The best beaches are southeast of town around Bahía de Matanchén, starting with Playa Las Islitas, 7km from San Blas. To get here, take the main road toward Tepic and turn right after about 4km. This paved road goes south to Matanchén, where a dirt road leads east to Playa Las Islitas and continues on to wonderfully swimmable beaches with gentle surf.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
22.97 MILES
Inside an impressive magenta palacio (palace), the regional museum features Huichol and other pre-Hispanic ceramics mostly sourced from burials from…
2.28 MILES
This hill is the site of San Blas' original colonial settlement. It's worth visiting for the wonderful views of the town from the top and to stroll around…
2.35 MILES
The beach closest to the town is Playa El Borrego, at the end of Azueta – look for the jet aircraft. It's a long sweep of gray sand with decent waves…
29.81 MILES
At this verdant site, reachable via a picturesque, jungly walk, there are numerous well-preserved petroglyphs, some geometrical, some depicting human…
1.31 MILES
On the river, this crocodile nursery rears toothy reptiles that later get released into the wild as part of a repopulation program. There are also some…
22.98 MILES
This museum displays contemporary popular art of Nayarit’s Huichol, Cora, Tepehuano, Mexicanero and mestizo peoples, including clothing, yarn art, weaving…
22.9 MILES
South of the Plaza Principal is the Palacio de Gobierno. Look inside to see some impressive and colorful murals. Painted by José Luis Soto and finished in…
23.1 MILES
Celebrates the life of the preeminent 19th-century Mexican poet Amado Nervo, born here in 1870.
Nearby Central Pacific Coast attractions
1.31 MILES
On the river, this crocodile nursery rears toothy reptiles that later get released into the wild as part of a repopulation program. There are also some…
2.28 MILES
This hill is the site of San Blas' original colonial settlement. It's worth visiting for the wonderful views of the town from the top and to stroll around…
2.35 MILES
The beach closest to the town is Playa El Borrego, at the end of Azueta – look for the jet aircraft. It's a long sweep of gray sand with decent waves…
22.9 MILES
South of the Plaza Principal is the Palacio de Gobierno. Look inside to see some impressive and colorful murals. Painted by José Luis Soto and finished in…
22.97 MILES
Inside an impressive magenta palacio (palace), the regional museum features Huichol and other pre-Hispanic ceramics mostly sourced from burials from…
22.98 MILES
This museum displays contemporary popular art of Nayarit’s Huichol, Cora, Tepehuano, Mexicanero and mestizo peoples, including clothing, yarn art, weaving…
23.1 MILES
Celebrates the life of the preeminent 19th-century Mexican poet Amado Nervo, born here in 1870.
29.81 MILES
At this verdant site, reachable via a picturesque, jungly walk, there are numerous well-preserved petroglyphs, some geometrical, some depicting human…