Riviera Nayarit is the newest travel destination in Mexico, extending along more than 300 pacific coast kilometers, framed by spectacular mountains of the Vallejo Sierra that unfold only minutes of the north Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
It is found in the State of Nayarit and includes the Rio Ameca in New Vallarta to the Boca Teacapan, adding a total of 307 kilometers of coast.
It has one of the biggest bays in the world and has amazing sceneries where you can find the most beautiful beaches, world renowned golf courses, spas, fishing, tours for all the fa-mily, as well as an excellent variety of restaurants and hotels that make out of every journey a true pleasure.
The destination is toured from the grand hotel and nautical infrastructure of Nuevo Vallarta, the exclusivity of Punta Mita, the historic and colonial town of San Blas up to the mythical island of Mexcaltitan, a direct result of the mexicanity and the Boca de Teacapan.
This tourist hallway includes luxury resorts, eco-tourist, boutique type hotels, world class sou-ring, six world class country courses, and more than 850 slips in its four navies, wild native life and distinguished visitors such as hunchback whales, sea turtles and migratory beach birds.
Plus the mountain and island adventures, local art and indigenous craftwork, charming fisherman towns, miles of calm beaches and definitely the best seafood cuisine of the Mexican Pacific.
Nautical Scenery
In a short period of time Riviera Nayarit had become a maritime destination of excellence and this is confirmed since it’s the host of the Nautical Extravaganza Riviera Nayarit event, the nautical occasion that gathered more than twelve sport and cultural activities between February 18 and march 20.
The new Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz Navy, in the cross of Huanacaxtle was be the maritime vanguard leader with 341 places for vessels up to 400 feet and served as an official site for this celebration.
The second venue was the Vallarta Yacht Club of Nuevo Vallarta, where the first level events was taked place such as the Regata Copa México Edición Nextel Bicentenario; the 2010 Vallarta Race editions and the Regata Banderas Bay; the Latin America Boat Show; the first stage of the 2012 challenge with the sailor Tania Elíaz Calles and the artistic festival Sayulita Live.
Tourist Attractions
Riviera Nayarit is distinguished for its luxury vacation centers and boutique hotels, tourist areas of great beauty like Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Flamingos, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Punta de Mita, the Marietas islands, San Francisco, Sayulita, Lo de Marcos, Destiladeras, el Rincón de Guayabitos and San Blas, among others.
It has a great number of the best beaches in Mexico, however, the sun and beach activity is just one small part of what it has to offer to visitors.
A range of activities like ecotourism, cultural tourism and adventure, professional gulf, and overwhelming wildlife, whale sighting, sports fishing, turtle arrival, gastronomy, Tyrolese, diving, swimming with dolphins, conventions and festivals.
Gastronomy is also one of Mexico’s greatest richness, specially the one found in the Banderas Bay region, since the options and variety of cuisine types as well as in prices are many.
An important project recently launched is Litibú, a first grade development that will offer on a short term, boutique hotels, a heliport, hospitals, shopping centers and golf courses, among other attractions.
Punta de Mita is another take- your- breath- away visitors corners. Marietas island is found in front of Punta de Mita and it’s home to hundreds of bird species, some of them endangered ones; it’s a true ecological sanctuary very popular as well for its coral reefs. Sayulita, San Francisco and Lo de Marcos are also outstanding.
Regarding beaches, Riviera Nayarit has a great variety, for example, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Destiladeras, El Anclote, and the previously mentioned: Punta de Mita, San Francisco, Bucerías and Sayulita.
Riviera Nayarit offers more possibilities than any other destination; no wonder is considered the Mexican Pacific treasure, luxury surrounded by nature. Some of these places are:
Nuevo Vallarta
Towards the north of the Ameca river, it’s the first place that is found in Nayarit bordering Jalisco, within the Banderas Bay. It has the longest and widest beaches of the Bay coast. It serves as a scenario for two world-class golf courses, a navy, a shopping center, two dolphinariums, an aquatic park, as well as hotels with a wide category range.
