Home › Journeys › North America › Riviera Nayarit: Vallarta to San Blas

Riviera Nayarit: Vallarta to San Blas – Route Guide

Last updated:

Sayulita beach surf — Riviera Nayarit: Vallarta to San Blas
Photo: Gustavoarroyofotos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A five-day public-road journey from Vallarta’s waterfront through Punta Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho to the historic port and mangrove gateway of San Blas.

Riviera Nayarit: Vallarta to San Blas is a 162 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 5-day trip; the plan below is the 5-day version for January, built from 162 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

5
days
162km
distance
5
Stops
162
curated stops

Plan your own version → 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Puerto Vallarta heritage day→ 45 kmPunta Mita coast day→ 20 kmSayulita public day→ 7 kmSan Pancho culture day→ 90 kmSan Blas heritage day

What you'll see

Los Muertos Beach
Relax on sun-drenched sands with palapa-shaded cafes nearby.
Puerto Vallarta heritage day
Punta Mita public-coast circuit
Use Punta Mita’s public coast as a measured road-trip stop without assuming resort access.
Punta Mita coast day
Cementerio de Sayulita
Explore local legends of spirits visiting the beach from their graves at night.
Sayulita public day
San Pancho public culture circuit
Slow the journey in San Pancho with its public culture and coastal context.
San Pancho culture day
San Blas public heritage circuit
Reach the advertised endpoint with a full public heritage day in San Blas.
San Blas heritage day
Malecón
Saunter along a lively promenade lined with shops and artistry.
Puerto Vallarta heritage day
Sayulita public town-and-beach circuit
Give Sayulita a public town-and-beach day without silently booking an activity.
Sayulita public day
Isla Cuale
Wander a serene island where beach bars give way to quiet parks.
Puerto Vallarta heritage day

Choose your length

5-day plan17 stops · 6.7 h transit3.4 stops/day · 1.3 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February, March, April

Humpbacks breach in Banderas Bay, surf schools line Sayulita's break, and La Tovara's crocodile-and-mangrove boats run glassy morning water.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →