The Islas Marias have been a magical destination off the coast of Nayarit only for the past several years. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, in fact, the islands hosted a prison colony from 1905 until it was finally closed in 2019.
Life on the islands is firmly centered on Puerto Balleto which has been recognized as a Pueblo Magico only since 2023. Since then, the islands\\\' focus has shifted principally to sustainable tourism. Visitors arrive to climb the few small hills, and to take in the sun at the island\\\'s few small beaches.
Tours of the few remaining prison facilities are available. The Guadalupe Temple, the Monk\\\'s House and the Plaza Juárez nearly round out the cultural attractions. There is a small museum of the islands history and the Muros de Agua José Revueltas Auditorium stages some performances. But most visitors will take to the lookout points, the lighthouse and the mountain biking trails. As more and more guests take advantage of the unique Isla Marias atmosphere, a few small eateries have opened up.
But the Islas Marias offer a grand escape on a truly remarkable scale. The Pacific seems to swallow up all but the most insistent sound, and your ears will thank you for the calm. Even the light seems softer here, cradled as it is by oceans and oceans away.
Getting there:
Most visitors to the islands arrive by sea through packages that include both lodging and sea transport. See the Islas Maria website for more details.
As of 2025, there are once-weekly flights from the Tepic Airport.
