Summer Fun for Kids in the Riviera Nayarit
- The long-awaited summer vacation is finally here and with it a few days of beach fun for the family.
Summer is synonymous with fun in the sun—and it’s not just for grownups! The little ones also have a ton of activities to enjoy during their vacation, from watersports like sailing, surfing, or paddle surfing, to land activities like horseback riding, zip-lining, and ATV tours, just to mention a few.
It’s a lot of fun to spend at least one weekend in the Riviera Nayarit with your bathing suit on and getting a tan or doing some sport or activity outdoors.
Below please find some of our recommendations for a different kind of family summer vacation in Mexico’s Pacific Treasure. Boring? Never!
1. Surf Lessons
Sayulita is also known as the “Surfing Capital of the Riviera Nayarit” and there’s no doubt it’s one of the best places for anyone looking to catch a wave. If you want to take some lessons, all you have to do is go to the beach to find an instructor. The costs vary, but the program they use is tailor-made for quick-learning. The best-known are Wild Mex, Luna Azul and El Sayulero, and there’s even a surfing camp offered by JR Surf & SUP Camp from July 9-13. Sign up! https://www.facebook.com/JRSURFSUPCAMP/
Xplore México, in Lo de Marcos, is another option where you can learn to surf or rent a paddleboard to glide through the calm, clear waters at Las Minitas and Playa Venados. http://www.xploremx.com/
2. Water Parks
Another good option for the summertime are the water parks. There are three in the Riviera Nayarit, each one with its own particular brand of fun.
At Vallarta Adventures, for example, fun is the name of the game—and it comes with life-changing experiences. The Dolphin Kids program is recommended for youngsters between the ages of 4 and 9; the tour lasts 20 minutes. If you’re looking for a happy experience with plenty of laughs, Vallarta Adventure has the best host: a charming sea lion! Plus, there are other tours such as the Sea Safari and Outdoor Adventure. The best time to take one is right now since they’re all 3-for-the-price-of-2 and have up to a 30% discount for nationals. This is only for a limited time using the promo code VIVE MEXICO. https://www.vallarta-adventures.com
There are plenty of water activities and extreme attractions at Dolphin Discovery’s Aquaventuras Park, as well as a special area for the littlest ones where they can embark on adventures of their own as they splash about in the kiddie pool or explore the pirate ship. Then there’s the Lazy River, where you can float around on an innertube. The zipline that spans the park with its three platforms of different heights is a standout; then there’s the Challenge, a two-story structure with 32 platforms; a 12-meter climbing wall with different levels of difficulty; and, of course, the incredible 12 slides that will pump up the adrenaline all day long.
The Splash Water Park is the perfect place to enjoy your Riviera Nayarit summer vacation. Enjoy a fun family day with its slides, kiddie area, and sliders. There are attractions for every age, from the littlest ones to adults who want to feel the adrenaline. In the kids’ area, for example, the youngsters will find an incredible pirate ship with small slides and sliders, not to mention a zipline, a shark tank, and an aquarium with gorgeous tropical fish. It’s a great experience for young and old! This waterpark is located right at the entrance of the Fraccionamiento Náutico Turístico Nuevo Vallarta development.
3. Horseback Riding
Enjoy a slow-paced but fascinating horseback ride through the village, the jungle, and the beaches around Higuera Blanca. The horses at Rancho La Montalbeña are known for their calm demeanor and they’re well fed and very well cared for by the grooms, who will accompany you on the ride through the prettiest spots in the Riviera Nayarit.
Minimum age: 6 years and older. Maximum weight: 118 kg (260 lbs.)
4. Zipline
There are two specialized eco-tourism ranches in the Riviera Nayarit where the kids can have as much fun as they want and experience the beauty of the mountains on the ziplines strung through the jungle.
The Vista Paraíso ranch, located in Higuera Blanca very close to Punta de Mita, has 10 ziplines and a hanging bridge between mountains. Estimated length of the tour: 2 hours. Minimum recommended age: 6 years and older. https://vistaparaiso.mx/
Rancho Mi Chaparrita in Sayulita has 15 lines and four hanging bridges that span a distance of a little over 2 kilometers and reach up to 125 meters above sea level. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, although it may vary from group to group.
Youngsters are considered children up until the age of 11. Minimum height: 1.20 m (4 ft). Maximum weight: 118 kg (260 lbs.) https://www.michaparrita.com
5. Pedal to the metal (ATV tours)
There are all kinds of ATV tours available in the Riviera Nayarit, including one in combination with zip lines and another with amphibian ATVs, which take the experience to a whole new level.
The Vista Paraíso ATV tour is a combination of roads, rural pathways, fast-moving streams, challenging rivers, and, of course, the beautiful beach at Higuera Blanca. The minimum age for driving is 18 years of age and older (minors must be accompanied by their parents on a double ATV). Estimated tour time is 2.5 hours. Minimum height: 1.20 m (4 ft). Maximum weight: 118 kg (260 lbs.) https://vistaparaiso.mx/
Rancho Mi Chaparrita is in Sayulita and offers a guided tour and visits to the beaches, lookouts, the jungle, the town, and nearby places like Malpaso, Pázcuaro, and Patzquarito. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age to take out a four-wheel drive vehicle. Kids can ride in the back of an adult’s vehicle. The tour lasts about 2 hours.
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The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) continue to work together to publicize the region, reinforcing its promotion and helping position the destination on the national map with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit via the Tourism Promotion Trust (Fiprotur).
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