Explore: San Blas
General Info
San Blas, a small fishing village 20 miles north of Santa Cruz, has a variety of attractions such as beaches, colonial architecture, history, many species of exotic birds, a thick tropical jungle, estuaries and a navigable river. It was an important Spanish port from the late 16th to the 19th century.
Bugs (“no see-ums”) can be extremely fierce here (particularly just after the full or new moon) so be sure to be armed with plenty of insect repellent and coils and it’s recommended to have screens on all hatches.
See Travel Warning (September 2017) for this area, issued by the US State Department, under comments at bottom of the page.
Position 21° 31.57’N, 105° 17.27’W (channel entrance)
Clearance
See Mexico Clearance page for full details.
Check into and out of San Blas is now done by VHF Radio (Channel 16) to the Port Captain (most likely in Spanish). Either call on the VHF or visit the Port Captain’s office – a short distance along the road from Pepe’s dinghy landing (turn right).
Last updated October 2016
Docking
The entrance channel into the Nayarit Estuary is constantly moving and there is often a 3 knot current through the harbour anchorage. The marina provides a free pilot service and monitors VHF Ch. 74. However cruisers have reported that they rarely answer the VHF, so it’s advisable to call by phone (if you speak Spanish).
The bar at the entrance extends east off the west Jetty and there is some shoaling around the tip of the East Jetty.
The starboard side of the entrance channel is reported to have more water.
Good anchoring in the estuary can be had on the West estuary side, keeping clear of the channel centre and extends up the estuary past the Marina. Note however that this is a busy anchorage with commercial boats and “jungle tour” pangas zipping back and forth. The marina may be a quieter option.
There is a sand bar located just to the west of the Green markers leading into the marina. As you approach the marina stay close to the commercial docks as this area is constantly dredged to accommodate the fishing fleet. Only Spanish is spoken here but ask the marina staff for a copy of the 3-page guide to the area prepared by cruisers for other cruisers. All in Engish and complete with an excellent map of the city.
Last updated in October 2016.
