Puerto Vallarta continues to solidify its standing as one of the most comprehensive destinations in the Mexican Pacific, broadening its portfolio of maritime experiences with offerings that blend nature, history, and sophistication. Starting this Friday, the destination adds a major new attraction as it becomes the official departure point for the tourist route to the Islas Marías, one of Mexico’s most significant and innovative ecotourism projects.
This new maritime route positions Puerto Vallarta at the center of a unique travel experience to the Islas Marías archipelago, located approximately 70 miles off the coast of Nayarit. With this move, our destination replaces Mazatlán, Sinaloa, as the primary departure hub for the journey, joining San Blas as one of the only active gateways to this natural Pacific enclave.
The journey, lasting approximately five hours, is carried out aboard modern high-speed vessels with a capacity for over 190 passengers, offering a comfortable and safe voyage from the Jalisco coast to Puerto Balleto on María Madre Island. The experience is designed as a weekend tour that includes round-trip maritime transportation and a three-day, two-night stay.
The package features eco-friendly lodging with buffet-style dining, along with a program of recreational and guided activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the islands’ natural and cultural wealth. Highlights include tours of the former penal colony—now transformed into an ecological center—nature hikes, snorkeling in pristine waters, thematic workshops, and the observation of endemic species in a carefully protected environment.
This archipelago—comprising the islands of María Madre, María Magdalena, María Cleofás, and San Juanito—was known for over a century for housing a federal prison that operated for 114 years until its closure in 2019. In 2000, it was declared a Biosphere Reserve, and a decade later, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Since 2021, following the decommissioning of the penitentiary complex, the Islas Marías have been transformed into an ecotourism destination managed by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), with a focus on environmental education and responsible tourism. Key attractions include Chapingo Beach, Laguna del Toro, the Punta Halcones Lookout, and historical sites such as the Temple of Guadalupe, Plaza Juárez, and the Site Museum.
Puerto Balleto, the settlement located on María Madre Island and designated a Pueblo Mágico in 2023, serves as the heart of this experience. Through this new maritime connection, Puerto Vallarta not only expands its tourism reach but also reinforces its identity as a destination committed to experiential travel, respect for nature, and the conscious exploration of the Mexican Pacific’s treasures.
For more information, visit the Islas Marías social networks.
