Quick Facts

This low-key Mexican destination lies only 20 miles away from Puerto Vallarta, yet the differences are vast. The Riviera Nayarit is beginning to build a reputation for its luxury resorts set on its long stretches of Mexican pacific coastline. Much unlike Puerto Vallarta, much of the area is undeveloped. For a less touristy destination, the Riviera Nayarit provides beautiful golf courses, surfing, hiking and whale watching.

Getting There, Getting Around & Other Transportation

Flights into Puerto Vallarta International Airport are available from Canada and the U.S. Nuevo Vallarta is only 15 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport and can be accessed by taxi, car rental or bus. Most all-inclusive packages pre-arrange transportation to and from your airport, so be sure to check with your hotel ahead of time.

Hotels &Places to Stay

In Nuevo Vallarta, two standout hotels are the Marival (which prides itself on excellent service, kid and adult friendly amenities, and rooms with modern décor and a balcony or terrace). Another option is the Paradise Village. It’s the largest hotel in town, set on 400 acres of land and attached to a marina and a golf course. It is also equipped with amenities to keep you busy for weeks (including a zoo, racquet sports, an amphitheater, etc).

Here are some other places to stay in the Riviera Nayarit:

Grand Velas Spa (Nuevo Vallarta)

Villa Amor (Sayulita)

Cielo Rojo (San Francisco)

Dining & Nightlife

In Nuevo Vallarta, try Mexican restaurants like:

El Dinamita

Eddie’s Place Nopal Beach

Riviera Grill

In the surfer town of Sayulita, try:

Choco Banana

Borrito Revolution

Capitan Cook

Although this part of Mexico is known for offering peaceful nightlife with many restaurants and cafes where you can listen to live music, there are however a couple discos in the area. One such dance club is called Collage and is known for its eclectic activities (from bowling to dancing to their Thursday night ‘foam parties’).

Attractions & Things to Do

In the village of Sayulita, try the Wildmex Adventures Guadalajara or the Surf ‘n Roll surf camps. Take lessons from local surfers and enjoy the waters of the Mexican Pacific Coast. Also in Sayulita is Rancho Mi Chaparrita, a family owned and operated ecotourism adventure company which offers hiking excursions, horseback riding, ATV tours, fishing  trips and more.

In Nuevo Vallarta, experience dolphin and sea lion shows at Dolphin Adventure. Other attractions include one of Mexico’s top diving destinations (Scuba Diving Adventures), or slip into deep relaxation at the luxurious Tatewari Spa.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language is Spanish, although, the government of Mexico recognizes 68 distinct indigenous Amerindian languages as national languages in addition to Spanish. In the Riviera Nayarit, you will get on just fine with Spanish only.

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MNX).