This Pacific Coast location is the epitome of perpetual summer with its fantastic surf, fresh seafood, wonderful well-being, and rich wildlife.
You're not the only one who can't locate Riviera Nayarit on a map. Although it's nothing to be ashamed of, it should surely be fixed. However, there is a good probability that you have already seen a photograph taken from this location, most likely of Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach), also known as Playa de Amor, in the Islas Marietas (Love Beach). The aerial photographs are the stuff of nightmares (and Instagram influencer fodder): a paradisiacal circle of sand and azure sea discovered inside the crater of a protected island accessible only by swimming through a volcanic rock arch at low tide while on an official tour.
If you combine a steady stream of humpback whales (and their calves) throughout the winter with outstanding diving, those islands present a strong case for lovers of tropical experiences. But there are at least another 23 reasons to visit the area, and those don't even include its expanding selection of opulent hotels and homes for sale or its world-class winter surfing. 23 coastal communities are essentially mini destinations along the picturesque, beach-fringed coastline of the Mexican state of Nayarit, where the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains dip their toes into the Pacific Ocean. The individuals there are kind and generous, and they are highly supportive of anyone learning Spanish. They are also pretty reasonable.
Sayulita, a bohemian surf haven with the title of Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town), is undoubtedly the most well-known, but there is a beachy fishing town in that string of sand-swept pearls that will delight just about anyone. Additionally, there is Boca de Chila, a mangrove area with a five-mile beach that is home to surfers and a plethora of aquatic species, as well as a nearby hamlet with prehistoric rock carvings. And Chacala, a charming little hamlet whose name in Nahuatl translates to "where the shrimp are." While Lo de Marcos is a modest paradise with a Saturday market, horseback riding on the sand, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also available.
San Francisco's San Pancho neighborhood, which has cobblestone streets, is particularly charming. It is a charming jewel because of its outstanding gastronomy, which ranges from agua chiles to vegan ice cream, great surf with few tourists, stunning crimson sunsets, and ecological and community-enhancing initiatives. The artsy area continues to attract new hotels, but the nine-room Hotel Cielo Rojo, which is filled with oddities and wonderful antiques, adopts a particularly local, organic, and considerate objective with its boutique and house tequila aged in recycled wine bottles.
Currently, the shore is dotted with luxury complexes that are home to five-star hospitality companies, but there were none just a few decades ago. Beyond the surfers who had been looking for waves for years, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita introduced the world to the unnamed and untouched Riviera Nayarit paradise in 1999. Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre resort and residential complex. That seemed to be the catalyst for a sudden influx of private investments in the state, notably in infrastructure (see the first green highway in northwest Mexico).
For travelers traveling north from the airport, the major four-lane road, which is currently in its last stages of development, will soon represent a significant time saver. Confusion may arise from the fact that Puerto Vallarta International Airport is the closest airport even though the city of approximately 300,000 people is located in the state of Jalisco.
There is a buzz of activity in Riviera Nayarit. The Four Seasons is almost finished with a thorough restoration that included updated guest rooms, pools, and a complete remake of the main infinity pool, whose deep azure tiling was switched for a shade that effortlessly fades into the ocean beyond. Even after 22 years, the resort continues to be at the forefront of culturally conscious programming, which includes making dream catchers, tasting Mexican spirits (other than tequila and mezcal), sea foraging for octopus and seaweed, and releasing a large number of newly hatched sea turtles into the surf under pink skies. The iconic and threatened reptiles start hatching in late August and their frequency decreases by February.
While the summer months can be rainy, hot, and oppressively humid, the winter months consistently see superb weather, with clear skies, moderate sunshine, cool water temperatures, and the finest swell. (The period from mid-May to early November is known as the "official hurricane season"). Long barrels and waves in the 12- to the 15-foot range will entice surfers. In the winter, there is an increase in kitesurfing and sailing as well. Sunsets can range in color from red to pink to purple depending on where you are, and while they are all photogenic, they are ultimately too beautiful to be caught in a single frame.
Resorts continued to open even as the world came to a standstill: Conrad Punta de Mita and One&Only Mandarina in 2020, Secrets Bahia Mita and Dreams Bahia Mita in 2021, and Susurros del Corazón immediately south of Punta Mita in the spring of 2022. The laid-back Auberge Resorts Collection resort connects the coastline with pristine Islas Marietas panoramas from deep balconies, tiered swimming pools, and a long powdered-sugar beach. It has 59 suites, four restaurants, and a variety of ocean-centric clifftop homes. The hacienda-style suites at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit will undergo a thorough restoration in 2022, along with new facilities and cuisines.
It is difficult to imagine an oceanside location more luxuriant than One&Only's undulating property with snake-like buggy tracks and towering papilla trees, their bark glamorously polished and hiding exquisite tree houses and stilted villas like Easter eggs in the jungle, each with its plunge pool. Children play in a magnificent tree town while endemic coatis run around, fireflies dance, ethereal white mariposa float through the air, and more. If playing polo seems appealing to you, the equestrian club is the location to do so while being surrounded by the Sierra de Vallejo mountains.
