Isla Isabel: A Riviera Nayarit Paradise

There is a little secret paradise located just a few hours from the beautiful port of San Blas, Riviera Nayarit. This place is Isla Isabel, sometimes called “Mexico’s Little Galapagos.”

This island is volcanic in origin with a hypersaline central crater lake formed 3.5 million years ago. There is a tour and it is perfect for adventure seekers, photographers, divers, snorkelers and bird watchers.

The Isla Isabel is located about 70 km from beautiful San Blas (some two and a half hours away, depending on the weather conditions). The only way to get there is by catching a boat from San Blas or the Bahía de Camichín. The maximum number of people allowed on the island at any given time is 30 campers and 60 day trippers. It has its own calendar managed by the CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas) to regulate access to authorized permit holders for tours.

The best time of year to visit is from November through July.

One of the most incredible things about Isla Isabel is its natural diversity, especially when it comes to birds. Fifty-five species of birds call this home, among them frigates, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, red-billed tropicbirds and the brown-footed boobies. The craziest thing about it is how close they let you get when you tour the island.

As this is a truly unexpected paradise plopped right in the middle of the Pacific, there are not any hotels, restaurants, electricity or Wi-Fi. This is 100% “disconnect time.”

The gorgeous landscapes from the different viewpoints are amazing, but it’s the crystal-clear, turquoise-blue beaches that will steal your heart.

Photo courtesy of Riviera Nayarit Visitors and Conventions Bureau.