Nayarit · 22 Places · Best November to April
Nayarit is Mexico's rising Pacific-coast star, home to the glamorous Riviera Nayarit beach towns of Sayulita, Punta de Mita, and Nuevo Vallarta, the colonial surf port of San Blas, and the Wixárika (Huichol) heartland of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It blends barefoot-luxury resorts, world-class surf breaks, mangrove wildlife, and small-town Mexican culture within a couple of hours of Puerto Vallarta's international airport.
Nayarit stretches along the Pacific from the mangrove wetlands of San Blas in the north to the glamorous beach towns of the Riviera Nayarit in the south, then climbs east into the pine-forested Sierra Madre Occidental, home to the Wixárika (Huichol) people. Sayulita and Punta de Mita anchor a surf-and-boutique-resort scene just a short drive from Puerto Vallarta's international airport (technically across the state line in Jalisco but the real-world gateway to Nayarit), while Tepic, the low-key state capital, offers colonial architecture, volcano views, and Huichol art without the crowds. Note: Nayarit changed its official time zone to align with the Pacific/Mountain zone (America/Mazatlan) in 2023, one hour behind Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco — a detail that catches many visitors off guard when crossing the state line.
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The 22 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
This uninhabited volcanic island group off Punta de Mita is a protected marine park and bird sanctuary, reachable only by boat tour from Punta de Mita or Sayulita. The main draw is the Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor), a sand-floored beach open to the sky through a collapsed cave roof, along with the surrounding reefs used for snorkeling.
A freshwater spring-fed mangrove estuary reached by motorized launch from the town dock in San Blas, this reserve is known for its resident crocodiles, herons, and turtles seen from the water along narrow mangrove channels. Tours end at the spring itself, a clear cenote-like pool where boats stop so passengers can swim.
Sayulita's central plaza sits a block from its main beach, ringed by open-air restaurants, surf shops, and stalls selling Huichol beadwork, and it functions as the town's daily gathering point. The adjacent beach has a river mouth on one side and a break at the far end that made the town a surf destination.
This hilltop fort above San Blas dates to Spain's colonial customs and defense operations, when the port handled trade and shipbuilding along the Pacific coast. What remains are stone walls, mounted cannons, and the fort's position overlooking the town and estuary below.
This is one of the largest mangrove wetland systems on Mexico's Pacific coast, spanning the Nayarit-Sinaloa border and reached by boat from launches like Boca de Camichín. Tours move through mangrove channels that serve as nursery habitat for shrimp and fish, with regular sightings of herons, egrets, and other wading birds.
This small island village in a coastal lagoon floods seasonally, turning its streets into canals navigable by small boat, which has fed a long-standing claim that it sits on the ancestral site of Aztlán, the legendary Aztec homeland. Its grid of streets around a central plaza and church reflects a settlement pattern distinct from mainland Nayarit towns.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
A casual open-air seafood spot just off the town's central grid, built around a raw bar and grill setup rather than a full dining room. The menu leans on ceviches, aguachile and grilled catch typical of Nayarit's coastline, served fast and unfussy.
A wood-fired pizzeria that fits Sayulita's mix of Italian expat and surf-town cooking, with a brick oven visible from the small dining area. It sits alongside the beach-tacos side of the menu rather than trying to be a full Italian restaurant.
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Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) in neighboring Jalisco, 10-40 minutes from Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta, and Punta de Mita, is the real-world gateway to Riviera Nayarit. Nayarit's own Amado Nervo International Airport (TPQ) in Tepic has limited domestic service. Along the coastal corridor, colectivo vans, city buses, ETN/Vallarta Plus intercity coaches, and Uber/Didi cover most needs; a rental car is the only practical way to reach San Blas, Chacala, and inland Tepic independently on a fixed schedule.
Daily spend by tier in USD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $14 | $60 | $260 |
| Food (per day) | $11 | $28 | $90 |
| Transportation | $7 | $12 | $35 |
| Activities | $8 | $15 | $35 |
| Daily total | $40 | $115 | $420 |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Mexico.
November and April-May are the sweet-spot shoulder months: dry-season weather with lower prices and fewer crowds than the December-January peak.
Stick to the well-traveled coastal corridor: Sayulita, San Pancho, Punta de Mita, Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta, and San Blas town center
Use Uber/Didi in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, and Sayulita instead of hailing taxis on the street
Avoid driving unfamiliar rural highways after dark, especially inland routes toward Tepic and the Sierra
Swim only at beaches with visible lifeguards or posted flags — several Riviera Nayarit breaks have strong rip currents (San Pancho and stretches near Punta Raza are notorious)
Use reef-safe sunscreen and reapply often; the Pacific sun here is intense year-round
Book accommodation and tours through verified platforms and read recent reviews
Register with your country's embassy or consulate before traveling — US travelers can use the STEP program at step.state.gov
Nayarit's main tourist areas — Sayulita, Punta de Mita, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, and San Blas — are generally safe and welcoming for tourists, rated Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) by the US State Department, the same as the Puerto Vallarta area. Exercise normal precautions: be aware of your surroundings, avoid rural highways at night, and use reputable transport. Emergency number: 911.
The best time to visit Nayarit is November to April, the dry season with warm days, low humidity, and calm seas. Avoid June through October, the rainy/hurricane season, when afternoon downpours and occasional tropical storms are common, though prices drop and the landscape turns lush green.
Entry requirements follow Mexico rules. Most nationalities including US, Canada, EU, UK, and Australia do not require a visa for tourist stays up to 180 days. A valid passport and completed FMM tourist form are required. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with your nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
The currency in Nayarit is the Mexican Peso (MXN). ATMs are widely available in Sayulita, Bucerías, and Nuevo Vallarta but scarcer in San Blas and smaller villages. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and resorts, but carry cash for colectivos, markets, and family-run restaurants.
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), located just across the state line in Jalisco, is the real-world gateway to the Riviera Nayarit and is 10-40 minutes from Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta, and Punta de Mita. Nayarit's own Amado Nervo International Airport (TPQ) in Tepic has limited domestic flights and mainly serves travelers heading inland.
The top attractions in Nayarit include Islas Marietas National Park and its Hidden Beach, La Tovara mangrove river tours near San Blas, Sayulita's beach and surf scene, the resorts and golf courses of Punta de Mita, and the colonial fort of La Contaduría in San Blas.