However, people planning to visit Riviera Nayarit for the upcoming winter can still count on finding plenty of new things. Several Marriott offshoots, including an Autograph Collection resort, are currently under construction. The Rosewood Mandarina is scheduled to open in 2023, while Costa Canuva will soon have Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Fairmont properties. As the first glamping resort in the area, Naviva at Four Seasons will open in November 2022. It will feature 15 butterfly-shaped tents as a starting point, a jungle pool, and a female Huichol shaman who will lead specifically created spiritual ceremonies that honor Nayarit's major Indigenous culture. A strong dedication to environmentally friendly techniques includes a dedicated farm that supplies the restaurant for patrons 21 and older, as well as equipment that uses humidity from the air to supply drinking water, doing away with plastic bottles.
Tourist access to the Four Marias Islands, a Biosphere Reserve, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, will also soon be available. San Blas was a harbor town in the 1700s. A former prison has undergone major renovations to become an educational facility dedicated to biodiversity protection, from which tourists will soon be able to embark on sustainable boat tours provided by the Mexican government.
The Islas Marietas are a great place for birdwatchers to see the elusive blue-footed boobies, as well as many other species as Nayarit's coastline, coincides with the Pacific Flyway, which hundreds of species use to migrate south for the winter. Unusual species including boat-billed herons, bumblebee hummingbirds, and roseate spoonbills, which have a lovely pink color, may be seen in La Tovara National Park, close to San Blas.
The mysterious, far-off basalt island known as Isabel is referred to as the Galapagos of Mexico. Only a select few get to see its wealth in the winter, including vibrant birds, dolphins, whales (from December to March), and even whale sharks (up to 60-day visitors and 30 campers) (November to May). The state is a natural haven for snorkeling and scuba excursions from the resorts or the new Punta Mita Dive Center, which also provides PADI certification, due to its extensive coral reefs and great biodiversity.
A true and unique wellness destination is Riviera Nayarit. At the One&Only Spa, there are dozens of services focused on profound spiritual awakening among the enormous trees and palms. These mystical encounters with healers, which include frequency healing, quantum readings, and awakening journeys with intensive pranayama (breath practice) and astrological chart readings, are intended to broaden consciousness. The Four Seasons spa, meanwhile, draws inspiration from regional ingredients like antioxidant-rich cactus paddles and tequila and sage, which are both present in an ancient formula for a massage oil that promotes circulation and relieves joint stress.
Both the Conrad and the 11-room spa at Susurros del Corazón bear the imprint of the Huicholes, who predominate in mountain villages like San Sebastián del Oeste. Treatments for the body and face that promote restoration there are influenced by Huichol wisdom, methods, and mixtures like yacca-aloe and copal clay. Intricate glass beadwork and architectural nods to significant Ojo de Dios (or God's eye) ritual objects are featured in the resort's design by SB Architects, which also demonstrates a remarkable regard for the local way of life. At Agave Studio, visitors may also mix, brew, smoke, and bottle their tequila or mezcal while surrounded by it.
A centuries-old tradition has evolved into the Riviera Nayarit's culinary signature in both casual and fine-dining settings, just how Huichol beliefs have affected wellness along the region. Fish is frequently grilled on mangrove wood charcoal using the zarandeado method, which is then served with corn tortillas and red molcajete sauce. It's a meal of stark contrast at Enrique Olvera's Carano at One&Only, with Rubina's soft flesh and texture almost as crunchy as a tortilla chip.
Due to the huge estuaries from which the crustaceans flow into the deep ocean, where they develop luscious and plump, shrimp is another specialty of the Nayarit region. The chef proudly displays the catch at the beach in front of the Baha restaurant, which may include snapper, parrotfish, and mahi-mahi, depending on the season. Offerings are primarily seasonal and are taken within a few miles by nearby fisherman who is mindful of the risks associated with overfishing.
The epidemic is not entirely a thing of the past because an estimated 70% of the Nayarit population has received vaccinations (most properties have mask mandates). However, the idle time was useful. For instance, the Four Seasons' refurbishment, which was expected to take five years, took only two.
Additionally, Punta Mita Rentals offers a selection of about 60 homes, from expansive estates to roomy condos with prime views. All include a cook to make breakfasts in the villa and round-the-clock concierge service. Visitors can now stay in and order from the new DoorDash-style Mita Eats app, or book a chef to skillfully prepare three-course feasts with produce and protein from nearby farms, butchers, and fishermen, in addition to the mouthwatering restaurants that call the gated development's vibrant beach clubs home.
The most recent Punta Mita development to hit the market appears to be evidence of North Americans' growing desire for second homes. A group of 40 Surf Residences by Sordo Madaleno sold out in a flash and had a 220-person waiting list. They can easily walk to La Lancha, a popular longboard and shortboard break, and the relatively new El Surf Club, which features ceviches, beach fare, and fruity cocktails on its menu along with decor reminiscent of Tulum (think braided lanterns dripping from trees).
Water activities in Punta Mita range greatly and feature tools like a huge paddleboard and the Lift eFoil. With a little skill, you could fly across the water on that electric hydrofoil surfboard like a superhero. Anyone in need of a winter vacation will be in a state of nirvana after having this experience, as well as after seeing Riviera Nayarit in general.