Gorgeous Space Features a Gourmet KitchenN°001
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
From $14,945 per night
Riviera Nayarit is Mexico's Pacific-coast stretch north of Puerto Vallarta, known for golden beaches, jungle-clad headlands and polished marina resorts. Renting a luxury villa here pairs private pools and ocean views with concierge service, giving families and groups space, privacy and an enviable base for surf, golf and sunsets.
- Curated luxury villas with private pools, ocean views and dedicated concierge
- Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta golf, dining and yacht moorings on the doorstep
- Surf, whale watching and Marietas Islands excursions across Banderas Bay
- Warm, dry winters ideal for sun-seeking holidays
- Quick transfers from Puerto Vallarta international airport
Known forPacific beaches, surf breaks, marina resorts, whale watching and Banderas Bay sunsets
Best time to visitNovember to April for dry, sunny weather; December to March for whale season
Nearest airportLicenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), Puerto Vallarta
Ideal forFamilies, groups of friends, golf and surf trips, multi-generational holidays
First Floor Two Bedroom Residence LoftN°002
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Hot Tub
From $14,835 per night
Luxurious 2 Story Apartment With Hot TubN°003
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Private PoolHot Tub
From $12,555 per night
Gorgeous Two Bedroom Residence Loft in MexicoN°004
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Private PoolHot Tub
From $12,555 per night
Grand Deluxe Villa with JacuzziN°005
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Private PoolHot Tub
From $9,000 per night
Stunning Deluxe Villa with plunge poolN°006
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Private PoolHot Tub
From $9,000 per night
25homes available
1–6bedrooms
up to 22guests
10with a pool
Events not to miss in Riviera Nayarit
- Late January or early February
Festival Sayulita
Sayulita's laid-back festival blends independent film, live music and agave-spirit tastings in the vibrant surf town. Peak dry-season weather makes it an easy addition to a villa week.
- April
Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic
Acclaimed chefs and golf professionals converge on the exclusive Punta Mita peninsula for tastings, dinners and tournament play. The Riviera Nayarit's most glamorous fixture.
- Late February or early March
San Pancho Music Festival
The village of San Francisco, known locally as San Pancho, hosts a beloved free community music festival on its plaza. A warm-hearted evening out from villas along the coast.
- October
Vallarta Nayarit Gastronómica
A leading Mexican culinary summit brings star chefs to the Banderas Bay area for dinners, classes and tastings. A delicious reason for a shoulder-season stay.
Riviera Nayarit through the seasons
- Dry Season (December – April)
Humpback whales and cloudless days
Whales breach across Banderas Bay from December to March while the coast enjoys months of warm, dry perfection. High season for Punta Mita's beachfront villas.
- Late Spring (May – June)
Quiet beaches and turtle nesting
Crowds thin, the heat builds and sea turtles begin nesting along the shore. A relaxed, good-value window with the ocean at its calmest for paddleboarding.
- Green Season (July – September)
Jungle greens and sunset storms
Daily afternoon rains keep mornings bright and turn the Sierra Madre lush, with dramatic evening skies. Surfers head to Sayulita and Punta de Mita's reliable breaks.
- Autumn (October – November)
Gastronomy and the season's return
The rains fade, culinary festivals arrive and turtle hatchlings make their dash to the sea. An appealing shoulder season before the winter whales return.
The Area
Riviera Nayarit runs along Mexico's Pacific coast from the northern shores of Banderas Bay up towards San Blas, in the state of Nayarit. It blends laid-back surf villages with manicured resort enclaves, backed by the Sierra Madre foothills and fringed by long beaches, river estuaries and offshore islands. The region sits beside Puerto Vallarta yet feels calmer and more residential, with gated communities, championship golf and full-service marinas. Microclimates shift from mangrove lowlands to jungle headlands, and the warm Pacific draws surfers, sailors and wildlife watchers alike. Luxury villas in Riviera Nayarit cluster around the marinas and beachfronts, offering privacy, generous outdoor living and the polish of a mature destination still rooted in Mexican character.
Where to Stay
Choosing a base depends on the holiday you want. Nuevo Vallarta offers wide swimmable beaches, golf and family-friendly resorts within easy reach of the airport, making it a natural fit for villas with children. Marina Vallarta centres on a yacht harbour ringed by restaurants and a golf course, ideal for those who like dining and walkability close at hand. Quieter residential pockets such as Mismaloya, on the bay's southern shore, trade beaches for dramatic headland views and seclusion. Smiling House features a curated collection of luxury villas across these areas, including standout residences and developments such as California, Proyecto Escola and Tau Residence, each chosen for space, design and reliable concierge support.
Things to Do
The Pacific shapes most days here. Surfers head to Punta Mita and beaches further north, while calmer bays suit paddleboarding and swimming. Boat trips to the Marietas Islands reveal protected wildlife and the famous hidden beach, and December to March brings humpback whales into Banderas Bay. Golfers have several championship courses to choose from around Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Mita. Inland, jungle canopy tours, river floats and tequila-country day trips add variety, while sportfishing for marlin and sailfish remains a regional draw. Back at the villa, the concierge can arrange private chefs, in-villa spa treatments, yacht charters and excursions, letting groups balance adventure with unhurried days by the pool.
Dining & Nightlife
Dining in Riviera Nayarit spans beach palapas serving ceviche and grilled catch of the day to refined restaurants showcasing modern Mexican cooking. Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta concentrate the best of the dining scene, with waterfront tables, sushi, Italian and steak alongside regional specialities such as pescado zarandeado. Evenings tend towards the relaxed: sunset cocktails, mezcal tastings and live music rather than late clubbing, though nearby Puerto Vallarta adds livelier bars and venues for those who want them. A villa with a private chef is one of the region's quiet pleasures, turning local seafood and produce into long, candlelit dinners on your own terrace.
When to Visit
The dry season from November to April delivers the most reliable weather, with warm sunny days, low humidity and pleasant evenings. This window also coincides with whale watching from roughly December to March, making winter the prime time for both villa holidays and wildlife. The shoulder months of May and late October stay warm with fewer crowds and better value. Summer brings heat, humidity and afternoon rains during the June to October wet season, which keeps the landscape lush but can affect beach plans. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest, so book luxury villas in Riviera Nayarit well ahead for those dates.
Getting There
Most visitors arrive through Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) in Puerto Vallarta, which handles direct flights from major North American hubs and seasonal long-haul routes. From the terminal, Nuevo Vallarta and Marina Vallarta are short drives, while northern beach towns lie a little further along the coast highway. Private transfers, rental cars and pre-arranged villa pick-ups are all straightforward, and the concierge can coordinate seamless door-to-door arrival. Within the region, a car is useful for exploring beaches and inland excursions, though marina and resort areas are walkable. Smiling House can help arrange transfers so the journey from airport to villa is effortless.