Riviera Nayarit
More than 300 kilometers of coastline between jungle and sea, from the exclusive luxury of Mandarina to Nuevo Vallarta and Bucerías.
PACIFIC Riviera
Mexico's Pacific coast, from jungle to sea
All along the Pacific, the tropical forest tumbles down from the Sierra Madre to the sea. Bays where humpback whales come to give birth, surf towns, luxury hideaways tucked among the cliffs, PGA Tour golf and the warmth of Puerto Vallarta, one of the best small cities in the world. Farther south lie Acapulco, Mexico's classic glamour and the birthplace of padel, and Zihuatanejo, with the untouched charm of a fishing village.
Accolades
- Puerto Vallarta: No. 2 among the best small cities in the world — Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2025.
- Acapulco: birthplace of padel — the first game was created at Las Brisas, Acapulco, in 1969 (source: International Padel Federation, https://www.padelfip.com/es/historia/).
- ATP Tour: host of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel (ATP 500) in Acapulco.
- PGA Tour: host of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open in Nuevo Vallarta.
Destinations
Punta Mita
A private peninsula with luxury resorts, oceanfront golf, surfing and calm beaches at the tip of Banderas Bay.
Sayulita and San Pancho
Bohemian surf towns with galleries and cafés; Sayulita is a Pueblo Mágico.
Marietas Islands
A national park off Punta Mita, with hidden beaches, seabirds and crystal-clear waters.
Puerto Vallarta
The Malecón, the Zona Romántica, great food and the vast Banderas Bay, with the jungle as a backdrop. One of the best small cities in the world.
Nuevo Vallarta
The gateway to Riviera Nayarit, right next to Puerto Vallarta: wide beaches on Banderas Bay, beachfront resorts, a marina and golf courses.
Yelapa
A seaside village reachable only by boat, with jungle waterfalls and quiet beaches.
Costa Alegre
Jalisco's most exclusive and secret coastline: cliffs, pristine bays and luxury retreats in Careyes and Tamarindo, all the way to Barra de Navidad.
Manzanillo
The port and beaches of Colima, known as the sailfish capital of the world.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo keeps the charm of a fishing village, with its bay and La Ropa beach; Ixtapa adds oceanfront hotels and golf, and nearby are the surf of Troncones and the Barra de Potosí lagoon.
Acapulco
Mexico's classic glamour and the birthplace of padel: its great bay, the cliff divers of La Quebrada, the sunsets of Pie de la Cuesta, nightlife, and host to international tennis and padel tournaments.
Taxco
The silver Pueblo Mágico in the mountains of Guerrero, with steep streets, silversmiths and the Baroque church of Santa Prisca.
What to experience
- Humpback whale watching in Banderas Bay (December to March).
- Sailing to the Marietas Islands and Yelapa.
- Private yachts, sportfishing and snorkeling in Banderas Bay.
- Championship golf in Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, Vallarta and Ixtapa.
- Padel and tennis in Acapulco, where padel was born.
- Surfing in Sayulita, Punta Mita and Troncones.
- Sunsets at Pie de la Cuesta and the cliff divers of La Quebrada.
- Culinary tours of Vallarta and dinners in the jungle.
- Silversmithing workshops in Taxco.
- Sea turtle releases along the coast.
Ideal for
- FIT
- Groups
- MICE
- WeddingsVallarta and Riviera Nayarit are among the most popular destinations for beach weddings
Best time to visit
From November to April, sunny and dry days, with whale season from December to March. From June to October it is hot and humid, with afternoon rains and hurricane season, and the jungle at its greenest.
Events in the region
SportsFeatured
October 29 – November 1, 2026
PGA TOUR · VidantaWorld Mexico Open
Nuevo Vallarta
A PGA TOUR event in Riviera Nayarit, next to Puerto Vallarta; in 2026 it is played in the fall for the first time, during the Day of the Dead season.
Public holiday
November 1 – 2, 2026
Day of the Dead
Nationwide
Celebrated throughout Mexico on November 1 and 2, with offerings in homes and visits to cemeteries; it is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Sports
November 2026 · date to be confirmed
International Sportfishing Tournament (sailfish)
Manzanillo
Manzanillo's international sportfishing tournament in Colima, with categories including sailfish, marlin, dorado and tuna.
Food & wineFeatured
November 12 – 22, 2026
Festival Gourmet International
Puerto Vallarta
The 31st edition of Puerto Vallarta's culinary festival, with guest chefs and special menus at restaurants throughout the area.
NatureSeason · Dec–MarFeatured
December 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
Humpback whales in Banderas Bay
Puerto Vallarta
The SEMARNAT-authorized humpback whale watching season in Banderas Bay, between Nayarit and Jalisco, the species' winter breeding ground. The Marietas Islands and a strip of coastline are restricted areas.
Religious
December 1 – 12, 2026
Puerto Vallarta's Guadalupe Festivities
Puerto Vallarta
Twelve days of pilgrimages in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe through downtown Puerto Vallarta, ending at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They feature floats, folkloric dances and mariachi.