AllWays Traveller Features
Riviera Nayarit
Riviera Nayarit, located on Mexico's Pacific coast is an excellent autumn/winter destination.
The region is part of the State of Nayarit in Mexico, 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.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Riviera Nayarit boasts approximately 186 miles of beaches, mountains, nature sanctuaries and golden sand.
The area enjoys an average yearly temperature of 27 degrees, and offers a range of new boutique properties, virgin beaches fringed with lush vegetation, authentic Huichol art and culture and an abundance of authentic seafood restaurants.
The Huichol culture
The Huichol culture is an important part of the Riviera Nayarit experience for travellers, and there are several destination-wide initiatives in place that support cultural preservation and sustainable growth for the native community.
One of the main ways the destination does this is through the Huichol Tour, which takes travellers behind the scenes to experience the villages, ceremonial sites, rituals and traditions of the Huichol first-hand.
The hotspots
Sayulita
Sayulita is being heralded as the trendiest town in Mexico, thanks to its friendly, laid-back atmosphere, surfing beaches, the authentic Huichol art of the area and its boho-chic style that permeates its streets, shops, galleries and hotels.
Punta de Mita
Historically significant as the site of the ancient Huichol Indians' annual Spring festival, Punta de Mita is situated at the northern tip of Banderas Bay.
It has several fine restaurants, luxury residences and several luxury hotels including the Relais et Chateau Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita and the W Punta de Mita.
The Historic Port of 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 is a federally protected mangrove forest with abundant wildlife including birds, crocodiles and turtles.
Rincón de Guayabitos
Rincon is a popular but less developed beach resort town with a variety of small hotels and restaurants as well as fishing and diving excursions, boat trips to tiny offshore islands and a gorgeous beach.
Marietas Islands
Situated in Banderas Bay, the Marietas Islands are a wildlife sanctuary for endangered bird species as well as rare coral reefs.
Boat tours from Nuevo Vallarta to Punta de Mita are available for snorkelling, diving, swimming, birdwatching and the Hidden Beach.
Hotels opening in the destination this year will include:
Conrad Punta de Mita
Conrad Hotels & Resorts is expected to debut a 325-room Conrad Punta de Mita, in Litibu, an exclusive private community.
This will be Hilton's first Conrad-branded resort property in Mexico.
One&Only Mandarina
One&Only Mandarina will make its debut in the destination with 104 villas, as well as 54 Private Homes, amongst the first One&Only residences in the world.
Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club
Mandarina will open the Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club, where riders of all ages and abilities will gather from around the world to learn, practice or compete.
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta by Barceló Hotel Group will complete the properties extension project, adding an additional 92 new rooms. The new rooms will offer enviable views of the Pacific Ocean.
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