Flamingos
At the north of Nuevo Vallarta, this development created around its golf course has condos and hotel developments of a high quality, with important chain investments like the Spanish Riu.
The historic spot between the ancient Huicholes tribes has currently a highly exclusive development, with hotels such as the Four Seasons and St. Regis and two worldly renowned golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Not so far away we find Litibu , the fist stage of the most recently Integrally Planed Center (CIP) of the National Fund of Tourism (FONATUR) in Nayarit.
Bucerías
Walking in its streets and cobbled alleys is discovering the traditional Mexico without getting away from the beach. From the main plaza you can enjoy the sea. Bucerías has an important variety of seafood restaurants right next to the sea.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
It’s a traditional fishing town that it’s transitioning into modernity; it has a navy with the best nautical services, a 380-vessel capacity, adequate spaces for the great size and draft ships. It will be the main venue for the Regata Copa México Edición Nextel Bicentenario and of most of the events framed by the Extravaganza Náutica Riviera Nayarit.
Marietas Islands
In front of Punta de Mita, these islands are an ecological sanctuary in which endangered bird species live. Its coral reefs offer spectacular underwater views for those who enjoy diving and the possibility of seeing the giant manta rays or to interact with the hunchback whale.
Sayulita
This community is characterized for its diversity and it’s known for its natural vocation for practicing surf. Coffees and bars next to the beach, from casual to high cuisine ones. It offers the option to camp, but also has high quality accommodation centers.
San Francisco
Home of an important artistic and cultural community that has been confirmed as a well-known Polo club. The location offers horseback riding, di-ving, hiking, yoga, and jungle excursions to directly interact with nature.
San Blas
A great historical patrimony can be found here surrounded by the most beautiful natural landscapes. A place visited by the pirate expeditions, important colonial port and venue for successful encounters for Mexico’s Independence. As part of its charms, it has lonely beached of calm and soft wave waters, abundant tropical jungle vegetation, the wetlands and ecological trips through its canals like the La Tobara, a Wide population of birds, services and tourist facilities of a great level.
Mexcaltitán
It’s the birthplace of mexicanity. In this island which for some is considered the Mexican Venice, and could be found in Aztlán, the place in which the seven original tribes parted in peregrination in search of an eagle devouring a snake, for its deities would give that signal and indicate the spot where they had to definitely settle down.
Spas and relaxation centers
Riviera Nayarit has a wide variety of spas and relaxation centers. Many of them are found in the grand hotels, in independent massage centers or in natural shelters.
Currently the Riviera Nayarit spas offer the most modern treatments worldwide of therapy and massage. You can find treatments like algae body wrapping or Mayan mud, hot stones, chocolate covering, plus traditional treatments. Also you can enjoy the traditional Temascal, one experience conducted by a guide that uses a series of practices of a therapeutic or ritual nature: massages, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, chanting, visualizations and meditation exercises that are used to guide the emotions and group dynamics. The temascal is universally known as a place of a ritual ceremony that improves physical health, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
In the past ten years the spa services have increased its popularity especially in the Vallarta area. A decade ago there were few options for this kind of treatments and presently is a hedonistic universe for all tastes.
Golf
Riviera Nayarit has won with time a well-deserved honor as a Golf destination with a great international prestige. The majestic natural sightseeing of the Riviera Nayarit enclaves have been a key piece for the construction of golf courses: today there are five active courses, two in construction and two more in a project phase.
The integration of the gold courses with the abundant tropical forests background, mountains and breathtaking views of the Banderas Bay have inspired the great designers in the design of these.
Top designers such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Tom Weiskopf, Robert Von Hagge, Jim Lipe and Joe Finger have designed courses of extraordinary beauty of different levels of difficulty for all type of players. Some of them:
The Tiger Club de Golf at Paradise Village
Designed by Von Hagge and found at Nuevo Va-llarta. The field has water in 12 of its 18 holes and a total of 144 sand traps in all of its ground, which makes it a very fun golf course for the players and which has allow it to celebrate national and international tournaments.
