San Blas, Colonial port town in Nayarit, Mexico
San Blas is a coastal town on the Pacific coast in Nayarit that spreads along the water and sits surrounded by thick jungle. The settlement has a natural harbor, wide sandy beaches, and extensive mangrove swamps that extend behind the waterfront zone.
The Spanish Crown founded this settlement in 1768 as a military base and shipbuilding center to support Pacific trade between Mexico and Asia. This strategic role shaped the harbor's development across generations.
The town carries the name of a saint and embodies the character of a fishing community where traditional boats rest in the harbor and the daily routines of locals revolve around the sea. Fishing is not merely an economic activity here but woven into everyday life, visible to visitors walking along the waterfront.
Buses run regularly from the town to Tepic, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara, with the journey from Tepic taking about one hour. Visitors should expect changeable weather and bring light, breathable clothing and insect repellent.
Three local fishermen survived nine months at sea in 2006 before their rescue near the Marshall Islands, drawing considerable international attention. Their story illustrates the hazards and hardships of fishing in these waters.
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