13 Cutest Beach Towns & Destinations in Nayarit, Mexico

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The stunning Riviera Nayarit features over 200 miles of nearly untouched beaches and jungle on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

That would be reason enough to visit, but what makes this stretch of land even more alluring are its charming beach towns, fishing villages, and colorful Pueblo Mágicos (Magic Towns).

As such, Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit is attracting more visitors than ever before, all eager to soak up the sun on its golden sand beaches, chow down on fresh seafood, and enjoy exciting activities like whale watching in the warm Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay).

The first time we moved to Mexico in 2018 we happened to choose a small beachside town in Nayarit known as San Pancho (or San Francisco on the map). We ended up living there for almost two years, as we could never seem to pull ourselves away from its beautiful beach and lovely people.

During our time in Nayarit, we were able to visit the small towns that dot the coast, including a few of Nayarit’s major cities, like the bustling capital of Tepic.

In this guide, I’ll share with you the best towns and beaches in Nayarit that you won’t want to miss on your next Mexico vacation.

Here are 13 adorable towns and beaches in Riviera Nayarit to add to your bucket list!

13 Unmissable Beaches & Towns in Nayarit, Mexico

Responsible Tips Before You Visit the Riviera Nayarit!

Indigenous groups like the Wixárika (Huichol), lovely Mexican nationals, international expats, and an abundance of wildlife call the Riviera Nayarit and its pristine Pacific coast home.

When you visit, please take care in respecting and supporting the local culture, people, and wildlife.

Sadly, many beaches in Nayarit are trashed after waves of tourists visit.

Thousands of sea turtles nest on Nayarit’s golden beaches, and their ecological habitats are negatively impacted by the increasing light pollution from ritzy hotels and beachfront clubs and by tourists irresponsibly disposing of their garbage.

Your travel footprint has a serious influence on destinations like the Riviera Nayarit, which in many places still has virgin beaches and jungle. If we’re not careful, those once-hidden gems will soon turn into concrete wastelands.

That said, please enjoy the Riviera Nayarit, but do so with the awareness that your visit leaves both an ecological and cultural impact.

You can help by reducing your plastic consumption, supporting eco-responsible hotels and businesses, and respecting wildlife and biodiversity. Click here for 22+ more tips on how to be a responsible traveler.

Best Beach Towns in Nayarit for Every Traveler

• Best for Backpackers 🎒: Sayulita
• Best for Families 👶: Bucerias
• Best for Surfing 🏄‍♀️: San Pancho (or Sayulita!)
• Best for Luxury 💎: Punta Mita
• Best for Pristine Beaches 🏝️: San Blas
• Best for Whale Watching 🐋: Nuevo Vallarta

1. Puerto Vallarta (“Gateway” to the Riviera Nayarit)

• What it’s known for: Jumping off point for other destinations in Nayarit, colonial core, delicious restaurants, shopping

Puerto Vallarta is a bustling coastal resort town in Mexico’s Jalisco state. Many people think it’s located in the Nayarit state, but it’s nicknamed the “Gateway to the Riviera Nayarit” because the Puerto Vallarta airport is a jumping off point for exploring this region. 

Most visitors who are planning to visit the Riviera Nayarit fly into the Puerto Vallarta airport. The state of Riviera Nayarit officially starts when you cross the Ameca River heading north toward Nuevo Vallarta and beyond.

Anyone who enjoys romantic colonial cities, coupled with golden sand beaches, fresh seafood, and luxury resorts, should spend a few days soaking up the sunshine in Puerto Vallarta.

Some of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta are scuba diving and taking a boat tour to the Islas Marietas (Marietas Islands) which jut into the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Banderas Bay.

2. Nuevo Vallarta

• What it’s known for: Ritzy feel, quieter beaches, golf courses.

Nuevo Vallarta (the “new” Vallarta) is one of the first destinations in Nayarit that you’ll come across. 

Less busy than its southern neighbor, Nuevo Vallarta is a great vacation spot for those who’d rather spend a day at their beachfront luxury resort, on a golf course, or sipping margaritas at the marina.

Nuevo Vallarta is more ritzy than charming. Its boulevard, lined with palm trees, is chic and clean – you’re not in small-town Mexico here.

Regardless, Nuevo Vallarta is popular for its long, sandy beach, upscale marina, and expat community. If you want to meet fellow internationals, head to the Nuevo Vallarta Riviera Farmer’s Market, which takes place in a parking lot near the Hard Rock Hotel every Tuesday from 9 to 2 p.m.

Lots of boat tours also leave from Nuevo Vallarta, heading to the Marieta Islands. Go whale watching in winter or skirt across the bay to discover hidden coves and fishing villages like Yelapa.

3. Bucerias

• What it’s known for: Authentic pueblo, flea market, art galleries, great for families

The next closest beach town in Nayarit is Bucerias. Often overlooked as visitors speed by on the highway, this small beach town is abuzz with locals and internationals.

Most expats love the convenience of being close to Nuevo and Puerto Vallarta while still being tucked away on their own slice of beach off the Banderas Bay.

