Discover the Riviera Nayarit: A Perfect Road Trip in Mexico

The Riviera Nayarit is a microcosm of many things that make traveling in Mexico great: amiable towns, sparkling beach views, scrumptious food straight from the sea, and mezcal. Lots of mezcal. Moreover, the state’s good highway system that hugs the coast creates ideal conditions for a perfect road trip.

Here’s our itinerary for a seamless road trip along the Mexican Pacific.

San Francisco, AKA San Pancho

After landing in Puerto Vallarta, grab your rental car and make the quick hour drive up to San Francisco, a coastal town with about 3,000 residents that feels like home the second you arrive. Wander San Pancho’s main drag that leads directly to the ocean, stopping at cozy shops like Mexicolate, where you can try cacao in all its forms (don’t miss the cacao water — trust us, it’s delicious).

Perhaps one of the coolest establishments in town is Entreamigos, a non-profit community center that serves as San Pancho’s hub; here, families can peruse the library, eat at the café that specializes in local food, and participate in the town’s successful recycling program, which turns trash into chandeliers, toys, and various forms of art.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, opt for the eco-friendly La Maraica on the outskirts of downtown. The property is powered by giant solar panels, recycles water to maintain their grounds, and has eliminated most plastic from rooms. Stylish options abound too, such as Hotel Cielo Rojo, also home to the delightful Bistro Orgánico. The pace is slow here, so instead of nightlife, you will find peaceful quiet punctuated by the crashing waves of the Pacific. If you’re looking for a little buzz, don’t miss quirky La Baba del Diablo, a mezcalería serving smooth tastings paired with orange slices and special homemade salts, including one featuring hibiscus and chapulines (crickets!).

Sayulita

The first of Nayarit’s beach towns to catch international attention, Sayulita thrums with energy, its webby streets full of tourists, primarily from North America. While it may no longer be under the travel radar, it still appeals to specific types of travelers; Sayulita has the most vivacious nightlife in the Riviera, and it’s developed a solid surfing community—head to the beach to rent a board and get lessons.

Moreover, Sayulita serves as the Riviera’s shopping hub, full of boutiques showcasing the latest in boho chic. If you’re looking for something edible or drinkable, head to the inviting Sayulita Wine Shop, which carries a wide variety of wine and liquor ranging from robust Mexican vintages to smooth raicilla (a distilled spirit from the agave plant)—enjoy a glass in the cozy bar or grab a bottle to go.

For a night in the Riviera’s best-known town, consider El Pueblito Sayulita, a boutique enclave tucked down a side street from downtown offering clean, spacious suites perfect for groups and families.

Lo de Marcos

A blip along the coast between San Pancho and San Blas, Lo de Marcos retains the charm of pre-mass-tourism coastal towns; you’ll find a few city blocks, a golden curve of sand, and classic RV parks right on the beach for wanderers passing through.

The town offers an ideal stop-off for an afternoon of quiet lounging before heading on to the Riviera’s other “big city,” San Blas.

San Blas

Once a primary shipping port for the Spanish empire in the 1700s, San Blas is now a relaxed fishing town that keeps things low-key. It boasts some nice expanses of sand (don’t miss Playa Borrego) and a friendly downtown, but it primarily shines as a birdwatcher’s paradise.

La Tovara National Park is an avian hotspot, with numerous bird species calling the estuary home. Boat rides begin with a cruise beneath a perfect canopy of interwoven mangroves, revealing a winding network of waterways rich with bird life. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a crocodile lounging on the banks, giving off vibes reminiscent of an unbothered dinosaur. For restful lodging after a day of spectacular birding, head to San Blas’s four-star hotel, the Garza Canela, a family-operated establishment for 50 years featuring Chef Betty Vasquez’s excellent restaurant, El Delfin.

La Cruz & Bucerías

Circle back down towards Puerto Vallarta, stopping at the Muelle Nuevo de San Blas (New Pier of San Blas), another expansive beach framed by the Sierra Madre mountains ideal for a stroll.

Bucerías is just ten minutes further down the road and is known for its sprawling flea market; however, be advised that quite a bit of it consists of tourist trinkets. Instead, explore the town’s art galleries and home decor stores along and around Calle Lázaro Cárdenas. If you’re there on a Thursday, don’t miss the Bucerías Art Gallery’s Art Walk from 7:00-9:00 PM.

TOP TIP: Many of the above-mentioned events take place between November and April, closing during the heat of summer. Plan accordingly!

Bailey Freeman traveled with support from Riviera Nayarit. GoTravelDaily contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.