In addition to megaresorts and sprawling all-inclusives, Mexico's Pacific Coast north of Puerto Vallarta is dotted with smaller, intimate and chic hotels and resorts offering a different type of atmosphere. For travelers in search of this particular vibe, here are a few top boutique hotels to consider.
In the bohemian beach town of San Pancho, just north of Sayulita, is the Hotel Cielo Rojo. The property is decked out with colorful and eclectic decor, along with locally inspired artwork. A concierge team is on hand to arrange activities from cultural events to tequila tastings and Spanish lessons. The Hotel Cielo Rojo provides complimentary breakfast and offers acupressure, reflexology and Swedish massage treatments in room. The on-property restaurant Bistro Organico serves a locally sourced menu stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables and locally caught seafood.
Tucked on 12 acres of property near Sayulita is the Haramara Retreat, a 16-palapa hotel surrounded by jungle. Each palapa has an open-air shower and hammock, and there is also an eight-person dormitory. For traveling yogis, Haramara has a therapeutic wellness center and two yoga pavilions with thatched roofs and 360-degree views. The restaurant serves vegetarian cuisine, and there is a saltwater pool, private beach and boutique.
One of the most exclusive resorts on the Riviera Nayarit is the Imanta Resort Punta de Mita, a 15-room, oceanfront hotel that sits on 250 acres of jungle and coast. The two master suites each offer three bedrooms, living rooms and chef's kitchens. The spa offers treatments like a Prehispanic Hot Stone massage, Thai massage and reflexology. Guests can enjoy hikes and horseback riding on the resort's 120-acre natural reserve. The resort is rounded out with two restaurants and a rooftop bar.
Also in Punta de Mita is the Hotel Cinco, a boutique property featuring two- and three-bedroom Beach Club and Deluxe Beach Club suites that range from 1,463 square feet to 2,394 square feet. Units have kitchens and spacious balconies with ocean views, and the Cinco AquaSports Center offers activities like stand-up paddleboard lessons. The on-property restaurant, Tuna Blanca, seats 74 with an a la carte menu focused on seafood.
For a B&B vibe, there's the five-villa, pet-friendly Hotel Villa Bella in the fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The Suite Primavera, near the pool and garden area, has its own kitchenette and balcony. The hotel's outdoor dining space serves local favorites, including chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.
Mar de Jade, located in Chacala, is perfect for travelers who like to travel sustainably with wellness in mind. The Ocean Rooms have floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto private balconies. The property-owned 19-acre organic farm, El Rancho, grows vegetables, fruits, and legumes which are all used in the hotel's kitchen. Mar de Jade's three Retreat Halls offer yoga, meditation, dance, and Pilates.