The Marietas Islands were originally formed many thousands of years ago by volcanic activity, and are completely uninhabited.

The islands are about an hour-long boat ride west-northwest from the coast of Puerto Vallarta and are visited daily by hundreds of tourists, yet no one can legally set foot on the islands.

In the early 1900s, the Mexican government began conducting military testing on the islands because no one lived there. Many bombings and large explosions took place on the islands causing caves and rock formations to be created.

After a massive international outcry, started by scientist Jacques Cousteau in the late 1960s, the government eventually decided to label the islands a national park and therefore protected against any fishing, hunting, or human activity.

Situated in a sort of open sun-drenched crater, this beach is affectionately nicknamed the “hidden beach” or “beach of love” (Playa del Amor), it is accessible only when the tide is low.

The Islands are home to 44 different species of plants and wildlife. This has led to the inclusion of National Park in RAMSAR sites its designation as a UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve.

Many species of seabirds use the location as feeding and breeding grounds, these include blue-footed boobies as well as the red-billed tropicbirds.

It also has many different varieties of coral, which, in turn, is home to a large variety of reef fish species. The island ecosystem is also home to dolphins, Manta Rays, and a number of tropical fish. Eels and many species of sea turtles are also found in the reefs and the many caves that dot the site.

During the winter months, humpback whales arrive at the islands and can be observed all through winter.

Protection by the government has created an environment conducive to the development of the marine ecosystem and is a popular location for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Not even during whale watching tours, people often report seeing sea turtles, manta rays, octopus, wild dolphins, humpback whales, and thousands of species of tropical fish around the islands. The islands are also home to a few thousand birds, with species such as the blue-footed booby.

Currently, the Mexican government allows only a few companies to go to the islands and allows the landing of passengers onto one secluded beach with the necessary permit from SEMARNAT.

From Punta de Mita, small boats do tours through the islands to see the wildlife of this region. From December to March gray and humpback whales can be observed that come from Alaska to give birth off the coast of Nayarit.

It has been estimated in studies carried out at the University of Guadalajara that the so-called “hidden beach” or the “love beach” can accommodate up to 116 visitors a day without degrading.

The carrying capacity of the entire park is 625 visitors a day. (These studies used the antiquated system of Tourism carrying capacity to estimate visitors). However, the actual number of visitors is typically three of four times this limit with more than 2500 visitors landing on it each day during 2016.

During the Easter holidays, more than 250 boats landed on the island per day, some of them carrying as many as 400 tourists. This has been due to recent interest in the Island.

The number of tourists in 2012 was only 27,500, but this skyrocketed to 127,372 in 2015.

In May 2016, the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, the national environmental authority in Mexico announced that the Islands and their beaches shall be closed to the general public from May 9.

There have been several reasons presented for this closure, although all of them stem from the increased number of tourists visiting the site. One of the main reasons for the closure is that the coral in the area is being destroyed.

The cause of coral destruction is thought to be a combination of global warming, the presence of boat oil in the water due to excessive tour trips, and physical destruction due to the dropping of anchors up to 250 times a day.

The structure of the Islands and the famous beach is composed of two types of volcanic rocks. The interior is made up of “explosive rocks” which erode quickly and the exterior “shell” is made up of a more resilient form of rock which can withstand erosion to a greater degree.

This does not mean that the island is not susceptible to erosion. According to various studies carried out in 2014 it has been estimated that the Island only has a few thousand more years before it will erode away. However, the rate of erosion is being accelerated by human impact and according to officials, “Excessive tourism could lead to a more rapid destruction of this sanctuary.”

Another problem is the increase in solid waste pollution and hydrocarbon pollution. These pose a threat not only to the coral but to larger animals as well. even the humpback whales have felt the negative impact of hydrocarbon pollution.

The Mexican authorities have outlined several plans to undo the damage done to the beaches and the islands. These will focus not only on repairing the damage already caused by human hands but will also focus on mitigating any further human interference in the ecosystem.

The first part of the plan is to “replant” the coral in order to compensate for the coral that has been destroyed. This is done by attaching new coral to the already existing coral and letting it grow for 3 to 4 months. Another major effort focuses on limiting the damaging human impact on the sanctuary when the islands reopen for the general public and tourists.

According to the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) after the Islands have been reopened for tourism tourist overload may be mitigated by placing a special floating dock in the bay area which will limit the ships that arrive. another measure under consideration is to place buoys around the fragile ecosystem in order to control the number of visitors that are arriving.

A gaping hole in the surface of the lush green island opens onto a secret beach, with ample shade, sun, and crystal-clear water.

