Riviera Nayarit Beaches Guide: Where to Eat, Chill and Day-Trip

Living in San Diego, I used to hop down to Riviera Nayarit all the time. With Puerto Vallarta just a three-hour flight away—or an even cheaper/faster hop if you cross the CBX bridge into Tijuana and fly from there—it became my go-to escape for sunshine, surfing and the occasional mezcal on the beach.

What I love about this stretch of coast is how easy it is to use Puerto Vallarta as a base, then day-trip to all the beach towns that feel totally different from one another. You can take a water taxi to sleepy Yelapa, hop a bus to surfy Sayulita, or just keep heading north until you hit low-key spots like Lo de Marcos and San Pancho. Here’s my personal guide to some of the best towns and beaches I’ve explored in Riviera Nayarit.

Puerto Vallarta will pretty much be your launchpad for exploring the Nayarit area, and it’s a pretty fun one! The Zona Romántica is a hub for LGBTQ+ travelers, expats and digital nomads, filled with cute cafes, art galleries, rooftop bars and even some very entertaining drag shows. PV’s got no shortage of affordable stays with rooftop pools, and when you’re ready for a frozen drink to match the vibe, Blondies Loft + Slushbar is the move. I came for the cheap flights and accoms but ended up staying longer than planned (this apparently happens to a lot of people in PV). You’ll find amazing seafood, lively nightlife and enough character to keep you from ever getting bored.

Insider tip: Walk the Malecón boardwalk at sunset for street art, sculptures and impromptu performances (there’s always something going on). Take a food tour or sign up for a taco crawl—PV has some of the best al pastor tacos I’ve ever had (Pancho’s Takos). You can also go zip-lining in the nearby jungle, take a cooking class, or hit up Mirador de la Cruz, a steep hike that rewards you with panoramic views over the entire bay.

Yelapa feels like you’ve slipped into a different decade. This car-free village is only accessible by boat and the water taxi to get there is part of the fun (sometimes splashy and bumpy but always scenic). You can grab a water taxi from Los Muertos Pier in downtown PV or head to Boca de Tomatlán, a small fishing village about 30 minutes south of the city. From there, boats run regularly to Yelapa and a few other hidden beaches along the coast.

Once you arrive, you can hike to a waterfall and eat your weight in fresh-caught fish. I did a cacao ceremony at Pura Vida wellness center, which also has a saltwater pool and a boutique filled with handmade local art and plenty of yoga classes on the schedule. You’ll see mules and ATVs instead of cars, tamales being made by hand and stray dogs that’ll steal your heart (one stole mine—I even adopted him and brought him back to San Diego).

Insider tip: Don’t forget to bring cash since most places in Yelapa don’t take cards and there aren’t any ATMs! Also, plan to stay at least one night if you can. Day-trippers coming over on big party boats often miss the best part: sipping raicilla (the local agave moonshine) with locals at sunset while the beach clears out and the stars come out in full force.

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a Mexican town on Instagram, it was probably Sayulita. But here’s the thing—it actually is that good. Picture barefoot surfers, margaritas under palm-thatched roofs and boutiques selling handmade bikinis and woven bags (but often over priced, so prepare to splurge). It’s got that colorful, tropical-bohemian vibe, kind of like Puerto Escondido, Santa Teresa, or Canggu back in the day. You won’t find big clubs here like in PV, but the nightlife is still buzzing with live music, beach bonfires, tequila tastings and dancing in the cobblestone streets. Sayulita has a bit of everything: yoga studios, vegan cafes, taco stands, surf lessons and even an amazing animal shelter for strays (Wet Noses Rescue).

Insider tip: I loved Yah-Yah Café for a good espresso and remote work session, Mary’s for classic Mexican food and Barracuda for seafood and beachy feels. For smoothies and vegetarian eats, Organi-K is a staple.

Just 10 minutes up the road from Sayulita is San Pancho, the chiller, quieter, more artsy version of its famous neighbor. Locals say it’s what Sayulita used to be before the crowds rolled in. There’s a beautiful wide beach that rarely feels crowded, plus organic markets, lovely local shops and a strong community vibe. It’s sleepier in terms of nightlife, but it’s the kind of place where you’ll make friends at the café and run into them again at sunset yoga or a drum circle on the beach. If Sayulita is for your party-self, San Pancho is for your soul. The best part? You don’t have to choose because Sayulita and San Pancho are just 15 minutes apart by taxi.

Insider tip: Grab a wood-fired pizza at La Ola Rica and don’t skip the fresh pastries from Dolce Jardin (formerly Dolce Amore) in the mornings, they are *chefs kiss*

Lo de Marcos is one of those places people visit “just to check it out” and end up staying for weeks. It’s small, walkable and incredibly peaceful, with jungle-backed beaches and a local market vibe. You won’t find fancy resorts or curated experiences here—just beach bungalows, open-air taco joints and a friendly local crowd. Perfect for travelers who want to unplug, surf in solitude, or just watch the sunset with a cold beer in hand.

