From the hip resort of Sayulita to the jungles of the Sierra Madres in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, adventures in nature appeal to everyone in the family, whatever their fitness level.
Riviera Nayarit, the lush Pacific Coast region of Nayarit state, extends from the gated resort community of Nuevo Vallarta (pronounced No-voh VY-ar-tah) north to the San Blas peninsula.
Families will find diverse cultural and environmental riches as well as nice beaches facing the calm, shallow Banderas Bay. Read on to plan family adventures that range from making your own tortillas in an outdoor oven, to riding a mule, ATVing through sub-tropical forest for a zip line tour, rappelling down waterfalls, and lots of wet fun.
How Riviera Nayarit Differs from Puerto Vallarta
The established beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, farther south on the coast, is in the state of Jalisco. Although the entire coastline region shares an airport, the destinations are very different.
Puerto Vallarta is about beaches, shopping, galleries, dining and nightlife. You can visit a tequila distillery and take street taco tours. Outside the historic village, the diverse and inclusive crowd frequents many fine hotels, cultural events and activities. The Westin Puerto Vallarta is one resort that families love.
Nayarit, in contrast, is more rugged with a greater focus on eco adventures. Visit the region year round because it boasts a mild tropical climate that averages 80°F (27°C.) Having said that, it can be very hot and humid during the summer rainy season and cool on winter evenings.
Here’s a look at Riviera Nayarit’s top nature attractions, guided adventures, and treks through the rugged environment, from south to north along the coast.
Start at the Region’s Commercial Center: Nuevo Vallarta
Nuevo Vallarta is a purpose-built enclave of affordable, contemporary beachfront resorts. It’s conveniently just 12 miles from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, or a 15-minute drive or a water taxi away from the charming village of PV. The new Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit is a well-priced all-inclusive in Nuevo with beach access.
Since Nuevo Vallarta is a planned community of hotels and condominiums, there’s not much to see or do in town. However, we can recommend a fine seafood restaurant that is worth a stop. La Laguna Tino’s at Blvd Nayarit #393 Nuevo Vallarta is open daily for lunch and dinner. Stop for some fresh seafood and watch the turtles play by the dock outside.
Riviera Nayarit Road Trip: Route 200 along the Pacific Coast
If you have time, skip the modern highway from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport and take the very scenic Route 200, a well paved, two-lane blacktop, north. Use a bit of Spanish, a good map and a rental car -– or hire a car and driver from Tropical Incentives as we did. Families can have fun days out and meet the locals at several bustling villages.
Bucerias Stop for a Meal and a Walk
Heading north from Nuevo Vallarta, you’ll come across Bucerias first. This is a hip town where those who work in the region’s tourist trade can afford to live. And live well, they do. This tiny fishing town is a popular spot for shopping and dining. Each January, Bucerias is the setting for the “Virgen de la Paz” festival which includes the blessing of the local fishing fleet.
Fishing is the Sustainable Adventure at La Cruz
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a nice place to stop for a fresh seafood meal or a stroll on the beach. At our first visit, from Route 200, you could see the barren tree struck by lightning whose remaining limbs formed a cruz or cross to become the town’s namesake.
This bayfront town grew quickly after a government-sponsored marina and residential complex were built. That development lured a lot of expatriates to settle. Every Sunday, there is a Farmer’s Market as well as an art n’ crafts market selling crafts and international cuisine. The daily fish market opens at 7am for the catch of the day.
Turtle Rescues and Whale Watching Adventures Off the Riviera Nayarit Coast
Known as the region’s official mascot, four protected species of tortugas (leatherback turtles, Olive Ridley turtles, hawksbill turtles, green turtles) make Riviera Nayarit their home. Families can watch these noble creatures come ashore to lay eggs in the sand (June to September) or assist as the tiny hatchlings break out of their shells and return to the sea (August to November). On every beach, local volunteers and hotel security patrol each evening to be sure that nesting turtles are not disturbed by passersby, and that new nests are marked so the eggs can be relocated for safekeeping.
Wildlife Connection, an eco-tour group based in Marina Vallarta, offers an evening tour between July and March so that visitors can participate in the release of baby turtles and learn more about their conservation.
Families visiting between November and April can see humpbacked whales as they migrate south from the Arctic to raise their calves in the protected waters of Banderas Bay. Vallarta Adventures offers a variety of whale watching tours appropriate for all ages and physical abilities.
Riviera Nayarit Adventures In Towns Near Nuevo Vallarta
As the state of Riviera Nayarit becomes more popular, families find a variety of eco-adventures close to their home base. These are some of our favorite natural adventures.
ATV Tours of the local jungle areas. Take a half or full day tour that includes safety instruction and a lesson. Ride along rough trails to rivers, stop for a dip and visit waterfalls to refresh for the ride back.
For more options, look up above the town to the many hillside clusters whose guests have brought SUP schools, windsurfing, boating, sunset cruises, deep sea fishing, ATVs and horseback riding facilities to the region.
Learn to Surf. Visit some of the area’s best surf beaches according to your skill level and local conditions, for a personal surfing lesson you will never forget.
Luxurious Approach to Nayarit Adventures at Punta de Mita
Punta de Mita is a small town located at the northernmost point of Banderas Bay, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes meet.
The region is best known to Americans for the Four Seasons Punta Mita, which dominates the huge gated Punta Mita community outside town. The complex has several other hotels (including the St. Regis Punta Mita), private residences and condominiums. Most visitors the private 7,014-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at the Four Seasons, and myriad other golf, tennis, SUP, watersports and recreation facilities.
