Wild Side of Riviera Nayarit: Adventures Await

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