Zona Dorada: Bucerias’ Golden Zone Beach Neighborhood

Welcome to the best-kept secret of Banderas Bay! Bucerias’ 5-mile stretch of soft sandy beaches, cobblestone streets, and Mexican village charm take you back to simpler times. Along the beach, there are two neighborhoods: Centro (Downtown) and Colonia Dorada (Golden Zone). Separating the two neighborhoods is Arroyo del Indio, a small creek that comes from the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Many say Bucerias is very much like Puerto Vallarta was in the 1950s, where you can experience the joys of a laid back beach town without the tourist-palooza that is Puerto and Nuevo Vallarta. It has become a popular destination in the Riviera Nayarit, but it has managed to keep its authenticity.

About Golden Zone, Bucerias

Zona Dorada, which translates to Golden Zone, is the area south of the river in Bucerias. To get here from Bucerias Centro (Downtown), go through the Paseo del Beso, or Alley of the Kiss. This is where the neighborhood begins, and it extends all the way to the Royal Decameron.

There are tons of boutique stores, restaurants, coffee shops, & art galleries. It is a beautiful area of the city, so we recommend walking all the way down Lazaro Cardenas Street, and also down Francisco I. Madero Street. Above you can see our map of the Golden Zone in Bucerias. For example, our favorite part has to be the walk from Galeana street to El Cafe de Bucerias.

You’ll never have to fight for a great spot on the beach, and it is only a 2-minute walk away from your place! Show up at any time of the day and you’ll have lots of sandy space to choose from. The surf is gentle enough for swimming, and it is the preferred beach for kitesurfing, paddle boarding, and windsurfing.

In the Golden Zone, enjoy a great selection of restaurants ranging from upscale to simple & quaint. Don’t forget to try some of the local seafood dishes such as zarandeado-style fish, ceviches, and aguachile. Stop into the many art galleries, coffee shops, and boutiques – all within walking distance from your place. In our guide, we have put together all the best things to do in Bucerias, Nayarit. We hope you enjoy your stay and fall in love with this little piece of paradise!

Zona Dorada Neighborhood at Night

Where to Stay in Golden Zone

If you’re trying to find places to stay in the neighborhood of Golden Zone in Bucerias, look no further! All our vacation rentals & condos are available for short-term, monthly, or long-term stays, and make sure to ask about our special long-term rates.

Best Places to Eat

One of the best things about this town is that, despite its size, there are SO many amazing restaurants in Bucerias to choose from. Whether you want the best fish tacos, gourmet dining, breakfast, or a beachfront restaurant with amazing margaritas, there’s something for everyone.

Bucerias Real Estate

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll need one of the best Bucerias real estate agents to get you the price you want in the location you’ve been dreaming of.

Other Information

Emergencies

General

Call 911 for any sort of emergency.
Tourist Police (bilingual officers who serve tourists): 329-291-6666
Bucerias Police Department: 291-0049 or 291-0666.

Hospital

Hospital CMQ – Brand new hospital open 24/7 with bilingual physicians, a fully-equipped Emergency Area, and an Intensive Care Unit.
+52 329 298 0717

Doctor

Dr. Victor Sainz is an English-speaking doctor on the north side of the highway, right next to the Cactus Hotel.
Cell: +52 322-294-0446
Office: +52 329-298-0157 / +52 329-298-0107.

Expat Facebook Group

The largest Expat group is called “Bucerias, La Cruz, and La Bahia Literally Everything You Need to Know” and the name says it all. Literally everything is discussed in this group, so if you are curious about anything or have any questions you’d like to ask about the area, this is the place to do it.

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