Ah, the Riviera Nayarit – a true privilege to visit! Nayarit, Mexico has everything a beach-lover wants: calm waters, perfect temperatures, and nature at its best.
We headed here to find the best beaches in Nayarit and choosing our favorites was a tough challenge indeed!
Here’s what we discovered.
1. Sayulita Beach
Both Sayulita and its beach were magical.
This prime destination is full of things to see and do. The village itself is packed with fantastic restaurants, artisan stores, and colorful buildings.
The beach is a surfer’s paradise that even beginner surfers can enjoy. There are surfing schools and frequent tournaments.
If you’re less interested in being active, you’ll still enjoy this place. Reading a book on the sand or nature spotting are equally popular pastimes here.
If you come at the right time of year, you might even spot humpback whales.
2. The Marietas Islands
This destination in Nayarit is known locally as The Lovers’ Beach and the islands were created due to underwater volcanic activity.
It’s a peaceful and romantic destination where you can enjoy swimming in calm waters.
Nature enthusiasts will love it here. We came here with a guide because we really wanted to see dolphins and humpback whales (you can do this between December through March).
If it’s the wrong time of year, don’t worry! There are pelicans, seagulls and blue-footed boobies too.
3. Rincon de Guayabitos
Rincon means ‘corner’ in Spanish and this beautiful beach is certainly tucked away nicely. It has fine sand and clear water, and is full of history.
Rincon de Guayabitos was a disembarkation location for Spaniards during the Spanish Conquest.
Later on, in the 16th century to the 18th century, it was popular with pirates who tried to steal whatever was available.
In terms of the best beaches in Nayarit, Rincon de Guayabitos is certainly one of the most beautiful.
There’s also lots of delicious food on offer with local dishes like:
- Zarandeado fish – ‘zarandeado’ is a traditional Mexican way of cooking fish and it originated in Nayarit itself. It is prepared in a wood-fired oven over hot coals. The first is typically sliced in half (tail to head) for cooking.
- Ceviches and aguachiles – both of these dishes are very similar. They’re both shrimp or fish cooked in lime juice. The difference is that aguachile adds blended cilantro and chili peppers, which turns it spicy and green! Aguachile translates as ‘chili water’ but it is absolutely delicious and a must-try for visitors to Nayarit.
- Frijoles puercos (pork beans) – the beans aren’t just any beans, they’re ‘azufrados’, which are grown in Nayarit. The dish also contains chilis and chorizo that are sauteed in lard before the beans are mashed in. You’ll usually eat this with corn chips and cheese.
4. La Peñita de Jaltemba
Just five minutes down the road from Rincon de Guayabitos is La Peñita de Jaltemba.
We combined these two beaches in one day, which is easy to do and offers a change of scenery.
We went to a beach called ‘El Playón’. This soft-sand, virgin beach was perfect for spending a quiet afternoon.
There’s a great boardwalk with establishments offering cold drinks and local snacks. If you happen to be here in the evening, there’s lots of entertainment too.
5. La Punta Mita
If it’s glamor and exclusivity you’re seeking (and why not, it’s your vacation after all!) then head up to Punta Mita.
Here, you’ll find high-end resorts and luxury beaches.
Top resorts here include:
- W Punta Mita (Marriott)
- Marival Armony Luxury Resort
- The St. Regis Puna Mita Resort
- Four Seasons Resort
The village itself is home to cafes, stores, and boutiques but it’s the beach scene that is the most interesting.
Here, you’ll see some of the most serene and breathtaking places on the whole of the Nayarit Riviera.
The more active beachgoers among you might appreciate the golf, horseback riding, diving, sport fishing, sea kayaking, Jeep tours, or rainforest excursions. When we visited, we enjoyed hiring a boat and sailing.
6. Lo de Marcos Beach
With its year-round pleasant and tranquil climate, Lo de Marcos Beach is a great location for anyone who likes a quieter destination.
This site hasn’t been fully exploited yet, so it feels like you’re surrounded by nature compared to some of the more built-up beaches in Nayarit.
This unassuming Nayarit destination has a large retiree and ex-pat community, though it’s not as popular as Sayulita. Here, you’ll find a beach that attracts those who want peace, quiet, and tranquility.
Though uncrowded, the beach and its surroundings still offer a range of activities like horseback riding, hiking, and flea market shopping.
We loved the tranquil feel of Lo de Marcos and could have easily spent a few days here.
7. San Blas Beaches
The little town of San Blas is quite typical of the Riviera Nayarit. It is known for its mangroves, marshes, lagoons, and rainforests, as well as its 30-km of beaches.
If you’re into birding, there’s lots to see. We discovered that this place is one of the best spots for birding in the whole of the Americas!
The beaches here are excellent. They are virgin beaches that are naturally beautiful and offer top surfing opportunities, delicious gastronomy, and boat tours.
There are inviting palm trees that are crying out for a hammock snooze!
The town is awash with Spanish colonial buildings and is home to the San Basilio Fort Ruins if you’re into history and architecture.
The food here is divine! We tried a range of fish right on the beach. You also need to check out the local banana bread, which San Blas is famous for!
Final thoughts on the best beaches in Nayarit
It was really difficult to decide upon the best beaches in Nayarit for the purpose of this article! Our favorite was definitely La Punta Mita for its sheer luxury offering.
However, we’re certain that there are so many more amazing beaches in this large region so we’re going to go back to check out some more!
