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Departing
from San Pancho
early in the morning, our journey to San Blas begins
with a 1 ½ hour drive north through the beautiful
countryside of Nayarit. Mexico 200 stretches north
and connects the bustling tourist destination of
Puerto Vallarta in the south with Tepic, Nayarit´s
state capital, in the north. Along the way we will
pass through the small villages of La Peñita, Las
Varas and Zacualpan. Turning westward the route
climbs through the mountains providing spectacular
view of the ocean and surrounding hills.
As we make our descent from the mountains into San
Blas the beach towns of Santa Cruz, Aticama, Los
Cocos and Matanchen will come into view. This area
war discovered by traveling surfers and is well
known for its quality swells, specially Matanchen,
wich lays claim to the world´s longest rideable
wave.
Our first stop is the La Aguada boat launch. This
will serve as the atanging area for our voyage up La
Tobara.
La Tobara is a pristine freshwater spring unaltered
by man.
Aboard a panga boat, we will cruise through the maze
of natural canals that promise one of the most
ecologycally important mangrove zones in Mexico.
Along La Tobara you will encounter a myriadof
tropical creatures. Get up close and personal with
crocodiles and wild boars, all behind the safety of
cahin- link fence, at the cocodrilario. If you look
up into the trees surrounding the nursery you might
spot an iguana or two. Keep your eyes pealed, they
are camouflaged well. Glancing into the dense
mangroves, one might catch a glimpse of a green
turtle or catfish frolicking in the natural fresh
water. The estuaries around San Blas are nationally
renown as birdwatchers paradise and La Tobara is no
exception.
Bring along a pair of binoculars to view
frigatebirds, cormorants, egrets and herons in
flight. During your trip notice the thatched- roof
huts biult on stilts.
They were placed here during the filming of the
popular Mexican Movie Cabeza de Vaca.
It recounts the history of indigenous people of this
area.
Upon hitting dry land, we are off to explore the
historical town of San Blas.
San Blas holds many links to Mexico´s glorious past.
Founded in the 18th century by Nuño
Beltran Guzman this port city held great military
and strategic importance. Evidence of this can be
found at the ruins a top Cerro de San Basilio. The
accounting and customs office, La Contaduria offers
the visitors a spectacular panorama of the town,
ocean and estuaries. The church, Marinera, stands in
silent testament to Spanish colonial rule.
Once in town our first stop is at the Huichol Art
and Visitors Center. One of Nayarit´s indigenous
tribes is the Huichols. They live in the high
villages of the Sierra Madre Mountains and journey
several times a year into town to sell their highly
detailed artwork. To produce such artistic splendor,
the Huichols consume peyote. Peyote is a small fruit
that grows on the cactus. It contains the drug
mascaline that causes a hallucinogenic effect giving
the artisans the vision, which they handcraft into
vibrant, technicolor works of art. Once inside the
center, a bilingual guide answer any question you
may have about the Huichols and their art. Before
departing take some time to look around the city of
San Blas. The main square is located just one block
away from the visitors center. Surrounding it are a
beautiful white church, a bakery and several small
cafes and eateries. A Banamex is located on Av.
Juarez if you need to exchange dollars for pesos.
Suggested items to bring include:
Bug repellent, sun block, hat,
camera, binoculars, water bottle, swim suit, towel
and pesos for shopping in town.
$ 60 US
Dollars per person |
