Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in the state of Jalisco. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, water sports, and vibrant nightlife. With its stunning natural landscapes, including the Sierra Madre mountains and the Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta attracts tourists from all over the world.
Be part of the Sea Turtle Camp Conservation effort in Puerto Vallarta!
During the summer months, the shores of Banderas Bay become a sanctuary for female sea turtles as they leave the safety of the ocean to embark on a crucial stage of their lifecycle: laying their eggs in the warm sands of our beaches to be incubated by the sun. After depositing their eggs, the females return to the sea, entrusting the next generation to the care of nature. When the hatchlings are ready to emerge, volunteers who have tended to the nests for approximately 50 days keep watch until sunset, ensuring their release under the cover of darkness to minimize the risk of predation by birds, fish, and other natural predators.
The Sea Turtle Camp offers a rare opportunity to witness this marvel firsthand. By participating in this tour, not only do you assist in guiding the baby turtle hatchlings to the ocean, but you also contribute to the dedicated efforts of a team of Mexican biologists and volunteers working tirelessly to bolster the survival rates of the Olive Ridley sea turtle, a species facing the threat of extinction. Moreover, you will gain insight into the workings of a turtle camp and may even have the chance to help “plant” your very own turtle nest.
Nayarit is a tropical wonder whose Pacific coastline stretches for almost 200 miles.
Travel north from Puerto Vallarta along the Pacific coast of Nayarit. Nayarit offers travelers and beach lovers an enchanting array of experiences along its Pacific coastline. With its pristine beaches, from the bohemian charm of Sayulita to the luxurious resorts of Punta Mita, Nayarit caters to every type of beachgoer. Adventure seekers can indulge in thrilling water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing, while those seeking relaxation can bask in the sun and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The region’s vibrant beach towns also boast a rich culinary scene, where fresh seafood delights and traditional Mexican flavors tantalize the taste buds. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a taste of local culture, Nayarit’s coastal beauty promises an unforgettable getaway for travelers and beach enthusiasts alike.
The towns surrounding Puerto Vallarta offer a variety of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Here’s a closer look at what you can find in some of these areas.
Punta Mita
Punta Mita is home to luxury vacation rentals and 5 star resorts. This exclusive enclave offers visitors a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, with opportunities for golfing on championship courses, indulging in spa treatments, and enjoying water sports like surfing and snorkeling.
Sustainable Stays
Four Seasons Resort: On the white sands of Riviera Nayarit’s serpentine coast, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, stands an enticing hideaway that sees more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The beachfront hotel rests on 52 acres with incredible surf, lush jungles and endless adventure. The resort offers renovated casita-style guest rooms and well-appointed villas and beach homes, the newly refreshed free-form Nuna infinity-edge pool and the revitalized Tamai pool deck. Four seasons has initiated many sustainable practices to aid in a positive interaction with the local community and environment.
ONDA Surf Hotel: ONDA Surf Hotel has focused on creating an authentic and eco-friendly travel experience in the exotic location of Punta de Mita, Mexico. In this rustic surfing and fishing village, ONDA Surf Hotel has re-purposed shipping containers that are fully finished for comfort, style, sustainability and a laid back atmosphere. Some features include surf rentals, bike rentals, yoga sessions, massages, activity coordination, plenty of beach towels, beach bags, beach umbrellas, boogie boards and beer to make sure your experience is like no other.
Get Involved
WildMex Surf and Adventure: WildMex offers a direct opportunity for volunteers to join the team, help support daily chores and activities, in exchange for housing and access to surfboards, mountain bikes and paddle board rentals.
Punta Mita Project: The Punta MIta Project serves meals to the children and Punta Mita community. The project was started amidst the global pandemic to give back to the community. Their mission is to feed children, nurture children, and bring joy. Contact Punta Mita Project to get involved.
