Mexcaltitán – the Mexican Venice

Mexcaltitán – the Mexican Venice

The island of Mexcaltitán, a ‘micro-destination’ known as Mexican Venice because of the many canals that crisscross through it, is a boat ride from Riviera Nayarit.

Riviera Nayarit is located alongside Mexico’s Pacific coast. Mexcaltitán is deep-rooted in ancient Aztec history and historians believe that this island may have been the ‘birthplace of modern-day Mexico’.

It is said that Mexcaltitán served as the blueprint for Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) as is evidenced by the narrow streets and ability for the city to function under rising water levels. Mexcaltitán features raised sidewalks that allow pedestrians to navigate the island even during times of high-water levels which can flood the streets of the island. There are no cars and a canoe ride around the island takes about 30 minutes and offers the chance to view the colourful Mexican houses and visit local restaurants offering fresh seafood such as shrimp ceviche or tlaxtihuil (a traditional corn-based shrimp chowder). 

Mexcaltitán is one of Mexico’s Magic Towns, a designation established by the Mexican Secretary of Tourism to recognise ‘beautiful Mexican villages that have excellently preserved their cultural and historic richness’. Located within the Mexican state of Nayarit, the region offers 192 miles of Pacific coastline, the Sierra Madre Mountains, Banderas Bay and protected natural marvels. There is the resort town Nuevo Vallarta, historic village San Blas and a number of fishing villages.

Website: www.RivieraNayarit.com