An insider’s guide to San Blas, Nayarit

Tucked on the bluish seashore of Nayarit, astir 90 miles northbound of Nuevo Nayarit and conscionable an hr from the recently expanded Riviera Nayarit International Airport successful Tepic, San Blas is inactive somewhat of a concealed to travelers on Mexico’s Pacific coast. This sleepy larboard municipality hasn’t bowed to edifice sprawl oregon wide tourism. Instead, it thrives successful its wilderness.

Nature runs the amusement here. Picture 4 miles of raw, undeveloped formation that stretches on the coastline. Crocodiles cruise done mangrove-lined estuaries. More than 300 migratory vertebrate taxon overgarment the skies. Surfers paddle retired to the legendary breaks astatine Playa Las Islitas. For travelers seeking thing disconnected the radar, San Blas delivers.

The municipality offers each the basal amenities you need, with a charming assemblage halfway to invited holidaymakers and time trippers alike. (Recorriendo mí país)

Things to bash successful San Blas

Start with the beach. El Borrego is the main draw, a two-mile expanse of aureate soil and gentle waves that backs close up to the town. Head down the seashore to Playa Las Islitas, 1 of Mexico’s astir beloved surf spots. The vibe present is chill, the h2o warm, and the beachfront palapas serving up fresh-caught food are perfect.

If you’re up for an adventure, instrumentality a vessel done the La Tovara National Park, conscionable a small much than a mile from town. You’ll interval done winding canals beneath heavy mangrove tunnels, spotting herons, turtles, iguanas, and possibly a crocodile oregon two. The thrust ends astatine a crystal-clear outpouring wherever you tin aquatics safely down netted enclosures. Further down the San Cristobal River, sojourn the section crocodile sanctuary, wherever conservation efforts are successful afloat swing. Cocodrilario Kiekari is simply a riverfront crocodile nursery that helps to rise babe crocodiles and instrumentality them to the chaotic arsenic portion of a repopulation program. You tin circuit the sanctuary, wherever you whitethorn besides spot jaguars, lynxes, and migratory birds.

Another indispensable is the vessel thrust to Isla del Rey, a quiescent land paradise cleanable for snorkeling and picnicking. And don’t miss Piedra Blanca, a ineffable stone enactment offshore that honors Nuestra Señora del Rosario, the town’s patron saint of sailors. Every October 7, residents marque a ceremonial travel to wage homage, and the tract holds taste value for the indigenous Wixárika (Huichol) people.

San Blas is besides a humanities heavyweight. Founded arsenic a strategical larboard successful the 18th period by the Spanish Crown, San Blas became the motorboat constituent for expeditions to what is present California. From here, Gaspar de Portolá and Junípero Serra departed to found the missions that would go San Diego and Monterey. 

Walk up the elevation to the Fort of La Contaduria, built successful 1770 to defender against pirates. Its panoramic views agelong implicit the coastline and the mangroves. Down by the pier, the Casa de la Cultura present stands successful what was erstwhile the customs location that managed commercialized from crossed the Pacific. 

The fort of La Contaduria, a erstwhile lookout that defended the municipality from marauding pirates. (El Souvenir)

And of course, for fans of Mexican popular culture, don’t hide to sojourn the San Blas Pier, immortalized successful the Maná opus “En el Muelle de San Blas,” inspired by a section pistillate who waited determination for her mislaid emotion for decades.

Where to eat

For a quiescent town, San Blas has a amazingly robust culinary scene, particularly for seafood lovers.

• Restaurante Playa Bonita (right connected El Borrego) is cleanable for post-beach ceviche, aguachile, oregon pescado zarandeado. The views of the Pacific portion you sip a acold brew are hard to beat.
• Caballito de Mar, besides connected Playa Borrego, is different coagulated prime for seafood. They specialize successful caller food caught by section expeditions and served successful mouthwatering, no-fuss preparations.
• For thing with a interaction of section expat flair, caput to The San Blas Social Club, tally by the ever-hospitable Sandra, who besides operates a canine rescue and taxi service. The vibe is easygoing, the nutrient consistently good, and the institution often colorful.
• Wala Wala Restaurante is simply a assemblage favourite for its affable work and standout coconut shrimp with mango sauce. Owned by Pedro and his sisters, this welcoming spot is simply a favourite among overseas residents and locals alike.
• Ofros Restaurant & Bar rounds retired the database with fantabulous service, delicious seafood staples similar monkfish and laing, and a calm, unpretentious vibe.

Where to stay

Don’t expect large resorts oregon all-inclusive behemoths successful San Blas. What you volition find are charming hacienda-style hotels with character, idiosyncratic touches, and an accent connected locally owned.

Hotel Garza Canela is simply a longtime favorite, known for its gracious service, cozy rooms, and beauteous gardens. Their on-site restaurant, El Delfín, is simply a section favorite.

Hacienda Flamingos is different apical spot, with gorgeous assemblage architecture, agleam colors, and a rooftop terrace perfect for sunset watching. 

San Blas whitethorn not beryllium connected everyone’s question radar, but that’s the point. It’s the benignant of spot wherever you ticker birds alternatively of your phone, devour what was swimming that morning, and locomotion streets layered with history. It’s a larboard town, a pilgrimage site, a surf haven, and a sanctuary for taxon (and possibly for you, too).

Meagan Drillinger is simply a New York autochthonal who has spent the past 15 years traveling astir and penning astir Mexico. While she’s connected the roadworthy for assignments astir of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her location base. Follow her travels connected Instagram astatine @drillinjourneys oregon done her blog astatine drillinjourneys.com.