Everyone Loves the Riviera Nayarit!

Read the latest accolades then watch the Buzz to hear Rave Reviews from people like you!

Riviera Nayarit
Rob Johnson Reporting
CHICAGO (CBS) ―

The economy is tight, but you can still find travel bargains.
Smartertravel.com has come up with destinations where you can stretch your dollar.

Smarter Travel's #1 best destination of 2009: Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

Destinations to Watch in 2009

Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff - December 8, 2008

…Our top picks for destinations to watch in 2009 are bursting with up-and-coming, you've-gotta-see-this attitude. Not only are these destinations on the rise, but each offers good value to travelers looking to vacation affordably in the coming year.

With this much excitement to come, 2009 just got a whole lot more interesting.

Riviera Nayarit

Riviera What? If you haven't heard of the Riviera Nayarit yet, that might be because it's just that new. The 200 miles of Pacific Coast and mountains north of Puerto Vallarta launched itself as a brand new destination just last year. Since then, it has been busy putting itself on the map, investing major time and funds into building new tourism infrastructures.

The region extends as far north as the colonial beach town of San Blas. Between Puerto Vallarta and San Blas, you'll find just about every vacation experience possible. From the bohemian surf town vibe of Sayulita to the luxury resorts and Jack Nicklaus golf course of Punta de Mita, the towns along the coast cater to all budgets and interests. Colonial towns and traditional Huichol villages in the nearby Sierra Madre Mountains offer a whole other dimension to the traditional beach vacation.

There's plenty to do, too. Endless beaches, six major golf courses, cultural experiences, archeological sites, and adventure activities like snorkeling, whale watching, surfing, and even swimming with dolphins and sea lions will likely start drawing bigger crowds as more people catch on to the appeal of Mexico's newest Riviera.

Since the Riviera Nayarit is so close to the major airport in Puerto Vallarta, it's easy to get to and airfares are competitive from departure points around the U.S…There is also a wide variety of accommodations options offering something for every budget. Plus, because it's not yet a major tourist destination like neighboring Puerto Vallarta, and because the region is spread out, it's easier to find affordable activities and food in the towns of the Riviera Nayarit.

More Accolades for Mexico’s Newest Destination

Riviera Nayarit is a top destination in 2009 by Hideaways Magazine and BudgetTravel.com

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico (March 2009) – Just hailed as a top destination to watch by SmarterTravel.com and CheapTickets.com, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s newest destination, keeps its incredible momentum. In the February 2009 issue of Hideaways Magazine, Riviera Nayarit has been hailed as the newest place to discover, while BudgetTravel.com has highlighted the destination as the top budget travel destination given the favorable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso.

A wide range of new resorts, condominiums, golf courses and retail services are underway. The St. Regis Punta Mita and the new Jack Nicklaus championship golf course in Punta Mita have just opened and soon to come in 2009 are Los Veneros, a $126 million dollar resort in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

As an undiscovered gem in Mexico, Hideaways compliments the wide range of activities offered in Riviera Nayarit; “It offers many sporting attractions and a wide selection of settings and accommodations, from large luxury resorts and villas to boutique hotels nestled in impossibly romantic settings.”

With the exchange rate currently at 1 USD to about 15 MXP, BudgetTravel.com recommends this destination as a great value travel destination. In this economy, fun and relaxation shouldn’t be a luxury as Riviera Nayarit offers budget friendly accommodations and free cultural activities.

“Riviera Nayarit has undergone incredible growth since its inception almost two years ago. We are extremely proud of the region and excited about the strong positive response from visitors and the travel industry alike. There is much more to come and our resorts are offering an array of affordable packages to make Riviera Nayarit even more accessible,” said Marc Murphy, Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau.