Activities
Below are just a few of the amazing activities available in the area
Beaches
Escape the crowds of Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita and enjoy the pristine white sand beach of Lo de Marcos. Sip a cold coconut, watch the local fisherman bring in their daily catch and relax in the warm ocean waters.
The beach is a beautiful white sand crescent with rocky outcroppings on both sides that are ideal for snorkeling. The ocean is typically very calm, providing excellent stand-up-paddle and kayak conditions. When the surf is up, a fun left hand point break runs along the rocks on the north end of the beach. After an afternoon in the sun, enjoy a cold beer and fresh ceviche at one of the many beachfront palapa style restaurants.
Fishing
The fishing and spearfishing in Nayarit is world class. Seasoned fisherman can fish the river mouth at Lo de Marcos beach where it is not uncommon to land a 20+ pound Pargo or Spanish Mackerel from shore!
Take a fishing tour aboard a local 20 ft. Panga and troll the outside waters for Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish and Marlin! The fishing tour will pick you up from Lo de Marcos beach and includes cold drinks and all your fishing gear.
You can also book larger boats out of Punta de Mita for 1/2 day and full day deep sea fishing. Perfect option to catch that trophy fish.
Horseback Riding
Enjoy a tour on horseback through the virgin jungles of the Nayarit and along the beach at Lo de Marcos. The horseback tour originates from the front door of your casa at Rancho Escondido. The horseback tour is a fantastic way to spend a day and see some of the most spectacular views in the country.
Catamaran Sailing
Punta de Mita is regarded as one of the most beautiful peninsulas in Mexico. Enjoy a tour around the waters aboard one of the local luxury catamarans. Snorkel the crystal clear waters of the Las Marietas Islands where you will find hidden beaches, caves and a wide variety of exotic sea life.
Whale Watching
Each winter, the humpbacks migrate from the arctic to breed and rear their young in the sheltered coasts of Banderas Bay. December to March is the best time to see these amazing creatures up close. You will get a sea-level view and be able to hear the whales songs with on-board hydrophones.
Surfing
Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit spans 100 miles of pristine coastline, from Nuevo Vallarta all the way to San Blas. The highest concentration of quality surf spots in this region is around the Northern tip of the Bay of Banderas where there are over a dozen pristine surf breaks with crystal clear tropical water. In the heart of the Riviera, Punta de Mita is an impressive 1,500-acre pear-shaped peninsula surrounded by the Pacific on three sides—and home to one of the most awe-inspiring coastlines in the entire country.
The surf in this region of Mexico is generally 1/2 to 1/3 the size on South swells of more powerful breaks to the South such as Pascuales, Nexpa or Puerto Escondido. For average surfers, longboarders and SUP this is welcome news considering mainland Mexico’s surf can reach 20-30ft at the most exposed spots. It is unusual to see surf over 6-8ft face heights in this region.
What is lost in size is compensated for in quality. The spots inside the bay well protected and offshore in the dominant afternoon Westerlies. The ideal swell angles are 205-230 (SW) or 280-300 (WNW). The SW swells are most common from April to October and the WNW swells from December to March. Tropical swells from storms passing to the West provide another source of swell from June-October. Overall the surf is very consistent for longboarding and SUP and less consistent for shortboarding. For this reason, this is a great destination for longboarders, SUP, beginners and intermediates, while potentially disappointing for Alpha shortboarders seeking larger, hollower surf on a daily basis.
If you’re a mellow surfer with a positive attitude seeking a nice trip with your girlfriend, wife, family or friends and enjoy experimenting with different equipment, maybe a little golf, fishing or snorkeling, you’ll be very content here in this tropical paradise. The breaks in this region are a mix of coral reef and rock bottom, with a few beachbreaks. There are both right and left breaks, but rights are dominant by about 2 to 1. A-frame peaks, long walls, rippable sections and perfect lines are typical of this region, not so much big tubes, but there are opportunities to get barreled, including a few ledges and reefs. The dry season is from November to April and the wet season is from May to October, although both can be lovely. The dry season is cooler and less humid, while sultrier tropical weather prevails in the wet season.
Nearby Pueblos
Lo de Marcos
The inviting and authentic Mexican pueblo of Lo de Marcos, yet to be discovered by foreign tourists, is located just 15 minutes north of San Pancho. It is a popular spot with affluent Mexican families who vacation here on weekends and holidays, spending the entire day from dawn to dusk frolicking at the beach. The beach is great for a relaxing walk or a horseback ride.
Lo de Marcos is clean, quiet and tranquil and the locals are very friendly. On most weekdays, you may find you have its wide expanse of beautiful, unspoiled beach to yourself. Lo de Marcos is a great destination for a family vacation or for expats seeking a beautiful beach, solitude, nature and tranquility.
Sayulita
Sayulita started as a tiny fishing village on the coast of Mexico and has become a world famous tourist destination. Located just north of the Bay of Banderas, Sayulita is renowned for its rare black and white beaches and amazing surfing. The surf is perfect for beginners of any age and background. Restaurants and high-end boutiques surround the town square.
A recent government ordinance prevents the cutting of trees in order to maintain the enchanting feel of this once undiscovered tropical paradise. The town was recently designated "Pueblo Magico" or "Magic Town" by the Mexican tourism board.
San Francisco (San Pancho)
Just north of Sayulita, is the quieter but equally vibrant San Francisco, known to locals as San Pancho. A brand-new Polo field attracts weekend visitors to wine and dine in the patio restaurant/lounge overlooking the game. The San Pancho Cultural Center offers nightly events including film screenings, art openings, cultural workshops and concerts.
There are several popular restaurants downtown specializing in wine bars and global cuisine. The community has also put together a cooperative garden in the center of town and an impressive recycling program. An expansive beach lines this charming town filled with beautiful little beach houses and manicured gardens.
Guayabitos
Rincón de Guayabitos is a small and colorful resort and fishing village nestled between the rugged Sierra Madre Occidental mountains and the gentle Bay of Jaltemba. It is widely known as a safe, friendly and family-oriented beach town, as well as a vacation spot for budget-conscious travelers. Over the past 5-10 years, Guayabitos has gained popularity as a vacation and second home destination for Americans, Canadians and Europeans.
The name Rincón de Guayabitos means “corner of little guava trees” in reference to the guava orchards that used to be planted throughout the bay area.
Chacala
Chacala is the least developed vacation spot on Mexico’s West Coast. It is just south of the well known vacation town of San Blas and north of the popular vacation destination, Puerto Vallarta. While Chacala was a Mexican commercial port 100 years ago, it has been relatively hidden until a new road was built a few years ago.
Chacala offers a calm bay with gentle surf for swimming, fishing and snorkeling excursions and has some of the best surfing in the area. Chacala is an ecological convergence zone for hundreds of birds and sits under an ancient volcano where one can hike and look back on the sweeping vista of Chacala Bay.