The Riviera Nayarit is a nearly 200-mile stretch of coastline between the historic port of San Blas in the Mexican state of Nayarit to where the Río Ameca empties into Banderas Bay, in Nuevo Vallarta.
It includes such notable sites as Chacala Bay, Chacalilla, the archaeological zone of the Alta Vista, Aticama, Bucerías, Sayulita famous for surfing, San Francisco, Lo de Marcos, Los Ayala, Rincón de Guayabitos and Peñita de Jaltemba. Riviera Nayarit, was named to promote the beautiful coastline of Nayarit state. Famous for several spectacular beaches, as well as several great surfing locations, such as San Blas and Sayulita. San Blas is also one of the best birding locations in Mexico, as well as a historical naval port dating to 1531. Nuevo Vallarta tourism has expanded, but retains its spectacular expanse of beach.
According to the Riviera Nayarit tourism board, 2013 saw 2.3 million visitors to the destination, spending more than $1.6 billion. From the U.S. travel to Riviera Nayarit is highest from California, with 31 percent of the US market. This is followed by Illinois at 11 percent, Texas at 9 percent, Colorado at 8 percent and Washington at 5 percent.
So far, January 2014 saw 140,000 people to Riviera Nayarit, which is an increase of about six percent compared to 2013.
Airlines are adding new routes to Puerto Vallarta Airport, as well, which will help bolster the demand for the destination. Flights are expected from Lansing, St. Louis, Rockford, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Denver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
Delta Air Lines has increased service to four weekly flights between Atlanta and Puerto Vallarta, as of October 5, and four weekly services between Salt Lake City and Puerto Vallarta, starting October 1.
