This winter travelers can escape the cold and enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Rivera Nayarit, Mexico! Thanks to new non-stop flights from cities like New York, Sacramento, Kansas City, and St. Louis, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, and Atlanta, offering direct flights to Puerto Vallarta.
Once in Riviera Nayarit, visitors can enjoy the traditional Fiestas Guadalupanas in early December and honor the Virgin of Guadalupe with a vibrant 12-day festival featuring folkloric dancers and Mariachi music. Winter is also prime surfing season, with 3-5 ft. along the coastline offering fun for surfers of all skill levels.
Additionally, majestic humpback whales and their babies pass through the region during this time, making Banderas Bay a top destination for whale watching from mid-December through March.
Those eager to immerse themselves in the region’s magic will enjoy staying at the family-friendly Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resortor the romantic adults-only Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, located just 50 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta and nestled between the lush Sierra Madre mountains, golden sand beaches, and surf-friendly waters of Banderas Bay.
The all-inclusive, all-suite resorts serve as the perfect home base to explore the adventure-rich and culturally vibrant region while indulging in world-class comforts, luxurious suites with stunning ocean views, Unlimited-Luxury® inclusions, eight gourmet dining options, seven lively bars and lounges, a kids club, and a teen’s club, 13 pools, a 33,382 sq. ft. spa and endless daytime and nighttime entertainment for the entire family including an innovative multimedia live art show featuring an immersive waterfall experience and a new 18,600 sq. ft. water park.
Active guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including pickleball, snorkeling, and surfing with lessons available for all skill levels right by the shore.
A standout of the resort is its prime location for observing the breathtaking whale migration, visible from suite balconies, rooftop restaurants, or pools. Adding to the experience, a “WHALE” bell by the beach signals sightings to everyone. For those seeking a closer view, guided tours to the bay offer an unforgettable encounter.
Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, the spectacular Pacific coastline of the state of Nayarit, is one of the leading vacation destinations in Mexico. However, travelers may be curious to know that for as popular and well-traveled, there’s still more undiscovered treasures to explore. On that list is San Blas, a small coastal village beloved as a local favorite but frequently off the tourist trail for U.S. and Canadian travelers.
Known for its ecotourism, undeveloped beaches, seafood cuisine, and easy access to adventure and cultural tourism as well as being steeped in natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage, and history, San Blas is a must.
Nestled on the northern part of Nayarit’s west coast, the small seaside village is approximately 90 miles north of Nuevo Nayarit It is roughly an hour from the Riviera Nayarit International Airport (TPQ).
Its distant allowed the four miles of beachfront in San Blas to remain pristine, rugged, and wild. As such, San Blas is a thriving environment for eco-tourism and wildlife. Come discover the navigable canals surrounded by mangroves, the small islands, and the annual arrival of more than 300 migratory birds — perfect for bird watching.
A visit to this gem on the Pacific Coast of Mexico wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the San Blas beaches. El Borrego, whose fine golden sands stretch for two miles, is one of the most frequented destinations, particularly among seasoned surfers. After a quick boat ride, visitors can explore the wonders of Isla del Rey, a paradise of natural beauty.
Speaking of surfing, not far from San Blas is Playa Las Islitas Nayarit, a secluded beach on Bahía de Matanchén renowned for some of the best surfing conditions in Mexico. All along this beach, you’ll find traditional thatched-roof huts serving up a variety of delicious traditional dishes such as freshly prepared fish and local seafood from the region.
Also essential is a visit to the Piedra Blanca, a small rock formation off the coast of San Blas Mexico where the image of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Virgin —also known as La Marinera— is found. This virgin is the patron saint of sailors, and San Blas residents pay homage to her every year on October 7. The Piedra Blanca is also an important ceremonial center for the native Huichol people.
But the beaches are just the beginning when it comes to the natural beauty of San Blas. Natural wonders include a tropical marsh featuring the El Pozo estuary, the La Tovara National Park, and the San Cristóbal River. La Tovara National Park is located just 1.2 miles from San Blas Mexico and is one of the region’s most impressive natural attractions
Within the national park, visitors have the opportunity to explore by boat and appreciate the lush mangrove forests, home to turtles and birds. Visitors can also appreciate the floating wooden homes, occupied by the first settlers of the region. Further down the San Cristobal River is a community crocodile sanctuary, where reptiles and other animal species are the subjects of wildlife research and conservation.
