Riviera Nayarit’s golden beaches, surf breaks, magic towns, mild temperatures, and sunny skies, and the mighty Pacific Ocean are at your disposal. This slice of paradise has its magic that just might rival crowded Riviera Maya.
What State is Riviera Nayarit in?
Just up north from charming Puerto Vallarta, by the Banderas Bay, on the west coast of Mexico, Riviera Nayarit is in the state of Nayarit. A tropical wonder with a coastline stretching for about 200 miles of endless golden beaches and lush vegetation.
The Riviera Nayarit provides the perfect backdrop for the beauty of western Mexico, with a plethora of charming towns, surfing breaks, and sweeping views of the mighty Pacific Ocean.
The state of Nayarit is also a key player in Mexico’s tourism and beauty, as the state is home to many of Mexico’s pride like the Sierra Madre Occidental, and the Rio Grande de Santiago.
Is It Safe to Travel to Riviera Nayarit?
Having been granted the “Safe Travels” stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Riviera Nayarit is undoubtedly safe to travel to.
With a priority on safe environments for tourists and locals, well-maintained sanitation, and hygiene, Riviera Nayarit has kept its areas worthy of visiting, apart from its local flavors for visiting tourists from far and wide.
Even though Riviera Nayarit has placed protocols that ensure the safety of everyone, it’s better to practice caution and self-management in places that petty crimes like pickpocketing, might happen.
What is the Weather in Riviera Nayarit?
Riviera Nayarit, just like the rest of western Mexico facing the Pacific, is a tropical paradise. With sunny skies and a mild tropical climate all year round, Riviera Nayarit enjoys a yearly average temperature of a comfortable 25 C or 77 F.
This makes Riviera Nayarit yet another slice of Mexican paradise, with its gorgeous beaches coupled with milder temperatures, towns, and cities around Nayarit are also go-to spots for many of those who don’t prefer major cities like the capital, Mexico City, Cabo, or Cancun.
Can You Swim in the Ocean in Riviera Nayarit?
The beaches are swimmable around Riviera Nayarit, however, some beaches have gentler waves, and not much going on which is perfectly safe for anyone, while other parts are rocky like many in Punta Mita, and the one in Sayulita has surf-worthy waves.
The ocean doesn’t have strong undertows and frequent rip tides, unlike the Cabo beaches. The vast expanse of the Riviera Nayarit is home to many beautiful swimmable beaches likes San Pancho, La Lancha, and Sayulita.
Is Riviera Nayarit the Same as Nuevo Vallarta?
Nuevo Vallarta is a master-planned, and purposely built center just north of Puerto Vallarta, that has a lengthy beach strip with golden sands and swimmable waters. Riviera Nayarit on the other hand is the vast expanse of coast in the state of Nayarit, which Nuevo Vallarta is in.
In other words, Nuevo Vallarta is just a piece of the greater paradise that is the Riviera Nayarit. Other than Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit also has another planned residential-resort community further north, which is the Punta Mita.
What is the Difference Between Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit?
Puerto Vallarta is the charming port city that is the jewel of coastal Jalisco state. Often considered as the heart of the Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta offers more than just golden beaches, the city’s charming old town and fun and inclusive nightlife add to its famous charm.
Riviera Nayarit is the entire coastal stretch of the state of Nayarit, north of Puerto Vallarta. Riviera Nayarit often preferred by crowd-repelling tourists than the famous Riviera Maya, offers a slower pace, better surfing, and a relatively quieter vibe.
What Airport Do You Fly Into for Riviera Nayarit?
Two airports serve passengers going to and from the Nayarit state. One is the Tepic International Airport in the city of Tepic, just an hour east of the San Blas in Riviera Nayarit. Catering two fewer flights, mostly from Aeromar and Volaris Airlines.
The other one is the larger Puerto Vallarta International Airport, catering to both a plethora of international flights mostly from Canada and the US and various flights from other Mexican cities as well. Located in neighboring Jalisco state, from its namesake, in Puerto Vallarta can be a 15-minute to an hour drive away south of Riviera Nayarit.
How Do I Get to Riviera Nayarit?
The main ways to get to Riviera Nayarit are by a bus from the neighboring states and cities like Jalisco’s Puerto Vallarta, by a bus, or by a taxi from either of the two nearest major airports. You can even drive to Riviera Nayarit should you choose to brave the long scenic route.
Flight and driving time depends on the mode of transportation and which town or city you’re planning to stay in Riviera Nayarit. The most popular places to stay in the Riviera is Sayulita, Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita, San Blas, and many more.
How Far is Puerto Vallarta From Riviera Nayarit?
The distance between the city of Tepic, the capital city of the Nayarit State, and Puerto Vallarta is approximately 46 km or 28.5 miles away, which usually takes 30 to an hour of driving, depending on the mode of transport.
How Far is Riviera Nayarit From Cancun?
The distance between Riviera Nayarit to Cancun, which rests on the complete opposite side of the country is approximately 1,866 km or 1,159 miles on a straight line. If you take the long road, and drive, the distance is about 2,434 km or 1,512 miles.