Playa del Amor, more commonly known as the Hidden Beach, is a feature of one of the Marieta Islands – a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of Mexico. They are very popular tourist destinations because of the abundant marine life populations due to the islands being protected from fishing and hunting by the Mexican government. The depth around the islands is between 70 and 110 feet.

Situated in a sort of open sun-drenched crater, this beach is affectionately nicknamed the “hidden beach” or “beach of love” (Playa del Amor), it is accessible only when the tide is low.
The famous beach looks like something out of a fantasy novel: a wide, sandy cavern with the blue waters of the Pacific rushing in. The islands are an archipelago, a chain of land formations formed by underwater volcano eruptions. They themselves are natural wonders, but it was something other than volcanic activity that brought the burrowed beach to light.

The Marietas Islands were originally formed many thousands of years ago by volcanic activity, and are completely uninhabited. The islands are about an hour-long boat ride west-northwest from the coast of Puerto Vallarta and are visited daily by hundreds of tourists, yet no one can legally set foot on the islands.

It is rumored that the hole that created the Hidden Beach was a result of deliberate bombings. The Marieta Islands have always been completely uninhabited, making them ideal sites for military testing by the Mexican government. Beginning in the early 1900s, weapons and artillery were tested on the Marieta Islands, a safe distance from Mexican citizens but not so safe for Marieta’s topography. Test bombs are the known cause for many caves and rock formations on the island, possibly including the Hidden Beach. Many bombings and large explosions took place on the islands causing amazing caves and rock formations to be created.

In the 1960s, scientist Jacques Cousteau led a protest against harmful human activity on the islands. In 2005, the islands were finally named a national park, Parque Nacional Islas Marietas, making swimming, kayaking, sunbathing, and other forms of recreation the only activity. Extensive military testing damaged flora and fauna on the island for decades, but many years of peace have replenished the islands’ pristine waters and marine life.

The Hidden Beach is invisible from the outside and is only accessible through a long water tunnel that links the beach to the Pacific Ocean. There are approximately six feet of space above the water level, so visitors can arrive at the beach by swimming or kayaking. The islands remain uninhabited but are frequently visited by tourists who come to enjoy the diverse marine wildlife and the unique tropical Eden of Playa del Amor.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

SNational Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700

The main site of tourist interest is the volcano of Ceboruco.

The Ceboruco volcano can be reached via an 18-kilometer rock-covered road from the main highway. The crater is located 3 km up the trail from the end of the road. The volcano’s last eruption occurred from 1870 to 1872.

According to researchers, in prehistoric times Ceborucco had at least 2 very large eruptions that produced 2 concentric calderas. Ceborucco rises about 1000 m above its base and has a summit elevation of 2,164 m.

Nearby is the archaeological site of a temple and burial grounds dating back to 700.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in Roman and Gothic architectural styles.

Explore the plateau villages. The municipality of Jala has beautiful villages with a cold climate that you can enjoy by visiting their cabins. Communities like Juanacatlán, Jalpa Grande, and Los Aguajes are excellent options.

In August, Jala celebrates the Elote Fair with a series of artistic and cultural events.

The climate in Mexcaltitán de Uribe is influenced by its coastal location.

The island has a tropical wet and dry climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. Daytime temperatures typically range from 25°C to 32°C, while nights are cooler, with temperatures around 15°C to 20°C.

Rainy Season: Mexcaltitán de Uribe experiences a rainy season from June to October. During this time, rainfall is relatively abundant, and the landscape becomes lush and green. The rainy season is ideal for witnessing the island’s natural beauty in full bloom.

Dry Season: The dry season spans from November to May. This period is characterized by less rainfall and more sunshine. The weather is warm and pleasant, making it a popular time for tourists to visit.

Best time to visit Mexcaltitán

The best time to visit Mexcaltitán de Uribe largely depends on your preferences.

Dry Season (November to May): This is the peak tourist season, characterized by pleasant weather and sunshine. It’s an excellent time for exploring the island’s streets, canals, and cultural attractions without worrying about rain.

The calm waters also make it a great time for boat rides.

Rainy Season (June to October): If you want to experience Mexcaltitán de Uribe at its most lush and green, visit during the rainy season. The landscape is vibrant, and you can witness the island’s natural beauty in full bloom.

However, be prepared for occasional rain showers.

The name “Mexcaltitán” has an interesting origin rooted in Aztec mythology and the Nahuatl language.

It is believed to be derived from the Nahuatl words “mexcalli” and “titlān”, when combined, roughly translates to “in the house of the maguey.” The maguey plant (agave) was of great cultural and economic importance to the Aztecs.

Pre-Hispanic Era

The island’s history dates back to ancient times when it was inhabited by indigenous peoples, primarily the Cora and Huichol tribes.

These indigenous communities established their settlements on the island due to its strategic location within the coastal lagoon system, which provided abundant resources for fishing and agriculture.

Aztec Influence

This quaint island village is dated to the start of the 12th century.

Mexcaltitán de Uribe is often associated with the legendary birthplace of the Aztec civilization. Mexicaltitán is believed to be the location of the mythical city of Aztlán, the long-lost birthplace of the Aztec civilization.

Legend says this tiny ancient island is the lost Aztlan, from where the Aztecs set out on their pilgrimage in 1091 which led them to the founding of Tenochtitlan (actual Mexico City) in the Valley of Mexico in 1325.

This historical connection adds to the island’s cultural significance.

There is little evidence to support the claim, although the streets of Mexicaltitán are laid out in a circular, cruciform pattern similar to Tenochtitlan, and Aztec mythology does suggest the civilization originated on an island.

This hypothesis is still up for debate.

Spanish Colonization

Like much of Mexico, Mexcaltitán de Uribe was eventually colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century. The island’s strategic location made it an important trade and transportation hub during colonial times.

The principal tourist attraction of the island consists of its colorful houses with traditional water-resistant roofs and during the rainy season, it is necessary to travel by boat due to the major flooding of the streets.

Among many outstanding buildings, the city consists of a museum, a catholic church, the commission of ejido, an elementary school, and a government-operated hospital.

The island has retained its traditional Mexican charm, with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and a rich cultural heritage.

Mexcaltitán de Uribe celebrates its indigenous and colonial roots through various festivals, including the annual Feast of San Pedro, which features traditional music, dance, and culinary delights.

Despite its small size, Mexcaltitán de Uribe offers a range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy:

Explore the Canals: Take a boat ride through the intricate canal system that winds its way through the village. It’s a unique way to see the island and experience its “Venetian” atmosphere.

Visit the Main Square: The town’s central square, Plaza Principal, is a great place to start your exploration. Here, you can find the Church of San Pedro, a historic colonial church with a striking facade.

Enjoy Local Cuisine: Savor traditional Mexican dishes at local restaurants, with a focus on seafood caught fresh from the lagoons. Try dishes like ceviche and pescado zarandeado.

Learn About Aztec History: Visit the Aztec Museum to learn more about the island’s historical connection to Aztec mythology and the early days of the Aztec civilization.

Participate in Festivals: If you visit during a local festival, such as the Feast of San Pedro, immerse yourself in the island’s vibrant culture through music, dance, and traditional foods.

The island is accessible by boat from La Batanga, which is the dock area located some 40 km from Santiago Ixcuintla. The island is small and easily walked, and still relatively removed from the tourist trail, accessible only by boat.

The island counts of 2 ferries:

• La Batanga is the most transited, 6 km away from Mexcaltitán.
• El Matadero is smaller than the others, 2 km away from the island.

Fauna and climate

In winter, the Caguama Turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of Nuevo Vallarta. Caguama turtles have been in danger of extinction since 1978.

Some people steal the turtle eggs and cook them; the police are trying to stop these illegal acts by taking the turtle eggs to a safe place with biologists and environmentalists who can take care of them.

The climate is hotter and wetter than in Puerto Vallarta. The annual average temperature is 25 °C (77 °F) and in the summer months the high temperatures can reach 32 °C (90 °F).

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about

tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs

and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

SNational Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700

The area is noted for its surfing. Playa de Matanchen was famous for having the longest surfable wave in the world, as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. A hurricane and subsequent storm surge filled part of the bay with sand, greatly reducing the size of the waves.

The area has an abundance of migratory birds in the surrounding estuaries and lowland palm forests, attracting significant numbers of birders. The Christmas Bird Count regularly finds well over 200 species, with a record 292 species in 1983. There is an annual international gathering of birders at the Garza Canela Hotel.

The town is also a gateway, along with the nearby village of Matanchen, to the La Tovara park, an extensive mangrove forest and federally protected nature preserve accessible by small boats.

The formerly elegant Playa Hermosa, built in 1951, is on a lonely and beautiful stretch of beach about a mile from the plaza. In the 1960s, Hollywood had a brief hideaway flirtation with San Blas when actors including Lee Marvin discovered San Blas for fishing. The hotel is now abandoned.

San Blas was founded in 1531, but the official date of founding is 1768, when Don Manuel Rivera and 116 families arrived on the orders of the Viceroy of New Spain, Marqués de Croix, under the supervision of José de Gálvez, who was visitador general (“inspector”) of New Spain.