Insider tip: During the high season, they host community art fairs and craft markets that are worth sticking around for.

Punta de Mita is where the luxury crowd checks in. Home to the Four Seasons and St. Regis, it’s a peninsula dotted with exclusive resorts, private beach clubs and some serious surf breaks (like the famous El Anclote and La Lancha). It’s polished and upscale, but not in a super pretentious way—you can still find low-key taco stands and surf shacks along the main drag.

Insider tip: If you’re not staying at a resort, you can still spend the day here: surf, snorkel, or take a boat tour out to the Marietas Islands (home of the hidden beach).

Speaking of…one of the most iconic day trips from Punta de Mita is a boat ride out to the Marietas Islands, a protected marine reserve about 30 minutes offshore. These volcanic islands are home to rare birds, sea turtles, coral reefs and one of Mexico’s most famous hidden gems: Playa del Amor, better known as the Hidden Beach. It’s a secluded, sandy crater that looks like something out of a fantasy film—you have to swim through a tunnel to get there and only a limited number of visitors are allowed each day. Book ahead and bring a waterproof camera!

Insider tip: You can also snorkel, scuba dive, or whale watch depending on the season (humpbacks migrate here from December to March). The whole area is insanely biodiverse, so even if you don’t make it inside the Hidden Beach itself, the trip is still worth it for the views and wildlife.

Famous for its beautiful marina, La Cruz is a sleepy fishing town that’s slowly evolving into a foodie favorite. There are also a few standout restaurants, including some seriously good seafood spots. It’s quiet, charming and a nice change of pace if you’re coming from PV or Sayulita.

Insider tip: Every Sunday, the marina hosts a farmer’s market where you can find handmade cheeses, organic produce, live music and tamales that will ruin all other tamales for you.

Bucerías has this low-key, old-school beach town vibe that makes it feel like a hidden gem—even though it’s not that hidden. It’s close enough to Nuevo Vallarta to be convenient, but far enough to keep its own identity. The beach is long and great for swimming and the town itself has cobbled streets, art galleries and authentic taco stands around every corner. If you want a mellow day trip or a place to stay that’s central but not chaotic, Bucerías is a solid bet.

Insider tip: Go for a beachfront dinner at Karen’s Place to catch golden hour with your feet in the sand. Afterward, stroll the Art Walk on Lazaro Cardenas (held weekly in high season) for local crafts and a surprisingly solid mariachi band.

This is resort-central. Think wide, sandy beaches lined with all-inclusive hotels and luxury condos. It’s perfect for families or travelers looking for comfort and convenience with smooth roads, golf courses, marina access and plenty of restaurants catering to tourists. It’s not exactly the place for local flavor, but it’s a good jumping-off point if you want a stress-free base and plan to explore the surrounding towns by day.

Insider tip: Rent a bike and cruise along the scenic path that runs through town—it’s one of the nicest (and flattest) rides in the region. Bonus: there’s a great little café called El Patio hidden near the canal for a mid-ride espresso or smoothie.

San Blas is far up the coast from PV, but if you’re up for the adventure, it’s worth it. This old port town is surrounded by mangroves and estuaries, so it’s a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers. You can take a boat tour through the jungle, spot crocodiles and exotic birds and explore crumbling Spanish ruins.

Insider tip: The beaches here are wild and largely undeveloped (raw, remote and great for surfing—especially during the summer swell). Just bring mosquito repellent. Like, a lot of it!

November to April is ideal. The dry season means blue skies, sunny beach days and cooler nights. December through March is also prime whale-watching season (especially in the Bahía de Banderas). The summer months can be humid and rainy, but it’s also lush and green and far less crowded—great if you’re okay with a few afternoon downpours and mosquitoes!

U.S. cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Denver and even a few Canadian hubs. Once you land, you’re already on the edge of Riviera Nayarit. The airport sits right between Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit (so you can be sipping a margarita in under 30 minutes).

If you’re based in Southern California and want to save some cash, you can also fly out of Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) using the CBX Cross Border Xpress—a pedestrian bridge that connects San Diego directly to the TJ airport. This is what I always did! It’s fast, affordable and usually way cheaper than flying out of San Diego or LAX.

Once you’re there, buses, colectivos and taxis run regularly between towns. You can also rent a car at the airport if you’re planning to explore more remote areas like Lo de Marcos or San Blas, but it’s totally doable without one if you’re sticking to PV, Sayulita and nearby beach towns.