Three Marinas, Great Selection

With three of the four marinas on Banderas Bay — Marina Vallarta, Paradise Marina, and Nuevo Vallarta Marina — either packed to the gills or, in the case of Nuevo Vallarta Marina, in the process of being completely remodeled, we’re happy to report that the Nayarit Riviera Marina in La Cruz has plenty of available slips.

The 400-slip Nayarit Riviera Marina opened last season to decidely mixed reviews. While the facility and location were outstanding, the marina’s policies were perceived — and rightly so — as being not very friendly. Given the fact that the marina had hundreds of open slips, nobody understood how they could ask the highest prices in the bay. And then there was the matter of the dinghy dock. Lots of anchored out cruisers like to eat in the marina’s restaurant, which affords a beautiful view of Banderas Bay and the surrounding mountains, and a nice breeze. All was well until the marina decided to charge $10 to tie up a dinghy. Then they decided to charge $10 each time to tie up a dinghy, even if it was the third time in the same day! Relations between sailors and the marina soured.

Facing a nearly empty marina over the summer, Marina Nayarit management quickly got religion about the the importance of treating customers — and even potential customers — well. As a result, Marina Nayarit’s slip fees are now in line with Paradise Marina’s, and they’re working to offer a competitive package for boats intending to spend the summer. As for landing dinghies, the marina now offers two places to tie them up: at a dock on the land side near town, and at a dock by the restaurant and office. There is no charge, even if you have no intention of eating in their restaurant. But get this: If you want to eat in their restaurant, you can bring your whole darn boat into the marina and tie up while you eat and take a walk around. Call to make arrangements first, of course.

Speaking of the restaurant — which is under a huge palapa roof and has a beautiful view — we’ve eaten there three times, and have been most impressed by the food and the prices. Yesterday Doña had a delicious tortilla soup, and we had a club sandwich. The environment, presentation and service were all first class. The bill came to 130 pesos — or $10 U.S. You can certainly eat less expensively in Mexico, but you’re going to have to look hard to find a better value. Our only caveat is there is a $20 corkage fee during dinner. That’s a little steep.

All three of the fully operational marinas in Banderas Bay are very different, and they all have strong points and weak points.

Marina Vallarta is the urban marina of the three. It’s less than half a mile from the airport, surrounded by restaurants, and the closest one to downtown and all the stores and shops. Some people love that. The negatives on Marina Vallarta is that it’s been in receivership for years, so the facility has fallen into disrepair and the bathrooms seem like they are never cleaned. Surrounded by tall buildings, it can also get very still and humid.

Marina Paradise, guided by the firm hand of Dick Markie, is located about 15 minutes from the P.V. airport, which is at the edge of town. Part of Graziano’s huge and hugely successful Paradise Resort for families, the marina has all the resort positives and negatives. The whole place is sparkling clean and run to high American standards — and there are lots of pools, tennis courts and other facilities. It’s also got an entire mall with numerous shops, restaurants and other services. The downsides some see is that the marina is in a tourist resort as opposed to real Mexico, it can get a little humid because the ocean breezes are often blocked and, because it’s so full, it’s no longer easy for an active cruiser community to develop.

The Nayarit Riviera Marina is located at the edge of the charming village of La Cruz, which is real Mexico, about half an hour north of Puerto Vallarta on the booming north shore of Banderas Bay. Unlike Marina Vallarta and Paradise Marina, it’s not part of a condo project or a resort, but exists for itself. It also has a boatyard that just opened, one that features the largest Travelift on the west coast of Mexico. It’s got a fuel dock, too, with the cutest attendants you’ve ever seen.

By default, Nayarit Riviera Marina is becoming the active cruiser center, both because it has room for transients and because there is a free anchorage just outside the breakwater. La Cruz is also home to Philo’s, some great and ridiculously inexpensive local restaurants, and is muy tranquilo. The downside at Marina Nayarit is that there is no pool and it’s the furthest marina from Puerto Vallarta. The latter has never bothered us because it’s only a $2 — and fun — bus ride, and frankly, we don’t care to go to town that often. But to some folks, it’s a big factor. Nayarit Riviera Marina is also blessed with a cooling afternoon breeze.

Three marinas on one bay, each for a different type of cruiser. Pretty cool!