Nayarit Travel Guide
The beach at Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Nayarit is the Riviera Nayarit: 300 km of Pacific coast north of Puerto Vallarta, running from surf towns to luxury points to the wild wetlands of San Blas. It is generally quieter and less built-up than the coast south of it.
Sayulita is the surf-and-yoga town that put the coast on the map. Punta de Mita is the luxury end, San Pancho the artsy middle, and San Blas the birdwatcher's mangrove coast with the legendary story of Mexcaltitlan, the island some identify with the Aztec homeland of Aztlan.
Destinations in Nayarit
SayulitaThe surf town of the coast: beginner breaks, beach bars and a lively plaza.
Punta de MitaThe luxury peninsula: resort beaches and the boat departure for the Marietas Islands.- San Pancho (San Francisco)The artsy beach village between Sayulita and Punta de Mita.
- San BlasMangrove boat trips, huge bird counts and the historic fort above the old port.
- MexcaltitlanThe tiny circular island town some identify with the Aztec homeland of Aztlan.
Hover a state to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Nayarit
Regional food
- Pescado zarandeado: the grilled fish of the Nayarit coast
- Aguachile and shrimp tacos in San Blas
- Tejuino: the fermented corn drink sold on the beach
Getting there
Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) is the gateway; the Riviera Nayarit runs north from there by highway bus or car. Tepic, the state capital, is inland about 3 hours from Guadalajara.