The 10 must-see places in Riviera Nayarit

The Riviera Nayarit is a destination rich in culture, nature, gastronomy, and places you really must visit at least once in your life. Here’s a list of 10 can’t-miss places in the Riviera Nayarit that will make you fall in love with us. Take notes!

1-Isla del Coral (Coral Island)

Paradise doesn’t get any better than this! Just 10 minutes by boat from lovely Rincón de Guayabitos puts you in the Riviera Nayarit’s gorgeous natural aquarium: Isla del Coral, or Coral Island. This place will knock your socks off with its crystal clear water just made for snorkeling, swimming, or paddle boarding. Very highly recommended!

2-Cerro del Mono (Monkey Mountain)

Best place for a sunset! We especially recommend it for people who love to hike. There are two routes: one for intermediate hikers and another for more experienced ones. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to the most jaw-dropping view of the Riviera Nayarit. If you’d rather hike in the morning, though, the view is just as lovely.

3- Saltwater Pool 

A day spent splashing around in the water is awesome but doing it in a saltwater pool is twice as nice. Located across from the Palladium Resort in Punta de Mita, this is a big must on your list of things to do. This saltwater pool depends on the tide, so it’s only possible to swim in it when the waves literally fill it up.

4- Bucerías and its local dishes

Hungry for something truly delicious in the Riviera Nayarit? Then you must visit Bucerías and its Golden Zone. The town is famous for its seafood: The ceviche, seafood salad, and oysters are out of this world. Have you tasted them yet? No? Well, we guarantee you’ll love them!

5- La Tovara in San Blas 

As we mentioned before, the Riviera Nayarit offers landscapes a-plenty. La Tovara is set in such beautiful surroundings that will take your breath away and gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of nature’s prettiest landscapes. The crocodiles will serve as your hosts since this is their home, and the birdwatching is spectacular: San Blas is not only one of the top places in all of Mexico for that activity, but it’s also one of the most scenic!

6- Sayulita 

We’re sure that if you haven’t visited Sayulita yet, you at least have it on your radar. This is the most picturesque of the Riviera Nayarit’s 23 micro-destinations, with local art and decorations on every corner. We recommend you stop in for souvenirs, a surfing class, and the iconic Instagram photo on the street with the colorful papel picado or cut-paper flags.

7-La Lancha Beach at Punta de Mita 

This is the very best beach in the Riviera Nayarit for riding Mexican Pacific waves. Its crystalline waters are always crested with great waves for both beginners and pros. If you just want to lay around and catch a tan, the sand is ready and waiting and the sunsets are A-MA-ZING!

8- Isla Isabel National Park 

This natural oasis on Isabel Island is ideal for connecting with nature: you can only get here with a guided tour from San Blas and you have to spend the night, since the tide prevents a round trip in one day. Here you’ll see plenty of fauna including the whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, frigates, seagulls, and blue-footed boobies. PS: This adventure is only for nature-lovers!

9-Islas Marietas (Marietas Islands) 

We’re almost at the end of the list, but the Islas Marietas are a must. Here you can visit the famous Playa del Amor (Love Beach), also known as Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach). There’s also Playa la Nopalera (“Prickly Pear Beach” doesn’t sound quite as romantic) and its amazing color. This place is great for snorkeling and viewing all kinds of cool fish.

10- Carreyeros Beach in Litibú 

This is a very calm, clean beach, great for families—time will fly by. You can only reach it by car, since it’s a ways off the road from Litibú. We recommend taking food, drink, and snacks to last you the day. And don’t forget to keep our beaches clean!

So, there you have it: ten options to visit in the Riviera Nayarit. How many were already on your wish list?

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #RivieraNayarit on your social media posts—we want to see you enjoying these must-see attractions!