Punta Mita Pacific Golf Course
A Jack Nicklaus masterpiece found at Punta Mita. Among the distinctive course elements there’s the unequal able hole island 3B, the unique green in the world on a natural island found at more than 177 meters. According to Nicklaus when he was asked to mention his “best” hole, he replied, “probably 3b at Punta Mita”, which is also known as “whale tale”.
Punta Mita Bahía Golf Course
Was recently added as the new Jack Nicklaus masterpiece at Punta Mita with spectacular pano-ramic views of the Banderas Bay.
Flamingos Golf Club
Is the first golf course built at Riviera Nayarit, a mature field that offers a challenging game and excellent views.
Nayar Golf Course Nuevo Vallarta
Designed by the prestigious architect Jim Lipe, the 6.936-yard course, 18 holes par 71, is found at the spectacular beaches of Nuevo Vallarta, among the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains and the Banderas Bay.
It offers interesting advantages and challenges to the lovers of this sport for its wide fairways or streets that are shown as the easy part or the seven lakes that obscure the game even to the most experienced golfer.
The 13 and 14 holes tour is a very special experience. With an ocean view, next to the Rio Ameca they make up star holes.
Fishing
The long Riviera Nayarit coast offers the lovers of this passionate sport endless opportunities and variety of species with whom to practice it.
In the past years the destination has thrived, from being known as a famous destination for the Swordfish and Marlin fishing, the blue and the coveted black, in a worldwide hot spot for yellow fin large tuna fishing. Even, it’s still yet to be confirmed the species world record on behalf of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), with an exemplary almost 400 pounds (181 kg) fish in the Banderas Bay waters.
The fishing season is all year long, with peaks in the captures of certain species spread through out the 12 months of the year. This way, you can expect to capture any of the already mentioned species plus the most delicious and wrestling Wahoo and Dorado. At the bottom or the coast there are also many species that are an object of sport fishing such as:Pez Gallo, Pargo and Huachinango, among others.
There is an extensive float of quick, modern and safe vessels to practice this sport with every comfort. Riviera Nayarit is an ideal place for the lovers of this sport, which is home to the regular tournament celebration.
Diving
The clear, calm and warm waters of the Mexican Pacific at the Banderas Bay offer the ideal frame for experienced and amateur divers, which hand in hand with the highly qualified instructors, may jump into the rich and wide underwater life and live thrilling adventures in the ocean’s depth through tours, private journeys or even through classes and professional certification courses.
Snorkel
A fun and amusing experience for the whole family which brings the exact dose of adventure, learning and fun through the Banderas Bay waters, filled with an exciting and abundant marine life. The exploration of the tropical ecosystems in lonely islands and hidden beaches assisted by expert guides and professional equipment, make up the favorite activity of many tourists.
This adventure begins with the journey aboard a first class catamaran headed for the Marietas Island and the relaxing Las Caletas beaches, plus making it one of the best snorkel practices of the Yelapa and Majahuitas inlets.
Sailing
The excitement of sailing through the Banderas Bay is possible thanks to the exclusive and quick sai-ling boats that run its crystal clear waters and offer the tourist gorgeous views in an atmosphere of luxury, adventure and comfort. A sailing adventure at sunset allows you to enjoy the exclusive and spectacular pa-noramic view of the sunsets that have made this region famous. Swimming with whales or experiencing a private sailing cruise is great ways to spend the day.
With these resources available, in 2010 Riviera Nayarit will be the destination without a doubt for an important variety of nautical events that go from the international renowned Regata Copa México, which will show the friendly waters for the regattas, to firm land beach competitions, as well as volleyball tournaments or beach football.
Text: Fabiola Galván ± Photo: Cortesia St. Regis Punta Mita, OVC Riviera Nayarit, Marc Callanan, Banco de imágenes Punta Mita, Four Seasons Punta Mita.
Text: Fabiola Galván ± Photo: Cortesia St. Regis Punta Mita, OVC Riviera Nayarit, Marc Callanan, Banco de imágenes Punta Mita, Four Seasons Punta Mita.