Punta de Mita beaches are fine white sand with close-in coral reefs for easy snorkeling. Deep sea fishing, whale watching and surfing can be enjoyed nearby. The open-air restaurants along the coast are popular weekend destinations for Mexican families, who drive up, enjoy the beach and dine on fresh seafood and refreshments. There are also many small hotels, surf shops, snorkeling and dive equipment rentals, tours by boat and places to horseback ride.
Litibu is home to the popular Iberostar Playa Mita all-inclusive resort with more resorts and hotels to come.
Sayulita Adventures in Nature: Explore the Wild Side
Sayulita is a well-known surfing destination for West Coast families. Somehow, despite how much it’s grown in scope and sophistication since our last visit, it charms newcomers. This artsy, hippie community is packed with toes-in-the-sand cafes, funky beach shacks, luxurious private villas and day spas.
Teens will love the great shopping for leather goods, shoes and clothes. Wander in and out of many crafts shops selling new and traditional Mexican handiwork. From plaster day-of-the-dead figures to political T-shirts, your family will find it all in Sayulita. Look for the shops selling colorful beaded Huichol artworks. These handcrafts help support the indigenous Indians by selling their beaded artwork and jewelry. While everything is affordable, remember that prices descend as you walk inland away from the beach.
Nayarit Eco Adventures Near Sayulita
All year long, visitors can take stand up paddleboarding and surfing lessons right from the beach. In the autumn high-surf season, the town is especially popular with young singles from Southern California, but it’s a fun daytrip from other Riviera Nayarit towns any time. Plus, there are local eco-adventures worth the trip.
Horseback Ride on the Beach. Sayulita is the perfect place for a horseback adventure. Start at local stables where you can snack and get ready. Explore local jungle trails on your way to a quiet stretch of beach.
Marietas Island Eco Adventure with Snorkeling. Discover sea turtles, dolphins, coral reefs and blue-footed boobies at this marine sanctuary and go snorkeling off your boat.
Making Sayulita Your Home Base for Riviera Nayarit Adventures
For overnight stays in Sayulita, one friend recommended Villa Amor, a striking collection of thatched palapa buildings on a hillside above Playa los Muertos beach. While they do welcome families, it’s known for its romantic ambiance, friendly staff and great water views. Check out the restaurants for suggestions of local vacation rentals on or near the beach.
If you decide to stay awhile like we did, settle in for some fabulous seafood at the waterfront Don Pedro’s, whose second floor tables have a wonderful sunset view. The restaurant was founded by two California surfers who fell in love with this town, and that feeling permeates their cuisine and presentation. If they have any in the cellar, try the Casa Madero wine that is grown and aged in Mexico.
San Pancho Eco-Tours: Nature & Adventure in Riviera Nayarit
San Francisco, like the saint, is locally known by the nickname San Pancho. This classy, quiet town is just 30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta yet worlds away in ambiance. Imagine its notable Polo Club in full swing between November and May.
Allow time to walk around the narrow streets of what appears to be a traditional Mexican village of about 1,600 residents. San Pancho’s large ex-pat community imbues it with a sophistication that supports many fine restaurants and shops. Don’t miss the enormous outdoor mural in the town square made of bottle caps. It’s very impressive.
A San Pancho Boutique Hotel
One particularly intriguing hotel is Cielo Rojo, a stylishly restored home with nine rooms, two of them suites sleeping four. Located on a quiet street just a few minutes from the town square, it’s an intimate hideaway with great design, modern Mexican paintings, classic antiques, and an organic restaurant and wine bar. Families will find many gluten-free and healthy dishes made with homemade tortillas. Adults will enjoy sampling the artisanal tequila made by the hosts.
Riviera Nayarit’s Outdoor Adventures Available in San Pancho
There is a lot to do near San Pancho in terms of soft and hard adventure. Make it your base if you want to be off the beaten track but in a stylishly ex-pat Mexican community. The local Entre Amigos cultural center offers children’s art classes and more arts programs.
San Pancho also boasts outfitters who arrange horseback riding, diving, climbing, yoga and jungle excursions. Take your pick of surfing and other watersports nearby. The noted local tour operator Vallarta Adventures runs trips out to Hidden Beach, a cave formation in Las Marietas Islands that hides its own sand beach.
The local Project Tortuga group, Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde, runs a marine turtle nursery in San Francisco; visitors welcome from June to September.
Farther North along the Coast from San Pancho
Farther up the coast is pretty Lo de Marcos, said to evoke the Riviera Nayarit of 30 years ago. This fishing village’s broad stretch of beach hosts a super posh One&Only Mandarina luxury resort. Meanwhile, the town is still full of under-$100-per-night boutique hotels. Be sure to walk around their Mexican markets..
Rincón de Guayabitos is also fun for an outing. The colorful boats moored in its half-moon harbor give it a Mediterranean charm. There are a few new all-inclusive resorts in Rincon that enable low-budget and off-the-beaten path family tourism.
This port is said to be an excellent base for serious fishermen. If rough water is not your thing, Grupo de Ecologistas de Nayarit hosts beachfront sea turtle nesting camps nearby.
Hidden San Blas and La Tovara National Park
Families with school-age kids will enjoy the two-day excursion we made to San Blas, the colorful small town where Junipero Serra, founder of the famous California Missions, was born.
San Blas and the village of Matachen are gateways to La Tovara National Park, a mangrove region that houses hundreds of bird species. Read our account of a San Blas Riviera Nayarit adventure weekend here.
For a variety of other hotel choices in the region, see our Riviera Nayarit Hotels & Resorts Guide
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.