National park · Mexico
San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National ParkParque Nacional Marino Archipiélago de San Lorenzo
Enter the park: pay MXN 100‑150 per person, take a boat from Puerto San Francisquito; best in winter (Nov‑Mar) to avoid heat, and hike short island trails 1‑2 h.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
504 km² (195 sq mi)195 sq mi (504 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
- Baja Peninsula ↗Carry your passport and Mexican FMM tourist card; army checkpoints on Highway 1 are routine and you must stop.
- Baja Peninsula ↗Mexican auto liability insurance is required; US policies usually do not cover Mexico.
- Baja Peninsula ↗Fill the tank whenever you can; Pemex stations in the middle section can be closed or dry.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 504 km² (195 sq mi)195 sq mi (504 km²)
- Most of the 504.42 km² area is marine water; land area is only a few islands (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Ensenada
San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park, created in 2005, protects a remote cluster of desert islands and rich Sea of Cortez marine habitats, offering whale watching, turtle nesting and rugged island hikes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
504 km² (195 sq mi)195 sq mi (504 km²) · national park since 2005
Most of the 504.42 km² area is marine water; land area is only a few islands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Ensenada.
Why go
- Explore a remote archipelago with abundant marine life and desert‑land islands.
- Spot whales, turtles and huge seabird colonies on the islands.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, low heat, good sea conditions
- FebMild, whale sightings
- MarWarm but not extreme, turtles nesting
- AprRising heat, still okay
- MayHeat >40 °C (104 °F), strong sunHeat >104 °F (40 °C), strong sun
- JunVery hot, limited shade
- JulExtreme heat, possible storms
- AugExtreme heat, high UV
- SepHeat still high, occasional rain
- OctCooling down, still warm
- NovCooler, pleasant sea
- DecCool, low UV
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue, humpback, orca and sperm whalesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hawksbill, olive ridley and green turtlesMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Brown pelicans, gulls and terns (nesting colonies)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto San Francisquito hub | Landing point, boat charter office, basic services and lodging. | Open to visitors; entry ticket required. |
| Island hiking zones | Short trails on Las Animas, Partida, Rasa, Salsipuedes, and San Lorenzo islands. | Accessible by boat; no camping allowed. |
Sketch map
- 1Puerto San Francisquito · Town≈28.773, -112.998Main access point, lodging and boat charter.Map ↗
- 2Isla San Lorenzo peak · Viewpoint≈28.795, -113.010Highest point on the archipelago.Map ↗
- 3Bahía de los Ángeles · Town≈28.950, -113.500Coastal town on the mainland, gateway to the road to Puerto San Francisquito.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; based on central island cluster.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | MXN 100–150 (≈ US$6–9) | person | check |
| Boat hire from Puerto San Francisquito (round trip) | MXN 800–1,200 (≈ US$45–65) | person | approximate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Boat charter permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$100–150≈ US$6–9
- MX$800–1,200≈ US$45–65
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed on any of the islands; only mainland beach camping where permitted.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission from park authorities.
- Fire
- Open fires are forbidden on islands; use designated grills on the mainland.
- Sunscreen
- Only reef‑safe sunscreen may be used; toxic chemicals harm marine life.
Where to stay
Near the park
Puerto San Francisquito lodging
Basic rooms and cabins; the only accommodation close to the park.
Safety
Heat and UV exposure medium
Theft on remote roads low
Pufferfish poisoning medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Road to Puerto San Francisquito is rough; 4‑wheel‑drive recommended.
- Island trails are short and flat but involve uneven rocky footing; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support local operators that follow the park’s permitted boat routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park?
Entry is MXN 100‑150 per person; boat charter from Puerto San Francisquito adds about MXN 800‑1200 per person. Prices are 2026 estimates.
What are the best hikes in San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park?
Short 1‑2 hour rocky trails on Las Animas, Partida and San Lorenzo islands; all start from the boat landing and require no special equipment.
When is the best time to visit San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park?
Winter months (Nov‑Mar) offer cooler temperatures, better sea conditions and strong whale activity.
Can I camp on the islands?
No, camping is prohibited on all islands; only mainland beach camping where allowed.
Is a guide required for island visits?
A guide is not mandatory for short hikes, but a boat operator must be licensed; for diving or long treks a certified guide is recommended.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park
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