Do you need a reason to visit Riviera Nayarit this year? Here are 10! Mexico’s Pacific Treasure is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017 and we’ve rounded up the 10 most exciting events happening this year along its nearly 200-mile coastline. Whether you start off the year at the San Pancho Children’s Circus in March or visit in December to experience the 12th Festival Sinergiarte, there are plenty of events for everyone to enjoy.
Please see below for details about the top 10 events taking place in Riviera Nayarit in 2017:
FOR THE FOOD LOVER:
9th Vallarta Nayarit Gastronómica
Date: TBD October
In 2016 this culinary festival united 6 Michelin Stars, including Mexican Chef Roberto Ruiz! With high expectations for 2017, the activities already lined up include workshops, pairings, tastings, dinners and special events for the most demanding culinary professionals and foodies.
22nd Festival Gourmet International
Date: November 10 – 19
Experience firsthand, the culinary creativity of some of the most highly qualified chefs in Riviera Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta and Tepic. What began as an idea to promote and enhance the culinary standards of the destinations, has turned into a magnificent cultural exchange of world-class cuisine featuring chefs from across the globe.
VII Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf
Date: November 30 – December 3
Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit’s Glamour Peninsula, is synonymous with luxury. Enjoy this signature event and its incomparable mix of gastronomy and golf in this favorite celebrity haunt—something undoubtedly hard to find anywhere else in Mexico. The event takes place at the two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses in Punta Mita: The Pacifico Course at the Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort and The Bahia Course at the St. Regis Resort. The Pacifico is rated as the #1 course in all of Latin America, whose optional “Tail of the Whale” par-three 19th hole is the only natural island green in the world. The newer Bahia Course features six stunning ocean holes.
FOR THE CULTURE SEEKER:
12th Festival Sinergiarte, San Pancho
Date: TBD December
For all things culture and art in Riviera Nayarit, this festival in San Pancho – the Culture Capital or Riviera Nayarit – is a must. Last year’s festival kicked-off with a parade followed by 3 days of local food, performances, workshops, sports tournaments and exhibits highlighting all the town has to offer. International and Mexican artists participate and some even donate their art. This celebration usually takes place at the end of every year and is open to all.
FOR THE FAMILY TRAVELER:
San Pancho Children’s Circus presents “Sueño de una noche de verano” (Dream of a Summer Night)
Date: March 22 – 25
In 2011, Cirque du Soleil’s co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix and his wife Monique Voyer created a children’s show at the Entre Amigos Educational Center in San Francisco. Their first show was so very well received, they started an arts school called “Circus of the Children of San Pancho.” Since then, the children have been able to put on breathtaking annual performances in a town that continues to be culturally inspired and takes pride in investing in the arts of the community – and this year is expected to be no different.
FOR THE FITNESS BUFF:
9th Half Marathon and 10K, Nuevo Vallarta
Date: November 25
Presented by the Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS), the Half Marathon and 10K will take runners under the palm trees in balmy weather, with a cooling sea breeze and breathtaking views of the destination. There will be live entertainment along the Half Marathon course and an exciting finish line with music, food and more!
FOR THE SPORTS ENTHUSIAST:
7th Open Water Swim Tournament, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Date: April 1
The Open Water Swim Tournament taking place in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle was recently admitted into the Global Swim Series, which connects swimmers from around the globe by creating a competitive and fun environment – exposing the destination to people from many countries around the world. Swimmers of all abilities and ages are encouraged to participate in this event with friends and family. The race consists of a single 1.25k loop and 3 or 4 loops for the longer distances. Afterwards spectators can head over to the Eva Mandarina Beach Club to enjoy a cold margarita.
VI International Beach Polo Cup, San Pancho
Date: TBD May
Combining the sport of kings with the beach has been a highly successful formula for the international positioning of the International Beach Polo Cup. This is the only polo competition that takes place so close to the water, as the players compete just a few yards from the waves in Flamingos. Participants include the best polo players in the country, as well as a handful of foreign competitors.
Wind Festival, Bucerias
Date: May 19 – 21
Bucerías, the Wind Surfing Capital of Riviera Nayarit, is celebrating its top sports competition during the Wind Festival, which is considered one of the top five most important of its kind in the world. Watching over 200 competitors riding the wind from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Bucerías on the DownWind race is an amazing sight, as are the Freestyle and Slalom races.
The 2017 World Sailing Annual Conference, Nuevo Vallarta
Date: November 4-8
Riviera Nayarit won the bid against the United States and Russia to host the 2017 World Sailing Annual Conference, making this the destination’s most recent achievement as it begins its 10th Anniversary celebrations. This annual conference is held at a central meeting point to review, discuss and celebrate the strategy of sailing. Taking place at the Paradise Village hotel in Nuevo Vallarta, the event will host four hundred committee members and 700 attendees, as well as a variety of social and international events throughout the destination.
For more information on Riviera Nayarit, please visit www.rivieranayarit.com.
