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Nayarit · Mexico
An oval island in the middle of the lagoon on the north coast of Nayarit, with streets that become canals in the rainy season, a museum about the Aztlán hypothesis, and a cuisine centered on shrimp and zarandeado fish.
In the photo: Mexcaltitán surrounded by the lagoon and the mangroves of Nayarit
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
On the north coast of Nayarit, among lagoons, tidal channels and mangroves, lies Mexcaltitán, a village built on an oval island about 400 meters wide. It is reachable only by boat. The streets radiate from the central plaza and have high sidewalks because in the rainy season the water rises and the streets become canals.
The island has been a historic monuments zone since 1986 and is part of the Marismas Nacionales Nayarit Biosphere Reserve, declared in 2010, a network of brackish lagoons, mangroves and wetlands along the coast. Shrimp fishing has supported the island’s families for generations.
Some researchers point to Mexcaltitán as the mythical Aztlán, the place from which the Mexica are said to have set out on the pilgrimage that ended with the founding of Tenochtitlán. The hypothesis is debated, and the Museo del Origen in the plaza dedicates its exhibition to it.
The island’s calendar revolves around San Pedro and San Pablo, the patron saints, celebrated at the end of June with a regatta of boats carrying the saints’ images for good fishing. On the table, shrimp appears in almost everything, and the island is cited as the origin of zarandeado fish.
This destination brings together 1 city: Mexcaltitán.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: INEGI / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeropuerto Internacional de Tepic Amado Nervo (TPQ), in Tepic · 128 km to Mexcaltitán
The city of Tepic, capital of Nayarit, is about 100 km away and has an airport (TPQ). From Tepic you drive to Santiago Ixcuintla and from there to the La Batanga pier, where speedboats depart for the island in a crossing of about 15 minutes.
The local experience
Museum in the central square of Mexcaltitán, opened in 1989, with archaeological pieces from the region, models and a reproduction of a codex. The exhibition is dedicated to the hypothesis that the island was Aztlán, from which the Mexica departed.
The church in Mexcaltitán’s central square, from the 19th century, dedicated to the island’s patron saints. On June 28 and 29, the saints’ festival includes a boat regatta that carries their images around the lagoon.
The lagoon that surrounds the island, part of the Marismas Nacionales Nayarit Biosphere Reserve. Boat trips travel the channels, mangroves and fishing spots around Mexcaltitán.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From November to May there is little rain and the heat is milder. From June to October is the rainy season, when the streets can turn into canals and heat and humidity increase. The feast of San Pedro and San Pablo is on June 28 and 29.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
One day is enough for the island: the plaza, the temple, the museum, a boat ride on the lagoon and a meal of shrimp or zarandeado fish. If you want to see sunrise or sunset over the lagoon you can spend a night.
On the island itself there are few, simple lodgings. For more options, the usual base is Santiago Ixcuintla, the municipal seat, or Tepic, the state capital, from where the visit is done as a day trip.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
By car or bus to Santiago Ixcuintla and from there to the La Batanga pier, where you take a speedboat for the short crossing to the island. Tepic, the capital of Nayarit, is about 100 km away and has an airport.
One day is enough for the island, the museum, a boat ride and a meal. One night lets you see the lagoon calmly at the start and end of the day.
From November to May there is little rain. From June to October is the rainy season, when the streets can become canals. The patrons’ festival is on June 28 and 29.
It is not mandatory: there are buses from Tepic to Santiago Ixcuintla. From the pier onward, transport is by boat; on the island you walk.
Yes. It’s about 100 km to the pier area, and the island can be toured in a few hours.
