Visitors flock to Mexico for a myriad of reasons — the food, culture, and nice weather being chief among them. But the country’s exceptional beaches are probably its biggest draw. From the white sand edens of the Caribbean to the more rugged Pacific Coast, Mexico boasts countless seaside havens where travelers can relax to the sound of the wind in the palms and the waves on the shore.
You could argue, however, that Mexico has become a victim of its own success. Hotspots such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta have ballooned into tourist meccas, with the bloated megaresorts, inflated prices, and the crowds that come with that –– not to mention the negative effect on the local population. Luckily, Mexico is a big country, and for any traveler willing to put in a bit of extra time and effort, it’s still possible to get off the beaten path by hitting up spots such as this charming seaside village on the Yucatan Peninsula.
However, if you really want to go somewhere truly untouched, look to the Pacific coast state of Nayarit. About 60 miles off the coast is a tiny archipelago called Islas Marias. The islands’ isolation, and the fact that up until recently they were the site of a prison, has guaranteed that very few tourists have left their footprints there. Islas Marias is truly one of Mexico’s last hidden gems, and it will likely remain so since getting there is anything but easy.
A gem in the Pacific with plenty of rules
What do in Islas Marias
The tours on Islas Marias stick to the main island and concentrate on two main things: nature and history. Saturday and Sunday feature sunrise hikes to Cristo del Rey — a 60-foot statue that is similar to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer, constructed by prisoners on the top of a mountain — and El Faro lighthouse. Both command sweeping views of the island’s greenery and the azure Pacific beyond, and a good way to get your blood pumping at the start of the day.
Other more natural pursuits include kicking back and snorkeling the pristine coral reefs at Chapingo Beach, hiking up to the Punta Halcones Overlook (a prime spot to watch for humpback whales come wintertime), and birdwatching, as the islands are home to some beautiful and seldom-seen on the mainland species, such as Mexican parrotlets and blue mockingbirds. There is also an opportunity to stargaze on the island’s airstrip, which, given the lack of light pollution in Islas Marias, means glimmering, bright skies.
In addition to the islands’ beautiful natural attractions, you’ll also tour the old prison, including actual cell blocks, the prisoner’s cemetery, and the Salera, a dilapidated brick building where the prisoners produced salt as part of their hard labor. This makes Islas Marias an attractive choice for history buffs, as well as those interested in dark tourism destinations, like this site of mass tragedy in the Guyanian jungle.
