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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
La Tovara Mangrove Boat Tour
A 2-3 hour panga ride through mangrove tunnels to spot crocodiles, herons, and turtles, with a swimming stop at a freshwater spring; children of all ages enjoy the wildlife spotting
Playa El Anclote Beach Day
Calm, shallow water and beachfront palapa restaurants make this the easiest family beach in Nayarit; rent stand-up paddleboards or watch pangas launch for Islas Marietas tours
Islas Marietas Snorkel Tour (Family Boats)
Several operators run family-friendly glass-bottom or snorkel tours to the Islas Marietas with life jackets for kids; check the minimum age with the operator before booking
Sayulita Beach & Surf Lessons for Kids
Sayulita's gentle beginner break is one of the best places in Mexico for children to learn to surf, with several schools offering kids' group lessons
Cocodrilario de San Blas (Crocodile Farm)
A small, low-cost crocodile sanctuary that is an easy, engaging stop for young children between other San Blas activities
Marival Nuevo Vallarta Water Park Access
Some Nuevo Vallarta all-inclusive resorts include water-park-style pools and slides, a reliable rainy-day or hot-afternoon option for younger kids
Huichol Art Workshop Visit (Tepic)
Family-friendly cultural stop browsing Wixárika beadwork and yarn paintings at the Tepic artisan market; some cooperatives offer simple hands-on demonstrations
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
All-inclusive luxury resort with kids club, multiple family pools, and calm swimming beach
Marival Emotions Resort & Suites
All-inclusive with water park access, kids club, and family suites; strong value for families
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
All-inclusive with kids club, swim-up suites, and a dedicated beach club area for families
Hotel Real de Sayulita
Pool, garden courtyard, and family suites at a fraction of Nuevo Vallarta resort prices, walking distance to Sayulita's calm town beach
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
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Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Nuevo Vallarta's all-inclusive resort corridor is the easiest base for families with young children — calm water, kids clubs, and short airport transfer
Sayulita and San Pancho suit families with older kids and teens who want a walkable town plus surf lessons
San Blas's La Tovara boat tour and crocodile farm are excellent day-trip options for a change of pace from the beach
Book pediatric-aware travel insurance and confirm your hotel has a doctor on call or nearby clinic
Swim only at beaches with visible lifeguards; steer young children away from beaches known for rip currents (San Pancho, stretches near Punta Raza)
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours — the sun is intense even on cloudy days