Nuevo Vallarta is in Nayarit, not Jalisco. That surprises a lot of travelers, because the name points to Puerto Vallarta, but the moment you cross the Ameca River leaving the airport you are in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas, in the Riviera Nayarit. Only 8 km (5 miles) and 10 to 15 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), it is the easiest destination in the region if you want to step off the plane and be in the pool within the hour.
It is a planned zone of all-inclusive resorts, marinas, golf courses and a 3 km (2 mile) beach with gentle surf, built for families, weddings and low-effort vacations. It is not a town with a plaza and a cathedral; it is a resort development, and it helps to know that before you book. What it does offer is a perfect base for the bay: whales in winter, the Marietas Islands, turtle releases in summer, and towns like Bucerías, La Cruz and Sayulita under an hour away.
Here is what to do in Nuevo Vallarta, what it costs, how to get around and who it suits.
Quick facts
- Where it is: in Nayarit (Bahía de Banderas municipality), not Jalisco: 8 km and 10–15 min from Puerto Vallarta airport.
- What it is: an area of all-inclusive resorts, marinas and golf courses with a 3 km beach and gentle waves.
- Best for: families with kids, weddings and groups.
- From the airport: official taxi $500–800 MXN or shared transfer $250–400 MXN per person.
- Best time: November to April (dry, 24–30 °C, whales); June to October, turtles and rates up to 40% lower.
Nuevo Vallarta or Nuevo Nayarit? The name change explained
In July 2022 the Nayarit state congress voted to officially rename the locality from Nuevo Vallarta to Nuevo Nayarit, and the state government published the decree. The reasoning was about identity: the largest hotel zone in the state was constantly mistaken for Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco, and its tax revenue and tourism promotion were credited to the neighbor. The monumental letters at the entrance now read “Nuevo Nayarit” and official documents use that name. In practice, hotels, airlines and almost every traveler still say Nuevo Vallarta, and both names coexist. This guide uses both: if you see either on a map or a booking, it is the same place.
Things to do in Nuevo Vallarta
1. The beach (and why it works for families)
Nuevo Vallarta’s beach is an unbroken 3 km strip of golden sand between the mouth of the Ameca and Flamingos. Sitting at the back of the bay, sheltered by Punta de Mita to the north and Cabo Corrientes to the south, it has some of the calmest surf on the Nayarit coast: you can swim with kids most of the year, and there are lifeguards in front of the hotels. Mexican beaches are public, so you can walk its full length wherever you stay.
2. The marinas: Paradise Village and Marina Nuevo Vallarta
Nuevo Vallarta has two marinas linked by navigable canals. Paradise Village Marina, with about 200 slips for boats from 26 to 240 feet, is the larger one and serves as a winter base for cruising sailboats and yachts. Marina Nuevo Vallarta is smaller and ringed by condos and restaurants. Both are open to walk around; you can watch the whale and fishing tours head out and eat with a view of the docks. Next to the marina there is a dolphinarium with swim-with-dolphins programs; whether to take part in captive-animal experiences is a personal decision.
3. Humpback whales (December to March)
Catamarans and pangas leave from the Nuevo Vallarta marinas to watch humpback whales, which come to Banderas Bay to breed and calve. The official 2025-2026 season ran from December 8 to March 23, per the notice published in Mexico’s federal gazette, and a similar one is issued every year. Three- to four-hour tours cost approx. $1,200–2,200 MXN (65–120 USD) per person in 2026; premium trips with lunch and open bar cost more. Choose operators flying the SEMARNAT permit flag. Everything else is in our humpback whale watching guide.
4. Marietas Islands tour
The best-selling tour in the area. It leaves from the marina, sails 60 to 90 minutes to the mouth of the bay and combines snorkeling, kayaking and, if you have a permit and a spot, the visit to the Hidden Beach inside the national park. Expect approx. $1,600–2,800 MXN (85–150 USD) per person in 2026, gear and lunch included. Read our Islas Marietas guide before you book.
