This is self-explanatory.

Pi Day (March 14 or 3.14)

Nuevo Vallarta, aka Nuevo Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit is the 200-mile stretch of coastline in the Mexican state of Nayarit. It stretches from San Blas in the north to Nuevo Vallarta, just north of Puerto Vallarta. Many of the beaches along this stretch are world-class, and Nayarit has taken it upon itself to ‘brand’ its coastline with the name ‘Riviera’ after France’s famous Mediterranean beaches. The sugar-white sand beach of Playa Distiladeras that we love so much is a tiny 2-mile stretch of Riveria Nayarit.

Nuevo Vallarta anchors the extreme southern end of the Riveria Nayarit. As a planned residential-resort community, it is one of the most unMexican communities in Mexico. I like to call it ‘Little Miami’. It is beautifully landscaped and lined with hundreds of new hotels, condos, resorts, and villas. Two gorgeous marinas have been carved out of hidden bays and river outlets. It is a golfing haven featuring two giant courses. The commercial zone consists of a shopping mall and a large modern hospital, which screams retirement community. To distinguish itself from Puerto Vallarta, in 2022, the name was changed from Nuevo Vallarta to Nuevo Nayarit. Needless to say, few Mexicans live in Nuevo. It is nearly all white Canadians and Americans. 

I have visited Nuevo a few times, including playing a private party at a condo with Jeff. As I said, it is beautifully landscaped. It is clean and brand new. The streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure are in excellent shape. That said, it flaunts ostentatious wealth and severely lacks character. There is nothing funky, or unique, or eye-catching, or interesting. The boxy hotels and condos look comfortable, but sadly they all seem cut from the same cookie-cutter.

I had heard the 3 miles of sand beach were pristine sugar-white, much like our beloved Playa Disiladeras. The problem was that we couldn’t find public access to the beach every time we went to Nuevo. The hotels and condos hogged the entire beach. 

This time we thoroughly researched this issue and came up with three obscure access points. Armed with this knowledge, we took the bus to the Nuevo exit on Highway 200. We were going to catch a collectivo from there to the marina, where a Tuesday market was being held. An enterprising taxi driver offered us a ride to the market for 70 pesos. We accepted. 

The market is a lot like the La Cruz Market. In fact, many of the vendors are the same. There is a circuit for these higher-quality arts and crafts vendors. Monday: Guayabitos. Tuesday: Nuevo Nayarit. Wednesday: La Comer department store (the smallest of the markets). Thursday: La Peñita. Friday: Sayulita. Saturday: Puerto Vallarta. Sunday: La Cruz. 

La Cruz is still the largest, in the prettiest setting, and has the best music; however, Nuevo’s version has its own niceties. It has three large tents to provide adequate shade. The one thing that the La Cruz Market lacks is a good place to sit and eat. This is addressed at Nuevo. There is plenty of seating under the tents.

Our taxi driver.

The Nuevo Market is held in the marina's parking lot. Although this provides a big area, it is less picturesque than the La Cruz Market.

This is just one tiny area of the marina. The Nuevo marina stretches for miles.

Many of the same vendors that set up at La Cruz also come here.

Like the La Cruz Market, I love the art.

Above and below: These hand-painted hats drew much attention. In this market, these hats are sold by this family operation.

Most of the arts and craft markets feature a high-brow musical act. These guys played hardcore jazz. They were decent; however, so far, we have yet to attend a market that has presented the quality or quantity of first-rate music as the La Cruz Market.

We picked up a giant breakfast burrito at the ‘Big Burritos’ food stand. It was fat, delicious, and fed both of us. Fresh squeezed OJ washed it down. Big Burritos makes several kinds of giant burritos, from breakfast burritos to steak burritos. All are big and fat. Our breakfast burrito was 120 pesos ($6.30 US)

Big Burritos logo.

Cooking up some Big Burritos.

The following photos are a series of food stands at the market.

We then took a quick walk to the Paradise Shopping Mall. It is a pleasant but nondescript modern indoor mall. It was a good place to sit down and figure out how we were going to attack the public beach access. Before coming to Nuevo, we read descriptions of three access points. We had to interpret those descriptions, pinpoint them on Google Maps, determine which one was the closest, and go for it. The closest access was a mile away from the mall.

The Paradise Plaza Mall is the downtown.

The mall has one fancy restaurant.

Above and below: attached to the mall is the only grocery store in Nuevo. It is expensive. There is a Chedraui discount store way out on the other side of Highway 200.

We found the access point, but it was easy to miss. There were no signs. There was a foreboding-looking gate with security guards. This turned out to be for a small parking lot that charges 20 pesos an hour to park. Foot traffic had to continue down a two-block-long lane before finally reaching the beach. 

Once on the beach, we had access to the entire 8 miles from Nuevo to Bucerias and beyond. The sand was sugar-white and gorgeous. We rented an umbrella, table, and chairs for just 200 pesos. The water seemed extra warm, and the wave action was good. Swimming in winter is decadent for Wisconsinites.

We walked two miles along the beach. The beach side of the condo buildings didn’t look any more interesting than the street side. They were huge, modern, comfortable, and nondescript - just big boxes. At least the condos in downtown Puerto Vallarta have character with some Mexican design frills and shops and restaurants with funky themes. Wanda calls Neuvo the Disney of condos.

The walk from Paradise Plaza Mall to the beach access took us past many hotels, condos, and resorts.

Wait for it!

The landscaping and gardening is beautiful.

After walking down a narrow street with absolutely no signage, we finally saw the ocean. This stretch is the final walk to the beach.

At the beach entrance, the Sabbia Beach Club serves drinks and food.

This is the only lifeguard station I have ever seen on a Riviera Nayarit beach.

I present Playa Flamingo.

Our 200 peso shaded seating.

Wait for it!

Wait for it!

SPLASH! Swallowed up by the wave.

Building after building is basically the same.

Water entrance to the marina.

Around 6 pm, we took a collectivo from the beach access all the way to Lago Real near Mescales, where we transferred to a bus to Bucerias. We thoroughly enjoyed the market and the beach.

When we reached Bucerias, it was getting dark, and we were famished. We tried Miguel Angel Restaurant Bar. This is yet another new eatery for us. It is on the second story of a building overlooking the central plaza. The food was excellent, and the waiter (owner?) was as friendly and witty as they come.

We were dropped off by bus near downtown. The following photos are random things that caught my eye on the way to the restaurant.

This store had several shoes with beaded designs on them.

Street taco stands were just getting started at Buceria's plaza.

Donna and Brent recommended a new restaurant.

One of the friendliest waiters there is. We wondered if he wasn't the proprietor.

Nachos and a margarita. As I have stated before, each establishment has its take on nachos. They have all been different but outstanding.

March 15

I had another Sunshine gig with Jeff. Ken showed up and wowed us with his voice. Jeff downloaded some new terrific piano and organ sounds on his Korg keyboard. Before this winter, I hadn’t played live for three years. I am starting to feel comfortable again and playing a lot smoother. It was a fun gig. 

Having fun!

Dave and Wanda

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