Mexcaltitán: An Island Floating between Lagoons and Legends

The Isla de Mexcaltitán is a pueblo mágico (magical town) in the state of Nayarit that captivates with its colorful streets and serene atmosphere. This place also holds one of the most significant legends of national identity: that of Aztlán, the mythical site from which the Mexica people departed to found the Great Tenochtitlán.

Small in size, but immense in symbolism, Mexcaltitán is an oval-shaped island just 400 meters wide, surrounded by canals and lagoons that reinforce its fame as “The Mexican Venice.” Declared a Pueblo Mágico in 2001, its international prestige was solidified in 2024 when it was recognized by UN Tourism as part of the Best Tourism Villages program, a distinction that places it among the most authentic and cultural villages in the world.

The journey to the island is part of the experience itself. From San Blas, boats cross the channels between mangroves on a one-hour trip that reveals exotic birds, tropical landscapes, and the biodiversity of the Nayarit coastline. Another option is to depart from the La Batanga dock, where the contact with nature feels even closer. Once on solid ground, visitors discover a unique place: streets that turn into navigable canals during the rainy season, tile-roofed houses painted in vibrant colors, and a slow pace of life that invites contemplation.

Mexcaltitán is not just a natural paradise; it is also a place where history pulses in every corner. In 1986, it was declared a Zone of Historical Monuments. Its most emblematic sites include the 19th-century Templo del Señor de la Ascensión; the baroque-style church of San Pedro y San Pablo; and the “Luis Castillo de Ledón” House of Culture, which preserves a mural by artist José Luis Soto. The Museum of Origin, inaugurated in 1815, is another must-see: it holds more than 5,000 archaeological pieces, clay figurines, codices, and relics of the ball game, serving as a window into the ancestral cosmovision of pre-Hispanic Mexico.

Daily life on the island also offers a cultural journey. Visitors can tour the Casa China (Chinese House), a former settlement for 19th-century Asian immigrants who shaped the local economy with the trade of porcelain and ivory; they can also visit the workshops of artisans who work with natural fibers; or simply sit at the central gazebo and observe the community’s tranquil rhythm.

The rich gastronomy completes the experience. Shrimp, fresh or dried depending on the season, stars in most of the dishes: shrimp tortillas, tamales, cocktails, in addition to the famous pescado zarandeado served in restaurants facing the lagoon. In the months of May to August, when fishing is abundant, the local flavors reach their peak, offering diners a unique culinary experience.

Mexcaltitán is located in the municipality of Santiago Ixcuintla, about a four-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta, which makes it a perfect cultural getaway for those seeking a contrast to the vibrant beach life. The journey north offers coastal landscapes and tobacco fields that announce the proximity of a different destination: intimate, historic, and deeply connected to the roots of Mexico.

This magical town, a cradle of stories and traditions, opens its doors as a living reminder that Mexican identity is rooted in its culture, its people, and in fascinating corners like this small island floating between lagoons and legends.

Photos courtesy of Visit Nayarit.