Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico - The Riviera Nayarit turned out to be 2017's top vacation destination and there's no doubt its wide variety of exciting events had a lot to do with its positioning.

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau backs sporting competitions, conventions and cultural activities as part of its promotional efforts; these activities put the destination squarely in the spotlight, as they increase the number of visitors and give it plenty of exposure thanks to the media coverage they receive.

"2017 was a very busy year in the Riviera Nayarit and many of the events that took place here will be back for 2018," said Marc Murphy, Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB). "This says a lot about the destination, although there will certainly be plenty of new activities to contribute to its diffusion."

The intense promotional work undertaken by the CVB and the AHMBB was key to this success, as well as the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit via the Promotional Tourism Trust (Fiprotur).

Vallarta Cup Race Series (January 6, 13, 20, and 27)
The year starts off with the Vallarta Cup Race Series, organized for the 13th year by the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta, running every Saturday in January. This is a series of races with the participation of some 25 sailboats in Banderas Bay; the sailors meet later at the VYC to enjoy the area's best hamburgers and live music.

2nd Nuevo Vallarta Car Show (January 13-14)
Car and motorcycle lovers shouldn't miss the Nuevo Vallarta Car Show, a family-friendly exhibit that will take place in the parking lot of the Nuevo Vallarta Business Center. The best cars and motorcycles in five different categories will receive an award.

Our Lady of Peace Patron Saint Festivities (January 16-24)
This is a religious festival that takes place in Bucerías. To celebrate its patron saint, the locals make a pilgrimage by sea on decorated boats from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Bucerías. There's also a fun verbena and cultural activities.

XIV Migratory Bird Festival (January 28 – February 4)
The San Blas XIV Migratory Bird Festival (FIAM) takes place from January 28 through February 4, 2018, with a program that includes a great variety of activities that promote culture, the arts and, above all, the conservation of the environment with a special focus on birds.

5th Festival Sayulita (January 31 – February 4)
The slogan for the 5th edition of the Festival Sayulita is "Cinema, Music, Drink, and Life." There will be this and much more: movies and short films projected on big screens on the beach, good food and drink, physical activity and a fantastic concert headlined by Dirty Heads and Nortec Collective.

2nd Green Race 5K and 10K (TBD)
If you like sports, kick off the New Year running to benefit the environment. The Riviera Nayarit Lions Club - whose slogan is "Planting the seed for a better future" - organizes the Green Race 5K and 10K. All monies from registration will go directly towards environmental care, including reforestation campaigns in public areas, beach cleanups and the creation of urban vegetable gardens.

And these are only a few of the events scheduled for the first month of the new year! Click HERE for the complete 2018 calendar of events in the Riviera Nayarit.