With the mellow vibe of a bohemian Vegas, Sayulita is a mecca for surfers of all ages and levels; life here is laid-back and colorful. With its perfect beach location and excellent surf, it’s no wonder Sayulita is receiving international attention, resulting in some of the most sought after real estate in the Riviera Nayarit.

Increasingly, in part due to the community’s designation of Pueblo Magico in 2015, Sayulita is becoming home to those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. From emerging start-ups to well-established international businesses, those driven to follow their dreams while living in paradise are setting up shop here–and are finding incredible success. The community’s plethora of art galleries, restaurants, artisans and musicians is attracting a wide and varied population of dreamers, artists and entrepreneurs.

Very family oriented, Sayulita is home to the Costa Verde International School (CVIS), a very popular ecological, community-oriented, multicultural and bilingual private school. At the heart of Sayulita’s focus on healthy organic living and environmental stability, CVIS and its world-renowned curriculum attracts families from all over the world.

Punta Mita is a 1,500 acre private peninsula consisting of some of the most spectacular homes in North America! It is home to the Four Seasons Punta Mita, St. Regis Punta Mita, Casa Aramara Punta Mita and 15 other sub-communities.

Here you conjure up images of luxury resorts, multi-million dollar homes, vacationing celebrities, exclusive golf courses and some of the best dining Mexico has to offer.

Punta Mita is surrounded on three sides by nine and a half miles of Pacific Ocean beaches and coves including Litibu Bay. Truly a family oasis offering so many unique experiences for each member of your family. From countless beach clubs for the kids, world class golf, spas, dining, and many special events year round, Punta Mita is truly your call to Experience Freedom!

Step outside the Punta Mita Resort gates, and into the lovely town of Punta de Mita, home to several residential communities, ranging from condominiums and townhomes to private villas. This area is so often overlooked and shouldn’t be! Raw, authentic and organic, there are incredible restaurants, arts, shopping and many other attractions that draw the all-inclusive revelers away from their resorts.

Fishing is still a way of life here, with fishing pangas and sailing boats going in and out of the marina, or setting anchor in the safety of the bay to while away the afternoons. Spearfishing, snorkeling and diving all within immediate reach.

Punta de Mita is also home to amazing beaches like Stinky’s and El Anclote providing access to some of the best surfing and paddle boarding in the area, with one surf break attracting the more advanced surfers for its exceptionally long surf and big waves. A short panga ride away and you are at El Farro. Less than 5 minutes by car or taxi and you’re surfing La Lancha or Burros.

An area very much flying under the radar is ripe for the taking of the purist and savvy investor in you.

Litibú is currently undergoing a transformation, awaiting dynamic new development projects that include elegant homes, condominiums and restaurants. In addition to several first-class hotels, Litibú has one of the best golf courses in the region. Architected by Greg Norman, the beautifully designed course is surrounded by virgin jungle, with impressive coastline views throughout.

A bohemian, tranquil beach community, with one of the nicest beaches in the area (and the softest sand), Litibu has some great deals available on beachfront and ocean view land and houses.

And just 5 minutes away, the chill little town of Higuera Blanca is an up-and-coming inland community. Surrounded by rolling hills and ranches, Higuera Blanca gives you the best of both worlds, lush tropical jungle with its very own beach extension. All in a very accessible location, with easy access to the neighboring communities.

San Pancho, the affectionate nickname for Francisco de Assisi (for whom the town is named), is the patron saint of animals. Francisco de Assisi’s love and protection for animals is found throughout the community. Local Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde was the first Mexican organization dedicated to the preservation of endangered marine turtles. La Patrona Polo & Equestrian Club not only boasts a world-class polo facility, but also offers a variety of equestrian classes and activities.

An active community with a philanthropic and eco-conscious core, San Pancho is home to the Centro Comunitario Entreamigos, a cherished community education center that offers daily classes, workshops and cultural events, including sports, technology and eco-design centers. Circo de los Niños has grown from an earlier fundraising effort led by Cirque Du Soleil founders into a permanent Circus Arts school, teaching Circus Arts to the local children and hosting classes for adults.

Additionally, the parent-run cooperative school Escuela del Mundo, offers the children of San Pancho an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to learning, focusing on ecology and the arts, contributing to the strong family culture of the community.

At heart still a fishing village, La Cruz also has a modern streak, boasting a yacht club, business center, sky bar, restaurant, seafood market, pier and the only Marina on the north end of the bay. Following a major renovation in 2008, Marina Riviera Nayarit is now capable of handling vessels of up to 400 feet in length; if you’re nice to your neighbors, maybe they’ll let you borrow their boat.

With a smaller population of ex-patriates than some of the surrounding towns and villages, La Cruz retains a mellow, salty, sea captain type of vibe. People travel from all over the bay to visit La Cruz’s famous daily fish market, where the morning’s catch is sold almost directly off the boat. The Sunday Farmer’s Market (in high season) is a must-see affair, with delicious baked goods, organic produce & coffee and where some of the most talented musicians and artisans display their work for sale.

Much of the development in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is relatively recent, lending the condominiums and homes a new, modern feel–a perfectly unique, Mexican seaside town.

“What Sayulita was 20 years ago.” Quiet, colorful and friendly, Lo De Marcos has one of the most beautiful town squares in the area, and retains its small town, Mexican grace. Built around a central natural lagoon, turtles, waterfowl and other wildlife are regularly spotted; iguanas are common and it’s not unusual to see humpback whales breaching off the beach.

Only 20 minutes away from the world-class schools and facilities of Sayulita and San Pancho, there are some amazing real estate deals to be had. With a solid infrastructure in place and well planned streets, many are choosing to acquire properties now (before word gets out), reclaiming and renovating abandoned buildings and designing new homes.

Blessed with a wide stretch of clean, beautiful–and near empty–beaches, it isn’t unusual to have dinner at a restaurant on the sand be the only people. And with world-class schools and facilities in nearby Sayulita and San Pancho, those choosing to invest in Lo De Marcos now are beating the inevitable crowds to the punch.

With all the manners of a quiet, modest town, don’t let Bucerias fool you. Its outward appearance belies an adventurous and festive spirit. A fantastic kite-surfing destination when the winds pick up in the summer, Bucerias hosts the popular annual kite surfing, Festival Del Viento, every May.

If mountain biking is more your speed, Bici Bucerias offers endurance challenges and guided group rides for residents and visitors alike. Paddle boarding, surfing, horse-back riding, hiking, taco sampling or simply relaxing beachside with an umbrella and a cool drink are all attractive options.

While pop-up parades and celebrations are par for the course in Bucerias, every January Bucerias celebrates Our Lady of Peace (La Virgen de la Paz), the patron of the local Catholic church with a large, vibrant street fair featuring traditional regional art, delicious foods, vendors, and rides and games for the children. The festival culminates in the not-to-be-missed Blessing Of The Fleet.

Bucerias’ burgeoning art scene is attracting artists and artisans from all over the Riviera, drawn in by the very affordable opportunities opening retail stores and studios. Join the weekly Thursday night Art Walk (high season), and spend your evening ogling gorgeous artworks, sipping tequila, sampling delicious eats and mingling with your neighbors.