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From the hip resort of Puerto Vallarta to the jungles of the Sierra Madres, this Mexican state offers something to everyone in the family and at bargain prices.

Riviera Nayarit is the lush coastal region of Mexico's Nayarit state, extending from the gated resort comunity of Nuevo Vallarta (pronounced N'wave-oh VY-ar-tah) north to the San Blas peninsula. Families will find diverse cultural and environmental riches as well as nice beaches facing the calm, shallow Banderas Bay. Although the region shares an airport with the established beach resort of Puerto Vallarta farther south, it has a greater abundance of eco-adventures. Riviera Nayarit is an attractive getaway year round that's being recognized for its value by many travelers and publications such as Frommer's Budget Travel. It boasts a mild tropical climate that averages 80°F (27°C); however, it can be very hot and humid during the summer rainy season and cool on winter evenings. Here's a look at what to do, from south to north along the coast.

Puerto Vallarta

The picturesque port of Puerto Vallarta has been famous since 1963, when director John Huston, a resident, brought in Richard Burton and Ava Gardner to film "Night of the Iguana." While there, Burton began a public romance with Elizabeth Taylor -- a Hollywood love story heard around the world. The cobblestones, whitewashed traditional homes and quarter of resident ex-pats, Gringo Gulch, are still there.

The oceanfront boardwalk, el Malécon -- now cluttered with T-shirt and ice cream shops -- continues to attract the international community. Visit at sunset, when the mimes, street performers and magicians are out in full force; across from the famous larger-than-life sculpture of a mother with children climbing stairs is the shop of Sergio Bustamente, the noted jeweler and sculptor who did the work. 

Stroll over to Calle Independencia to see the classic Mexican main square and up to Calle Morelos to see many of the town's unique clothing, jewelry, crafts boutiques and high-style clubs and gay bars. Among the many gourmet eateries are the pricey Cafe des Artistes (an award-winning French dining room) and Los Xitomates (nouvel Mexican dishes).

Nuevo Vallarta

This purpose-built enclave of contemporary beachfront resorts is a 15-minute drive or a water taxi away from Puerto Vallarta.  The boat pier is at the Paradise Village Marina, just part of the facilities at this huge, family-welcoming resort complex. Since Nuevo Vallarta is a planned community of hotels and condominiums, there's not much to see or do, but we can recommend a fine seafood restaurant that is worth a visit. Laguna Tino's (322/ 297-02-21; 2da Entrada Nvo. Vallarta Km 1.2) is on the entry road and its' open daily for lunch and dinner.

San Blas - La Tovara National Park

Families with school-age kids will enjoy the full day excursion we made to San Blas, the colorful small town where Junipero Serra, founder of the famous California Missions, was born. Our guide Miguel, with Banderas Bay Travel, was so passionate about his country, its proud history, and Mexican culture that he transformed a scenic van tour into an unforgettable memory. A small fort and lighthouse guard the entrance to the port of San Blas, which hosts a fleet of shrimp boats that supply the region’s restaurants.

Be sure to visit the main square where colorfully painted bars and shops are tucked between the new city hall, church and school.  We were captivated by the town’s lively energy and decided to return one day to the restored Hacienda Hotel, where simple rooms with ceiling fans surround a large open air courtyard and swimming pool.

San Blas and the village of Matachen are gateways to La Tovara National Park, where visitors can hire a small boat to tour the mangrove swamps. It's said this ecosystem hosts over 250 species of birds, including the black-bellied tree duck, great blue heron and roseate spoonbill on their migrations, and the bumblebee hummingbird and Mexican woodnymph.  The Festival of Migratory Birds is celebrated each January.  Our guide compared the region to Panama in terms of its diversity and, on our brief cruise, we saw large turtles, heron, egrets, crocodiles (the species crocodrilo agoutis inhabits this brackish water.) 

Guides stop the boats at the muddy, sad-looking Crocodile Reserve in El Manantial of La Camelota for a walk and talk about baby crocodiles; it reputedly has a good breeding program.