Have you been ever to Mexico? If you’re from the USA, then chances are that you must have probably heard of or even visited Cancun. Cancun is a very nice place indeed but doesn’t you want to go to some beach paradise where you can still find virgin beaches un-spoilt by maddening spring break crowds?
Here is one secret destination which has been away from the gaze of tourists till now. I am talking about Riviera Nayarit. This heaven on earth stretches on the west coast of Mexico along the Pacific Ocean. It spans more than 190 miles with lush jungles, hills, sandy beaches and flourishing wildlife of every kind.
Riviera Nayarit is dotted with some small towns as well as popular ones such as Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Sayulita and Punta Mita. Each of these towns has a distinct character which captivates the travelers. The region now finding a mention in the travel magazines and brochures so it will not be too long before hordes of tourists will be heading here.
What I personally found most attractive in Riviera Nayarit was its setting. It is sandwiched between the hills and the Banderas Bay. This dream like location makes it a home to all kinds of creature – marine, birds, and land animals. Bahia Banderas Bay is Mexico’s largest natural bay teeming with aquatic life which is arguably the richest in terms of diversity. You can easily find Humpback whales, dolphins, Manta Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Moorish Idol, Nurse Shark, Whitetip Reef Shark, Spanish Mackerel, Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna and much more. Anglers have a great time indulging in sports fishing. The waters here also houses many endangered species of sea turtles such as Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Green sea turtles. These sea turtles nest on the sand beaches of Riviera Nayarit every year. After the eggs hatch the baby turtles instinctively head towards the sea which is a miraculous sight. Since sea turtles are endangered many conservation efforts are held during their nesting so that they can lay and hatch their eggs in complete peace and security.
For water sports, one can swim with friendly dolphins as well enjoy sailing, boating, kiteboarding, surfing, snorkeling, and diving.
Riviera Nayarit is also perfect for land based activities because of its jungles and rolling hills. It has a wide variety of avian population. You can indulge in bird watching with the region boasting of over 400 species of birds. Species like Green Macaws, Tropical Kingbird, Hooded Oriole, Amazon Parrots, Blue-footed Booby Bird, Frigatebird and Laughing Gulls can be seen in their natural habitat among the tropical forests.
For adrenaline junkies like me, there are options such as trekking, horseback riding, ATV rides through jungles, mountain biking and zip lining with a view of the jungle skyline.
If you’re more concerned about the traditional sun and sand travel options, Riviera Nayarit won’t disappoint even one bit. The beaches here are to die for. There are endless stretches of golden beaches with the sparse crowd which is such a surprise considering the fact that these beaches are some of the world’s best beaches.
So for your next vacation, choose Riviera Nayarit over the more popular Riviera Maya and experience a different world altogether.