Bucerias is prized as being an “authentic” Mexican town, yet you won’t go without your creature comforts with its upscale hotels, fantastic dining, shopping, art galleries, and of course – its beaches. 

You’ll also find delicious, traditional restaurants. Bucerias is one of the best places in Nayarit for a street food tour!

This charming town also boasts a sprawling flea market typical of what you’d find across Nayarit, filled with colorful handicrafts, tapestries, leather goods, glassware, toys, silver, traditional clothing, and more.

4. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

• What it’s known for: Traditional fishing village, beautiful beaches

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (simply known as La Cruz) is a traditional fishing village on the coast just past Bucerias. It’s here where you can go on an exciting ocean fishing tour with the locals or where you can grab a round of chips & guac and sip on a margarita as you watch the sailboats sway in the bay at La Cruz Marina.

Head to one of the best beaches in Nayarit at Playa la Manzanilla to spend the day relaxing on its golden sands. The swimming here is great because there aren’t big waves, like in some of the other coastal villages and pueblos.

Even with the eager vendors and beachfront restaurants, the beach is large enough to find a secluded spot just for you and your family. Lastly, La Crus hosts one of the largest markets each Sunday from around 8-2 pm.

5. Punta de Mita

• What it’s known for: Glamorous oceanfront resorts, luxury golf courses, designer shopping

Love golfing and ritzy 5-star hotels? Then you’ll love Nayarit’s 1,500+ acre peninsula known as Punta Mita.

Punta de Mita boasts some of the world’s top luxury hotels and resorts — including the Imanta Resort (where the Kardashians stayed, apparently) and the Four Seasons and St. Regis Resorts.

The peninsula also boasts five golf courses, two of which were designed by Jack Nicklaus (i.e. one of the greatest golfers in the world of all time).

To top it off, Punta Mita also has plenty of upscale restaurants and classy boho-chic boutiques in its downtown area. While all of that certainly sounds nice, luxury travel is not my cup of tea – and I think there’s a different side of Punta Mita that’s worth checking out.

By that, I mean Punta Mita’s local pueblo, filled with hidden gems like NAEF – a French bistro and artisanal ice creamery – and its popular surfing coves and beaches like La Lancha. 

If you visit Punta Mita, I’d highly recommend exploring the local streets and beaches for a truer Nayarit, Mexico experience.

6. Sayulita

• What it’s known for: Surfing, boho boutiques, cafes, Huichol culture, beautiful beaches

Sayulita is hands down one of the most popular towns in Riviera Nayarit! Its main stretch of sand, Sayulita Beach, is a mecca for surfers – new and pro – as the waves are small, frequent, and ideal for practicing.

But there’s so much more to love about this Pueblo Mágico that goes beyond its backpacker surf scene. From charming boho boutiques to scrumptious cafes, salsa bars, colorful flea markets, indigenous Huichol Center, and hidden beaches.

In fact, some of the best beaches in Nayarit can be found in Sayulita! Playa Los Muertos is a popular choice among beach-goers and is uniquely located just downhill from the town’s local cemetery. 

There’s also Sayulita’s North Beach, which stretches all the way between the north end of Sayulita to the jungle surrounding San Pancho – the next beach town over.

Obviously, there are lots of things to do in Sayulita and the vibes are certainly alluring. From surfing lessons to horseback riding and zip line tours. 

Unfortunately, because of its reputation for beautiful beaches, it’s also become overrun with crowds and rowdy, late-night partiers.

We love to visit Sayulita for the day, but when it comes to where to sleep, we like to retreat back to one of the quieter towns nearby, like San Pancho or Lo de Marcos.

7. San Pancho

• What it’s known for: Grassroots organizations, eco hotels, cowboys, sea turtle rescue

San Pancho (or San Francisco) is one of the cutest towns in Nayarit, with one of the best beaches to boot (San Pancho Beach). 

You’ll find the incredible Entreamigos Community Center – the beating heart of the town – in addition to dozens of grassroots organizations, a theater and circus art school, and a few dozen genuine Mexican shops, cafes, eco hotels, and restaurants.

There are few places as charming as San Pancho with its fiery sunsets, Mexican cowboys trotting down its cobbled streets, and sea turtle rescue center. That being said, you’ll find lots of awesome things to do in San Pancho, from jungle hikes to surfing.

We were fortunate enough to call San Pancho our home for two years, so I might be biased but the ever-growing community speaks for itself.

The city is rapidly growing in size and development, with the hope that it will retain its charm and authenticity as a Mexican pueblo thanks to the endless support from the down-to-earth, eco-warrior community.

8. Lo de Marcos

• What it’s known for: Ex-pat community, beautiful beaches, less crowds

Keep driving further north beyond San Pancho, and you’ll soon come upon the next up-and-coming beach town in Nayarit – the sleepy village of Lo de Marcos.

Lo de Marcos is an unassuming destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast, but it’s got a surprisingly large ex-pat and retiree community.

Although it’s less popular than Sayulita or San Pancho, this tiny town still attracts the type of traveler who enjoys peace and quiet.

