Reasons to Visit the Riviera Nayarit

Lo de Marcos Beach

The Riviera Nayarit is the place of fairytales – a natural wonderland on the Pacific Coast of Mexico spanning 200 miles (322 kilometers) of rolling jungle hills scattered with small beach towns lining the deep blue sea.  Although the region is not yet well-known, you may have heard of some of the more popular towns, such as Nuevo Vallarta, Sayulita, Punta de Mita, and San Blas.

The region is just gaining recognition worldwide as a preferred tourist destination with many natural wonders, cultural attractions, land and water activities.  Recent statistics indicate there are over 12,840 hotel rooms in the region, 60% of which are 4-star rated and higher.  More vacation rentals are being developed, but most are smaller, traditional villa or cabana styles to complement the traditional architecture of the region instead of building high-rise mega resorts.

Attractions & Activities

One of the main attractions of the Riviera Nayarit is this part of the Pacific Ocean.  Forty-two miles (68 kilometers), from the state of Jalisco into Nayarit, is Bahia Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest natural bay flourishing with fish and marine life, and is the primary breeding site for Humpback whales.  Water activities include whale watching (mid-December through mid-March), swimming with dolphins, and sport fishing year round, plus sailing, boating, kiteboarding, surfing, snorkeling, and diving.

There are also plenty of land activities offering nature tours and sightseeing opportunities,  such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, four wheeling, and zip lining through the jungle.  The tropical rainforests, lush jungles and valleys of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the thriving wetlands and mangroves have established Nayarit as an important ecological reserve.

Ecotourism & Wildlife

La Tovara Wetlands

Nature conservation makes this a wonderful place for sustainable tourism (ecotourism or environmentally friendly tourism) which provides options to help preserve the world’s precious ecosystems and maintain the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.  Nayarit is home to the historic Aztec Indians, such as the Cora and Huichol tribes, featuring a variety of cultural attractions such as archaeological sites like the Altavista Petroglyphs and Los Toriles (Ixtlán del Rio) Ruins, or tours like the Huichol Indian Encounter.

Another of Riviera Nayarit’s ecological contributions is its endangered sea turtle conservation programs.  The region is home to the Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Green sea turtles which nest on its golden sand beaches certain times of the year. Their fragile eggs and hatchlings require protection from predators, which have resulted in turtle sanctuaries, farms, and rescue programs that provide opportunities for travelers to observe them in their natural habitat and participate in baby turtle release programs into the ocean.

Not only are the oceans flourishing with fish and marine life, but Nayarit’s rainforests, wetlands, and mangroves are also a refuge for wildlife, including 500 animal species and 200 plant species. The marshes and beaches of Bahia Banderas Bay and Bahia Jaltemba Bay, just north, are a natural habitat for migratory birds, making birding and bird watching another popular activity.  In fact, 80% of the migratory birds along the Pacific Coast make their homes in the towns of La Tovara, Singaita, Isla Isabel, and San Blas, the latter which is home to 300 bird species.

Beach at Punta de Mita

So the next time you begin vacation planning, consider visiting one of the lovely beach towns in the Riviera Nayarit:  Nuevo Vallarta, Flamingos, Bucerias, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Destiladeras, Punta de Mita, Litibu, Sayulita, San Pancho (San Francisco), Lo de Marcos, Punta Raza, Los Ayala, Rincon de Guayabitos, La Penita de Jaltemba, El Capomo, Chacala, Boca de Chila, Punta Custodia, Matanchen, and San Blas, although there are still more.

 

Vacation in SayulitaPunta de Mita, or one of the many charming beach towns in this tropical paradise known as the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

 

Beachfront Surf Shops & Restaurants in Sayulita

The spice of life is variety, and Sayulita is the ‘spice’ of Mexico life. A vacation in this hip beach town provides plenty of variety, whether you’re looking for a Sayulita rental, restaurant, bar, shop, or activity.  (The most popular activity is surfing.)  There are many charming small Mexican towns in the Riviera Nayarit, but Sayulita has a unique character all its own with plenty of options.

Selecting a Sayulita Rental

The most well-known rental is a hotel, and the town offers various options to suit traveler preferences.   Every tourist is unique and may travel to the same destination for different reasons.  Surfers may accept simple accommodations like a beach cabana, bungalow, or tent whereas a couple may prefer a finer room with modern amenities and excellent service.  This diverse town offers both.

Hotel La Casona in Sayulita

A lesser known Sayulita rental, but also a great option, is a house or condo that offers a choice of rooms – ideal for a group or family vacation. House and condo rentals provide one, two, three, four or more rooms; one, two, or more bathrooms; a kitchenette or full kitchen, including appliances, pots and pans, dishes, and silverware; one or more swimming pools and Jacuzzi; air conditioning; and housekeeping services.

Choosing a Rental Location

Once you decide on the type of Sayulita rental you prefer, you need to choose the rental location.  Although it is a beach town, not every hotel or house is on the beach, but being a small town, most vacation rentals are within easy walking distance of the beach. An ocean view room may be more your style than a beachfront unit or maybe a house surrounded by tropical gardens instead of the sound of Pacific Ocean waves lapping ashore.

Hillside Sayulita Rental

Since residents and travelers range in age from young to retired, different parts of town are better suited for differing lifestyles.  The younger crowd may prefer to stay in town or on the main beach where all the action is: restaurants, bars, and beach parties.  Couples, families, and retirees may rather stay in a more remote area on the hillside, outlying sections of the beach, or the outskirts of town, all of which are viable alternatives.

The choice is yours.

Consider a Sayulita Rental that’s right for you in Sayulita, Mexico, on the Riviera Nayarit.

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