotels. Stay busy during the day snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving or just lounging poolside, while your nights are devoted to sitting on your private villa balcony watching the sun surrender to a starry canopy.

Video courtesy of OCV/CVB Riviera Nayarit.

Getting Your Bearings

Rivieria Nayarit is located in the heart of Mexico's Pacific coastline and is encircled by the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains to the east and fronted by the Bay of Banderas. The area is home to migrating gray whales and a plethora of sea life. Though just a 20 minute drive away from its more famous sibling Puerto Vallarta, it is one hour ahead (so check your watch before heading to the airport). This is due to the fact that Riviera Nayarit is located in Nayarit, a completely different state.

Riviera Nayarit Fast Facts

Getting There

Airport Gustavo Diaz Ordaz is located ten minutes south, and is served by a wide variety of national and international airlines, many with nonstop flights to Puerto Vallarta. Riviera Nayarit is a short taxi ride away. Passports are required for U.S. and Canadian citizens.

Weather

Expect a tropical year-round climate with average daytime temperatures of 80 degrees and cooler evening temperatures in the winter months.

When to Go

High season is December to February, with temperatures in the 70s-80s range; rainy season is June to October.

Festival Highlights

Most of the festival action takes place in flashier Puerto Vallarta. The malecon is the host of for the city's May Day Parade on May 1st, with even more celebrations on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th); artists take over the city at the Art Festival in November; November is also home to the Gastronomic Festival which attracts foodies from all over the globe while December marks the Puerto Vallarta Film Festival. Go to www.visitpuertovallarta.com for more information. December is also the start of whale watching season in the Bay of Banderas.

A Brief History

Puerto Vallarta is old, with vestiges of its former historic self while Riviera Nayarit is a planned resort community that is mostly new. That's the basic story. And, because of the similar names and the fact that the two "Vallartas" are close to each other, many tend to confuse the two. The reality is that Riviera Nayarit is a federally funded government project that began more than ten years ago. It now features a state-of-the-art marina, more than three miles of sandy beaches, deluxe resort amenities and shopping malls. Just beyond its commercialization are a variety of sleepy villages and lush natural beauty, making it every bit as enticing and full of wonder as every other Mexican beach destination.

Don't Miss: Riviera Nayarit

• Swim with dolphins
• Visit the turtle sanctuary
• Indulge in a spa treatment
• Tour the beachfront town of Bucerias
• Surf in Sayulita (or just watch)
• Golf at El Tigre
• Go whale-watching
• Kayak in the Bay of Banderas
• Get wet at Splash Parque Acuatico
• Watch the sun set over Banderas Bay