SAYULITA
Adventurous travelers and nature lovers will find their ideal beach in this colorful destination, as the waves and bohemian atmosphere invite you to challenge the sea or relax at sunset with a cocktail in a beach bar.
You don’t need to be an expert on a surfboard to enjoy this town, as Sayulita is also a culinary reference point on the Riviera Nayarit, with bistros, bakeries and boutiques specializing in national spirits.
Practicing wellness tourism is also possible in holistic centers. There is no shortage of spiritual retreats and yoga classes on the beach.
Not to be missed: stay in Sayulinda (sayulindahotel.com) and try the pizzas and wood-fired cooking at La Rústica (larusticasayulita.com), as well as the Italian dishes at Don Pedro’s Restaurant & Bar (donpedros.com) and seafood at Sí Señor (@sisenorbeachrestaurant).
JALA
The imposing road framed by volcanic rocks anticipates the arrival to this town, located at the foot of Ceboruco, which boasts charming cobblestone streets. In its center there is a calm local atmosphere and there are food stands where corn-based snacks predominate, a jewel of its products to which they dedicate the Corn Fair every August.
Among the architectural treasures of the region is the Lateran Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, which surprises with its spectacular façade.
To live an ecotourism experience you can schedule the Ceboruco Volcano Nature Route, which allows you to appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna, in addition to offering impressive panoramas. Another option is to join the magical alleyways organized by the Rondalla Joyas de Nayarit every Saturday.
Must-see: Stay at Nukari Quinta Boutique (hotelnukari.com), and try esquites and shaved tostadas on the terrace of this hotel, whose menu was designed by chefs Betty Vázquez and Marco Valdivia. You also have to try the vegetarian tamales and tostas de lomo at Restaurant y Café Los Monroy.
COMPOSTELA
If there is a city in Nayarit that evokes times gone by, it is Compostela. Among its colonial architecture with cobblestone streets, it is easy to discover treasures such as the Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol, which was founded in 1530 by the conquistador Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán and named in honor of Santiago el Mayor, the patron saint of Spain, and the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela.
In addition, this town is a good starting point to explore the natural beauty that surrounds it, such as the agricultural and mountainous landscapes, with tobacco, sugar cane and coffee plantations.
Not to be missed: visit the Ramón Ibarría leather workshop, known for the quality of its huaraches, try raspados with fruit syrups at El Manantial, as well as the coffee of the region.
SAN BLAS
One of the most important chapters in the history of Mexico is written among the beaches and mangroves of this port, because it was a strategic point for the colonial expansion of the Californias and other regions of the northwest of the country.
From its recently renovated pier, the Manila Galleon departed, a transpacific route that was a key piece for the trade of goods between New Spain and the Philippines.
To protect this area, the San Blas Fort was built, also known as La Contaduría, located on a hill overlooking the port. Another important point is the port area.
Its rich gastronomy, such as fish grilled over firewood, can be enjoyed in the arbors and restaurants along the bay.
If you want to appreciate the biodiversity of this region, you have to visit the La Tovara nature reserve, where you can see an impressive variety of flora and fauna.
In our experience, we flew from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (with Volaris) and from there we began our route by car through some towns. Another alternative is to start a trip from the Nayarit capital. Aeroméxico, for example, flies from Mexico City to Tepic International Airport. To practice slow travel, consider at least seven days. In total, there are nine Magical Towns in Nayarit; in addition to the four we discuss here, take advantage of this vacation to discover the secrets kept by the other five towns: Ahuacatlán, Amatlán de Cañas, Ixtlán del Río, Mexcaltitán, Puerto Balleto (Islas Marías). For more inspiration, check out (visitnayarit.travel).
Source: reforma
