The Riviera Nayarit is a stretch of coastline along the west coast of Mexico. It is full of beaches and unique towns and is a popular tourist destination. From the bohemian towns of Sayulita and San Pancho to bigger tourist towns like Puerto Vallarta this is the place to soak up the surf culture of Mexico.
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Is Riviera Nayarit Worth Visiting?
Yes the Riviera Nayarit is worth visiting for its long stretch of beaches and surf coastline and cool towns.
How Many Days Do You Need?
You can spend from 1 week to 3 weeks travelling here as this is one area that really lends itself to slow travel. I think 10 days is a perfect amount, especially to see a couple of towns.
Best Time to Visit Riviera Nayarit
November to May is the best weather to visit the Riviera Nayarit, the days will be warm and sunny with little rain. The beaches should be at their most calm during this time great for beginner surfing, if you are after bigger surf then June-September is best.
Is Riviera Nayarit Safe?
The Riviera Nayarit is considered quite safe to travel in, there are loads of tourists coming here yearly so it is very well travelled. We felt no concern while there, we flew into Puerto Vallarta and used public transport everywhere, there was nothing we were worried about.
Can You Visit Without a Car?
Yes, you can visit the Riviera Nayarit without a car, it is very well connected by buses, taxis and shuttles. We used buses everywhere and had no problems, it was actually really affordable. Having a car is more convenient but only if you prefer to drive.
Where Is Riviera Nayarit?
The Riviera Nayarit is a 300km stretch of coastline in the central Pacific Coast of Mexico state of Nayarit. It has some very cool towns, most notably Sayulita and San Pancho. It sits very closely to Puerto Vallarta which is the main airport into and out of the area, accessible by a minimum 10 minute drive.
Best Places to Visit in Riviera Nayarit
There are some great places to visit in the Riviera Nayarit that are absolutely worth it. The top 3 are:
Sayulita
Sayulita is the main attraction for many coming to Riviera Nayarit. Its unique boho vibe mixed with surf culture is attractive to many tourists. Pair this with cool cafes, beach clubs, nightlife, a foodie culture and you have a digital nomads dream destination. You can read all about the best things to do in Sayulita in our full guide with all the tips you need to have the best time!
San Pancho
San Pancho is the younger cousin of Sayulita, similar vibe but much quieter and smaller. There is more of a boutique feel with a wellness focus and strong cafe scene. You also get the best sunsets in the whole of the Riviera Nayarit here. Read our San Pancho guide to make sure you are ready to go.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is the main gateway to the Riviera Nayarit. This is where the main International Airport is and there is easy connected access from Puerto Vallarta to the Riviera Nayarit. There are also lots of resorts, restaurant and tours from here.
Riviera Nayarit Itinerary Options
There are quite a few different itinerary options in the Riviera Nayarit, it really lends itself to slow travel so the longer you have the more you can absorb the full experience.
3 Day Riviera Nayarit Itinerary
Puerto Vallarta Airport → Sayulita
3 days in the Riviera Nayarit is enough to get a taste test, head straight to Sayulita and do a day trip to San Pancho from there. Or vice versa if you want to stay in San Pancho-but for 3 days you might just want the convenience of Sayulita.
5 Day Riviera Nayarit Itinerary
Puerto Vallarta Airport → Sayulita → San Pancho
5 days can offer you a slightly slower pace to enjoy the surf, beaches and cafes. You can do a couple of the best tours and easily visit San Pancho.
1 Week Riviera Nayarit Itinerary
Puerto Vallarta → Sayulita → San Pancho
1 week in the Riviera Nayarit is perfect to experience the best of it in a relaxed manner. Spend a night in Puerto Vallarta if you want or head straight to San Pancho for the first 2 nights then move to Sayulita and spend 4 nights here. If you prefer to stay in one spot choose either Sayulita or San Pancho and visit the other from there.
Sayulita vs San Pancho
Sayulita is like San Pancho’s older brother. It is a little more set up and bigger. Both have that bohemian beach vibe and a surf culture but Sayulita is bigger, a little more crowded, has better infrastructure and nightlife. San Pancho is quieter and smaller with a community spirit that is heart warming. If you want a slow and quiet experience then San Pancho might be for you. If you want more choice in restaurants and hotels, nightlife then Sayulita is best. Digital nomads would prefer Sayulita as they have more infrastructure that is required to work. Check out our full breakdown on Sayulita vs San Pancho to decide which is the best base for you.