You’ll find picturesque, unspoiled beaches that are perfect for swimming, open-air flea markets or tianguis, palm-shaded hikes, and horseback riding.

Tip: The clocks will go back 1 hour to Mountain Time as you travel north beyond Lo de Marcos. Puerto Vallarta, and popular destinations in Nayarit like Sayulita, Punta Mita, and San Pancho, operate on Central Time.

9. Chacala

• What it’s known for: Pristine jungle and waterfalls, fresh seafood

A small fishing village on the coast of Riviera Nayarit, Chacala is known for its calm bay, traditional Mexican villas, volcano and waterfall hikes, and fresh seafood!

The name Chacala actually means “where there are shrimp,” in Nahuatl (an indigenous Mexican language), so you can expect to chow down on freshly-caught seafood while you’re here.

As for what to do, Chacala is a nature lover’s paradise. You can hike to the El Capomo waterfall or spend a day on the hidden beach of Las Cuevas. While we haven’t seen them in person yet, there are also petroglyphs in the jungle around Chacala that you can hike to.

If you’re looking to escape the crowds of the Riviera Nayarit’s bustling beaches, a visit to Chacala is just what the doctor ordered.

10. La Peñita de Jaltemba

• What it’s known for: Glimpses of small-town Mexico, three villages

One of the most underrated destinations in Nayarit is Jaltemba Bay, home to three fishing villages and towns – Los Ayala, Guayabitos, and La Peñita.

Of the three, La Peñita is one of the most charming, with palm-tree-lined squares and a plaza adorned with a traditional Mexican church.

It’s possible to visit all three towns and all nine beaches in the area should you choose to base yourself in Riviera Nayarit.

This area offers a glimpse into the daily life of small-town Mexico without foreigners, as these places largely remain off the international tourist trail (there are still plenty of national tourists, however).

11. San Blas

• What it’s known for: Biodiversity, incredible birding spot, historic sites

San Blas is another typical Nayarit town, located in the northern part of the state. Tucked along the coast, it’s also just one hour outside of the state capital of Tepic.

Widely known for its biodiversity, San Blas is one of the few towns in Nayarit with truly virgin beaches.

With a wide array of ecosystems, from beaches to islands, mangroves to marshes, and rainforests to lagoons, you’ll also find thousands of bird species. In fact, San Blas is one of the best birding spots in the Americas.

What’s more, the Bay of Matanchén features world-class surfing, mouthwatering gastronomy, and its various habitats can be explored on various day trips.

On top of its natural beauty, San Blas features a unique history with the San Basilio Fort Ruins and Spanish colonial architecture which can be spotted from the town’s main plaza.

12. Tepic

• What it’s known for: Capital of Nayarit, colonial architecture, museums

Tepic is the capital and largest city in Nayarit. This bustling town makes for a fun and historic visit with its iconic neo-Gothic Tepic cathedral, pre-Hispanic Nayarit Regional Museum, and spooky cemetery.

Once known for being rather dangerous, Tepic is much safer these days. We felt that the city offered plenty of cultural and natural richness but that it lacked the conviction to become one of Nayarit’s top destinations.

As such, Tepic often goes unvisited by international tourists as the pristine beaches beckon them to the Nayarit coastline more than the capital city’s cultural attractions. (I can’t say I blame them!).

Nevertheless, Tepic has quite a lot to offer for any curious traveler, down for an adventure. 

The nearby Santa Maria del Oro lagoon, housed in the now-extinct Sangangüey volcano crater, is also a stunning destination in Nayarit to visit and it’s located just outside of Tepic.

13. Mexcaltitlán de Uribe

• What it’s known for: Magical canals, surrounded by a lagoon

Last but not least on this list of towns to visit in Nayarit is the newly titled Magic Town of Mexcaltitan de Uribe (or simply, Mexcaltitan).

If you’re willing to drive nearly 5 hours from Puerto Vallarta to reach Mexcaltitan, you’re in for a treat!

So, what makes Mexcaltitan unique? 

Dubbed the “Venice of Mexico”, this Nayarit town is actually situated on an island in a lagoon. When its streets become flooded during the rainy season the locals navigate through it by boat! How cool is that?

That being said, there are no cars on this mini lagoon island, so you have to take a 15-minute boat ride to get there.

Once you’re there, the colorful buildings and plaza will capture your heart (and perhaps your palette thanks to its shrimp-based cuisine!).

Ready to Explore Riviera Nayarit’s Beaches & Towns?

Overall, the Riviera Nayarit remains a wildly underrated destination in Mexico.

It has plenty of hidden gems, including mountain towns and indigenous communities not mentioned here, but its beaches certainly get all the clout. 

A visit to any of these Nayarit beaches and towns listed above are sure to satisfy your craving for a sunny Mexico vacation (or adventure!).

Which one of the beach towns and destinations in Nayarit piqued your interest the most? Let me know in the comments below! Additionally, if you have any questions about any one of these places feel free to get in touch!

Pin this guide to Riviera Nayarit’s beaches & towns for later!

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