5 Towns to Visit from Puerto Vallarta, Beach Edition

Puerto Vallarta has been for almost 50 years a first-level tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. Its paradisiacal beaches and its lush-green mountains have turned it into one of the favorite places of Mexicans and foreigners for conventional, adventure, and ecological tourism.

A few days ago, we published the first part of 5 towns close to Puerto Vallarta worth visiting. Today, we bring to you 5 coastal towns, all located in Riviera Nayarit.

Bucerías

Bucerías is a small and quaint town, yet full of life and activity for all tastes.  It boasts one of the longest uninterrupted beach strips in the entire Bay.

The name Bucerías comes from the predominant activity in yesteryears. Many of its inhabitants practiced diving –buceo- as a sport and fishing form.  Today, Bucerías is an enchanting town with the spirit of a traditional Mexican town with cobblestone streets, brightly colored homes with enormous wooden doors and an overall feeling of tranquility.  It features striking similarities with the Puerto Vallarta of a few years ago, with excellent restaurants and a blooming music and plastic arts scene.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Puerto Vallarta

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a samll town in Banderas Bay located about 20 miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Beaches in the area are famous for their fine golden sand.  They are divided in five sections: El Tizate, Cruz de Huanacaxtle, La Manzanilla, Piedra Blanca and Arena Blanca, where you can admire the beauty of the sea and visit their restaurants, both typical and modern.  During the last few years La Cruz has been object of a transformation that is turning it in a center of important economic activity with the construction of several real estate developments and with the creation of the Riviera Nayarit Marina.

Previously: 5 Towns to Visit from Puerto Vallarta

Sayulita

Color, rhythm, cobblestoned streets, wonderful beaches, and much more is what this picturesque town has to offer you. It has become THE place to escape for surfers, good music lovers and bon vivants. If you are not an expert surfer yet, you can attend some school to learn how to connect with the sea through this discipline, or if you prefer it, just enjoy refreshing drinks and tasteful dishes in some restaurant with a great view. Its beaches are paradise-rich in wild life, and as an option boat tours are available.

San Francisco Puerto Vallarta

Better known as San Pancho, it is a small town where traditions combine with current trends. Among the activities you can enjoy are horseback riding, water sports or simply delight in its gastronomy. By its streets you can smell the aroma of coffee from different shops. Its beaches are a beautiful color contrast between the blue sea, the white sand, and the green mountains. Take advantage of such a peaceful place to pamper yourself with a massage or another treatment to ease tension from your body.

Rincón de Guayabitos

This town has beaches with warm waters where you can practice water sports. Available are canoeing, rowing, ski, sailing, and surf, but our recommendation is to scuba dive. Its crystalline waters let you appreciate the marine flora and fauna. Two captivating spots are Coral Island and Cangrejo Island. The Kiss Beach and the Turtle Beach are also a great attraction for visitors. Also, between June 19 and 27 you can attend the festivities in honor of the Virgin of the Perpetual Succor, where music, dancers, floats, and fireworks fill the streets of the town.