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Best Beaches in Riviera Nayarit
The best beaches in the Riviera Nayarit are:
- Sayulita beach
- Playa Carricitos
- San Pancho beach
- Playa Malpaso
Playa Carricitos and Playa Malpaso beaches are accessible by hiking.
How to Get Around Riviera Nayarit
We used buses to get around the Riviera Nayarit. It was very easy and affordable. Collectivos are the smaller and simpler version of the public buses. You pay the driver directly and they will have a sign in their window showing their destination.
Uber works in and around Puetro Vallarta but does not work at Sayulita and San Pancho. It may say that it is showing your ride to drivers but no one picks up. Taxis are readily available although they can be a little expensive.
You can hire a scooter to get around towns or a golf cart which lots of people do. You can’t take the golf cart on the main roads outside of towns and you don’t really need them too much in the towns though.
Airport transfers are easy to book and have ready and waiting for you from the Puerto Vallarta airport to your hotel or to Sayulita.
Where to Stay in Riviera Nayarit
These are the best accommodation options in each location.
Sayulita
Best area: central but beachside
Luxury: Hotel Boutique Siete Lunas
Mid-range: AzulPitaya Beachside Hotel – we stayed here, HIGHLY recommend for perfect location/quiet nights.
Budget: Casa Pia
San Pancho
Best area: in the town
Luxury: Ciyé Hotel
Mid-range: PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical
Budget: Casa Cora
Best Time to Visit Riviera Nayarit
Dry season – is November to April and it’s the best time to travel in the Riviera Nayarit for warm and sunny days with little rain. It is also the peak tourist season and busiest time.
Rainy season – June to October is the rainy season and the least popular time to travel here.
Surfing – April to October brings the larger and more powerful waves if you are an intermediate to experienced surfer. The more gentle and beginner waves are between November and March.
Whale season – The best months to do whale watching is January and February with the season running mid December to March.
Humidity – June to October is the most humid period for travel in the Riviera Nayarit.
Is Riviera Nayarit Safe?
Yes, the Riviera Nayarit is regarded as pretty safe. There are lots of tourists travelling the area and in general we didn’t have any problems at all. I would use your regular travel safety precautions and keep an eye on your belongings as the main concern seems to be petty opportunistic theft. Always watch your children near water and if possible get money out before you arrive in the area at an ATM attached to a bank so that it is more trustworthy. The ATMs we saw in Sayulita were free standing and often run out of money. It is not possible to take Uber in the smaller towns so taxis are the only option, if possible share the ride with someone else, especially if you are a solo female traveller, which is general travel practice.
Costs of Visiting Riviera Nayarit
The cost of travelling the Riviera Nayarit can be a little more expensive than other areas of Mexico. These are our average budget breakdowns for each type of traveller (per person/per day):
- luxury: ~$250-$600USD (all-inclusive resort, restaurant meals, private transport and private tours)
- budget traveller: ~$80-$100 USD (hostels, street food, free or cheapest tours, public transport)
- mid-range: ~$150-$200 USD (quality hotel accommodation, street food & affordable restaurants, affordable, group tours and a mix of public transport and private transport)
Riviera Nayarit FAQs
- Is Sayulita or San Pancho better? Sayulita is larger and busier with a nightlife scene, San Pancho is smaller, quieter. Both have a boho vibe and beaches. Check out our full comparison on our Sayulita vs San Pancho page.
- Is Riviera Nayarit expensive? The Riviera Nayarit can be a little more expensive in the smaller towns than in other areas.
- Do you need a car? No the bus system in the Riviera Nayarit is extensive and you don’t need a car here unless you want the freedom it brings.
- Is Sayulita safe? Yes, in general Sayulita is a safe destination, be aware of petty theft and use your travel safety precautions.
- Can you swim at Sayulita beach? Yes, Sayulita beach is great for swimming, just avoid after heavy rains for about 48 hours due to run off.
- Is San Pancho worth visiting? Yes San Pancho is a very cool little town, we ended up coming here twice from Sayulita to visit.
The Riviera Nayarit is an enchanting area with some of the prettiest and most charming towns with cool surf culture and vibes we have experienced in Mexico. If you love slow travel, a great foodie scene and surf culture you will love it here.
Plan your trip:
👉 Read next: 3 days in Sayulita Guide and Itinerary
👉 Plan your trip: Mexico City Travel Guide
👉 Don’t miss: San Pancho Itinerary
Want to see it all in action? Watch our full Mexico series on YouTube (subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our travel guides) and follow along on Instagram @passport_nomads and @kelly___buckley for real-time travel tips, guides, and behind-the-scenes moments.
We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
