Book your Vacation to Riviera Nayarit and Celebrate with Gourmet Festivals, Cultural and Sporting Events Year-round

Haven’t traveled to Riviera Nayarit yet? Mexico’s Pacific treasure brings you 23 thrilling events throughout 2012, more than enough reasons to travel there. Sailing, surfing, bird watching, fishing, golf, gastronomy and cultural events will attract a wide range of travelers, who will also enjoy the 192 miles of golden coastline and great resorts.

One of the major events of the year is the second Nautical Extravaganza 2012 which features yachting and surfing events from March 1-25. Foodies will not want to miss The Punta Mita Golf & Gourmet Classic and the 18th International Gourmet Festival. Fishermen come to Riviera Nayarit year round for some of the greatest fishing game, but competitive fishermen should be sure to participate in the 52nd San Blas International Fishing Tournament and the Deep Sea Fishing Tournament at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Below are the details of a selection of festivities and events taking place in Riviera Nayarit in 2012:

Vallarta Cup Race Series – January 7, 14, 21, and 28
The 7th Annual Vallarta Cup starts Vallarta Yacht Club’s 2012 season with racing every Saturday in January. This racing series welcomes new boats to Banderas Bay and to yachting with Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC). The VYC is located in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit www.vallartayachtclub.org

Urban Art Festival, Peace Carnival and Flavors of Riviera Nayarit – January 18-20
To celebrate the art and cuisine of Riviera Nayarit on the streets, local galleries have organized a festival where attendants will be able to make chalk art on the streets and enjoy wonderful dishes, as well as activities and clowns for children organized by PEACE.

The 8^th International Migratory Bird Festival,January 29-February 5
This well-known event attracts birding enthusiasts and ornithologists from around the globe to one of the world’s most exciting and important avian events: a chance to observe a record 546 species of migratory, endemic and resident birds in an environment of stunning beauty. http://avessanblas.uan.mx/ingles/

2012 Regatta Mexico Cup Olympic Edition – March 2-18
The Regatta Mexico Cup has been established as one of the most important international sailing events. Its prestigious categories include MEXORC, a competition which takes place every two years throughout the ports and coasts of Mexico. Celebrating its 35^th anniversary in 2012, events will be hosted at La Cruz deHuanacaxtle’s modern Marina Riviera Nayarit and the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta. This event provides a warm-up for competitors in this summer’s London Olympics. http://www.regatacopamexico.com/

Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic – March 9-11
The Punta Sayulita Classic has developed into one of the premier surfing and stand-up paddle events in North America, attracting top professional athletes and thousands of spectators. The beautiful surfside village of Sayulita, 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta along Mexico’s tropical pacific coastline, provides the ideal setting. www.puntasayulitasurfclassic.com

Yoga Fest Riviera Nayarit – March 18-21
Yoga Fest Riviera Nayarit is a four-day series of seminars, workshops and instruction offered by renowned yoga instructors supplemented with musical concerts and other festivities. www.vallartayogafest.org

Abadá Capoeira Festival, San Pancho – March 18-21
After stretching your muscles to relieve your body’s tension, let your body go at the Abadá Capoeira Festival. The festival showcases the unique methods of the Capoeira Workout that combines the elegance of dance, the power of martial arts, the science of biomechanics, and the rhythms of Afro-Brazilian music. The Capoeira Workout was recently featured in Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul and in Latina Magazine. http://abadacapoeiranayarit.blogspot.com

Banderas Bay International Regatta – March 20-24
With its 20th anniversary, the Banderas Bay International Regatta is on mission to break its own record set last year for number of participating boats. The event is specially designed with Cruisers in mind – fun but competitive races between boats feature coastal and offshore cruising. Race boats and catamarans join the fun too in this non-profit event. With nightly fiestas, live music and entertainment; this is the signature event of the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit. www.bbregatta.com

Tianguis Turistico 2012 – March 25 – 28
Mexico’s most important travel industry event, Tianguis Turistico Mexico 2012, will be held in a new region for the first time in 37 years: Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta. Special events, sightseeing and travel offers are available to encourage travel professionals to stay extra days to explore the region. http://www.tianguisturisticomexico.com.mx/es/

The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic– April 12 – 15
The second annual Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic will feature gourmet meals and cooking courses taught by distinguished chefs, a series of wine and tequila tastings, festive gatherings at the luxurious St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, and “The Punta Mita Cup,” a two-day golf tournament on Jack Nicklaus’ two signature courses, Bahia and Pacifico. www.puntamitagourmetgolf.com

Open Water Swimming Tournament – April 21
This popular tournament attracts adults and children to compete in master and special categories. The tournament takes place at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

LPGA’s Futures Tour Riviera Nayarit Classic – April 23-29
The Riviera Nayarit Classic will bring out the best and the most promising female golfers to El Tigre Golf & Country Club at the Paradise Village Resort. This is the only Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament held outside the United States. http://www.lpgafuturestour.com

El Tigre Big 10 – May 11
Celebrating its 10^th anniversary, El Tigre golf course will be enlightened this year with special guests such as Carlos Santana and two top female golf pros, Sophia Sheridan and Lili Alvarez. Don’t miss the party with live music, raffles, and all you could drink. Enjoy the scenery as well as the displayed baby Bengal tiger for all to view. www.eltigregolf.com

Wind Festival Riviera Nayarit 2012 (May TBD)
Riviera Nayarit is a leading wind and kite surfing destination in Mexico. Its annual Riviera Nayarit’s Wind Festival annually attracts over 150 of the finest windsurfers in the world. This is also an exciting spectator sport so everyone will enjoy the competitions as well as the festivities during the event in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Bucerias.

52nd San Blas International Fishing Tournament – May 30-June 3
Riviera Nayarit opens its marlin and swordfish season with the International Fishing Tournament of San Blas. Organized by Nayarit’s Sport Fishing Club, the tournament turns 52 this year, and celebrates by offering millions of pesos in prizes, as well as six cars, outboard boat motors, fishing gear and more. http://www.clubdepescadeportivatepic.com

Sweet Corn Fair – August 6-15
As harvest season slowly approaches enjoy Jaripeos (Mexican Rodeo), fireworks, and a fair devoted to corn-related products, and of course a prize to the largest corn, which sometimes exceeds 16 inches all taking place in Jala, Nayarit.

Deep Sea Fishing Tournament at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle – October 10-14
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle or La Cruz was an old fashioned fishing village until the luxury Marina Riviera Nayarit was opened in 2010. This world class marina has over 340 slips for 31’-400’ yachts from all over the world. Sport fishermen from around the world come to this annual fishing tournament.
http://www.clubdepescadeportivatepic.com

18th International Gourmet Festival – November 9-19
Over thirty renowned guest chefs from all over the world participate in this annual event together with chefs from the exclusive resorts and restaurants of Riviera Nayarit. www.festivalgourmet.com

IV Riviera Nayarit Half Marathon – November 24
Runners from all over the World come to Riviera Nayarit to participate in this annual 21 km. half marathon. Its coastal race route has been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world by the Internatioanl Association of Athletics Federations. Last year it attracted over 550 runners.
http://www.mediomaratonnuevovallarta.com

Sinergiarte Festival, San Pancho – November 26-28
This arts festival is organized by the San Pancho Colectivo (CSP), an independent organization that produces and promotes artistic projects in and around the town of San Pancho. During this event, ex-pat and Mexican artists share their work, as well as promoting the indigenous art, culture and traditions of the region.

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, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. 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 or follow Riviera Nayarit’s Fan Page on Facebook.

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