Sayulita
Step into Sayulita, a captivating coastal retreat nestled on the Pacific shores of Mexico, embraced by the grandeur of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. This enchanting village is celebrated for its dynamic surf scene, embodied by the bustling Sayulita Beach. For those craving tranquility, Los Muertos Beach lies to the west, embraced by natural rock formations, offering a peaceful oasis. Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural mosaic of the area as you peruse galleries showcasing exquisite artworks crafted by the indigenous Huichol community. Embark on a southwest journey to the Marieta Islands, where a spectacular realm of biodiversity unfolds, featuring majestic humpback whales and playful dolphins dancing in the crystal-clear waters. Sayulita beckons with its harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural riches, promising an unforgettable odyssey for the intrepid traveler.
EcoHike Sayulita offers interactive hiking experiences for the whole family. Their mission is to promote ecotourism by creating unique and fun moments that promote conservation and sustainable use of nature.
Natikari- Rancho Verde, sources funding to buy ore and more land to prevent development. Rancho Verde offers a variety of ecotours to give you the opportunity to experience the jungle first hand with experienced guides. google
Learn to surf with Sayulita Surf School, a family owned and run by the Gonzalez brothers.
Beaches of Sayulita
Playa Sayulita (Main Beach): Closest to the main restaurants and town
Playa De Los Muertos: Close to town but more private than Main Beach. To get there, walk to the end of Main Beach and through the Sayulita cemetery. Here you will find great waves for surfing.
Playa Carricitos: Soft sand and chill! Playa Carricitos is about 20 minutes from town. Walk through Playa De Los Muertos and then follow the coastal trail up a hill and then down a steep descent onto Playa Carricitos. Here you will find boulders and palm trees lining the beach.
Playa Malpaso: Also known as “Cave beach”, this is a beautiful quiet beach between Sayulita and San Pancho. From Sayulita, walk along a jungle path through a cave to reach the white sand beach.
Playa Patzcuarita: Playa Patzcuarita is between Playa Patzcuaro and Playa Carricitos, taking about 25-30 minutes to get to through the jungle. The half mile beach is made up of golden, white and black sand and is popular for horseback riding tours. Waves can be strong here which makes for great surfing.
Sustainable Stays
Playa Escondida Sayulita: A secluded private resort nestled in a beachfront setting surrounded by hills covered with jungle. This eco-chic resort features 32 unique rooms, perfectly integrated with the natural surroundings. Playa Escondida is located one mile from Sayulita, a 25 minute walk or a 10 minute golf cart ride. The resort offers golf cart rentals, yoga, spa, pool, poolside bar, snorkeling, and restaurant.
Casablanca Sayulita Hotel: This beach front hotel in Sayulita is only a 10 minute walk to town but far enough from the town’s noise to hear the waves crashing. Casablanca features 14 villas and a private house with a heated pool, a rooftop terrace, air conditioning, beach chairs and umbrellas, and located close to the turtle release program.
Haramara Retreat: Haramara (“Mother Sea”) is an intimate and secluded oceanside adventure and yoga resort offering sensual tropical harmony to every guest, along with superior yoga and wellness experiences. Each spacious cabana is made of all natural materials and offers exceptional ocean and jungle canopy views. Meals are created from what is fresh and local.
San Pancho
San Pancho, also known as San Francisco, is a charming coastal town nestled along the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Just over an hour north of Puerto Vallarta and ten minutes from Sayulita, San Pancho is a vibrant yet relaxed surf town. This tranquil village exudes a laid-back vibe, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the busier town of Sayulita. Visitors can wander through its cobblestone streets adorned with colorful murals, discovering quaint cafes, artisanal shops, and galleries showcasing local artwork. With its pristine beaches, lush jungle backdrop, and vibrant community spirit, San Pancho captivates travelers seeking a peaceful retreat immersed in natural beauty.
On the main street in San Pancho, there is a community center Entreamigos where you can get involved in environmental education programs, donate to a community closet, public school improvement projects and beach clean ups. Depending on the time you visit San Pancho, you can release baby sea turtles into the ocean with Project Tortuga.
Beaches of San Pancho
San Pancho Beach: Due to the larger waves, the smaller and less crowded San Pancho beach is less swimmable than the beaches of Sayulita. You have the option of surfing, enjoying a beach bar, renting a chair or sitting along the less crowded Northern end of the beach.
Marietas Islands: Referred to as the Mexican equivalent of the Galapagos Islands, the Marietas Islands consist of two remarkably biodiverse isles situated near San Pancho’s coastline. These stunning islands offer exceptional opportunities for birdwatching, snorkeling, and diving amidst their rich marine life. Within this breathtaking Marine National Park lies the renowned Hidden Beach, a singular gem nestled within a crater and accessible solely by swimming through a narrow tunnel.
Sustainable Stays
Tailwind Jungle Lodge: Unplug, rejuvenate, and explore natural paradise on the Mexican Pacific coastline, north of San Pancho, Nayarit. The Tailwind Jungle lodge was built with love by the Jacobi family in 2007. Retreats and adventurers (couples, families, honeymooners, solo travelers) from around the globe delight in this radiant jungle and stunning wild beaches. Creatively designed bungalows, palapas and casitas are perched amidst the palms, offer glamping and tree-house style comfort with Swiss Family Robinson vibes. Every day here is an adventure—kayaking, hiking, sailing, yoga, massage, SUP, surfing, and chilling in the hammock.
Maraica: Maraica produces its’ own energy with solar panels, recycled waste, treating wastewater and re-incorporating it as irrigation use in the ornamental gardens. Being equality eco-friendly and sophisticated place where you can live in harmony with the surroundings, this hotel in San Pancho Nayarit is an oasis of pure relaxation, comfort and ancestral wisdom in the heart of the “Wixárika” jungle, at the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Each room inside Maraica San Pancho is perfectly balanced with the Wixárika symbology from which its name comes, allowing you to connect with nature’s energy, the ocean and the mountains surrounding the entire hotel.
Pal Mar Hotel Tropical: PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical is a small boutique hotel located in the heart of the picturesque village of San Pancho, only three blocks from the beach. All rooms & suites are individually styled in Mexican contemporary design. The tropical and tranquil courtyard with a pool and lounge chairs is a perfect place to relax, being at the same time close to San Pancho´s gastronomic and cultural offer. You can walk to the beach in just a few minutes to catch some waves or simply contemplate the outstanding sunsets, discover the Mexican jungle and ocean wildlife or go for a walk through the cozy village – you are really close to everything that San Pancho has to offer. Hot water is produced by solar heaters, the rooms are equipped with modern energy and water saving technology and biodegradable and refillable cleaning products are used. Water filters are installed in all suites and at the reception for drinking water in order to avoid single use plastic bottles.
Lo de Marcos
Just over an hour from Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find wide calm streets with colorful flowering trees. This idyllic scene is completed by visitors that carry out various activities such as beach volleyball, jet-skiing, jumping in the calm waves with children, or even fishing off the shore. With its charming town center, authentic local cuisine, and opportunities for outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, and whale watching, Lo de Marcos provides an ideal destination for travelers seeking tranquility and natural beauty on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
El Centro de lo Gente and Amigos de Lo de Marcos are both organizations to benefit the community.
Beaches of Lo de Marcos
Playa lo de Marcos: The town’s main beach at the end of the street with golden sand and slow crashing waves. Head south to El Atracadero beach for a rocky inlet perfect for paddleboarding or kayaking. Head to the north end of Playa de Marcos for the estuary and surf break.
Sustainable Stays
One & Only Mandarina: Feel immersed in nature within your secluded cliff-top villa or treehouse, tucked away amidst emerald mountains teeming with wildlife. Take it all in from the peaceful serenity of your private terrace and pool, a stone’s throw from palm-fringed sands, swimmable shores and an energetic environment crafted for reconnection. For unrivalled seclusion, escape to your own villa or treehouse at One&Only Mandarina, boasting eco-conscious design and captivating rainforest or ocean views.
Chata Hosteria: Chata Hostería is the vacation home of the Orozco family, built in 1979, designed by the architect Moisés Orozco in colonial style with all its common areas open and nine rooms, it has been the place for family gatherings and coexistence. The vibe of the place makes you feel at home, as of 2018 it opened its doors to the public turning the house into a hostel. Chata Hosteria is adults only.
