Recommend October 2010 - (Page 49)

At SeA From November through April, humpback whales put on a spectacle along the Riviera Nayarit shoreline. Given their propensity for drama, this species enjoys a good fight now and then and often breech to the great thrill of spectators. You can often spot them from land, although any number of outfitters, including Vallarta Adventures, can takes guests on a whale-watching excursion—and clients may get the added shows of manta rays jumping about and schools of dolphin frolicking around them. Surfing is huge here, of course, and has been for decades. Aficionados flock to many different beaches along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the waters off Destiladeras, Lo de Marcos, San Pancho and especially Sayulita, which has a number of surfing schools. Banderas Bay is also great for parasailing and snorkeling, especially around Punta de Mita and the Marietas Islands. Thanks to prolific Pacific waters, Riviera Nayarit is also a major spot for sportfishing, with half- and full-day excursions available year-round through several outfitters. Marlin, grouper, mahi mahi, roosterfish and many other species—“fighting” fish and others—pose different challenges for anglers. Departure points for fishing trips are plentiful, and include Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Punta de Mita, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Sayulita, Lo de Marcos, and San Francisco. Because of its breezy conditions and spiffy marina at La Cruz, the destination has quickly become a major nautical hub. This year alone, Riviera Nayarit welcomed several outstanding nautical events, including Regata Copa Mexico, the largest in Latin America, with some 600 vessels joining in; it’s set to take place every two years. This was also the site of the Latin American Boat Show and the Regata Bahia de Banderas. Riviera Nayarit now has the International Sailing Academy (ISA) in Riviera Nayarit, which will offer specialized sailing clinics to highperformance athletes. “We’re one of the few places in Mexico where we can do really good sailing because of the winds,” explains Marc Murphy, director general of the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau. Indeed, Riviera Nayarit has been chosen as the site of the 2011 PanAmerican Games for the sailing division. The Imanta Resort Punta de Mita offers modern amenities within lush unspoiled surroundings. For the Bird(erS) The Marietas Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is home to those adorable blue-footed boobies as well as different types of egrets, herons, pelicans and more. Although the avian population is heavy year-round in Riviera Nayarit, during the winter migratory birds flock to San Blas and La Tovara National Park. Riviera Nayarit is the second most important point in the American continent for birdwatching. Approximately 250 species of birds are indigenous or migrate to Riviera Nayarit each year; keep an eye on boat-billed herons, Mexican wood nymphs, black-bellied tree ducks and others. on LAnd If you think the bulk of the fun in Riviera Nayarit is at sea, think again. Visitors can get an eyeful of the Sierra Madre Mountains on a ziplining tour through dense jungle and hike or hop on an ATV or jeep safari to get a closer look at their surroundings. Horseback riding is good on the beach or through the mountains. For a more sophisticated pastime, there’s always San Pancho’s polo club, with an active season from November through May. ✹ Whales put on a spectacle along the shoreline from November to April. october 2010 R11

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Luxurious India by Rail, Plane and Boat
The Heavenly Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
Experiencing the High Life in Kenya
Savoring the North of England
Riviera Nayarit Travel Planner
Marival Residences & World Spa
Wildly Luxurious––High-End Vacations
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Does it Again
Guadeloupe
Five High-End Villa Stays
Compagnie du Ponant's Le Boreal
Palm Beach: Playground for the Rich and Famous
Hawks Cay Resort, Florida Keys
La Costa Resort and Spa, California

Recommend October 2010