Mexican Pacific Coast

The Pacific coast of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima and Guerrero, dotted with beach resort towns and surf villages.

Scope: Following the seven-region travel division of Mexico, the Pacific Coast covers four states: Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima and Guerrero. Although the city of Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco, it forms one continuous stretch with Nayarit's Riviera Nayarit and is usually visited together with it; the Oaxacan coast belongs to the south region. Highlights: Puerto Vallarta has a seafront promenade and a cobblestone old town, and in winter you can watch humpback whales in Banderas Bay. To the north, Sayulita and Punta de Mita are surf and boutique resort destinations. Mazatlán preserves a 19th-century historic center and a long seafront boulevard. Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa combine a fishing-village feel with a resort zone. Acapulco is famous for its cliff-diving shows, and Colima has an active volcano and coffee-growing mountain villages. Classic itineraries: Puerto Vallarta plus Riviera Nayarit in 5–7 days; Mazatlán in 2–3 days, which can be linked with the northern route to Copper Canyon. Getting there and around: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Zihuatanejo and Acapulco all have airports, with direct flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara and many North American cities. Notes: Security is complicated in parts of Guerrero, so check the latest travel advisories before you go. Waves and rip currents can be strong, so heed the beach flags.

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