National park · Mexico
Isla Isabel National ParkParque Nacional Isla Isabel
Visit Isla Isabel for a day: take the 90‑minute boat from Boca de Camichín, pay the CONANP permit (≈ MXN 150 per person), snorkel or dive, and camp overnight (max 30 people) if you want a night under the stars.
- 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
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Crossing 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.
- Pacific Coast ↗Drink bottled or purified water; assume tap water is not safe.
- Pacific Coast ↗Many Pacific beaches have rough surf and rip currents; swim where lifeguards are on duty.
- Pacific Coast ↗Check current safety advisories for Guerrero and Michoacán before booking rural or coastal routes.
- Nayarit ↗Local bus fares are fixed per route; no transfer tickets. Check current MXN amounts before travel.
- Nayarit ↗Rental cars are available at Puerto Vallarta airport; insurance is mandatory for foreign drivers.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
- Park covers about 2.5 km² of volcanic island (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Isla Isabel National Park is a remote protected island off Nayarit, known for massive seabird colonies, clear‑water snorkeling and limited primitive camping under strict CONANP permits.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandDesignated Ramsar wetland.
Size and age
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²) · national park since 1980
Park covers about 2.5 km² of volcanic island (check).
Why go
- Birdwatching on a remote volcanic island with 40,000 nesting seabirds.
- Snorkel or scuba dive in clear waters with manta rays, turtles and bioluminescent night plankton.
- Experience primitive camping on a protected island (30‑person limit).
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, mild sea.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarWarm, low rain.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains, still okay.
- JunRainy, sea may be rough.
- JulRainy, occasional storms.
- AugRainy, higher storm risk.
- SepRainy, sea still rough.
- OctDry season returns.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue‑footed booby, brown pelican, frigate birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles, manta rays, sharksFeb–Dec | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| IguanasAll 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
From San Blas
Licensed boat (≈ 3 h) from the town’s pier; operators sell tickets and permits.
3 h
From Boca de Camichín
Shorter licensed boat (≈ 90 min) from the small dock; access by car is required.
1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Landing zone | Designated beach where boats unload; access to trails and shelter. | Permit holders only. |
| Snorkel/diving area | Rocky shoreline and offshore reefs. | Open to permit holders; dive shops arrange gear. |
| Camping shelter | Open‑sided concrete shelter with pit toilet. | Overnight permit required. |
Sketch 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 are approximate centre of Isla Isabel and San Blas town centre.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONANP visitor permit (day) | MXN 150 (≈ US$9) | person | Issued by licensed tour operator at boarding. |
| Overnight camping permit | MXN 300 (≈ US$17) | person | Includes use of shelter and pit toilet. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day‑visit permit permit or guide
Overnight camping permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$150≈ US$9
- MX$300≈ US$17
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
- Permits
- All visitors must hold a CONANP day or overnight permit; operators enforce limits.
- Alcohol
- Prohibited on the island.
- Leave‑No‑Trace
- Campers must pack out all waste; pit toilet only.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed.
- Group size
- Maximum 30 overnight campers; day groups limited by boat capacity.
Where to stay
Near the park
San Blas town hotels
Basic to mid‑range rooms; restaurants and transport.
In the park
Island camping shelter
Open‑sided concrete shelter with pit toilet; bring sleeping bag.
Safety
Remote location medium
Weather 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
- Access only by boat; no wheelchair facilities.
- Trails are short and level; steep sections at the landing may be challenging.
Visiting lightly
- Use only licensed operators with CONANP permits.
- Follow Leave‑No‑Trace: pack out all waste, use pit toilet only.
- Do not bring disposable plastic bottles; refill water provided by operator.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Isla Isabel National Park?
A day‑visit CONANP permit costs about MXN 150 per person; overnight camping adds MXN 300 per person.
What are the best hikes in Isla Isabel National Park?
The island has short nature walks near the landing zone and a longer trail to the bird‑nesting cliffs; both are easy and take 1–2 hours.
When is the best time to visit Isla Isabel National Park?
The dry season (Nov – Apr) offers calm seas and good visibility for snorkeling and diving.
Can I camp on Isla Isabel?
Yes, with an overnight permit; only 30 visitors are allowed each night and you must use the shelter’s pit toilet.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not required for day walks, but licensed operators provide permits and safety briefings; dive activities need a certified dive guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Isla Isabel National Park
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