1) Practice yoga on the beach - no matter what activities you plan for the day - centering yourself with a little exercise and meditation is always a great way to start the day!

2) Following your yoga, go swimming at the beach and enjoy the gorgeous scenery around you.

3) Surf’s up!  There is great surfing off the  Matanchen Bay beaches so you’ll want to practice your paddling and balance before you catch a wave.

4) Sailing is a wonderful way to see the coastline from the water so grab your sailing shoes and head out to sea! Just make sure you brush up on your boating skills ahead of time!

5) Charter a boat and head to Isla Marietas, an island off the coast where you will find an out-of-the-movies type of unspoiled beach aptly named “hidden beach”

Photo Credit: Visit Mexico

6) Hop on a horse and go riding or be a stylish spectator of the polo matches at La Patrona Polo & Equestrian Club where you can have brunch and stomp on the divots to work off those calories.

Photo Credit: Vallarta Lifestyles

7) Bird-watching will become a highlight of your trip to Nayarit.  San Blas is particularly popular among ornithologists who come to see the migratory birds.

8) Hop in that car you rented and drive the coast while stopping at the quaint towns along the way. Sayulita is one of the most popular and is frequented by celebrities.  Ed Sheeran, Camilla Cabello, and Cardi B filmed their hit single “South of the Border” here so dance your way along.

Photo Credit: Johnny Melon

MUST EAT Nayarit Gay-Friendly Dining

Foodies, bring your appetite because you’re in for a treat!  The region is conducive to growing plenty of produce such as coconuts, beans, bananas, mangos, sugar cane, and more. The sea brings forth bountiful fish options including oysters!  The combination means the cuisine in Nayarit is fantastic!

MUST EAT dishes include:

Ceviche - fresh seafood marinated in lime juice with onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro.  A delicacy whether served on the beach or in a fine restaurant.

Photo Credit: Borracha Mexican Cantina

Aquachile - this is another raw seafood dish made with shrimp, also made with lime juice, cilantro, cucumber, and onion.  It includes chili peppers too and is normally made in a molcajete which is the mortar and pestle that you often see used in Mexican cuisine for the preparation of guacamole or mojitos

Sopa de Ostión - this oyster soup is made with a broth of onions, garlic, tomatoes, bay leaf, oregano and coriander. Fresh oysters are added at the end and lightly simmered till done.

Tortas de Camarón con Nopales - dried shrimp and prickly pear fritters prepared with powdered chile, egg, and tomato and served with a chilacate sauce (chile sauce).

MUST VISIT: Nayarit Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

The capital of Nayarit is Tepic and there are many fun spots including MIKE’s Pub and 300 Nightclub.

Photo Credit: Turismo en Mexico

Sayulita, mentioned above, has cool music and bars where you can hang out with an international crowd.

Of course, you can always swing down to Puerto Vallarta if you want a bit more activity but we do not suggest you do it in one day - overnight is better so that you stay safe on the road.

Travel Safety Tips

Nayarit was a leader in Mexico in terms of focusing attention on international travel and safety with regard to the pandemic.  In 2020, their “Safe Travels” certification has been a source of inspiration for other areas to follow and they have done an exemplary job of keeping people safe and sound.

As always when you travel, we recommend that you keep your valuables locked in your hotel safe and be mindful of your surroundings.  If you take a little extra time to familiarize yourself with the local protocols, it’s always helpful too, especially as things often change.