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 trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Nayarit.
- Best
- November-April, dry season with cooler temperatures and clear trails
- Avoid
- June-October, rainy season with slippery trails, high humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms
- Items
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Heat exhaustion — start hikes before 8AM and carry more water than you think you need
Hazard: Limited trail markings on Sierra de Vallejo and Ceboruco — hire a local guide unless experienced with GPS navigation
Hazard: Venomous snakes are present in the Sierra Madre foothills; stay on marked trails and wear closed shoes
Hazard: Cell signal is unreliable on Sierra de Vallejo and Ceboruco; tell someone your route and expected return time