Nayarit

) Nayarit North America > Mexico > Pacific Coast (Mexico) > Nayarit Nayarit , a state on the Pacific Coast of Mexico , is a popular travel and vacation destination. There are large international resort hotels in the southernmost part of Nayarit (a spillover from adjacent Puerto Vallarta ), but most of the coastal communities are smaller, less known destinations that have historically attracted backpackers, surfers, and the "off the beaten path" crowd.

The best time to visit Nayarit depends on the region's climate. Generally, the dry season (November to April) offers the most pleasant weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The rainy season (May to October) brings afternoon showers but also lush green landscapes. High-altitude areas can be cool year-round, while lowland and coastal areas are warmer. Major festivals and holidays (Semana Santa, Día de los Muertos, Christmas) are vibrant but busy.

Most foreign visitors to Nayarit come for the many Pacific coast beaches in the southern half of the state. This area is very easy to drive in and rental cars can be arranged at the Puerto Vallarta airport. Rental cars give you excellent flexibility and it's easier to carry baggage if you're traveling with a family. Small buses and combis are the preferred way to get around between the beach communities of southwestern Nayarit. See Puerto Vallarta#Get_around for information about how to use the local buses to get to Nayarit beaches from Puerto Vallarta. The buses can be used to jump around the different beaches, maybe for a day or even just a few hours. Locals can show you where the combis stop. Longer distance bus routes are served via major bus stations. The most important bus station in Nayarit is in Tepic . From there, you can catch buses to inland destinations and cities in nearby states, such as Mazatlan or Guadalajara . Local taxis are generally white Nissans and they frequently wait near larger hotels. Talk to the driver to determine the fare to your destination. Many drivers can be hired by the hour or for a full day. Rates must be negotiated but are often quite reasonable, often around M$300 per hour (US$15).

🌍 Tepic — the state capital, nestled in a green valley 🌍 Ahuacatlán — small town at the foot of Ceboruco volcano, a Pueblo Mágico 🌍 Amatlán de Cañas — small town known for its thermal mineral spas 🌍 Compostela — quaint colonial town that is one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos 🌍 Ixtlán del Rio — small town in southeast Nayarit, Ixtlan del Rio is an archaeological site (also known as "Los Toriles") and is the only pre-Hispanic site in Nayarit open to the public The Riviera Nayarit is a coastal strip more than 160 km (100 miles) long, beginning at the Ameca River (just minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport), and extending up north to the colonial town of San Blas. 🌍 Bucerias — a beach town popular with expats 🌍 Chacala — a beach town known for its unhurried lifestyle 🌍 Lo De Marcos — it attracts Mexican and foreign tourists, particularly retirees and RV dwellers 🌍 La Peñita de Jaltemba — the service community for the nearby resort of Rincón de Guayabitos 🌍 Nuevo Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta) — a resort community immediately north of Puerto Vallarta that is home to luxury villas and canals lined with tropical gardens, along over 18 km of white sandy beach 🌍 Rincón de Guayabitos — mellow, low-key beach most popular with Mexican visitors 🌍 San Blas — relaxed scene and lack of condos and package tourists 🌍 San Francisco — offers Playa San Pancho and jungle hikes 🌍 Sayulita — small, laid-back town increasingly popular with tourists, long popular for surfing

Nayarit is a coastal state, and like coastal areas everywhere, fresh seafood is a cornerstone of local culinary traditions. Local fishermen harvest shark, dog fish, sea bass, sierra, shrimp, and oysters. In the coastal areas, locals often use manglar (mangrove) as a fuel for cooking fires and the smoke from these fires lends a distinctive flavor to foods cooked over open fires or coals. Seafood specialties include: pescado sarandeado (grilled fish) is made with fresh-caught bream, mar [... truncated ...]

Nayarit hosts a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating its heritage, arts, and community spirit. From patron saint festivals (fiestas patronales) and regional fairs to music, dance, and culinary celebrations, there is often something happening. Major national holidays — Independence Day (September 16), Día de los Muertos (November 1–2), and Semana Santa — are celebrated with particular flair. Check local event calendars for timing.

Nature Nayarit has a number of significant nature reserves and remote areas where development is sparse. Thousands of square kilometers in the central and eastern parts of the state are mountainous, heavily forested, and are part of the Sierra Madre Oriental range. Four of Mexico's six species of feline (including jaguars and ocelots) live in the mountains. Birdwatching is a productive pastime in Nayarit with more than 300 species known to either nest or migrate through Nayarit. Coastal areas include a number of ecological reserves and are home to a variety of marine mammals, including migratory routes of whales. Whale watching tours are available in Punta Mita and San Blas and smaller operators can sometimes be found in other coastal destinations. Coastal wetlands include vast mangrove swamps where crocodiles and venomous snakes are common. Areas of note include: The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California — a UNESCO World Heritage site , shared with four other Mexican states Islas Marietas National Park — a famously scenic national park that is a habitat for several maritime bird species, including boobies, pelicans, and gulls Archaeology Nayarit has never been at the top of any archaeologist's bucket list of "must see" ancient sites, but the state is home to two Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica , the Huichol and the Cora . Both are related to the Aztec (Mexica) peoples who dominated Central Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest , and both groups speak languages that are part of the same language family as Nahuatl (commonly spoken among descendants of the Aztec). Mexcaltitán is unusual island village that some historians regard as being the original homeland of the Mexica people. There are remnants of a very old indigenous culture called the Shaft Tomb Culture because of their practice of burying the dead in deep shafts (along with ceremonial objects). Shaft tomb culture dates from about 500 BC to 500 AD. If you're a serious archaeological traveler, you can see these shafts near the town of Ixtlán del Rio . You can also learn about them at the Nayarit Regional Museum in Tepic .