In the Banderas Bay of the Riviera Nayarit is the town of Bucerías, which awaits you with its charming beach, its comfortable hotels, its delicious culinary art and many other things of interest for the visitor to enjoy. We invite you to know the 10 best things to see and do in Bucerías.
1. Settle into a comfortable hotel
Bucerías is a perfect place to stay and get to know this picturesque town and many other places of interest located in the Bay of Banderas. In the hotel offer of Bucerías you will find ideal establishments for individuals, couples and families; those that accept pets and those that operate under the all-inclusive modality.
Hotel Suites Nadia Bucerías has a spectacular infinity pool, whose waters make a unique and beautiful imaginary surface with the sea located a few meters away. Hotel and Suites Corita, also facing the beach, has comfortable rooms with large beds and a private beach area.
Aventura Pacifico is very close to the beach and has a covered terrace from which you have a magnificent view of the Pacific and also has an outdoor pool. The Hotel Palmeras is 200 meters from the beach and is very cozy, with well-kept gardens, swimming pool and other facilities.
2. Visit the Church dedicated to the Lady of Peace
Our Lady of Peace is one of the various invocations with which the Virgin Mary is venerated. She is the patron saint of many localities, particularly in the Spanish-speaking world and in the towns of the sea, it is frequent that the patronage has been granted after her intercession in a miraculous event. Legend has it that the image's boat trip to Bucerías was rough seas and the sailors begged the Virgin to take them safely to land, after which she received the name of Virgen de la Paz.
Our Lady of Peace in Bucerías is venerated in a beautiful church with a wide central access and two lateral ones, and a three-section tower from which the bells mark the passing of the hours in the quiet town.
The temple is in front of the Plaza de Armas, with beautiful gardens with palm trees, well-maintained green areas and a nice kiosoko. In the Plaza de Armas, the laid-back residents of Bucerías gather to talk or simply to let time pass in holy peace, while they are always willing to kindly answer any questions from tourists.
3. Walk through its streets and visit its market
Many people who feel nostalgic for Puerto Vallarta in the mid-20th century go to Bucerías to remember it. One of the great pleasures of visiting a town like Bucerías is walking through its cobbled streets, greet the residents who chat with neighbors at the doors of the picturesque houses, ask them for any information necessary to ensure the success of the trip and stop at a cafe or at a street point of sale to discover the handicrafts and vegetable products that are best found in the town.
Before becoming a place of tourist interest, Bucerías lived on the fruits that the generous Pacific continues to offer and from the cultivation of some agricultural items, including corn, peanuts and various fruits. In the small market of the town these and other products of the field are obtained, as well as fresh oysters and handicrafts of the Huichol ethnic group.
4. Rest on the beach and watch the sunset
Bucerías beach offers ample spaces for you to lie down on a towel to sunbathe in search of that long-awaited tan with which to surprise your friends when you return to your city. Or perhaps you prefer the comfort of a lounger in which to continue the passionate novel that you carry in the middle, while occasionally sipping your cocktail and gazing out at the infinite sea.
If you are one of those who like to extend the day on the beach until sunset, at the end of the day you will have a prize for your perseverance on the beach of Bucerías, in the form of a beautiful twilight. If you prefer to leave the beach early to shower, eat, rest and continue the program of activities, we recommend including another pass along the beach to see the spectacular sunset, particularly on summer days. Due to the location of the beach, in summer the sunset in Bucerías is not seen over the sea, but over the mountain ranges in the west of the bay.
5. Enjoy Nayarit gastronomy
The gastronomy of the state of Nayarit is very rich, including that related to seafood. The zarandeado fish, a delicacy in which a good piece, such as snapper or red snapper, is butterfly-cut and grilled, has already become one of the main "ambassadors" of Mexican culinary art.
The ceviches with the white meats of the ever-present ocean fish are another delight that can be offered on the shore of the beach or in any of the restaurants in Bucerías. One step higher, presiding over the gastronomic day, is the Pacific lobster, which in Bucerías can be prepared thermidor style, with garlic or whatever you prefer to eat.
6. Walk, swim and ride a horse
If you are one of those who does not like to neglect the exercise routine, in Bucerías you do not have to paralyze yourself, although if what you prefer is to rest, the day will come for you to resume the gym, tennis and your other sports activities. In Bucerías you can walk along the shore of the beach, an activity that is particularly pleasant early in the morning, before the sun gets too hot, and in the evening, contemplating the landscape and the sunset.
You can also swim a bit, both in the pools and in the sea and take a nice horse ride. Seeing the horizon riding, while the horse's hooves are raising small splashes of seawater, is an incomparable experience.
7. Practice your favorite beach sport
In Bucerías you can practice your favorite sea recreation. The waves are often good for surfing and many young people take their favorite board with them to glide harmoniously along the crest of the waves, although you can also rent one on the spot; also if you prefer the boogieboard. There is also often good wind for windsurfing.
Another entertainment practiced by visitors to Bucerías beach is the collection of sea shells. These are used as beads to make a typical necklace, to place at the bottom of the fish tank or simply to decorate a small space at home.
8. Enjoy the Art Walk Night
The night art walk is already a modern tradition in the town of Bucerías. It begins on Thursday afternoons on Lázaro Cárdenas street and continues until late at night. Visitors walk the bustling street, enter art galleries and craft shops, compare prices, and ultimately make the most convenient purchase. But it is not just walking and shopping. The friendly and skillful merchants of the stores offer the public a tequilita, a mezcalito or another drink, something to encourage people to make a good purchase.
9. Participate in a sand figure competition
The sculpting of sand figures is a beach entertainment that allows you to spend time in an entertaining way and give free rein to that little artist that we all carry inside. Many children have identified their interest in art and as adults have developed a successful artistic career, starting from the sand figures they once built on their beach vacation.
On the beach of Bucerías you can make your sand figure for the pure pleasure of the spirit or participate in a competition, in which some judges will value your work and tell you if it would be worth it if you dedicate yourself to sculpture. Don't expect big prizes; the true rewards will come eventually when you are a famous sculptor.
10. Have fun at the parties on January 24, October 14 and November 22
If you can plan your trip to Bucerías to coincide with any of those three dates, apart from the sea and its attractions, you will enjoy a party town. On January 24 the day of the Virgin of Peace is celebrated. The image of the Virgin is carried to the sea in a procession, where it is awaited by the beautifully decked boats, amid music and fireworks.
October 14 is the anniversary of the town, which is celebrated in style. November 22 is the day of Santa Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, and Bucerías receives interpreters and instrument players from other nearby towns, who compete with the locals to offer the best music to their protector.
Our short tour of Bucerías comes to an end, hoping you have enjoyed them. See you soon for another fascinating ride.
