Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

Recap of the area 

Buying Real Estate north of Puerto Vallarta

Riviera Nayarit

The Northern Costa Vallarta Region stretches from Punta Mita to Guayabitos, or the complete northern coastline outside the Bay of Banderas. This coastline is mostly under developement with a few small communities such as Sayulita and San Pancho being the most popular.

San Francisco

San Francisco (San Pancho) is a quite little town 31 miles north of Puerto Vallarta known as the best surf spot on the west coast of Mexico. The beach is big and open, and receives southwest to northwest swells. San Francisco is also known for its natural beauty. This great North Shore destination is easily reached by car, bus through one of the many tour operators.

Sayulita

Sayulita is a very popular little town 22 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Sayulita is located in a cozy cove where the jungle meets the sea. Sayulita is a very tipical Mexican town which attracts many long board surfers because of its rolling waves. Now a road joins it to Punta de Mita.

North Shore Region

The area that extends from Nuevo Vallarta to Punta Mita, is known for beautiful surf, craggy coves, remote villages and small pueblos. Life goes at a slower pace here, much like the Mexico of old. It has an arid climate and features mango, banana and papaya groves. Yet, amongst all this quiet splendor, is progress. Set into the hills and beach of Punta de Mita is the new Four-Season Resort and golf community, boasting a private Jack Nicholas course with an optional island hole.

Punta Mita

Punta Mita is located at the northern tip of Banderas Bay, 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta on the Punta Mita Highway. This once-remote beachside fishing village is now home of the a major real estate development with an 18-hole Nicklaus golf course and a Four Seasons Resort. The beach here are quite spectacular, however the terrain can be quite dry. It is quite a contrast to the other side of the bay which is rich in green hillside jungle. Next to Punta Mita is the beach community of El Anclote, which offers reasonable rentals in oceanfront condominiums and a few homes.

 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

 La Cruz Marina or Riviera Nayarit Marina is the most up to date in the bay. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a tranquil town north of Puerto Vallarta settled in the 1930s by the Chavez family who built a working ranch north of Banderas Bay.This is where the beautiful and peaceful La Manzanilla beach is located. Here swimmers can safely play in the shallow surf that reaches 100 feet into the sea. Many major developments are going on in this, the fastest growing section of the bay.

Bucerias

Bucerias, located 12 miles north of the airport, Bucerias is popular with Canadian and North American visitors Bucerias, or "Place of the Divers," enjoys a 5-mile stretch of white sand beaches that is the longest along the entire coastline of Banderas Bay. This beautiful beach comes alive on Sundays when locals bring their families for a day at the shore. Its long shallow shoreline is perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing and shell collecting. Popular rentals for beachfront homes.

Nuevo Vallarta

Nuevo Vallarta is a planned residential-resort community 15 minutes north of the airport, the project was begun by the federal government more than 10 years ago. Today, it is home to luxury villas and estates with lush tropical gardens that line the winding canals, each with its own private docking pier. The area also offers new deluxe resort amenities on more than three miles of beach. There are two marinas, the more modern Paradise Village marina, and the older Nuevo Vallarta marina

Puerto Vallarta Region

The area that comprises Puerto Vallarta proper, begins at Marina Vallarta near the international airport and continues through the Hotel Zone that stretches from the marina to the downtown area. Downtown is divided into two areas, north and south, and then follows the coast south through the neighborhoods of Altavista, Amapas and Conchas Chinas, as far as the Camino Real Hotel.

Marina Vallarta

Marina Vallarta is home to one of Mexico's largest and most sophisticated marina complex, this 500-slip marina is bordered by several condominium projects with a malecon full of shops, art galleries and restaurants, including the El Faro lighthouse bar. It has an 18-hole golf course, water park, and several 5-star hotels. It is one of the biggest communities in Vallarta with beach, golf course and marina homes and condominiums. Popular rentals are condominiums in the marina or on the beach

Hotel Zone

The area from Marina Vallarta to El Centro, is known as the Hotel Zone. This is where the major concentration of hotels and resorts are located–huge towering buildings with all the amenities set in a tropical paradise. All located on the beach with restaurants, shops, nightclubs and shopping centers within easy walking distance. Beachfront condominiums for rent are most popular

Downtown North

Downtown North is the heart of Vallarta, where the Malecon can be found welcoming visitors into the center of town. There are historic buildings, beautiful cathedrals, shops, galleries, beaches, and restaurants galore. Here one can find the famous cobblestone streets that wind there way through the oldest part of town. Wonderful classic Vallarta homes are available to rent, as well as apartments and condos.

Downtown South

Downtown South is also known as the Romantic Zone, Los Muertos Beach or Colonia Emiliano Zapata. The main streets, Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo, offer cozy restaurants and bars, trendy boutiques and abundant nightlife. On the beach itself are some of Vallarta's finest restaurants and nightlife here is abundant. From beach clubs to martini bars, most are open nearly all night. Beachfront condominiums and B&Bs set right on the beach are available to rent.

Conchas Chinas

Conchas Chinas, an upscale neighborhood, is the most prestigious and popular residential area of town. It is also known as "the Beverly Hills of Vallarta." In Upper Conchas Chinas, along steep winding roads, are sprawling villas in the $2-3 million price range built into the jungle side with fabulous views that overlook the city and the Banderas Bay. Below, in Lower Conchas Chinas are some of the grandest older homes on the shoreline of Puerto Vallarta. Luxurious homes and condos for rent.

South Shore Region

The area where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the shores of the Banderas Bay, starts just after the Camino Real Hotel and continues all the way to Yelapa. It is an area full of coves, small bays, rivers, and secluded, remote beaches accessible only by boat. Here the jungle creeps to the beach, making it a perfect tropical setting. John Huston, chose Mismaloya to film the famous "Night of the Iguana," the set of which is now a landmark restaurant.

Mismaloya

Mismaloya is the small bayside village where in 1963 Hollywood director, John Huston chose to make the movie "Night of the Iguana," which changed the history of Puerto Vallarta forever. It is still a quaint beach location where the Mismaloya River meets the sea. One of the most popular beaches on Banderas Bay, it offers sea kayaking, jet ski rentals, parasailing, and panga launches, and of course a wide selection of beachside restaurants.