Nayarit is Mexico's rising Pacific-coast star, home to the glamorous Riviera Nayarit beach towns of Sayulita, Punta de Mita, and Nuevo Vallarta, the colonial surf port of San Blas, and the Wixárika (Huichol) heartland of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It blends barefoot-luxury resorts, world-class surf breaks, mangrove wildlife, and small-town Mexican culture within a couple of hours of Puerto Vallarta's international airport.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Islas Marietas National Park
Highlights: Snorkeling around Los Anegados reef with sea turtles and tropical fish · Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach), a collapsed sea cave reachable only by swimming in · Humpback whale sightings on the crossing, December through March · Blue-footed booby nesting colonies on the exposed rock islets · Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding inside the protected cove
San Blas & La Tovara Mangroves
Highlights: Boat safari through La Tovara mangrove channels spotting crocodiles and herons · Swimming at the freshwater spring inside La Tovara National Park · Hilltop ruins of the Fuerte de San Basilio overlooking the Pacific · Colonial plaza and Templo de San Blas in the historic town center · Fresh seafood at palapa restaurants on Playa El Borrego
Mexcaltitán Island Village
Highlights: Circular village street layout linked to the Aztec migration legend · Museo del Origen exhibits on the island's Aztlán heritage and shrimping history · Panga boat crossing over the Marismas Nacionales wetlands · Shrimp tamales and caldo de camarón at waterfront comedores · Templo de la Candelaria on the central plaza
Tepic City & Huichol Culture
Highlights: Huichol ceremonial art and beadwork at the Museo Regional de Nayarit · Neo-Gothic Catedral de la Purísima Concepción on the Plaza Principal · Artisan shops selling authentic Huichol yarn paintings and embroidery · Regional Nayarit dishes at Mercado Adolfo Ruiz Cortines · Colonial architecture and folk art at the Museo Emilia Ortiz
Chacala Beach Escape
Highlights: Swimming in the calm, horseshoe-shaped Chacala bay · Hike to the Mirador de Chacala for a panoramic bay view · Palapa restaurants along the boardwalk serving fresh-caught red snapper · Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding rentals on the beach · Quiet coastal walk north to Playa Los Muertos de Chacala
Laguna de Santa María del Oro
Highlights: Swimming and kayaking in the crater lake's blue-green water · Circular hiking trail along the forested crater rim · Bass and tilapia fishing from rented boats · Lakeside palapa restaurants serving fresh fish over the water · Pedal boat and paddleboard rentals at the lakeshore
Ixtlán del Río Archaeological Zone
Highlights: Circular temple to Ehécatl, the wind god, unique among western Mexican sites · Los Toriles ceremonial platforms and ballcourt · On-site museum of Ixtlán culture ceramics and shaft-tomb figures · Pre-Hispanic burial areas within the excavated zone · Regional lunch stop in Ixtlán del Río's town market
Puerto Vallarta Malecón (Jalisco)
Highlights: Bronze sculpture walk along the 12-block oceanfront boardwalk · Sunset views and street performers at the Los Arcos amphitheater · Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church with its distinctive crown · Isla Cuale river island craft market and walking paths · Zona Romántica galleries, boutiques, and seafood restaurants
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Items
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Overview
- Rental car offers the most flexibility for Nayarit's spread-out day trips; ETN and Vallarta Plus buses connect Tepic with the coast; boat charters are mandatory for Islas Marietas, Mexcaltitán, and Isla Isabel.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Note the time zone change: Nayarit runs on America/Mazatlan time, one hour behind Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco — build in the difference when day-tripping across the state line
Rent a car for San Blas, Chacala, Mexcaltitán, and inland Tepic day trips — public transit thins out quickly north of San Pancho
Start early for Mexcaltitán and Laguna de Santa María del Oro; both require a full day round trip
Islas Marietas requires advance booking — the park caps daily visitor numbers and closes Mondays and Tuesdays