Bucerías, Nayarit facts for kids
Bucerías (say "Boo-seh-REE-ahs") is a lively beach town in Mexico. Its name means "Divers town," which makes sense because it's right by the Pacific Ocean! It's located in the state of Nayarit, along a beautiful coastline called the Riviera Nayarit. Bucerías sits on the big Bay of Banderas, between two other towns, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Nuevo Vallarta.
What's Bucerías Like?
In 2020, about 16,161 people lived in Bucerías. But during the busy tourist season, this number can double! It's a classic Mexican town with charming cobblestone streets. You'll find a main town square, a church, and lots of shops and restaurants. The town has a long, beautiful white sand beach that stretches for over 18 miles (about 29 kilometers). Bucerías is about 27 meters (89 feet) above sea level.
A dry riverbed called the Arroyo del Indio cuts through Bucerías. This riverbed is usually dry for most of the year. It also acts as a road under the main highway, Fed 200. You can even drive a car along it far into the hills!
The part of Bucerías north of Fed 200 is mostly where local citizens live. The area south of Fed 200, closer to the beach, is where many foreign residents stay. Some live there all year, while others visit for part of the year.
A Bit of History
Bucerías started as a quiet fishing village in the 1930s. Since the 1980s, it has slowly become a popular tourist spot. Many visitors from Canada first started coming for long stays in their RVs. Today, Canadians are still a big part of the seasonal population. However, more and more Americans are also moving to the town. This is partly because new condominium buildings are being built.
Big all-inclusive hotels have grown in nearby Nuevo Vallarta. This has also led to more building in Bucerías. But in Bucerías, the buildings are usually not as tall. They rarely go above seven floors. Most of these new buildings are condominiums, not hotels.
Fun Facts and Festivals
Every January, the town celebrates a special festival. It honors Our Lady of Peace (La Virgen de la Paz). She is the patron saint of the local Catholic church. During this time, there is a large and lively street market. You can find traditional art and beautiful fabrics from the region there.
