General Description:
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s newest tourism destination encompasses 192 miles of Pacific coastline and beaches, traditional coastal towns and villages and beachfront luxury resort areas sheltered by the towering Sierra Madre Mountains. It is located in the state of Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport. It extends from Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit’s most developed area, north to the border of the state of Sinaloa. Key attractions include the exclusive Punta Mita luxury resort and residential area; a rich cultural tradition with pre-Hispanic and pre-Columbian history; and abundant and exotic species of protected wildlife, including sea turtles, humpback whales and tropical birds. With average annual temperatures in the 80°F’s / 27°C’s, Riviera Nayarit is an excellent year-round destination and provides an authentic experience of Mexico’s incomparable culture and natural beauty.
Riviera Nayarit is an ideal choice for beach relaxation, soft adventure, outdoor recreation, water sports, excellent dining and total immersion in nature. Bird lovers will be attracted to the region since it has the second highest number of North American birds in one location.
Location:
Riviera Nayarit is located in the state of Nayarit on Mexico’s Pacific coast just minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
Getting There:
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is the nearest commercial air service to Nayarit - only 10 minutes south of Nuevo Vallarta and 40 minutes from Punta Mita.
Carriers that serve the destination, most with flights daily, include: Aero Mexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Mexicana, Transat, United Airlines, and US Airways.
Hotels:
From the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and recently opened, St. Regis Resort, also in Punta Mita to charming boutique hotels clinging to the beaches, to impressive all inclusive resorts, Riviera Nayarit offers over 12,820 hotel rooms in every imaginable style and price category. Almost ¾ of available hotel accommodations can be found in the Banderas Bay region, with its numerous beaches, water sports and fishing. More than 8,000 rooms are in the 4-star to grand luxury categories.
Culture:
Nayarit’s cultural heritage encompasses four separate ethnic groups: Huicholes, Coras, Tepehuanos, and Mexicaneros. This heritage has led to a destination rich in traditional culinary traditions reflected in a wide variety of restaurants as well as popular cultural events and festivals, folklore and, of special importance to visitors, excellent shopping for traditional handicrafts and art.
Cuisine:
Riviera Nayarit offers many fine dining restaurants as well as intimate cafes and lively bars. Visitors enjoy the fresh seafood, authentic Mexican cuisine and top quality international restaurants. The most famous dish in the region is Huachinango Saradeado, marinated red snapper grilled over coals usually near the beach. The region holds an annual gastronomy festival that takes place in November.
Major Attractions:
Nuevo Vallarta: Just north of Puerto Vallarta on the southern edge of Riviera Nayarit, travelers will find outstanding golf, large and small hotels, shopping, dolphin parks, a water park, a marina and some of the longest and widest beaches in the region.
Flamingos: An area of luxury hotels and condominiums centered around the famous “Flamingos” golf course designed by Percy Clifford.
Bucerías: This tiny fishing town has grown into a popular spot for dining and shopping near the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta. It retains its authentic Mexican charm with cobblestone streets, main square, tiny shops and numerous seafood restaurants and beach clubs. Each January it is the setting for a popular annual festival celebrating the “Virgen de la Paz” which includes the blessing of the fishing fleet.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: A traditional fishing village with an elegant new marina accommodating yachts to 400 feet. Rapidly growing, the town will soon have new boutique hotels, restaurants and shops.
Punta de Mita: Historically significant as the site of the ancient Huichol Indians’ annual spring festival, Punta de Mita is situated at the north tip of Banderas Bay. It has several fine restaurants, luxury residences and the new Hotel des Artistes.
Punta Mita: An exclusive gated resort and residential community including the Four Seasons, 18 hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course and luxury residences. In late 2008, the St. Regis and a second Jack Nicklaus golf course opened.
Marieta Islands: Situated in the Banderas Bay, the Marieta Islands are a wildlife sanctuary, home to many endangered bird species as well as rare coral reefs.
San Francisco a.k.a. San Pancho: Home of the famous Polo Club which comes alive between November and May. The town also offers horseback riding, diving, climbing, yoga and jungle excursions. It has a lovely beach, several small hotels, B&Bs and charming restaurants as well as a thriving expat community.
Sayulita: Internationally recognized for its outstanding surfing, Sayulita is a somewhat bohemian art colony with a thriving expat community. Visitors enjoy browsing the fine art galleries and stylish colorful shops with clothing, handicrafts, decorative items, handmade cosmetics and jewelry. Huichol Indians display their colorful art in the plaza in the heart of town. There are also several beachfront restaurants and cafes, luxurious villas and spas.
Litibú: The newest development in Riviera Nayarit will be home to the new Greg Norman championship course, as well as several luxury hotels and residential communities.
Lo de Marcos: A small town with a friendly atmosphere and outstanding beaches, RV park and beachfront restaurant serving authentic local food.
Rincón de Guayabitos: Described as the “Hidden Pearl” among the beaches of Nayarit, Rincon features all the conveniences of modern life in a relaxing, traditional setting; an excellent option for fishing and diving.
San Blas: The port city of San Blas is a rapidly growing tourism destination, thanks to its many beaches, colonial history, Spanish fort, excellent restaurants, and an abundance of migratory birds which attract ornithologists from around the world. The La Tovara National Park nearby is a federally protected mangrove forest with birds, crocodiles and turtles.
La Tovara National Park – A sanctuary for birds in a natural mangrove forest fed by the Pacific Ocean. Motor boats take you through the mangroves where you have the opportunity to see many of the native birds of the region, as well as crocodiles, swamp turtles, and other creatures. Continue up the the estuary, where a freshwater spring changes the terrain and brings new varieties of flora and fauna.
Mexcaltitan: A small island of floating mangroves and lowlands that is reputed to be the legendary Aztlan, birthplace and home city of the Aztec civilization.
Activities:
Beaches: 192 miles of beaches of exceptional natural beauty
Golf: There are currently eight major golf courses in the region including five in Riviera Nayarit. Among the high profile names associated with the development of championship golf in Riviera Nayarit are: Jack Nicklaus (2 courses in Punta Mita), Percy Clifford (Flamingos Golf Club), Robert Von Hagge (El Tigre, Nuevo Vallarta), Jim Lipe (Mayan Golf Resort Vallarta, currently under renovation). A course designed by Greg Norman is currently under development in Litibu.
Spas: Luxury resort spas of world class status such as The Spa at Grand Velas, the Remède Spa at St. Regis Resort and Residences, Playa del Sol, Apuane Spa at Four Seasons and The Villa del Palmar Tatewari Spa. Most of the luxury resorts also offer spa services and massage.
Ecotourism: A wide variety of activities ranging from whale watching, swimming with dolphins and adventures with seals to bird watching, excursions in the Sierra Madre mountains and canopy tours in subtropical jungles high above the ground. Throughout the year, there are also opportunities to participate in sea turtle protection programs.
Adventure Tourism: From scuba diving along the coast and in the Banderas Bay to snorkeling to Sierra Madre safaris, survival skills training and jungle adventures, Riviera Nayarit offers a wealth of educational and entertaining adventures.
Cultural Tourism: Centuries of history are featured in expeditions to pre-Hispanic and pre-Columbian cultural sites, mining towns, colonial San Blas and Mexcaltitlan. Visitors may join group tours or customize their own itineraries, with travel by air, land or boat. There are several traditional Huichol villages in the mountains and resort galleries display their colorful handicrafts, mostly animal figures made from beads pressed into wax.
Fishing: Riviera Nayarit is rapidly establishing itself as a major deep sea fishing destination, with world class catches of blue and black marlin, sailfish, yellow fin tuna and other species. Other season’s feature wahoo and Dorado and coastal sport fishing. In addition to an extensive fishing fleet available for charter, Riviera Nayarit hosts the International Marlin & Tuna Fishing Tournament each year in July.
Future:
Riviera Nayarit is in the beginning stages of a major tourism development. Between 2005 and 2008, government has invested 1.5 billion in tourism facilities and infrastructure. Of the 20 projects currently in development, 15% of the investment is from the U.S.
Website:
-Convention Visitor Bureau Riviera Nayarit Mexico
BODY & SOUL: REJUVENATE & REGENERATE IN RIVIERA NAYARIT
RIVIERA NAYARIT, MEXICO’S MAGNIFICENT GETAWAY ON THE PACIFIC COAST
RIVIERA NAYARIT’S HOTEL “GEMS”
RIVIERA NAYARIT, WHERE NATURE & ADVENTURE REIGN
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