Riviera Nayarit with the whole family
All-inclusive resorts minutes from the Vallarta airport, calm bays for the kids and laid-back beach towns just up the coast.
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Beachfront resorts and hotels in Nayarit
All-inclusives in Nuevo Vallarta, boutique stays and family-friendly picks, with rates that refresh automatically.
Five home bases on the coast
Heading north from Vallarta: pick the area that fits your family's plans.
- Nov–AprBest time to visit
- ≈ 3 hNonstop flight from Los Angeles to PVR
- ≈ 15 minAirport to Nuevo Vallarta
- Dec–MarHumpback whales in Banderas Bay
Postcards from the Nayarit coast
Protected islands, wood-grilled fish, papel picado streets and jungle running down to the sea.
- Marietas Islands from above
- Pescado zarandeado
- Papel picado in Sayulita
- Oceanfront golf in Punta de Mita
- Street art on the coast
- Last light on the beach
- Ziplining in the jungle
- A long stretch of Banderas Bay
Riviera Nayarit trip FAQ
What families flying in from the US and Mexico ask before heading to the Nayarit coast.
What documents do we need to fly from the US?
Every traveler, including children and infants, needs a valid passport for an international flight between the US and Mexico. If you are a US permanent resident, also bring your green card to return. Mexican citizens travel with a valid Mexican passport.
Which airport do we fly into?
Puerto Vallarta International (PVR), right on the Jalisco–Nayarit state line. From there, Nuevo Vallarta is about 15 minutes away, Bucerías about 25, Punta de Mita and Sayulita roughly 45 minutes, and Rincón de Guayabitos around an hour and a half by road.
Is Thanksgiving a good time to go?
Yes. By late November the rains are over, the ocean is warm and days are sunny and less humid. It is a popular weekend for US travelers, so book flights and hotels early. Humpback whales usually start arriving in December.
Which area is best for traveling with kids?
Nuevo Vallarta has the biggest cluster of all-inclusive resorts, with large pools, kids' clubs and wide, flat beaches close to the airport. Rincón de Guayabitos has a gentle bay, a classic Mexican vacation vibe and boat rides to Isla del Coral. Punta de Mita offers calm coves and luxury hotels.
What does an all-inclusive resort usually cover?
It typically covers your room, buffet and on-site restaurant meals, drinks, pools and resort activities. Specialty restaurants, spa, tours and transfers vary by hotel, so check what the rate includes in the hotel description before you book.
Is there a time difference within Riviera Nayarit?
Yes, and it is worth knowing. Bahía de Banderas municipality, home to Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Punta de Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho, keeps the same time as Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City. The rest of Nayarit, including Rincón de Guayabitos, is one hour behind.
Can we visit Hidden Beach on the Marietas Islands?
The Marietas Islands are a national park, and access to Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) is tightly limited: only licensed tours, a small daily quota, and the last stretch is a swim in a life jacket. Snorkel trips around the islands work well for kids comfortable in the water. Book ahead.
Which dishes should we try?
Pescado zarandeado, butterflied fish grilled over wood, is Nayarit's signature dish. Also try aguachile, smoked marlin tacos, shrimp tostadas and the banana bread sold in coastal towns. Bucerías and Sayulita have plenty of beachfront palapas.
How many days do you recommend?
For a Thanksgiving long weekend, 4 nights is enough to enjoy the resort plus one or two outings, such as an afternoon in Sayulita or a boat tour. With 6 or 7 nights you can pair Nuevo Vallarta with a few days in a quieter town like San Pancho or Guayabitos.
How do I receive my package confirmation?
Your flight and hotel confirmation arrives by email when you complete your purchase. Change and cancellation conditions depend on each fare and each hotel, and they are shown before you pay so you can review them.
Keep the whole family's boarding passes and resort booking in the app, ready for your Thanksgiving trip.
