Get to know San Blas
Find your favorite destination and explore its charms
San Blas is a typical fishermen's village, rooted in the charm of quiet beaches, estuary mouths inhabited by birds, the warmth and simplicity of its people, and centuries of history written by the sea; it was one of the most important naval ports of New Spain. Also, this is where the 160 km ( 100 miles ) strip of coast that make up the Riviera Nayarit, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, comes to an end.
The scenery provided by the ocean, the green mountains, and the old colonial buildings of the town of San Blas are incomparable. Everywhere, bicycles are rented to go to the Fort of San Basilio, the fortress that protected it from pirate invasions and is now one of the best viewpoints to feel the sea breeze.
Downhill you can reach el Templo de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Temple of Our Lady of the Rosary), used for photo sessions because of the light effects created among its arches. You will pass by the ex-maritime customs house, today the Casa de Cultura (House of Culture) with art exhibitions until you reach the dock: the legend says (made into a song) that here, a woman sat for years to wait for her love who never returned.
Right at the dock, the boats leave for the tropical marsh that includes the El Pozo estuary and the San Cristobal River and, of course, the La Tovara National Park -located two kilometers (1 mile) away from San Blas-, one of the most impressive natural attractions of the area with mangroves and hundreds of birds flying, as well as the wooden floating houses (characteristic of the first settlements) recreated to film the Spanish movie “Cabeza de Vaca” (1991).
San Blas would not be the same without its 40 km ( 25 miles ) of beaches such as El Borrego, ideal for a rich hike, swimming, horseback riding or releasing turtles in the summer months at the Aayetsie Wakie turtle camp; Las Islitas, for surfing one of the longest waves in the world; and Bahia de Matanchén, a former pirate and buccaneer haven with palapas to eat “zarandeado” fish, ceviche and banana bread.
To close with a flourish, you must sail to Isabel Island, an oasis of volcanic rock for snorkeling and diving with whale sharks, turtles, and rays.
For those who wonder where to sleep, in San Blas, there are beachfront bungalows and hotels with colonial architecture that blend in perfectly with the landscape, such as Garza Canela and its Delfin restaurant under the command of Mexican chef Betty Vazquez. There is also Hacienda Flamingos and Marina San Blas, surrounded by extensive gardens and infinity edge pools.
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San Blas
