The Magical Towns of Riviera Nayarit

Gays are magic. We sprinkle fabulousness wherever we go, we wear tacky/triumphant ensembles, and we make inhibitions disappear.

Ta da! You’re welcome.

A group as majestic as us deserves vacation vibes to match. Luckily, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism has put marvelous on the map in the form of Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). These designated destinations preserve the vibrant heritage of their indigenous populations while welcoming tourists into a handful of picturesque hamlets, and you can find several enchanted enclaves in the state of Nayarit.

Magical Towns truly live up to their name. They exude small town charm with big time attraction. From delectably authentic cuisine to world-class shopping to pristine beaches and people watching galore, the appeal of Nayarit has no boundaries.

Now, we know what you’re thinking (mind-reading is part of our gay magic): “It must be difficult to travel to these regally rustic hotspots, right?”

Wrong!

You can fly non-stop from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta in just over two hours, at which point you are perfectly poised to explore the wonders of Nayarit. So, pack your spirit of adventure and get out and proud…

Jet Set with JetBlue

North America’s best airline just got best-ier! JetBlue’s route from LAX to PVR is paved with satisfaction and convenience. Their unparalleled staff is committed to whisking you from the City of Angels to a devilishly great getaway.

Festive is their philosophy. The inaugural flight featured balloons festooning the departure gate, playful paper spectacles for passengers, and a bingo game that rewarded winners with spa packages, hotel stays and gourmet gift certificates.

JetBlue is the rare flight that you (almost) don’t want to end. No layovers or connections necessary… unless you count Cloud Nine!

Before you can say “pass the peanuts,” you’re touching down in one of the queerest cities on gawd’s gay earth: Puerto Vallarta. The Zona Romantica neighborhood is peppered with sexy saloons where go-go men shake their speedo burritos, so you simply must experience the exquisite excess of PV. But once you’ve had your fierce fill, it’s time to discover the adjacent transcendence waiting to wow you…

Nuevo Nayarit

Formerly known as Nuevo Vallarta, this sparkling city changed its name in 2022. The new handle is designed to remind travelers that as they venture just north of PV, they are leaving the state of Jalisco and embarking on a Mediterranean-esque voyage. In fact, the 190-mile-plus coastline is nicknamed Riviera Nayarit due to its upscale accommodations and downright gorgeous scenery.

A whopping 10% of all hotel rooms in the state of Nayarit are located squarely in the sprawling seduction of Vidanta. Resorts don’t get more resplendent than this, as you will appreciate once you are consumed by its on-site golf course, beachfront perimeter, central river, and a SkyDream gondola that connects all of the above.

Call the midwife, because you’re about to get pampered!

Sample local wines made with grapes that benefit from the perfect climate: sultry temperatures countered by cooling ocean breezes. But fruit can’t have all the fun; human visitors will also love the bespoke blend of weather patterns that characterize the endlessly intoxicating aesthetics of Nayarit.

San Pancho and Sayulita

Beach, please! If you’re seeking frothy waves and even frothier beverages, curve your compass to San Pancho. Seaside eateries serve sustenance for the soul as they look out at the infinite water, so you can alternate between sipping margaritas and dipping your toes in the mighty Pacific.

San Pancho’s coastline is practically private, so you can cavort with aplomb without stepping on anyone’s sandals. While you’re in town, take in the artistry that surrounds you. Brilliant murals weave their way along the streets, guiding you to even more eye candy: the shopping scene. This small berg’s retail stores feel more like galleries, where custom couture lines the shelves daring you to wear every gregarious garment.

Just minutes away, the surf town of Sayulita bustles with vida! Men aplenty bare their body-ody-odies in the revealing rays of señor sun. It is a playground of yay… a yayground, if you will. Go horseback riding along the mountain terrain or chart a catamaran with scantily clad hunks.

Had enough muscles? Try some mussels! The seafood in Sayulita flourishes with freshness, and its preparation is uniquely decadent while remaining true to its ingredients. For example, the Ahi Asada at Don Pedro’s looks more like filet mignon than tuna. It arrives on a mattress of mashed potatoes, seasoned with mint tomato dressing that tickles the palate and makes you yearn for each sequential bite.

The foodie landscape of Nayarit is almost as alluring as the aforementioned men, so let’s keep our tasty tour trucking to the pinnacle of peckishness…

Punta Mita

Gourmet all day in the lavishly luxurious town of Punta Mita. Sea bass is a staple of this culinary Mecca, flexing its versatility like a frat boy on Pride weekend. For example, you can enjoy it mole style or with Mexican caviar… the sea bass, not the frat boy.

Pair your fare with breathtaking sunset views that linger long after the fiery orb has nestled beyond the horizon. Punta Mita is dappled with dazzling resorts like Conrad; this Hilton property is the embodiment of refinement, but you might also recognize its contribution to trashy TV. The Bachelor rented the entire estate to film its season finale because if you’re going to make shockingly irresponsible life decisions, you might as well do so at the fanciest digs imaginable.

Every corner of Conrad shimmers with opulence. Hot tubs perch impossibly from architectural outcroppings along the hotel balcony, swim-up bars sling exotic libations so that swimmers never need to leave the comfort of their indulgence, and the beachside beckons guests to stroll the most jaw-dropping, eye-popping vistas in Nayarit.

All that walking will inspire a desire to decompress. Conrad’s indoor/outdoor spa experience is a wellness wonderland, igniting the power of tradition and innovation. An on-site Shaman guides your cleansing ritual, which includes herbal steams and nature walks. Massage professionals set up shop in thatched huts that look like elaborate human nests. On the other end of the salon spectrum, the spa facilities are stocked with enough high-end product to conjure your inner queen (or king).

Jala and Compostela

Keep that spa life steaming ahead in the quaint town of Jala. The facilities at the Nukari Quinta Boutique evoke the grandeur of Roman baths while simultaneously maintaining a discreet sense of restraint.

Ascend from the depths of the spa to the height of hedonism at Nukari’s rooftop restaurant and bar. Prime cuts of steak sizzle on a heating stone served at the center of your table. Look, don’t touch, and feast! Wash it all down with a hibiscus cocktail sourced from local ingredients yet mixed with global panache.

The nearby Magical Town of Compostela boasts one of the oldest churches in the continent, dating back to the 16th century. As a testament to the village’s grasp on diversity, a small gazebo opposite the church hoists a Pride banner touting the town’s queer festivities. In one 360-degree perspective, the heritage of yesteryear and the hope of tomorrow waltz in grand gay splendor.

As you explore the outskirts of Compostela, you’ll discover Café Melote, a coffee farm percolating with perfection. The aroma of roasting beans blankets the air, caressing nearby vines as they mature from green buds to cherry fruition and eventually into your simmering morning beverage.

Hawt enough for ya? Oh, it gets hawter. A quick jaunt away, you’ll find Volcán Ceboruco, an active volcano that seethes dreamy fog from its rugged topography. And when you’re ready for eruptions of a different sort, you can return to the gayborhood in Puerto Vallarta mere miles away.

Nayarit is a cacophony of comfort. It provides metropolitan services in the warm embrace of rural and suburban Mexico. And it’s all just a joyous JetBlue flight away. So dust off your passport and bust out of the ordinary because Nayarit is ready to romance you.

For more on this slice of paradise, visit rivieranayarit.com.

[All photos by Kevin Perry]