RIVIERA NAYARIT, WHERE NATURE & ADVENTURE REIGN

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – Mexico’s newest tourism destination, Riviera Nayarit is teeming with mountain and aquatic adventures and encounters with exotic wildlife such as sea turtles, whales, and wild dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. The region is also home to over 250 species of birds, many of which can be seen in La Tovara National Park and the mangrove eco-region near San Blas. This destination has over 192 miles of pristine coastline and beaches, breathtaking scenery in the spectacular Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains, and lush fauna and flora. It is also home to world-class resorts offering eco-minded hospitality and spas using natural treatments as well as tour companies that use experts in botany, marine biology and birdlife to guide visitors on tours and adventures to experience the natural wonders.

Highlights of major natural sites and eco/adventure activities as follows:

Sea turtles on the coastlines of Riviera Nayarit

The official mascot of Riviera Nayarit, four protected species of sea turtle use the coast of Nayarit as a nesting site, including leatherback turtles, Olive Ridley turtles, hawksbill turtles, and green turtles. The Olive Ridley nesting season begins in June and ends in November. Indigenous to Nayarit, the Olive Ridley is one of the smallest species of sea turtle and is named for the olive color of its heart-shaped shell.

During the summer and fall months, travelers can visit Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde’s marine turtle nursery, located in the San Francisco area of Riviera Nayarit. Turtle hatchlings are released just after sundown, and each Wednesday evening during the nesting season, the organization conducts an educational slideshow at the Costa Azul Hotel followed by the releasing of young hatchlings if available. More adventurous travelers may volunteer with the organization for a minimum commitment of two months to aid with hatching and releasing the endangered sea turtles. For more information, visit www.costazaul.com and www.project-tortuga.org.

Wildlife Connection, an eco tour group based in Marina Vallarta, offers an evening tour to turtle camps in Riviera Nayarit where visitors can participate in the release of baby turtles and complete their experience with an educational lecture about the fascinating world of sea turtles and their conservation. For more information, visit: www.wildlifeconnection.com.

Bird watching & Crocodile Reserve in La Tovara National Park in San Blas

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the La Tovara National Park and mangrove eco-region in San Blas is “one of the most important winter habitats for birds in the Pacific, home to 80% of the Pacific migratory shore bird populations.” A paradise for bird enthusiasts, this ecoregion has the highest concentration of migratory birds and features over 250 species of birds, including the black-bellied tree duck, great blue heron, roseate spoonbill, and endemic birds, including the bumblebee hummingbird and the Mexican woodnymph.

Banderas Bay Tours & Travel offers a special package tour of San Blas with experienced guides who can point out the amazing birds while you enjoy a boat trip through the tangled mangroves and flat wetlands. Included in the package, is a visit to the Crocodile Reserve in El Manantial of La Camelota, where you’ll be able to view baby crocodiles and full-grown crocodiles up close, as well as a tour of the colonial history and fishing villages of San Blas. For more information, visit: http://ttf.com.mx

During the months of January/February, a special event called The Festival of Migratory Birds is held to celebrate the abundance of wildlife and species of birds in Riviera Nayarit. During this Festival, special seminars on birds, bird watching and environmental conservation are offered. Special boat tours of La Tovara National Park are also offered throughout the Festival Visit http://avessanblas.uan.mx for more information.

Whale watching in Banderas Bay and coastline of Riviera Nayarit

Hundreds of Humpbacked whales visit Banderas Bay each year from November through April on their annual migration from Alaska to Hawaii. Vallarta Adventures’ Whale Watching Tours helps visitors get up close and personal with the humpback whales. The majestic giants raise their calves in the protected waters of the Banderas Bay and Pacific coastline of Riviera Nayarit, where they swim amongst friendly wild dolphins that inhabit the waters year-round. Vallarta Adventures offers a variety of whale watching tours appropriate for all ages and physical abilities, including packages that feature cruising and sailing amongst whales, and snorkeling and kayaking options. For more information, visit: www.vallarta-adventures.com.

Embark on a remarkable journey to the Sierra Madre Mountains: Bring your hiking boots because you’re going on a jaunt you’ll never forget. Vallarta Adventures offers a jeep safari adventure. Their specially designed Mercedez-Benz all-terrain vehicle takes adventurers through historical townships with stops to interact with the locals and gain a better sense of their lives and cultures.

The journey also winds through amazing scenery, fruit orchards and culminates in a fact-filled trek through the region’s forests to learn about the area’s rich vegetation and wildlife. For more information, visit www.vallarta-adventures.com

About Riviera Nayarit

Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, all pleasantly affordable, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, record deep sea fishing, bird watching, international cuisine, and shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts. The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns. For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com

-Convention Visitor Bureau Riviera Nayarit Mexico