San Blas has a fascinating history. The origins date back to the late 17th century when the port was constructed as a shipyard and point of departure for the colonization expeditions of the Spanish Crown. The first maritime customs house in Pacific Mexico was established herein San Blas, and the town became the most important port of the region.
Visitors can still see the historic buildings with their impressive architecture, such as the Contaduría stronghold constructed in 1770. A few steps away are the ruins of the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Temple, constructed in 1769. The building near the pier where the Culture House now stands was once the Maritime Customs House, erected in the 19th century to control the traffic of merchandise that came through the port.
When it comes to hotels in San Blas, it’s all about local, sustainable, charm, and intimacy. You won’t find any international chains or all-inclusive hotels here. That’s because San Blas is all about keeping accommodations locally owned and environmentally friendly.
Hotels like Hotel Garza Canela or Hacienda Flamingos are more indicative of the accommodation offerings, focusing on attention to detail, personal touches, spectacular local gastronomy, and beautiful ocean views.
San Blas, with its haciendas, historic buildings, quiet streets, family restaurants serving local cuisine, and beautiful beaches as well as frequent whale sightings and plenty of activities, San Blas is an immersive experience, a wonder off the beaten path. It is, in other words, an undiscovered paradise.
BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR ONCE AGAIN WELCOMES WHALE MIGRATION SEASON
Baja California Sur, the southern half of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, is the annual winter playground for whales of many species where the spectacular sight of whales in near proximity becomes downright commonplace. Whether in the lagoons and bays off the Pacific Coast or around to the eastern side of the peninsula up into the Gulf of California, whale watching in Baja California Sur is a bucket list adventure for the whole family.
Each year more than 20,000 gray, humpback, and blue whales (among others) travel 6,000 miles from the cold waters off Alaska to mate, socialize and give birth in the shallow, nutrient rich bays and lagoons of Baja California Sur. As they engage in this extraordinary pilgrimage, they also provide a magical opportunity for locals and tourists alike to witness the graceful creatures in their winter habitat.
The routes and habits of the various species differ, as do their personalities and interest in us as the human onlookers. But all offer fascinating insights and experiences with some of the planet’s most enigmatic creatures.
The charming municipality of Loreto is well known for its natural beauty and intimate proximity to some of nature’s finest offerings, but nothing comes close to the awe-inspiring sight of a blue whale, the largest animal on earth. Blue whales, often shy and elusive, make their way south along the western side of the peninsula but for a few winter months they can be found exploring up into the Gulf of California and in the tranquil waters of the Bay of Loreto.
In Mulegé, further north, gray whales make their way to the lagoons of San Ignacio and Ojo de Liebre, part of Mexico’s El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve—the largest wildlife refuge in Latin America which was established in 1988. These shallow lagoons have been the breeding grounds of gray whales for thousands of years.
Visitors can take small boat excursions out to lagoons to witness the whales as they near the boats. Known to poke their heads out of the water and interact with humans who come to watch them, gray whales have developed a reputation of being some of the most socially receptive and mellow whales in the ocean. The nearby small municipality of Comondú also offers whale watching excursions in the ports of San Carlos and Adolfo López Mateos where humpback, gray, and finback whales all can be spotted.
Whale watching is highly regulated in Baja California Sur, with the safety and preservation of these mammals and their ecosystems always taking priority. Tours consist only of small groups, led by marine biologists and local whale experts who are familiar with all the various species and conservation efforts.
As an area known for its rampant wildlife, seabirds and other marine mammals such as dolphins and sea lions can also be found in Loreto, Mulegé and Comondú. Baja California Sur also offers other ocean activities such as diving, kayaking, and snorkeling, making it a paradise for adventure seekers. Travelers can explore the area on-land further by mountain biking, hiking, or exploring the town and enjoying family-owned shops and restaurants.
About Baja California Sur
Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, the state of Baja California Sur encompasses the southern half of the Baja Peninsula. The climate is perfect for fishing, boating, surfing, and diving, making the destination an adventurer and thrill-seeker’s dream. The state features breathtaking scenery from the windswept ocean beaches on the west to the tranquil, turquoise waters on the east. In between are canyons, desertscapes and lush oasis ripe for exploration. Known for its extraordinary marine life, whale watching is one of the area’s most well-known tourist attractions along with sportfishing, kayaking and bird watching. More information on Baja California Sur’s Loreto and northern regions can be found at Visit Baja Sur.
