Looking for things to do in Riviera Nayarit? Swim into the Hidden Beach of the Islas Marietas, learn to surf in Sayulita, watch humpback whales from December to March, eat pescado zarandeado (butterflied fish grilled over coals) with your feet in the sand, release baby sea turtles in summer and explore towns that feel nothing alike: from the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta to the historic port of San Blas it’s about 180 km by road, and every town has its own character.
This guide covers the Riviera Nayarit, the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Nayarit just north of Puerto Vallarta, town by town from south to north, then by type of traveler and by season, so you can choose where to stay and what to do each day. Each town links to its full guide; for the whole state (mountains, Tepic, the north), see things to do in Nayarit, and to compare beaches, the best beaches in Nayarit.
Things to do in Riviera Nayarit: the towns at a glance
| Town | From PVR airport | Best for | Don’t miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuevo Vallarta (Nuevo Nayarit) | 12 km / 20 min | Families, all-inclusive, golf | Whale tours from the marina, turtle releases |
| Bucerías | 18 km / 30 min | Families, kitesurfing, art | Thursday Art Walk (Nov–Apr), zarandeado on the beach |
| La Cruz de Huanacaxtle | 23 km / 30 min | Sailing, fishing, village life | Fish market and Sunday market (Nov–Apr) |
| Punta de Mita | 45 km / 55 min | Marietas, beginner surf, luxury | Marietas tour from El Anclote (15–20 min by boat) |
| Sayulita | 40–53 km / 50 min | Surf, nightlife, younger travelers | Surf lesson and Playa de los Muertos |
| San Pancho | 48 km / 1 h 5 min | Couples, culture, calm | Sunsets, the kids’ circus, polo (Nov–Apr) |
| Lo de Marcos | 52 km / 1 h | Long stays, quiet | Los Venados and Las Minitas coves |
| Rincón de Guayabitos | 70 km / 1 h 15 min | Small kids, budget | Wave-free sea and a boat to Isla del Coral |
| Chacala | 100 km / 1 h 30 min | Sheltered bay, local stays | Swimming in the bay, Techos de México family rooms |
| San Blas | 180 km / 2 h 45 min | Nature, birds, history | Boat ride through La Tovara’s mangroves |
Road distances and approximate driving times. From Tepic, San Blas is 1 hour away and Guayabitos 1 h 20 min.
Town by town: what to do in each
Nuevo Vallarta (Nuevo Nayarit)
A planned zone of resorts, marinas and golf courses 10–15 minutes from the airport, with a beach of about 3 km and gentle waves. Whale and Marietas tours leave from its marinas; olive ridley turtles nest on the beach, with hatchling releases from August to November. It has four 18-hole courses, including Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman designs. Guide: what to do in Nuevo Vallarta.
Bucerías
The largest beach town on the bay: almost 8 km of gently sloping sand, a plaza, a boardwalk and a craft market. From February to June the afternoon thermal wind makes it the bay’s best kitesurfing spot; on Thursdays from November to April, the Zona Dorada galleries open for the Art Walk. Guide: what to do in Bucerías.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
A fishing village with a marina of about 340 slips. Get up early for the fish market, where fishermen sell the night’s catch; on Sundays from November to April (10:00–14:00) there’s a producers’ market with around 200 stalls. It’s the departure point for whale, fishing and sailing trips, and Destiladeras beach is 8 km away. Guide: La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
Punta de Mita
The village (El Anclote beach) is open to everyone; Punta Mita, the gated development on the tip, is for guests only. From El Anclote, boats reach the Marietas in 15–20 minutes, the wave is ideal for learning, and La Lancha has peaks for all levels. Golfers will find two Jack Nicklaus courses here (golf in Punta Mita). Guide: Punta de Mita travel guide.
Islas Marietas
A national park about 8 km off Punta de Mita. The Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) opens Wednesday to Sunday, with a quota of 116 people a day, a 30-minute stay and a swim through a tunnel wearing a life jacket; Nopalera beach and the snorkeling areas operate more days. Only with CONANP-licensed operators. Guide: how to visit the Islas Marietas.
Sayulita
A surf Pueblo Mágico (one of Mexico’s official “Magical Towns”): gentle waves to learn on, 1.5–2-hour lessons for approx. $1,000–1,600 MXN (57–90 USD) in 2026, a plaza with galleries and Wixárika (Huichol) art, nightlife and the small Playa de los Muertos a 15-minute walk away. Guides: Sayulita guide and how to get to Sayulita.
San Pancho
Five kilometers from Sayulita and much quieter: an almost 2-km beach with sunsets over the sea (strong shore break, swim with care), Avenida Tercer Mundo with galleries and cafés, the EntreAmigos community center, shows by the children’s circus school and polo from November to April. Guide: San Pancho, Nayarit.
