As a Mexican American citizen and a Marketing specialist at Vibe Adventures, I have gained a lot of knowledge about the beautiful places Mexico offers over the years. However, if you are looking for the best place to retire in Mexico, I think it would be Nuevo Vallarta.
Let's not confuse it with Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta is smaller, and it's located on the beautiful Riviera Nayarit. And this is one of the perks of retiring here because it is more affordable. The cost of living is super reasonable compared to resort towns, but you've still got all the amenities you could want as a retiree.
Nuevo Vallarta is the smaller, more low-key neighbor right next door. That's honestly part of the appeal for me. Puerto Vallarta gets swamped with tourists, but Nuevo Vallarta has this chill, almost secret kind of vibe.
Nuevo Vallarta has warm, sunny weather year-round. It's never that hot like Acapulco or Cancun, the warm weather is more enjoyable here than over those places.
Another perk? Bay of Banderas is a top-notch fishing spot around here. I once caught a big Marlin here. It was around 22 pounds (1o kg) if I remember correctly. So, if you love fishing like me and are looking for a place to retire, relax, and go fishing like there's no tomorrow, you've come to the right place.
There's plenty of Sealife that you can find here, but not just for fishing, mostly for admiring the natural wonders of the sea. One of the most beautiful sights I've seen in my life was watching a humpback whale around here, soaring through the sea.
It has a lot of food options - and one of the best in the world - the cuisine in this part of Nayarit is out of this world. You've got these amazing street food stands serving up crazy delicious street food. Then you've got upscale places run by renowned chefs putting their spin on regional specialties.
Side note and personal opinion, Mexican food is the best so, you're going to be in food heaven in Nuevo Vallarta. Every restaurant and every street food stand is a gastronomical explosion!
The community itself is made for retirees. A lot of the developments have amenities and services tailored specifically for more seasoned folks. Things like golf courses and clubs, pools, tennis - you name it.
And the expat scene is so welcoming and lively. Instantly you've got this built-in social circle of people in the same life stage as you.
Then there's the healthcare factor, which is huge if you're looking abroad for retirement. The medical facilities in Nuevo Vallarta and throughout the Riviera Nayarit region are really good. Costs are a fraction of what you'd pay up north, too.
Real estate options: You've got some gorgeous oceanfront condo complexes and villa communities. Huge open-air patios, infinity pools looking over the bay, and lush landscaped grounds. It's surprisingly affordable compared to similar setups in the US or Canada.
I could honestly go on all day about why this place is perfect for kicking up your feet. The only downside is you might end up having too good of a time and wake up 20 years later still living that retired beach life! Though honestly, being a permanent retiree in paradise doesn't sound like such a bad problem to have...
At the end of the day, what I love the most is how this place manages to pack in so much natural beauty and adventure while still being an oasis of relaxation. The expat community has settled in to embrace that laidback lifestyle, but there's always some call for excitement. In my book, it's paradise.
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