San Blas was the port from which the Spanish priest Junípero Serra, Father President of the California Missions, departed for California. He left on March 12, 1768 from the nearby Las Islitas beach on Matanchen Bay, on the locally built barque Purísima Concepción.

In May 1768, San Blas was designated as a new naval base for the Spanish Navy. At first, only two ships were assigned to the port: the packet boat San Carlos, commanded by Juan Pérez, and El Principe, commanded by Vicente Vila. Gálvez ordered four new vessels to be built, one of which was the schooner Sonora, later sailed in 1775 by Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra to Alaska.

On March 16, 1775, the San Carlos was set to depart San Blas, Mexico, for San Francisco Bay, stopping in Monterey to unload supplies for the mission there. The vessel was a product of the shipyard established on the Santiago River. Her length was 58 feet, the officers and men numbered 30. The voyage was delayed 3 days, until the first officer, 30-year-old Juan Manuel de Ayala, subdued the commander, “who had lost his wits and had to be taken back to port.” The captain had been threatening the crew with loaded firearms and “without proper safeguards”. Officer Ayala shot himself in the right foot while securing the weapons, but they sailed for San Francisco on March 19 under his command. They reached Monterey Bay on June 25. After a month there, she sailed, and arrived off the “yet unexplored Golden Gate”. A land party had seen the south bay having traveled overland from Monterey. A first mate named Jose de Canizares entered in a long boat, being the first recorded European to enter what is now known as San Francisco Bay.

From its founding, the naval base provided logistical support for the Franciscan missions of Alta California. As the number of missions grew, San Blas was required to send supply voyages more frequently, taxing the naval base’s small fleet and finances. San Blas also became the base for Spanish expeditions to the Pacific Northwest. From 1789 to 1795, San Blas was responsible for establishing and maintaining the Spanish post at Nootka Sound and Fort San Miguel. For about twenty years in the late 18th century, San Blas was one of the busiest ports and shipbuilding centers on the Pacific coast of the Americas, rivaling Acapulco, the eastern terminus of the trans-Pacific Manila galleon convoy.

In many ways, San Blas was a poor choice for a deep sea harbor and settlement. The harbor was so small that it could never hold more than four ships at a time. Silting caused by the nearby Río Grande de Santiago resulted in the need for the harbor to be regularly dredged. The climate’s stifling humidity and torrential rains from July to October, coupled with extensive mangrove swamps that surrounded the settlement, resulted in San Blas being plagued by clouds of voracious mosquitoes. A variety of sicknesses were endemic, including dysentery, typhoid fever, malaria, and other fevers. Naval officers and workers regularly complained about the climate. When Alessandro Malaspina visited in 1791, he found San Blas’s climate so unhealthy that he refused to stay there, instead transferring his operations and some of San Blas’s ships and personnel to Acapulco. San Blas’s location was useful and logical, however, because it minimized travel time from Guadalajara and Mexico City without increasing the total distance to the Californias. Also, the area around San Blas had a plentiful supply of hardwoods useful for ship building and repair. Fresh water was also available year round.

A hillside fort was built in 1770 to defend the town’s extensive sea trade with the Philippines. Its front has stone carvings of the kings of Spain. On the hill behind the fort are the ruins of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, built in 1769. The ruins once contained the bronze bells that are said to have inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “The Bells of San Blas”. The ruins of a 19th-century customs house are on Calle Benito Juárez, three blocks from the main plaza.

During the colonial period, hardwood forests were the raw materials for ships that did a brisk trade with the Philippines and the Manila galleon until the shipping moved to the port at Manzanillo, and later to Acapulco.

At its height, the town had 30,000 inhabitants and became headquarters of Spain’s General of the Southern Seas.

Yaqui deportations

During the 1900s, San Blas served as the arrival port for thousands of Yaqui men, women and children forcibly removed from their lands and sold into slavery. At San Blas, these families were forcibly marched 200 miles to San Marcos and its train station. Those who did not die on the march were sold into slavery at San Marcos, where they were deported to the sugar cane plantations in Oaxaca, the tobacco planters of the Valle Nacional, and the henequen plantation owners of the Yucatán for use as slave labor. Most of the enslaved workers died within the first year of their captivity.

…

The pre-Columbian indigenous inhabitants of the area were most likely small bands of the semi-nomadic Cuyuteco which came in contact with Spanish Conquistadores in 1524 for the first time when Fernando Cortes de Buenaventura discovered 100,000 indigenous population split into 40 tribal communities.

