Bucerías, Nayarit, Mexico – Bucerías, Nayarit is the place to be on April 8th and 9th as this seaside town hosts the 21st edition of the Oyster Festival, a celebration created by the divers themselves for the coastal communities and their visitors.
Since oyster harvesting is the mainstay of the economy in Bucerías (which means “Place of the Divers”) every Spring this laid-back seaside community hosts the Feria de Ostiones (Oyster Festival) – a celebration filled with music, partying and plenty of food and fun.
Organized by the Fishing and Aquaculture Cooperative for Costa de Chila, La Peñita and Boca Ameca, every year the hosts invite attendees to enjoy thousands of FREE oysters, as well as hundreds of kilos of oyster salad, ceviche and fried fish, as a way to say “gracías” to the thousands of visitors who spent their Semana Santa vacation in Vallarta-Nayarit.
The Bucerías Feria de Ostiones began in 2000 as a way to honor the local oyster divers and, since the yearly event is on the last day of oyster-culling season, every year the most anticipated event is the ‘Biggest Oyster’ contest. Contestants go after ‘The Big One,’ and the diver that pulls the largest oyster out of the sea is awarded.
Sponsored by the Municipality of La Bahía de Banderas in collaboration with Bucerías retailers and restaurateurs, this annual event is a grand fiesta that’s unique in the region.
This year’s Oyster Festival will begin at 12 noon on Saturday, April 8. In addition to all of that free food, there will be fun cultural events, so the party will continue on Sunday, April 9th.
“We want everyone to come because it’s a family-friendly event that showcases Bucerías’ identity. It’s also a great way to celebrate the Semana Santa holidays,” said Mirtha Villalvazo, the municipal president of Bahía de Banderas. “We want this not to be just an isolated festival, but a space to appreciate everything that Bucerías offers.”
Make plans now to come out and enjoy the 21st annual Bucerías Oyster Festival – you’ll be glad you did!