Riviera Nayarit

The wild and wonderful Riviera Nayarit, 180 miles of pristine beaches, lakes and rivers on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, offers a magical backdrop for your wedding trip. The area has some of Mexico’s most spectacular scenery, a host of small towns and picturesque fishing villages, and a wide variety of accommodations ranging from seaside bed & breakfasts to ultra-modern chain hotels. You can establish honeymoon headquarters in one hotel and day trip to other towns, or you can rent a car and drive up the coast to discover the many beautiful, unspoiled places along the way.

Over 50 sun splashed beaches will warm your bodies and your souls. Several championship golf courses with ocean views await. You can go bird watching for rare species or fishing for marlin, tuna and sailfish. Try surfing or jet skiing in the ocean or relax beside a quiet lake or a rushing river. Hike through the lush rolling hills. This is the Great Outdoors at its finest. Riviera Nayarit is a natural paradise that has everything to make a honeymoon happy.

Begin in sophisticated Nuevo Vallarta, just a few minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport, and travel up the coast. Here, there are three miles of wide beaches to sun on and a host of all inclusive hotels to choose from. The next town, Bucerias, has a charming cobblestoned main square, a long, wide stretch of beach and a cozy place to enjoy a meal, Mark’s Bar & Grill. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a former fishing village with a modern marina and four miles of glorious beaches. The Punta de Mita area is surrounded by water on three sides.

It is dotted with upscale luxury resorts that line the beaches. Try the tony Four Seasons or the exquisite St. Regis and you’ll be pampered beyond belief. Further up the coast, Sayulita is an international surfers’ paradise as well as the Riviera’s “place to shop.” Stock up on decorative folk art and handicrafts to decorate your new home. Many are made by the Huichol Indians who inhabit the area. “San Pancho,” a local nickname for the town of San Francisco, and Lo de Marcos are two beachfront hideaways that you’ll love. Stop for lunch in a restaurant by the sea and relax and swim until the sun sets. Waters are so clear here that you can watch marine life swim by without a mask! Another day, explore the seaside towns of Rincon de Guayabitos, El Capomo, Punta Raza and Chacala. The port of San Blas, with dramatic ruins from the 1600’s, may be your last stop before you reach the state of Sinaloa border. Climb to the fort on the top of the hill to get a sweeping view of the coastline and breathe the fresh, balmy air.