Travel Inspiration: Escape the crowds in Mexicos’ Riviera Nayarit
With an average yearly temperature of 27 degrees, a range of new boutique properties, virgin beaches fringed with lush vegetation, authentic Huichol art and culture and an abundance of authentic seafood restaurants, Riviera Nayarit, located on Mexico’s Pacific coast is the ideal escape this autumn/ winter.
Below are some reasons why Riviera Nayarit should be on the radar for British travellers this autumn/ winter.
FIVE HOTSPOTS IN RIVIERA NAYARIT
Sayulita: Sayulita is rapidly becoming known as the “trendiest town in Mexico” thanks to its friendly, laid-back atmosphere, idyllic 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 nearby is a federally protected mangrove forest with abundant wildlife including birds, crocodiles and turtles.
Rincón de Guayabitos: Described as the “Hidden Pearl” among the beaches of Nayarit, 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, home to many endangered bird species as well as rare coral reefs. Boat tours from Nuevo Vallarta to Punta de Mita are available to enjoy snorkelling, diving, swimming, birdwatching and the famous Hidden Beach.
RIVIERA NAYARIT FAST FACTS
Location and geography: 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.
Airports and airlines: Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is the nearest commercial air service to Nayarit – only 10 minutes south of Nuevo Vallarta and 40 minutes from Punta de Mita. The Riviera Nayarit is served by direct flights from gateways in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe and Central America. TUI operates direct flights to Riviera Nayarit’s main airport of entry from Manchester all year round and from London Gatwick from November to April. Daily connections are also available with Aeromexico from London Heathrow via Mexico City airport.
Climate: Riviera Nayarit has an average yearly temperature of 27°C.
Language: Spanish; however, in the main tourist areas English is widely spoken.
Time: The local time zone is Central Standard Time (7 hours behind GMT) in the Banderas Bay municipality, while the rest of the state is Pacific Standard Time (6 hours behind GMT).
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.
Gastronomy: Riviera Nayarit offers many fine dining restaurants as well as intimate cafes and lively bars. Visitors can enjoy the fresh seafood, authentic Mexican cuisine and top-quality international restaurants. The most famous dish in the region is Huachinango Saradeado, marinated red snapper grilled over coals usually near the beach.
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