Riviera Nayarit Travel Information

Situated a short ten minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport, Riviera Nayarit is framed by Bandera Bay and encompasses 200 miles of gorgeous Pacific shoreline. Getting to this lush beach paradise is a breeze, whether traveling by air or land.

Riviera Nayarit, which includes the beautiful towns of Sayulita, Flamingos, Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta, San Blas, Punta Mita and Puerta Vallarta, is one of coastal Mexico’s most visited regions, and for good reason. Pristine beaches, world-class golf and outdoor adventures beckon honeymooners and families alike.

Getting to Riviera Nayarit by Air

Most travelers arrive by air and fly into the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (airport code: PVR), which lies north of Puerto Vallarta.  Several Canadian and U.S. airlines offer daily flights to the Puerto Vallarta international airport, in addition to carriers like VivaAerobus, Aeromexico, Volaris and Interjet.

Alternatively, tourists can fly from Tijuana or Mexico City into The Tepic International Airport (airport code: TPQ), which is located about one hour from San Blas.
 
There are several ground transportation options available from the Puerto Vallarta airport:

• Airport Taxi – travelers can purchase a ticket for an official airport taxi inside the terminal. Costs can fluctuate depending on exchange rates, but expect to pay around $18 to Bucerias, $20 to Nuevo Vallarta and around $50 to San Blas.
• Rental cars – several national chains such as Avis, Hertz, and Alamo offer car rentals; their offices can be found inside the airport terminal and rentals can be pre-booked online in advance.
• Public Bus – Budget travelers can access the bus stop outside the airport by crossing a pedestrian bridge. Buses into the city cost around 15 pesos one-way (less than $1).

Arriving by Land

The Pacific Motorway is the primary freeway for road travel into the state of Nayarit. Federal Highway 15 connects Nogales to Mexico City, while Federal Highway 200 links destinations throughout Banderas Bay and Compostela with Tepic and Puerta Vallarta.

Crossing the border into Mexico can be a laborious affair during peak travel times and holidays. To dodge congestion and long delays, avoid crossing between 7am-9am and 4:30pm-6:30pm.
 
When driving your own vehicle or a rental car to Riviera Nayarit, you can stay safe by:

• Sticking to “toll-roads”
• Avoid night driving
• Buy Mexican car insurance as soon you’ve entered the country
• Always carry a spare tire

Driving in Riviera Nayarit

Many visitors prefer to have their own set of wheels, which allows freedom to explore at their own pace. If you are planning to rent a car for your Riviera Nayarit travels, keep in mind the following tips:

• You will need a valid US driver’s license
• Always purchase liability insurance, about $20/day. Mexico does not recognize U.S. insurance
• Avoid driving at night and never drive while impaired
• Stick to “toll-roads” – they are better maintained and safer
• Obey all traffic rules, speed limits and stay alert to pedestrian traffic

Getting around in Bucerias

Renowned for its epic scuba diving, Bucerias is one of the most popular destinations in Riviera Nayarit, and, even on weekends, it attracts fewer crowds compared with other tourist hotspots.