15 Best Things to do in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a hidden gem in the Riviera Nayarit, offering a unique blend of serene natural beauty, rich local culture, and exciting recreational activities. With its pristine beaches, lush green hills, and thriving art and food scenes, there’s something for everyone in La Cruz. Be sure to visit the Seafood Market and the Marina Riviera Nayarit for a taste of fresh seafood and a glimpse of the local fishing industry. Take a stroll through the charming streets, sample delicious local cuisine, or simply soak up the sun and scenery from the beautiful rooftop pool. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is the perfect destination for a memorable and rejuvenating getaway.

Here are some of the activities, attractions, and best things to do in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle during your trip to the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Our family has been compiling this list over the last 15 years, so you’ll be guaranteed to have a fantastic visit to this little piece of paradise.

The Marina & Seafood Market

In 2008 the harbor of La Cruz was renovated and is now called Marina Riviera Nayarit with 340 boat slips that can accommodate vessels from 31 to 400 feet. It has a yacht club, business center, sky bar, restaurant, seafood market, and pier. It also has one of the best-equipped shipyards in the country!

The large seafood market is right in the middle of the marina, which means they have direct access to some of the freshest seafood in the bay. There are probably 15 different vendors, and they all have amazing seafood. If you need any advice on how to cook your purchase, they’ll be more than happy to give you some helpful tips. Shrimp (camarones), monster yellow-finned tuna, Mahi-mahi (dorado), octopus (pulpo), and so much more. Even if you don’t plan to purchase anything, it is a sight to be seen!

Open Hours: Every day starting at 8 am until they sell out.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/zRdGNBBEWd3qrpRM7

Eat & Drink

La Cruz takes eating and drinking very seriously. While visiting, you should too. The culinary scene in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle has exploded over the past couple of years, allowing visitors to delight in a diversity of cuisines and experiences. Check out our curated list of the best La Cruz restaurants & bars:

Chill at the Beach

Yes, this is one of the more obvious things to do in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico, but for good reason! Hang out all day at a beachfront restaurant with margaritas and ice-cold Pacifico beers.

The area has many beautiful beaches, including the local beach (La Manzanilla) known for its calm waters and the great food you’ll find in the beachside palapa restaurants. If you would like to explore other beaches and towns, we recommend checking out Destiladeras beach, Bucerías, Sayulita, and San Pancho.

Sunday Farmer’s Market

La Cruz has some great shopping, stores, boutiques, & markets. The Sunday Farmer’s Market began in 2010 as an idea among neighbors, and now it now hosts ~200 vendors every Sunday, November to April from 9 am – 2 pm.

• Bring your shopping bag, thermos, and some Tupperware 
• It is pet-friendly, but they all must be leashed
• Bring cash, as there are no ATMs inside the marina
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat

Marietas Islands National Park

Explore this group of small uninhabited islands while snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Dolphin encounters are a regular occurrence, but during the winter months, it is common to see humpback whales in the bay since this is a centuries-old breeding ground. In addition, you can visit the “hidden beach”, where you swim through cave formations and rock archways to an extraordinary oasis of white sand and crystal clear water.

Whale Whatching Tour

Season: December – March
Each winter the majestic Humpback Whales migrate from the arctic to breed and reproduce in the sheltered coasts of our bay. These gentle giants can be seen breaching out of the water as parents instruct their baby calves in the ways of the watery world. Each year, between 300 and 500 Humpback Whales are registered in the area! There are daily tours leaving from the nearby marinas in La Cruz (Marina Riviera Nayarit), Nuevo Vallarta, and Marina Vallarta.

Get a Massage

There are many spots in La Cruz that offer massages. The prices normally range between $350-600 MXN for 1 hour.

Rent a Scooter

The greatest part of a motorcycle or scooter rental is the flexibility. You basically get priority parking wherever you go, and it works out to be a much better value than using taxis or Ubers. Plus, it allows visitors to fit lots of different attractions into a single day. For example, you could cruise down to Destiladeras Beach, Sayulita, San Pancho, Punta Mita, or Litibu beach. The best part is the freedom to set your own itinerary and go as you please!

Fishing Charters

Banderas Bay offers some of the best sport fishing in Mexico. Mahi Mahi and Marlin season is best from September to February, but Red Snapper and Jack Crevalle fishing are great all year! See a list of all our favorite fishing charters.

B Nayar Beach Club

Get a day pass at the B Nayar beach club. Lounge by one of the crystal-clear pools only steps from the beach for your dose of sand, ocean breeze, and shining sun. The waves are very calm in this area, making it ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, which are available to all beach club guests, free-of-charge. Walk along the beach with 180-degree views all the way to Mexico’s 4th most important marina, Marina Riviera Nayarit. The restaurant & bar’s menu includes items such as fish tacos, ceviche, fajitas, margaritas, beer, and guacamole, all at a very decent price. The beach club also offers daily activities including yoga lessons, aqua aerobics, paddleboarding, kayaking, and even salsa nights.

Release Baby Sea Turtles

Season: June – December
This is definitely on the top of our list for things to do in Bucerias as a family. The area’s coastline is one of the most important breeding grounds for multiple species of sea turtle, and Bandera Bay’s preservation program ensures that sea turtles will thrive for years to come. Liberation ceremonies are held daily at multiple volunteer-run camp. Release ceremonies change every day depending on availability, so make sure to check out release dates & times below. 

Golfing in the Morning

Flamingos Golf is a 6,853-yard long par 72 championship course featuring slender fairways and naturally inclined terrains. It is fairly priced and is less than 5 minutes down the highway from La Cruz. Most golfers describe it as “fun but challenging.” Much of the golf course is lined by palm trees, flowering bushes, and mango trees that are filled with fruit. Highly recommended! Another one that is worth seeing is Litibu Golf Course, 10 minutes north by the town of Higuera Blanca.

Go Hiking

If you are interested in doing a hike, we have some detailed instructions and maps to follow! Monkey Mountain is our favorite hike on the north side of the bay, and the Las Animas beach hike from Boca de Tomatlan is our favorite hike on the south side (past Puerto Vallarta).

Walk Around 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. For example, our favorite part has to be the walk from Galeana street to El Cafe de Bucerias.

Crocodile Sanctuary El Cora

This is one of my favorite “off the beaten trail” things to do in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. It is a great family activity for those interested in nature and wildlife. A local veterinarian gives the tour through the sanctuary as you learn about animals and support local conservation efforts. However, some people complain about the road being a little rough, but it really isn’t bad unless it is rainy season (since the road can get very muddy).

Puerto Vallarta Free Walking Tour

Puerto Vallarta is only a 20 – 30 minute drive, and if you have never been, you should definitely spend at least an afternoon. Start the self-guided walking tour by strolling down the Malecon, the boardwalk that is full of boutique shops, restaurants, and bars. Afterward, cross the wooden suspension footbridge to the Cuale River Island flea market to buy all kinds of Mexican crafts and souvenirs. Keep walking south until you reach the Romantic zone and Los Muertos Pier, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most iconic landmarks. Download the map of the free walking tour below: