Bucerías Patron Saint Festivities: tradition and tourist attraction in the Riviera Nayarit

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  • These festivities have 60 years of history: they take place from January 16-24 in honor of our Lady of Peace, showcasing the union between fishermen, divers, business owners, and the local community.

The Riviera Nayarit, the destination for Luxury and Nature, has its inherent attractions along with a plethora of traditions and events (the latter created to promote its micro-destinations) that have become very attractive to visitors.

Among these events is the Patron Saint Festivities in Bucerías, held in honor of Our Lady of Peace from January 16-24. A very complete program is on tap during that week and includes religious services as well as athletic, artistic, and cultural activities. Gastronomy and music are also an important part of the celebration.

Maritime pilgrimage

Another key aspect of the festivities takes place on January 24: the seafaring pilgrimage by the fishermen and their families, who take the Aquatic Torch from the town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to the beach across from the main plaza in Bucerías, where they’re welcomed by the ecclesiastic authorities. This event is followed by a mass celebrated by the deanery priests to pray for good fishing, tourism, health, and prosperity.

This 60-year-old tradition showcases the union between the fishermen, divers, business owners, and the local community who, with the support of the authorities, are able to affirm their faith. The festivities are attended by a mix of nationals and foreigners. Over four thousand attendees have been recorded just on the day of the pilgrimage—on a normal day there are approximately 500 people walking through the main plaza.

2020 PROGRAM

The Festival’s organizing committee shared this year’s program:

Thursday January 16: Festivities kick off with a Traditional Horse Ride with the participation of charros (Mexican cowboys) and the general public. Meeting place: 5:00 p.m. at the Corona Esplanade.

Novena: Begins on January 16 and ends the 24 with the participation of the nine sectors of the community, each with its respective pilgrimages and floats.

Mañanitas for the Virgin: Every day at 6:00 a.m. and Sunrise Mass at 7:30 a.m. Every afternoon starting at 8:00 p.m. there is a cultural-musical festival on the main plaza.

The Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association and the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau extend an open invitation to the inhabitants of Banderas Bay and nearby towns, foreign and domestic visitors included, to visit Bucerías and be a part of these traditional festivities.

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The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) reaffirm their commitment to the strategic promotion of the destination, pursuing areas of opportunity such as religious tourism and consolidating new markets to increase the number of incoming tourists with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit via the Tourism Promotion Trust (Fiprotur).