Founded in 1532 by Nuño de Guzmán under the name of Santiago de Compostela, the successive rebellions carried out in the territory of King Nayar explain the scarce architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries, as the natives destroyed the Franciscan churches and convents several times.
The Cathedral, for example, is from 1750. Other places of interest in this capital are the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History (where you can see the crafts of the Coras and Huichol Indians), the Government Palace, the Amado Nervo Museum, the Alameda Central and Paseo de la Loma. 3 km north of Tepic, along the old road to Bellavista, is El Punto, with a 26 m high waterfall. 35 km north, on Highway 15, is the Jumatán waterfall, with a 120 m drop .
Santa María del Oro Named for the mines exploited there during the 18th century, this town is also worth visiting for the Laguna de Santa María, formed in a volcanic caldera with a diameter of more than 2 km. Next to the lagoon there are fields for trailers and family inns. The distance from Tepic is 41 km along Highway 15 and the deviation that starts at La Lobera.
Costa Alegre Beaches that, although little known, bring together the most beautiful diversity of landscapes: the extensive (approximately 80 km long) and even sand of the Novillero, the calm waves of the historic port of San Blas, the rocky rocks of Bahía de Matanchén, a refuge for more than 400 species of migratory birds and the Sierra-Mar combination of Bahía de Banderas. The important tourist infrastructure and modern roads that the state has today, have allowed to rediscover a coastal area that was once admired by Spaniards. 169 km is the distance from Tepic to Punta Mita on Highway 200. For a couple of decades this has been a place frequented by surfers, as well as a peaceful corner that tourism development has been transforming.
Highways 15 and 54 connect Tepic with San Blas through 67 km. port founded in the second half of the seventeenth century and point of arrival for ships arriving from the Philippines. We will mention just some of its beaches: Los Cocos, Aticama, Playa del Rey, Playa del Borrego, Matanchen Bay and Playa de las Isles. There are hotels, restaurants and other services.
Acaponeta 141 km. By highway No. 15, it is the distance from Tepic to Acaponeta, the most important city in the north of the state of Nayarit. Its colonial occupation is very early because there is a beautiful 16th century church dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. In Acaponeta there is a museum house where archaeological pieces from the Classic horizon are exhibited. 6 km to the south is a sulphurous spring called San Dieguito, a very crowded place on weekends. And 16 km to the north, along a secondary road, is Huajicori, a place where the image of the Virgen de la Candelaria is venerated. In the city of Acaponeta you can find hotels, restaurants, mechanical workshops and other services.