Lo de Marcos, Guayabitos and Chacala
Farther north the coast slows down. Lo de Marcos has a wide family beach (Blue Flag certified for 2025-2026) and coves for snorkeling; Rincón de Guayabitos is the “natural swimming pool” of families from Guadalajara and Tepic, with boats to Isla del Coral; Chacala is a horseshoe bay with calm water and rooms in local family homes. Guide: Lo de Marcos, Chacala and Platanitos.
San Blas
The northern end of the Riviera Nayarit is another world: La Tovara’s mangroves, birdwatching, the long summer wave at Las Islitas and the Cerro de La Contaduría lookout. Guide: San Blas.
What to do by type of traveler
- Families with small kids: Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías or Guayabitos for calm water; turtle releases, Isla del Coral and Nopalera beach in the Marietas. Full plan in Nayarit with kids.
- Couples: San Pancho or Punta de Mita, beach sunsets, the Bucerías Art Walk and dinner at the La Cruz marina.
- Surf and adventure: lessons in Sayulita or El Anclote, La Lancha for intermediates, kitesurfing in Bucerías and the long wave at San Blas. More spots in where to surf in Nayarit.
- Nature lovers: humpback whales, seabirds in the Marietas and San Blas, snorkeling on rocky reefs.
- Food lovers: zarandeado at beach palapas, the La Cruz fish market, seafood in Chacala and chef-driven restaurants in Sayulita and Punta de Mita.
- Tight budget: stay in Bucerías, Guayabitos or San Blas and ride the Compostela bus ($25–70 MXN per leg).
Calendar: what to do each season
| When | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| December to March | Humpback whales (official 2025-2026 season: December 8 to March 23) | All of Bahía de Banderas, Chacala |
| January 16–24 | Virgen de la Paz festivities, with a boat procession on the 24th | Bucerías and La Cruz |
| Last weekend of February | San Pancho Music Festival (free) | San Pancho |
| February to June | Kitesurfing wind season | Bucerías |
| March | Banderas Bay Regatta | La Cruz de Huanacaxtle |
| Late April to May 3 | Santa Cruz festivities and sea procession | La Cruz de Huanacaxtle |
| July to November | Olive ridley turtle releases | Nuevo Vallarta, San Pancho, Platanitos, San Blas |
| November to April | Art Walk, seasonal markets, polo, clearer water for snorkeling | Bucerías, La Cruz, San Pancho |
High season runs from December to April: dry weather, calm seas and prices 30–50% higher. From June to October it’s hot and humid with afternoon rain, but quieter and cheaper. Details in the best time to visit Nayarit; for whales, our whale-watching guide.
Practical tips for the Riviera Nayarit
- Ride the Compostela bus between Puerto Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz, Sayulita and San Pancho; for the north (Chacala, San Blas), a car is better.
- Watch the clock: from Nuevo Vallarta to Lo de Marcos it’s Central time (UTC-6); from Guayabitos to San Blas, Pacific time (UTC-7).
- Respect the beach flags: San Pancho and parts of Sayulita have currents; Bucerías, Guayabitos and Chacala are calmer.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, mandatory in the Marietas.
- For budgeting, see how much a trip to Nayarit costs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Riviera Nayarit?
Visit the Islas Marietas, surf in Sayulita or Punta de Mita, watch whales from December to March, release turtles from July to November, explore San Pancho and Bucerías and take a boat through La Tovara’s mangroves in San Blas.
Which towns make up the Riviera Nayarit?
From south to north: Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, Sayulita, San Pancho, Lo de Marcos, Rincón de Guayabitos, Chacala and San Blas, among others.
Where should I stay in Riviera Nayarit?
Nuevo Vallarta or Bucerías for comfort and airport access; Sayulita or San Pancho for village atmosphere; Guayabitos for families on a budget; Punta de Mita for luxury.
Is Riviera Nayarit the same as Puerto Vallarta?
No. Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco; the Riviera Nayarit begins across the Ameca River, 10 minutes from its airport, and runs north to San Blas.
When is the best time to visit Riviera Nayarit?
November to April, with dry weather, calm seas and whales from December to March. July to October is cheaper and brings turtle releases, with afternoon rain.
How many days do I need in Riviera Nayarit?
Three days cover the Marietas, Sayulita and San Pancho; with five you can add Bucerías, La Cruz and Guayabitos or Chacala; San Blas deserves its own night.
Area map
- 1Nuevo Vallarta (Nuevo Nayarit) Resorts, marinas and golf; 12 km from PVR airport.20.70276, -105.28851 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Bucerías Almost 8 km of beach, kitesurfing and Art Walk; 18 km from PVR.20.75559, -105.33435 · Open in Google Maps
- 3Punta de Mita (El Anclote) Departure for the Islas Marietas (15–20 min) and beginner surf.20.77287, -105.51793 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Sayulita Surfing Pueblo Mágico; 50 min from PVR.20.8689, -105.4407 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Rincón de Guayabitos Wave-free family bay; boats to Isla del Coral.21.02585, -105.26489 · Open in Google Maps
- 6San Blas Northern end: La Tovara mangroves, birds and history.21.5408, -105.2914 · Open in Google Maps
