A night walk gave us the opportunity to admire a wonderful sky dotted with millions of stars, accompanied by the music masterfully sung by hundreds of insects and the soft perfume of exotic flowers.
Within the great diversity of environments and wonderful landscapes that characterize our country, the state of Nayarit is undoubtedly a privileged land of extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. This splendid region represents a constant invitation for those seeking a haven of freedom, as well as beautiful beaches and secluded corners.
We decided to travel to one of these paradises located in the middle of exuberant vegetation and tropical climate on the Nayarit coasts. Our destination, the Costa Azul beach, where a small fishing village called San Francisco is located, better known by the inhabitants of the region as San Pancho.
Sitting on the sand, we enjoyed the sea breeze that caressed our faces, while we contemplated how the golden light of the sun at sunset dramatically highlighted the colors of nature. Thus, between the green of the palm groves, the yellow of the sand and the blue of the sea, San Francisco welcomed us.
Just after a few hours we learned that it was possible during our stay to enjoy various activities in this wonderful place, as well as interesting places near San Francisco.
It was impossible to resist the idea of riding along the beach at sunset. The infinite emotion that we experience when galloping, combined with the beauty of the place, the fresh air and the tranquility that characterize this region, allowed us to discover the paradise in which we found ourselves.
At night, we walked along the nearby trails with the intention of relaxing our muscles after the two-hour ride. Throughout the night walk, we admire a wonderful sky dotted with millions of stars, accompanied step by step by the music that hundreds of insects masterfully intoned and the soft perfume of exotic flowers. Thus, our first day in San Francisco ended. That night we slept under the influence of the magic of the place.
A discreet sun on the horizon announced dawn. Still sleepy, we crossed the town aboard a truck to reach the junction with Highway 200 Tepic-Vallarta. Right there, under a bridge that crosses a narrow river, the journey began within a thick mangrove swamp, which forms an almost impenetrable pavilion of vegetation.
After several unsuccessful attempts to control the kayak, we headed down the river, ready to take a closer look at the fauna of the area.
Along the way we saw different birds that nest on the highest parts of the mangroves; some emitted various sounds as we passed, the herons flew in their whiteness highlighted in the blue sky; Later, accompanied by the noise of the cicadas, we observed iguanas and turtles sunbathing on some logs that had fallen into the water.
For about an hour we slide down the river until we reach a small lagoon, which has no communication with the sea, since it is separated by a narrow strip of sand no larger than 15 meters.
After sailing in the lagoon, we walk by land towards the sea, with the small canoes on our backs, in order to continue the journey towards Costa Azul.
At that time our companions were some pelicans that were flying practically skimming the water. Although there was no great swell, we decided to go a few meters out to sea to paddle easily, then we returned to shore to rest and take a well-deserved dip. The water looked like a large mirror and it was difficult to resist the idea of cooling off, because although it was not the hour of maximum sun, the heat was beginning to tire us.
Almost around noon we return to the hotel to regain strength, the rest of the day we spend on the beaches near San Francisco.
On the third day, at 7 in the morning, we set out in an outboard motor boat in the company of some surfers heading towards Punta Mita. For about an hour we traveled parallel to the coast, extraordinary images accompanied us along the way.
The surfers got off in an area where the waves were big, and we continued in the boat to the shore, and we walked along the beach, on a rough stretch, crossing rocky and coral areas. In that place we do not find, at any time, palapas or human beings.
When we got to the beach where the surfers performed their incredible feats, some of them were doing warm-up exercises, so we had the opportunity to chat for a while and we felt that for them this activity is a lifestyle, which in addition to exercising their body fills them with a sensation that drives them to always look for places where there are big waves.
After having a small lunch, we return to the boat and move to the Marietas Islands. The journey lasted just 40 minutes and we had the opportunity to admire groups of dolphins in the distance. Suddenly, near the boat, a large black manta ray with a white belly appeared “flying” from the water, after two or three flaps it entered the water again in a resounding “dive”. The person who was carrying the boat commented that an animal of that size can weigh up to 500 kilograms.
Around one in the afternoon we were already in the Marietas. On these small rocky islands, with practically no vegetation, a great variety of seabirds nest. One of the attractions in this place can be the practice of diving in a small reef area, however if you do not have the appropriate equipment for this activity, with the help of fins and a snorkel you can appreciate the wonderful world of fauna that surrounds the reefs.
On the fourth day of staying in San Francisco the return date was approaching, our minds, of course, denied this fact, so we decided that when we left we would be extremely exhausted.
When we left we decided to make the journey by land, taking some paths through extensive coconut groves and dense areas of coastal vegetation. We cover the route on foot and by bicycle, always coasting to admire regal landscapes at all times which were framed by the blue sea, which sometimes splashed rocky areas or simply slipped on the sand.
Lying on the beautiful and long beach of the Costa Azul, we observe the surroundings and savor the water from the coconuts cut especially for us. It was impossible to escape the charm of this paradise on the Nayarit coast. San Francisco and the Costa Azul beach gave us the privilege of meeting at every step the flora and fauna of such an extraordinary region.
IF YOU GO TO SAN FRANCISCO
From Tepic take highway number 76 towards San Blas. When you reach the junction with highway number 200, take the same heading south until you reach the town of San Francisco.
From Puerto Vallarta, Costa Azul beach is 40 kilometers to the north.
