EXPERIENCE OVER 15 DESTINATIONS IN ONE:THE TOWNS OF RIVIERA NAYARIT

Riviera Nayarit, MEXICO - Riviera Nayarit is a gem of a destination on Mexico’s Pacific Coast that offers travelers a multitude of reasons to visit including its 192 miles of golden beaches to discover, luxury resorts and charming boutique hotels, history dating back to the Aztec civilization and a collection of authentic Mexican towns to experience along the coast and throughout the state.

Going beyond the coastal towns of Sayulita, Punta Mita and San Blas as well as the popular Nuevo Vallarta, visitors to Riviera Nayarit can visit Santa Maria del Oro, Jala and the Los Toriles archeological site, which will enrich the travelers’ experience of the region with a range of historical and cultural elements.

Below are highlighted the region’s highly popular towns as well as the lesser known destinations:

Nuevo Vallarta:Riviera Nayarit’s largest resort area is located on the southern border of the state of Nayarit, ten minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s international airport. Here travelers will find outstanding golf, all-inclusive resorts, long stretch of golden beach, shopping, a dolphinarium, water park, marina and many restaurants.

Flamingos: An exclusive area of luxury hotels and condominiums centered on the famous “Flamingos” golf course designed by Percy Clifford.

Bucerías: This tiny fishing town has grown into a popular spot for dining and shopping near the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta. It retains its authentic Mexican charm with cobblestone streets, main square, tiny shops, lively pubs and numerous seafood restaurants along the beach. Six days a week, an artisan market winds through its narrow streets.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: A traditional fishing village with an elegant new marina accommodating yachts to 400 feet. Rapidly growing, the town will soon have new boutique hotels, restaurants and shops.

Punta de Mita: Historically significant as the site of the ancient Huichol Indians’ annual spring festival, Punta de Mita is situated at the north tip of Banderas Bay. It has several fine restaurants, luxury residences and two intimate boutique hotels – Hotel des Artistes and Imanta Resort.

Punta Mita: An exclusive gated resort and residential community including the Four Seasons and St. Regis, two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf courses and luxury residences.

Marieta Islands: Situated in Banderas Bay near Punta Mita, the Marieta Islands are a wildlife sanctuary, home to many endangered bird species as well as rare coral reefs. Boat tours from Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Mita are available to enjoy snorkeling, diving, swimming and birdwatching.

San Francisco a.k.a. San Pancho: Home of the famous Polo Club, the town comes alive during polo season between November and May. The town also offers horseback riding, diving, climbing, yoga, seasonal turtle rescue programs and jungle excursions. It has a lovely beach, several small hotels, B&Bs and charming restaurants as well as a thriving expat community.

Sayulita: Internationally recognized for its outstanding surfing, Sayulita is a somewhat bohemian art colony with a thriving expat community. Visitors enjoy browsing the fine art galleries and stylish colorful shops with clothing, handicrafts, decorative items, handmade cosmetics and jewelry. Huichol Indians display their colorful art in the plaza in the heart of town. There are also several beachfront restaurants and cafes, luxurious villas, small hotels and spas.

Litibú: The newest development in Riviera Nayarit is home to the new 18-hole Greg Norman championship course, as well as several luxury hotels and residential communities.

Lo de Marcos: A small authentic Mexican beach town with a friendly atmosphere and outstanding beaches, RV park and beachfront restaurant serving authentic local food. 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.

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 birds, crocodiles and turtles.

La Tovara National Park: A sanctuary for birds in a natural mangrove forest fed by the Pacific Ocean. Small motorboats take visitors through the mangroves to see many of the native birds of the region, as well as crocodiles, swamp turtles, and other creatures. Continuing up the estuary, a freshwater spring changes the terrain and brings new varieties of flora and fauna.

Mexcaltitan: A small island of floating mangroves, canals and lowlands that is reputed to be the legendary Aztlan, birthplace of the Aztec civilization. Aerial views of Mexcaltitan show an oval-shaped village on a man-made island surrounded by mangroves teeming with exotic birds, the occasional alligator, turtles, fish, shrimp, lobster, oysters and mussels. From a central plaza that contains a picturesque church and a very small museum, the streets of the village radiate outward like spokes of a wheel. Visitors can enjoy exploring the Museo del Origen, dining in outdoor restaurants, beaches, birdwatching, swimming and relaxation.

Other noteworthy towns in Nayarit:

Santa Maria del Oro: A lagoon located at the west volcanic strip of Mexico, 114 miles from Tepic. Although situated near the Pacific Coast, the lagoon’s position is considered to be of transition, having a climate that goes from tropical to cold, this last one due to the exuberant Sierra Madre Occidental behind it. With great diverse flora and fauna, from colorful and eye catching birds to white tailed deer, the town creates an incomparable atmosphere of tranquility that makes this place a hidden paradise.

Jala: Known for its diversity of historical monuments, visitors can enjoy a visit to the Basilica of Jala, an architectural jewel of mixed roman and gothic style, constructed in pink, green and yellow “cantera” (stone quarry). When walking around the streets of “Jala,” one will often gaze at the mystic image of a town that withholds time in its essence, cobbled stoned streets and old “casonas” that have engraved the stories of old Mexico.

Los Toriles: Lying south of “Ixtlán,” Los Toriles is the most important archaeological site in northwestern Mexico constructed by “náhua” groups with “Toltec” influence around 650 BC, corresponding to the post classic Occidental Cultures. The main attraction in the area is the ruins at the palace of “Tlaloc.” The site includes a museum containing unearthed artifacts and their corresponding historical summaries.

Tepic: Founded in 1542, Tepic is the capital and largest city in the state of Nayarit. Today it is a modern city with a busy airport with flights throughout Mexico.

Nearby “Hot Spot”:

Puerto Vallarta: located just 30 minutes from the southern border of Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta is a true Mexican town that has been a popular resort for many years. It has a charming seaside promenade and historic church, hilly streets lined with whitewashed homes and shops, a wide range of restaurants and lively bars as well as excellent shopping for original artwork, casual attire, Mexican handicrafts and even homemade chocolates.

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About Riviera NayaritMexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. Riviera Nayarit is recognized as a “Virtuoso Preferred Destination.” The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns. For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit's Fan Page on Facebook.