BUCERIAS

15 min. from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The tiny traditional fishing village of Bucerias is known as the “Wind Capital” of Riviera Nayarit and offers good kitesurfing and scuba diving. It has a small beach and narrow cobblestone streets lined with open air artisan stands and shops. An atmospheric town square is lined with restaurants and bars featuring festive live music. The town also has a Callejon del Beso (Kiss Alley).

For a self-guided tour, start at JMB Gallery, then walk north toward the town square passing through several blocks of small shops, cross over a bridge, then continue through a covered open-air crafts market and on into the town square.

beach at Bucerias in Mexico

pineapple vendor on beach at Bucerias in Mexico

mother knitting with baby on back on beach at Bucerias in Mexico

beach buggy at Bucerias in Mexico

crafts market on street in Bucerias, Mexico

colorful Huichol Indian bead items in Bucerias, Mexico

colorful dining on the town square in Bucerias, Mexico

Paseo del Beso/Kiss Alley in Bucerias, Mexico

JMB Gallery

Lazaro Cardenas 58, 329 298 0303. This well-stocked crafts shop features everything from a miniature LOVE sculpture to a selection of Day of the Dead skeletons.

interior of JMB Gallery shop in Bucerias, Mexico

small LOVE sculpture at JMB Gallery shop in Bucerias, Mexico
see more LOVE sculptures

Day of the Dead dolls at JMB Gallery shop in Bucerias, Mexico

Hotel Palmeras

Lazaro Cardenas 35, (329) 298-1288. Pool. Located on a quiet street just a few blocks from the town square, this hotel offers traditional Mexican style and studio units with kitchens.

Alquimista Cocktail Room

Located nearby, between Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta, at Blvd. Riviera Nayarit #1480, Local #15 Nuevo Vallarta, 322-160-3601. The Alquimista Cocktail Room is situated in a modest strip mall. This exceptional cocktail lounge uses local ingredients in its cocktails. The chief mixologist is owner Israel Diaz, who is known far and wide for his exceptional concoctions. He has more than 100 original recipes and loves to prepare infusions from scratch, adds herbs and liquors, and generally experiments much as an alchemist would. The son of Chef Betty Vasquez, he has worked together with her in preparing cocktails to complement her culinary creations.