The Riviera Nayarit — the increasingly popular stretch of Mexico beach vacation area on the Pacific coast, just north of Puerto Vallarta — is offering a variety of festivals, tournaments and special events for the summer vacation season. With nearly 200 miles of coastline, there are lots of places to enjoy the warm weather as well as unique gatherings, including the 7th National Riviera Nayarit Wind Festival and the traditional Corn Festival.
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JULY EVENTS IN RIVIERA NAYARIT
Punta Mita Beach Festival
Location: Punta Mita
Date: July 9-11
The St. Regis Resort and Club will be hosting its third annual Punta Mita Beach Festival. Gourmet creations from guest chefs Diane DiMeo, Thierry Blouet and Olivier Deboise will be served alongside a variety of cocktails, beer, wine, tequila and mezcal. DJ Mau will provide music under the stars.
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10th Edition of Banderas Bay Fishing Tournament
Location: Bahia de Banderas
Date: July 24-25
The 10th international fishing tournament of Marlin and Tuna, organized by the Banderas Bay Fishing Club, will take place on Riviera Nayarit’s Bahia de Banderas. Witness the excitement of the competition, followed by an awards ceremony, at the Marina Hotel Paradise Village Beach Resort, Golf Marina, Spa & Convention Center.
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AUGUST EVENTS IN RIVIERA NAYARIT
Corn Festival
Location: Jala
Date: August 6-15
Home of the Guinness World Book of Records’ largest corncob, the yearly Corn Festival in Jala is a traditional and very popular local festival that honors the first harvest of corn each year. Corn is the most important crop in the area, and some ears measure as long as 20 inches; of course the longest and largest win prizes. The food booths, offering different varieties of corn as well as processed products based on this grain, are set on the streets and offer a real experience to the palate. The local cuisine, traditions, culture and the town’s colonial architecture play honorary roles and are also great reasons to attend.
Historically, pagans began celebrating earlier, but since the event is also a religious occasion that celebrates the Virgin of the Assumption on August 15, nowadays the event lasts two weeks and features regional expos, sports competitions, jaripeos (bull riding), dancing and performances in public places, fireworks, and many other family-friendly activities.
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SEPTEMBER EVENTS IN RIVIERA NAYARIT
2nd Extreme Triathlon – Guayabitos 2016
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos
Date: September 15-16
The Compostela Municipal Association of Hotels and Motels and the Guayabitos Convention and Visitors Bureau have organized the Guayabitos Triatholon for the second year in a row. Competitors, ten years of age and older, will compete in six categories for a medal and cash prize.
For more information on Riviera Nayarit, visit www.rivieranayarit.com.