5. Sea turtle releases (July to December)
Nuevo Vallarta’s beach is a nesting ground for olive ridley turtles. Several hotels and turtle camps collect the nests and organize hatchling releases at sunset, mostly between August and November. They are usually free or ask for a small donation to the camp. It is one of the best activities for children. Dates and rules are in our guide to the sea turtle release season in Nayarit.
6. VidantaWorld and Cirque du Soleil
One thing to get straight: Cirque du Soleil’s JOYÀ is at Vidanta Riviera Maya, not here. What Nuevo Vallarta has is LUDÕ, the second resident Cirque du Soleil show created with Grupo Vidanta, which opened in December 2025 at VidantaWorld Vallarta–Nuevo Nayarit: a dinner show in a theater wrapped in aquarium walls, mixing aerial and underwater acrobatics. It is running through 2026 and you do not need to stay at Vidanta to book it. Next door, BON, billed as the world’s first luxury theme park, is opening in phases in 2026 and 2027 and, as announced, will be limited to resort guests. LUDÕ prices depend on seat and menu; in 2026 expect from approx. $2,500 MXN (135 USD) per person.
7. Aquaventuras Park
The area’s water park sits at the entrance to Nuevo Vallarta on Highway 200, 10 minutes from the airport, with slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, ziplines and a kids’ zone. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; general admission in 2026 is approx. $25 USD for adults and $19 USD for children aged 3 to 11, with meal packages and discounts for booking online in advance.
8. Golf: El Tigre, Flamingos and Vidanta
Nuevo Vallarta has four 18-hole courses, the densest cluster of golf in Nayarit:
| Course | Designer | Approx. green fee 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Tigre (Paradise Village) | Robert von Hagge, 7,239 yards | $120–200 USD | Cart included; water and bunkers on nearly every hole. |
| Flamingos Golf | Percy Clifford (1978) | $90–150 USD | The oldest course on the bay, through mangroves and lagoons, with free return shuttle to your resort. |
| Vidanta Nayar | Jack Nicklaus Design | $122–210 USD | Includes shared cart, range balls and cold towels. |
| Vidanta Norman Signature | Greg Norman | $122–210 USD | Former tournament venue; priority access for Vidanta guests. |
Rates drop in summer. See the full picture in Nayarit’s nine golf courses.
9. Paseo de los Cocoteros, restaurants and shopping
The main avenue, Paseo de los Cocoteros, runs the length of the hotel zone. This is where you find restaurants outside the resorts (seafood, steakhouses, Italian, sushi), cafes, pharmacies and a shopping center with a supermarket. For bigger shopping there is Plaza Paradise by the marina and the malls of Puerto Vallarta, 20 minutes away. For real Nayarit cooking, such as pescado zarandeado (butterflied fish grilled over coals), aguachile or tlaxtihuil, it is worth heading to Bucerías or La Cruz; see our cuisine of Nayarit page.
10. Nightlife
It is quiet. Nights in Nuevo Vallarta happen inside the resorts: shows, bars and hotel discos. Outside there are marina bars and a few spots with live music, but if you want to party late, the Malecón and the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta are 25 to 30 minutes away by taxi.
Getting there and getting around
| Trip | Time | Approx. cost 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| PVR airport → Nuevo Vallarta by official taxi | 10–15 min | $500–800 MXN (27–43 USD) |
| Airport → Nuevo Vallarta by pre-booked shared shuttle | 15–25 min | $250–400 MXN (14–22 USD) per person |
| Airport → Nuevo Vallarta by bus (Compostela / ATM) | 15–25 min | $20–40 MXN (1–2 USD) |
| Nuevo Vallarta → downtown Puerto Vallarta by taxi | 25–35 min | $400–600 MXN (22–33 USD) |
The airport is Puerto Vallarta’s Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International; buses to Nayarit leave from the Walmart across the pedestrian bridge. Within Nuevo Vallarta distances are long for walking in the sun: hotels run golf carts, taxis wait at every resort and ride-hailing apps work well. If you plan several excursions, a rental car (approx. $700–1,000 MXN per day in 2026) pays for itself. More options in how to get to Nayarit.
Who Nuevo Vallarta is for
- Families with kids: a beach with no waves, kids’ clubs, a water park, turtles and whales 10 minutes away.
- All-inclusive travelers: the biggest concentration of resorts in the Riviera Nayarit, from family brands to adults-only hotels.
- Weddings and groups: almost every resort has wedding coordinators, beachfront gazebos and room for 100 to 300 guests, and an airport 15 minutes away makes logistics easy.
If you want a real town, local culture and street food, stay in Bucerías, La Cruz or Sayulita instead and visit Nuevo Vallarta for the day. Compare hotels and restaurants in our directory.
Best time to go and a rough budget
November to April is the dry season: 24–30 °C (75–86 °F), clear skies, whales and high prices (December to January and Holy Week are the peak). June to October brings afternoon rain, 30–34 °C (86–93 °F) and humidity, but also turtles, warm water and rates up to 40 percent lower.
| Item | Low season (Jun–Oct) | High season (Dec–Mar) |
|---|---|---|
| All-inclusive double room, per night | approx. $3,500–6,000 MXN (190–325 USD) | approx. $6,000–12,000 MXN (325–650 USD) |
| Beachfront condo, per night | approx. $1,800–3,000 MXN (95–160 USD) | approx. $3,000–5,500 MXN (160–300 USD) |
| Whale or Marietas tour, per person | — | approx. $1,200–2,800 MXN (65–150 USD) |
| Dinner outside the hotel, per person | approx. $300–600 MXN (16–33 USD) | |
Day trips nearby
- Bucerías (10 min): a long beach, a crafts market and seafood restaurants at local prices.
- La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (20 min): a fishing village with a marina, a fish market and a Sunday market from November to April.
- Punta de Mita and Destiladeras (35 min): clear-water beaches and gentle surf.
- Sayulita and San Pancho (45 min): the surf Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town); read our Sayulita guide.
- Puerto Vallarta (30 min): the Malecón, the old town and nightlife.
For the rest of the municipality, see the Bahía de Banderas page and our guide to the Riviera Nayarit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nuevo Vallarta in Jalisco or Nayarit?
Nayarit, in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas. The state line with Jalisco is the Ameca River, just north of Puerto Vallarta’s airport.
Why is it now called Nuevo Nayarit?
In July 2022 the state congress approved the official name change to make clear that the area belongs to Nayarit, not Jalisco. Hotels and travelers still use both names.
How far is Nuevo Vallarta from the airport?
About 8 km (5 miles): 10 to 15 minutes by taxi and 15 to 25 minutes by bus.
Can you swim at Nuevo Vallarta beach?
Yes. It has some of the gentlest surf on the bay and lifeguards in front of the hotels; follow the flags on days with a ground swell.
Is there a Cirque du Soleil show in Nuevo Vallarta?
Yes: LUDÕ, a dinner show at VidantaWorld, running since December 2025. JOYÀ is the Vidanta Riviera Maya show, not the Nayarit one.
When is the best time to visit Nuevo Vallarta?
December to March for dry weather and whales; August to November for turtle releases and lower prices.
Area map
- 1Nuevo Vallarta (Nuevo Nayarit) Resort, marina and golf area by the Ameca River.20.70276, -105.28851 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Paradise Village Marina Nuevo Vallarta marina; departure point for tours and fishing.20.6914, -105.29345 · Open in Google Maps
- 3Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta Resort complex by the Ameca River.20.68253, -105.28477 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Aquaventuras Park Water park in Nuevo Vallarta.20.70282, -105.2704 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Flamingos Golf 18-hole course between Nuevo Vallarta and Bucerías.20.73975, -105.30648 · Open in Google Maps
- 6Bucerías Long-beach town on Banderas Bay.20.75559, -105.33435 · Open in Google Maps
