Marinas and Golden Sand on the Nayarit Shore
Nuevo Vallarta is a planned resort community on the southern end of the Riviera Nayarit, in the Mexican state of Nayarit, known for its wide golden beaches, marina and canals, and large, family-friendly resorts. It faces the Bay of Banderas on Mexico's Pacific coast, with the Sierra Madre rising to the east, and it sits just across the state line from Puerto Vallarta, whose international airport lies only a short drive away.
The setting is spacious and relaxed. Resorts line broad beaches with room for long walks, and the waterways and marina give the area a sense of calm, with boats, paddleboards and kayaks gliding past mangroves. Golf is available at the Flamingos Golf Club, set among palms and lagoons, and the pace of life is gentle, suited to families, couples and groups who prefer to settle into a single resort for the week.
Bucerias, La Cruz and Whale Season
Beyond the resorts, the nearby villages add character. Bucerias, a short drive north, is known for its beachfront restaurants, art galleries and a lively centre of cobbled streets, while La Cruz de Huanacaxtle has a working marina and a popular Sunday market with crafts, local food and live music. Sayulita and the surf beaches of the north are within reach, and the Marietas Islands are a favourite day trip by boat.
From roughly December to March, humpback whales arrive in the Bay of Banderas, and tours leave the marinas daily to see them. Fresh seafood is a pleasure, from grilled snapper and shrimp to ceviche and fish tacos, served in beachfront restaurants and village kitchens. Puerto Vallarta provides the bay's cobbled old town and nightlife, while Punta Mita offers a quieter, more exclusive stretch at the bay's northern tip, so guests can vary their stay easily.
Read the full Nuevo Vallarta guide on Visit Travel Group, or see NuevoVallarta.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.