La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (“The Cross of Huanacaxtle”) is a Mexican fishing village situated on the Pacific Ocean’s Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay) in the state of Nayarit. It is situated approximately 25 km from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The town name comes from a cross that is made of Huanacaxtle wood which is located at the town’s entrance.
The town was founded in the 1930s by the Chávez family. The Chávez family still maintains a mango orchard on the outskirts of town. The Blanca family was also one of the original settlers of La Cruz as it is locally known. They too, remain residents.
In 2008, a major renovation of the harbor was completed and now hosts a marina, called Marina Riviera capable of handling vessels of all sizes up to 400 feet in length.
The population of La Cruz is about 1600 residents year round, swelling in size during the winter months when many expats (mostly Canadians) call it home from November to just before Easter.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Town Vibe and Culture
La Cruz, with the marina as it’s central feature, feels like a boaters paradise. Built next to a hill, there are many places to stay that have an awesome view of Banderas Bay and, at night, the lights of Puerto Vallarta, shine across the large bay.
Prices here are higher that an authentic Mexican village like Bucerias, and I get the feeling that people are a bit pompous.
The weather in La Cruz is cooler than what the beaches down the coast offer. La Cruz, thanks to its Marina and harbor is a favorite for boater visitors from the US, Canada and Europe, some of which have established themselves in the town, bringing with them an array of businesses. You can now enjoy a Huichol Indian Art Gallery, cafes, various international food restaurants, local charity events, plus the local eateries and stores.
Beach(es)
La Cruz is home to the Marina, which has small, nondescript beaches on either side, mostly frequented by the local Mexicans. This is not a place to go looking for a great beach experience. But it is a great place to stay, and you can catch a colectivo or the ATM bus from here down to Bucerias, which has great beaches, or up to Punta de Mita if you are looking for a great place to surf.
You can also walk north from the marina towards La Manzanilla beach (described in the other beaches’ section), which is a great place to take your small kids. They can swim in the nook that is nearly wave-less and not very deep, while you sip margaritas or piña coladas under a palapa.