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5 Things to Do in San Blas Any Time of Year
Some things to do in San Blas depend on the season, like whale watching. These five don't: you can do them any day of the year.
San Blas, a small port in the middle of the state of Nayarit, is part of the Riviera Nayarit.
It's a destination rich in natural resources. Its two main ecosystems, the ocean and the wetlands, offer a wide variety of activities and attractions for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. To visit San Blas is to connect with nature.
Popular activities in San Blas, Riviera Nayarit
Among the popular things to do on your visit to San Blas are:
- A sport fishing tour
- Surf lessons at playa El Borrego
- A bird watching tour
- Visiting Isla Isabel National Park
- A whale watching tour
But have you ever traveled somewhere and run into the surprise that the activity or the attraction isn't available? It happens.
It happens in San Blas too. There are activities and attractions you can only do or visit during certain seasons of the year, like whale watching.
Things to see in San Blas, Nayarit no matter the season
Here are five attractions or things you can do in the port of San Blas no matter the season you visit in. Take note in case you need an idea of what to do on your visit to San Blas, Nayarit.
A guided visit to the fort ruins
La Contaduría, commonly known as El Fuerte, the fort, is a historic attraction of the port of San Blas.
The site holds the remains of the buildings of the La Marinera church and of the tax collection offices of the Spanish colony.
It sits at the entrance to San Blas, across the El Conchal bridge, on the hill that's the highest point in town.
You can drive all the way up to the ruins, just keep in mind that the first stretch of the climb is pretty steep.
Costs and hours
At the entrance to the site there's a guard booth that charges 20 pesos (roughly $1 USD) per person. Visiting hours are 9am to 6pm every day.
The grounds are one of the pleasant places to walk around and take in the colonial-era architecture that's still standing.
The best part of the visit is the panoramic view you get of the port of San Blas. From the lookout you can see the two estuaries that surround the port, which make San Blas a kind of island; the white rock (an important landmark for the Wixarika, the indigenous people of Nayarit); the long stretch of mangrove; and on a clear day you can even make out the Elephant Rock (Piedra del Asadero).
Visiting the fort ruins is an activity for every age, and an excellent one you can do at any time of year.
Recommendations
There's little information on site, so it's worth hiring a guide. Visiting La Contaduría with a guide won't just give you information about the site, it'll give your trip to San Blas more context.
The best plan is to visit La Contaduría at the start of your stay in San Blas.
For a better experience at La Contaduría, I recommend bringing water, bug repellent and a cap.
A boat ride to La Tovara
Visiting La Tovara is one of the must-do activities on a first visit to San Blas. And the best part is that you can do it in any season of the year!
La Tovara in Riviera Nayarit is a clear freshwater spring surrounded by mangroves.
The trip to La Tovara is a 30-minute boat ride through the natural navigation channels that are typical of the mangrove ecosystem.
The ride starts at the Cooperativa La Tovara dock, in the village of La Aguada.
Along the way you can see a variety of plants and wildlife, like red mangrove, black mangrove, crocodiles, herons and turtles, among other species.
Once you're at the spring you can enjoy a dip in the refreshing water, take in the mangrove forest around you, or lie in the sun while you enjoy how quiet the place is. You get one hour at the spring.
Costs and hours
The trip to La Tovara costs 250 pesos (roughly $15 USD) per person. It runs every day. The boats start running at 10am and the last one leaves the dock at 4pm.
Visiting La Tovara is a small adventure through the mangrove forest that the whole family can enjoy. Whatever the weather or the month, a visit to La Tovara is an unforgettable part of your trip to San Blas.
Visiting Playa del Rey
Playa del Rey is one of the little-known, little-visited spots in San Blas.
It's a gem, though, for anyone looking to get away from daily routine and simply enjoy a long beach that's excellent for walks on your own.
Playa del Rey is a place of great importance to the Indigenous peoples, who have been coming to San Blas since long before the Spanish colony and the founding of the port.
How to get there
To visit Playa del Rey you need to hire a boat to take you across. The service costs 20 pesos (roughly $1 USD) per person round trip. The boats that cross the estuary run from 8am to 5pm.
Once you're on the other side, follow the trail until you reach the beach. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk.
Recommendation
It isn't a good spot for anyone who needs the services you'd typically expect at a tourist attraction. You'll need to bring the essentials: water, bug repellent, sunscreen, a cap and shoes.
Playa del Rey is still an untouched beach that offers nature lovers a small refuge where they can clear their head and simply take in the beauty of the sand and the ocean. An experience for any day of the year, whatever the day or the month.
A stand-up paddle board lesson in Riviera Nayarit
Stand-up paddle boarding, or SUP, is an activity that consists of propelling yourself on a large board (quite a bit larger than a surfboard) while standing, using a paddle.
Las Islitas and Matanchen Bay, ideal for paddling
Playa Las Islitas and Matanchen Bay are ideal places to learn, practice and enjoy stand-up paddle boarding, because the water is calm in every season of the year.
Having friendly places to learn, plus an activity that's low impact physically, makes it one of the attractions most people can do, from children to older adults.
A stand-up paddle board lesson in San Blas
In San Blas you can go stand-up paddle boarding in any season of the year. If you'd like to take a stand-up paddle board lesson, you can book online.
San Blas has a long history in board sports, like surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding is no exception.
From Sandbar
Stand-Up Paddle Board Lesson at playa Las Islitas
Two hours on flat water, no waves and no previous experience needed. $55 USD per person.
See the Stand-Up Paddle Board LessonSan Blas Wharf
San Blas is a port written into history, but it was immortalized by its starring role in the song En el muelle de San Blas, by the Mexican rock band Maná.
El muelle de San Blas, also known as the port complex, is a place the whole family can enjoy.
On the site there's a hull-shaped roof where you can get out of the sun. There are operators offering boat trips out to la piedra blanca. And you'll often find children and teenagers skating, playing basketball or fishing around the pier.
The one stop you can't skip at the pier is a photo with the statue of Rebeca, la loca de San Blas.
Cost and hours
There's no charge to go onto the pier. There are no visiting hours either, but the best time to go is between 10am and 6pm.
Recommendations
For a better visit to the pier, bring water, bug repellent, sunscreen and your phone or camera to take home the memories of your visit to the famous muelle de San Blas.
