In Nayarit, winter is not a pause—it’s an invitation. While the Pacific maintains its serene rhythm along the Riviera Nayarit—recently recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026, and the only Mexican beach destination on the list—the interior of the state reveals another side of the journey, more intimate, slower, and equally memorable.

As temperatures drop slightly and the light softens, the map stretches inland. Nayarit’s Magical Towns and Magical Neighborhoods emerge as complementary chapters to the coastal experience: places to stroll unhurriedly, listen to local stories, and let the landscape set the pace.

Amatlán de Cañas feels like a natural retreat. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, this Magical Town is especially generous in winter. The mild climate accompanies walks along green trails and almost inevitably leads to its thermal waters. Places like El Manto emerge from the vegetation as a quiet reward: gentle steam, natural pools, and the feeling of being far from everything. In the town center, cobblestone streets and colonial architecture invite leisurely strolls, with inevitable stops to taste artisanal chocolate or peanut sweets, flavors that feel like home.

Further north, Jala combines history and landscape with a tranquil strength. From nearly any point in town, the Ceboruco Volcano dominates the horizon, a reminder that nature is an active part of the story. Winter offers the perfect weather to explore it on foot, whether on guided hikes or treks through nearby hills, where fumaroles lend the landscape a nearly primeval air. Back in town, the Lateran Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption—one of the most important churches in western Mexico—anchors local life. During this season, the pace slows, encounters feel closer, and the experience is more authentic.

Just minutes from Tepic, Bellavista offers a different dimension to the journey. Recognized as a Magical Neighborhood, this former industrial enclave retains a strong, visible identity. The former Bellavista Textile Factory, an iconic 19th-century building, now serves as a cultural space and gathering point. Cobblestone streets, the parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the old Masonic Temple create a route where history is not confined to displays but woven into everyday life. In winter, Bellavista becomes especially welcoming, ideal for a short getaway or as part of a broader route through the state.

This contrast between coast and mountains, between contemporary luxury and living traditions, is part of what has placed Nayarit at the center of the international conversation. To the recognition from Travel + Leisure is added the recent distinction from Condé Nast Traveler, naming Riviera Nayarit as one of The Best Places to Go in North America and the Caribbean in 2026. Improved air connectivity—with direct flights from Los Angeles, Calgary, and Houston to the renovated Tepic International Airport—reinforces this idea of a destination that is increasingly accessible without sacrificing its character.

Traveling to Nayarit in winter is discovering that the destination is not limited to its beaches, though they remain extraordinary. It’s about stepping into towns where time seems to stretch, walking under perfect light for photography, sitting in a plaza without an agenda, and realizing that here, travel doesn’t rush—it’s absorbed.

For those visiting Mexico seeking more than the obvious, Nayarit offers that rare balance between global recognition and experiences that still feel personal. A place to arrive via the coast and stay to explore everything else.

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