Riviera Nayarit: Mexico's New Hotspot

Located along Mexico's Pacific coast, just north of Puerto Vallarta, lies Mexico's newest resort area — Riviera Nayarit. The area features over 100 miles of coastline, with luxurious beach enclaves scattered throughout. There's a mixture of traditional and new, with sparkling new hotels and spas combined with the area's rich pre-Columbian heritage, cuisine, and folklore. In short, it's the ideal spot for a relaxing and pampered honeymoon.

What to Do
Visitors to Riviera Nayarit will be drawn to the spectacular scenery and beachside activities. In addition, the area boasts several golf courses, three spas, and a plethora of "fresh from the sea" seafood restaurants. Riviera Nayarit is also known for its colorful, traditional handicrafts and art.

Where to Stay
The majority of the resorts in the Riviera Nayarit area are four and five-star properties. The region is divided into small resort areas, including Punta Mita and Nuevo Vallarta. Among the best hotels and resorts are:

• Four Seasons Resort — Located in the Punta Mita area, this luxury resort features four restaurants, a full spa, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course. Ideal for honeymooners are the resort's one-bedroom suites, each with an ocean view, separate living area, and private plunge pool.

• Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort — Situated along Banderas Bay in Nuevo Vallarta, this all-inclusive resort has won TripAdvisors' "Best Luxury Resort" designation, among other honors. Facilities include four restaurants, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and two pools. Not only are the accommodations spacious, but rates include everything—room, meals, transportation, drinks, 24-hour room service, live entertainment, and a host of activities and sports.

• Marival Resort & Suites — Also located in Nuevo Vallarta, this 495-room resort is designed to resemble a Mediterranean village. In addition to the white sand beach, facilities include a beauty salon and spa, a business and convention center, a kid's activity center, two swimming pools, and multiple restaurants.

How to Get There
Riviera Nayarit is easily accessible from all over the world via Puerto Vallarta International Airport, which is located just south of the region. Travelers from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, and many other U.S. cities can fly non-stop into that city. Visitors from abroad and smaller U.S. cities can arrive via connecting flights in those hubs. Most of the better hotels offer complimentary transportation from the Puerto Vallarta airport to Riviera Nayarit.

For more information on Riviera Nayarit, see:
Riviera Nayarit Tourism Web site (http://www.vallarta-mexico.com/site/index)
Four Seasons Punta Mita (http://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/)
Grand Velas All Suite & Spa Resort (http://www.grandvelas.com/)

Image:
Puntamita.jpg
On the beach in Punta Mita
(photo credit: Flickr user: Nick Hodge/cc license)

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