In 1530, Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán’s account of his battle with the Cuyutecos at Valle gave name to the Bay of Banderas, as the natives carried colorful banners.

Civic sites identified in the region include Ixtapa, Valle, and Ixtlan del Rio. These sites were most likely tributary outposts of the Aztatlan kingdom centered in northern present-day Nayarit.

Like most of the greater Banderas Bay area, the sheer remoteness and thick jungle prevented permanent European colonization until the late 19th century.

The area developed thanks to the collection of coconut for oil production and export. Coconut oil production was controlled by a sole company first owned by Don Marcial Nuño and later by the Camarena family, when the latter was expelled from the area, but a decrease in the international pricing brought the industry to a decline.

The ejido of Sayulita was not established until 1941 after the government expropriated the private Hacienda and returned the land to the people dividing it into five villages in 1936.

Known for its consistent rivermouth surf break, Sayulita was “discovered” by roving surfers in the late 1960s with the construction of Mexican Highway 200.

The area became famous with Hollywood celebrities when The Night of the Iguana, which was filmed in Puerto Vallarta, showed the beauty and seclusion of the area to Ava Gardner, Richard Burton and wife Elisabeth Taylor.

Today, Sayulita is a prosperous growing village of approximately 5,000 residents. Hailed as a popular hippie and off-the-beaten-path travel destination, Sayulita offers a variety of recreational activities such as horseback riding, hiking, jungle canopy tours, snorkeling, and fishing. Still a mecca for beginning surfers of all ages, Sayulita also attracts tourists to its numerous art galleries and casual and hipsters cafes and restaurants.

Sayulita is frequented by native Cora and Huichol peoples whose artwork and beadwork is inspired by their cosmology, which is in turn aided by use of peyote, the psychedelic cactus sacred to the tribe.

The town is a part of the newly designated “Riviera Nayarit”, the 160km coastal corridor from Litibú to San Blas. Its natural beauty and easy access to Puerto Vallarta have made Sayulita real estate some of the most sought after in all of Mexico.

Growing ecological awareness and stricter zoning enforcement have caused development to be regulated in order to help safeguard the environment and quality of life. Sayulita has a medical office with an English-speaking doctor and pharmacist, a number of internet cafes, and a wide variety of open-air eateries, some located right on the sand beach. In recent years, yoga has also become a fashionable magnet to the area and digital nomads are choosing the town as an affordable base thanks to the facilities, the easy access to an international airport in Puerto Vallarta and the many activities on offer.

Buses from Puerto Vallarta run every 15 min $2-$4 (1:15/1:30 hours).
Taxi from Puerto Vallarta $15-$19 (0:35 min).

Buses from Tepic via Mezcales $15-$33 (2:50/3:50 hours) run hourly.
Taxi from Tepic $40-$55 (1:55 hours).

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700

Tepic has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa), with most rain falling in the wet season from June to October.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700

Valle de Banderas enjoys a tropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. The rainy season typically occurs from June to October when the lush landscape comes alive with vibrant greenery.

During this period, you can expect frequent but refreshing afternoon rain showers. The dry season, from November to May, brings sunny days and cooler evenings, making it a popular time for tourists to visit.

The best time to visit

The best time to visit Valle de Banderas depends on your preferences. If you enjoy lush landscapes and don’t mind occasional rain, the wet season can be a beautiful time to experience the area’s natural beauty.

However, for those seeking sunny weather and outdoor activities, the dry season, particularly from November to April, is ideal. This period offers perfect conditions for beach outings and exploring the town.

At the foot of the Vallejo Mountains in the Pre-Columbian period, “Tintoque” (“Valley of the Warriors”) was the village center of a small chieftainship of Cuyuteco Indians, within the larger Xalisco homeland of the Cuyuteco.

They cultivated the fertile fields of the valley, rather than going to the sea, for their main food sources.

The village was renamed “Valle de Banderas” (“Valley of the Flags”) by Francisco Cortés de Buenaventura, the nephew of Hernán Cortés, when he conquered the Pacific coast region in 1525.

Valle de Banderas is known for its charming, cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Take a leisurely walk through the town center to admire the picturesque buildings and vibrant street art.

The town of Valle de Banderas, with a 140-year-old church, is the oldest and most important town in the municipality.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the area’s agricultural richness. Visit local farms and orchards to taste fresh, tropical fruits and learn about the farming traditions of the region.

Valle de Banderas is a short drive from beautiful Pacific coast beaches. Explore the nearby Sierra Madre Occidental mountains by taking on hiking trails that offer breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscapes.