3 Unique Riviera Nayarit Resorts on Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Riviera Nayarit stretches up Mexico’s Pacific Coast north of Nuevo Nayarit. I spent a week enjoying three resorts on the southern end of the strip, on the Bahía de Banderas, just a quick taxi ride from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). 

Jungle Fun at Delta Riviera Nayarit

I visited Delta Riviera Nayarit, a Marriott property, during the Mexican Independence Day holiday, and the all-inclusive resort was bubbling over with extended families who had driven in from nearby cities like Guadalajara for a vacation.

The resort, which was under partial renovation during my stay, felt like a wonderful jungle immersion, from the numerous stacked pools surrounded with lush tropical vegetation to the dining rooms, guest rooms, and common spaces built into the hillsides. I took an easy guided hike over the densely forested hill and got rewarded with sparkling views of the Bahia de Banderas below (and spotted a pretty huge spider lurking in her trailside web). You can also take a 15-minute complimentary van ride for a day at the beach at Tonati Beach Club a Marriott-owned restaurant and bar with beach chairs and wifi.

Dining

The food at the fresh and well-stocked buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner was quite tasty and satisfying. One night, I made a reservation for the family-friendly Japanese-style experience which included an amateurish hibachi show and a meal of veggie fried rice and a protein-packed stir-fry. The food, although basic, turned out to be quite filling, and my matcha cake dessert was a delight, so I did not have to stop at the 24-hour self-service soft-serve machine for a twist cone after dinner. Instead, I opted for karaoke at the lobby bar, where my fellow guests participated quite robustly, belting out mostly traditional romantic songs from old Mexico.

Drinking

The resort’s cocktails, including perfect palomas, were generous and well-prepared, made with fresh-squeezed juices and name-brand spirits. I could have lived without two hours of noisy leaf blowing each morning, but the resort has a comfortable, lived-in feel that felt a bit like an upscale family summer camp. 

The Future

My guess is that this resort will continue to improve with the baseline staff enthusiasm (and the Marriott brand) as a great foundation. The glittering new Zafiro building with its adults-only pools with bay views and more updated, contemporary food service bodes well for the future of this fun and friendly property.

Luxe meets surfing at W Punta de Mita

What’s not to love about W Hotels? They consistently bring a vibrant local feel to all of their properties. W Punta de Mita is no exception, with a very low-key vibe that reflects the native surfer lifestyle and extraordinary down-to-earth service. The luxe property is right smack on the ocean, so it’s easy to take a long 30-minute walk all the way to the public beach on the south end of the cove, although the two comfortably furnished pools, complete with margaritas and ceviche, make it hard to leave the property.  

Suite Life

I was booked in a Premier Suite, which meant I enjoyed the ocean sights and sounds from my king bed, my living room, my plunge pool, and front deck. I also had a whirlpool on my private back patio accessed by walking out the sliding glass shower door. I loved the local decor in my rooms, with fun, multi-colored tasselled throw pillows and a gorgeous hammered tin headboard.

Eats and Drinks

The chef-driven Rubra restaurant was closed for the slow season during my September visit, but I enjoyed dinner at Spice Market, enveloped in exotic decor and Southeast Asian flavors.  Breakfast outdoors on the terrace of Venazú was a delight, and a nightcap at the lobby’s Living Room Bar was marred only by the W Hotel marketing video playing on repeat on a nearby screen. 

Local Art

The unique Huichol Pathway, a marine-toned mosaic inspired by the indigenous artisans of Nayarit, stretches over 450 feet from the front desk all the way to the ocean via a walking bridge over the pool, an Instagrammable design moment that adds color and sparkle to the resort’s local feel. 

Infinite options at Secrets Bahia Mita

At Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort, a Hyatt Inclusive Collection adults-only property, I found thirteen pools, a lounge-y sun deck, a breezy moon deck, and reservable roof-top cabanas and Bali beds galore. Guests at Secrets can seamlessly enjoy the restaurants, pools, and bars at Dreams, the adjacent family resort, which greatly expanded my options for eats and drinks. 

The hotel opened in 2021, and it feels fresh and alive. The decor both in the rooms and in the public spaces combines thoughtful colors and textures, and includes neutral tones of slate, beige, and walnut, and natural fibers and materials like wood and marble to bring a calm, cool elegance in very simple and straightforward ways. 

Unlimited Eating

I devoured daily open-air lunches and dinners with excellent food and extra accommodating service. Breakfast at the Market buffet at Secrets was outstanding, with truly delicious Mexican specialties like sopes and huevos divorciados, an elegant tableside cheese and charcuterie selection, and a lox and bagel table loaded with several cream cheese flavors, accompaniments, and the best sesame bagel I’ve ever had. I enjoyed a lovely fish taco lunch overlooking the infinity pool at rooftop Olio, and an easygoing Italian dinner at Portofino. 

Sports Bars, Blue Drinks and Speakeasies

The collection of six bars at Secrets plus the six bars at Dreams include a very sporty Desires sports bar for catching the game, which hides the late-night Speak Easy that’s only open from 11 pm to 1 am, and the rooftop Sky Bar for Preferred Club members with panoramic Bandera Bay views all day long. I

nterestingly, I was told by the staff that the General Manager started as a Hyatt chef, and the up-to-date culinary offerings reflect his interest in delicious, current food trends that feel natural, not forced. That said, you still get Pringles and peanut M&M’s as snacks in your room, and the pool bars offer ice chests brimming with canned cocktails in accessible flavors like Jack Daniel’s and Coke, and lots of frozen fruity blue drinks. 

Relax at the Spa

The giant 33,000 square foot spa offers a hydrotherapy circuit, massages, and a salon plus bridal services. The spacious, windowed sauna and steam room kept me from feeling claustrophobic during my treatment, and the nineteen lavishly outfitted massage rooms offer complete comfort and serenity. 

Waterpark & Zipline

An 18,600 square foot water park, added in summer 2024 at the Dreams side and designed to integrate with the contemporary feel of the hotels, resounds for all ages, with a pirate ship, three heated pools, three water slides, and plenty of family-friendly dining options.

The new Zipline experience in the lush green jungle hills around the resort was a delight. The staff was encouraging and enthusiastic about making everyone’s circuit super fun, and pointed out native flora and fauna along the way as we hiked from point to point. Surf lessons are available on the beachfront, along with beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and kayaks. 

COOL PLACES TO VISIT IN THE AREA

San Pancho

I spent a relaxed morning in the adorable beach town of San Pancho, a 25-minute drive from Delta and about 40 minutes from the other two resorts, up the Pacific Coast past the cute and ever-growing surf town of Sayulita. I loved having a grounding moment of pure Mexican culture during my weeklong resort hop, simply shopping the main streets, swimming in the ocean, and having a seafood lunch under a palapa on the beach.

Be sure to bring pesos–there are no working ATM’s and few spots take credit cards–part of the charm and part of your Mexican adventure, and be sure to pre-book your taxi ride back to the resort ahead of time. 

Cachasol

I thoroughly enjoyed an educational evening tour, tasting, and dinner at Cachasol’s recently launched Raicilla distillery, just south of Sayulita. Owner James Montero’s friendly on-site staff provide in-depth explanations of the ancestral methods of making this less common agave distillate, and the outdoor bar and restaurant are set up to provide tasty cocktails, delicious local cuisine off the comal, and spirit pairings to emphasize the cordial idea that native ingredients work beautifully together.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

I thoroughly enjoyed my week on the Riviera Nayarit. Next time I’d visit Downtown Sayulita and take a boat to Islas Marietas, and I’d love to return to stay at any of these three resorts, especially during whale watching season (January-March).