Aztlán, where herons abound, was the original homeland of Mexicans. The legendary Aztlán was the starting point of the pilgrimage of the seven Náhuatl tribes into the valley of Mexico where they settled and founded the Great Tenochtitlan, currently known as Mexico City.
There are several researchers who support geographically that Aztlán was located in the State of Nayarit, in what is now San Felipe Aztatán, and the shrine of the province was the scenic island of Mexcaltitán. You may take advantage of your stay in this port to discover it!
The cruise departing San Blas northwestward starts in Santiago Ixcuintla, one of the most dynamic agricultural towns in Nayarit, its main square surrounded by gallant buildings that were witness to the rise of tobacco in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Its name speaks of the Mestizo character of the inhabitants, since the name of Santiago comes from the holy apostle patron of New Galicia, while Ixcuintla is from the Aztec xoloitzcuintle dog which originated in these lands. After learning about the Temple of the Lord of the Ascension and visiting the mural of Our Roots and then the City Hall, a visit to the Huichol Center on Revolución street toward Mexcaltitán is highly recommended.
Photo via Mediakit.
Mexcaltitán is nestled in a vast lake area bathed by the Santiago and San Pedro rivers, and it is distinguished by picturesque tile houses and the tranquility of its narrow streets which during the rainy season are flooded and accessible only by boat, earning it the nickname of “Mexican Venice”.
Shrimp fishing is the main activity for the island’s inhabitants, who also make unique crafts based on mangle and palm leaf spheres called “barcinas” in which dried shrimps are preserved.
Be sure to visit the “Origin Museum” where archeological pieces of Mesoamerican cultures are exhibited. You can either eat at “La Alberca” or “Kika” restaurants, located on a small islet off Mexcaltitán, and also try typical prehispanic mexcalteca food: the taxtihuil (shrimp dish made with mole), “Cucaracha” shrimp (an original recipe of the island), shrimp pâté, shrimp omelets and tossed fish.
Don’t miss the chance to discover all the cultural heritage that we have here in the Riviera Nayarit, share your photos using hashtags: #AllToBeDiscovered, #LikeSanBlas and #MeGustaSanBlas.
