FROM THE NORTH SHORE

Bucerías – Key Destination in the Riviera Nayarit
By Nora Hernández | Photos by Jesus de Avila | Translation by Eduardo Rincón Gayardo – March 2008

Pale, bright, olive green and other incredible hues contrasting marvelously with the various shades of blue that seem to merge the ocean with the sky. Those are the colors you can admire in Bucerías.

Bucerías is located on Banderas Bay, 11 miles north of Puerto Vallarta’s international airport. “Place of divers (buzos)” is the meaning  of this fishing town’s name, a town that never seems to take a break due to the constant tourism flow 365 days a year. 

Its landmarks are the church to “La Señora de la Paz” (our Lady of Peace) and its beautifully remodeled (10 years ago) plaza.  The food and handcrafts vendors turn the downtown area into a multicolored tianguis (indian market). While you stroll the picturesque streets, you are tempted by the aromas of the different seafood preparations at the beach restaurants and then you start discovering the hotels, inns and bungalows for every taste and budget.

The mountains sheltering the other side of Bucerías, separated only by the main coastal road, can be seen from almost everywhere in town. Those mountains, only 2 to 3 miles away, harbor touristic ranches offering guided off-road vehicle, horseback and four wheel bike excursions. On the other hand, any street in Bucerías (leading east-west) will take you to its golden beaches bathed by a mild tide. They are the perfect place to relax and sunbathe, as well as ideal for long walks or horseback rides on the beach.

Back in 1946, when the Bucerías’ ejido (a Mexican rural form of land possession) was formed, it encompassed three thousand hectares which included the towns of Mezcales andMezcalitos. It was not until 1974 that 100 hectares were expropriated in order to build what is now known as the Flamingos development, the neighboring residentialdevelopment north of Bucerías. 

Around the year 1948 Bucerías had only seven palapa (palm thatch roof) huts and the family heads kept busy cultivating corn, sorghum, sesame, peanuts, mango and soursop. Back then a few families also dedicated themselves to fishing and collecting oil coconuts for a company in Compostela that processed the oil. Said activity is no longer economically viable.

Getting to Bucerías now can’t be easier, from north or south on coastal highway 200, though before 1955 you could only reach Bucerías only in the dry season through a dirt road called the “Z”, which passed 6 miles from town. Back then – so the natives say – it took two days to get to Tepic, now it is done in a comfortable two hours.

Kind people who always say “hi” when you pass in front of their homes while they are chatting with the neighbor, that is what the traveler finds in Bucerías. Varied stores, regional or international restaurants, government offices, real estate agencies, public notaries and even diners offering fresh oysters in the shell will invite you to stay more than one day. 

The most popular festivities are Our Lady of Peace on January 24, the anniversary of the ejido on October 14; and November 22 when musicians from the state of Michoacán come to join the peculiar celebrations of Santa Cecilia, the patron of musicians. 

Bucerías is a key destination in the touristic development of Riviera Nayarit, and it represents a most desired spot in real estate investments as well as for the establishment of tourism, entertainment and Eco-Tourism oriented businesses. It is a peaceful place despite its continuous activity, it is therefore an attractive area for those seeking a retirement paradise. In fact, the search for a lot or a house in Bucerías is a daily question and some of the most prestigious real estate agents are present in the town, competing to show and offer the best selling options to a demanding market. In Bucerías’ surroundings you can also find some of the most important residential developments in the region. These properties are of great  value to the specific buyers’ market searching for tranquility surrounded by nature and comfort, but who are also passionate for golf and fishing.

Nora Hernández
E-mail: nora_enid@yahoo.com.mx

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