Major city · Mexico
MexcaltitánMexcaltitán de Uribe
Go for one night, not a day trip: the boat, the walk and the sunset need an overnight. Skip if you want beaches, bars or easy transport.
Mexcaltitán is a car-free island of about 800 people in the Laguna Grande de Mexcaltitán, in Nayarit. It is a Pueblo Mágico and one of the candidate sites for Aztlán, the Mexica homeland. There is one small museum, two churches, a plaza and a ring of shrimp restaurants. The island is low and floods in the rainy season. Getting there takes a bus and a boat, so most travellers come for one night or as a guided day trip from San Blas.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–May (dry season)
- avoid Jul–Oct (rain, flooding, hurricane season)
- Airports
- TPQ · PVR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mexcaltitán911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mexcaltitán, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyThe island itself is calm and walkable; the real risks are the boat crossing in bad weather, summer heat and flooding, and the lack of ATMs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (SECTUR) · 078 Green Angels roadside help
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckTPQ Tepic airport (About 2 h by road to Villa Hidalgo, then the boat; check schedules.).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealShrimp tacosM$80–150
- BeerBeer at a restaurantM$40–70
- Museum or sight ticketMuseo del Orígen entryDonation (check)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomMX$1,000 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$900 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedBasic hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,500 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$600 (≈ US$35) · Mid MX$1,200 (≈ US$65) · High MX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TPQ Tepic airport (About 2 h by road to Villa Hidalgo, then the boat; check schedules.) · PVR Puerto Vallarta (About 3–4 h by road; the usual arrival for international flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jul–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Mar (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mexcaltitán: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. There are no cars, taxis or scooters on the island. A ring road circles the town and the interior is a grid of two north-south and two east-west streets. Nothing is more than a few blocks away. Porters with bikes or hand carts meet the boat and carry bags to the hotel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
San Blas
goDoor to door: 2.5–3.5 h each way
Guided tour from San Blas, or drive to Embarcadero la Batanga and take a boat
The usual way to visit without your own car; one-day tours are the norm.
Door to door: 2–3 h
Boat to la Batanga, then bus or car via Villa Hidalgo
Nayarit's capital; the bus hub for the region.
Door to door: About 2 h
Road via Villa Hidalgo
Small beach town; only worth it if you are already driving the coast.
Amatlán de Cañas
skipDoor to door: 3 h+
Road via Tepic
Too far for a day from the island.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Venecia street
Both island hotels sit here, near the docks and the restaurants.
Benito Juárez street
South side; closest to the museum and one of the two docks.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$600–1,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,000–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- M$1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$900 | MX$900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,200 | MX$2,400 |
| Boat, la Batanga ↔ island, round trip1 × MX$350 · Per boat, not per person; check | MX$350 |
| Collective boat, one way2 × MX$60 · Cheaper but you wait for a full boat; check | MX$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$427 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,349 per person per day, bed included | MX$4,697≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Shrimp cocktail | M$120–200 |
| Shrimp tacos | M$80–150 |
| Pescado zarandeado (whole fish, to share) | M$300–500 |
| Beer at a restaurant | M$40–70 |
| Museo del Orígen entry | Donation (check) |
| Boat, la Batanga ↔ island, round trip | M$350 per boat (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The island is very low and floods in the rainy season: check conditions before booking Jul–Oct.
- Boats run from Embarcadero la Batanga; the last return is early and there is no night service.
- No ATMs and no bars on the island: bring cash and expect card readers to fail.
- Addresses are not used; give directions by street name and landmark.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)
- 078
- Green Angels roadside help
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MexcaltitánMexcaltitán de Uribe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the US consulate is in Puerto Vallarta and most embassies are in Mexico City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat la Batanga → island: M$170 one way per boat, M$350 round trip (check)
- Collective boat: cheaper per person, but you wait for a group (check)
- Bus Tepic → Villa Hidalgo: one departure a day with Autobuses Orizaba (check)
Say or show
- ¿De dónde sale la lancha? — Where does the boat leave from? (de DON-de SA-le la LAN-cha)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta la lancha? — How much for the boat? (KWAN-to KWES-ta la LAN-cha)
- ¿A qué hora sale la última lancha? — What time is the last boat back? (a ke O-ra SA-le la UL-ti-ma LAN-cha)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you take cards? (a-SEP-tan tar-HE-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Hay habitación para esta noche? — Is there a room for tonight? (ai a-bi-ta-SION PA-ra ES-ta NO-che)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mexcaltitán. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–May (dry season) · avoid Jul–Oct (rain, flooding, hurricane season) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat timetable and last-return fixture for Embarcadero la Batanga, with a taxi fallback from Villa Hidalgo.
- Walking cluster map: docks, Plaza Central, Museo del Orígen, both churches, the shrimp restaurants.
- Place pages for Museo del Orígen and the two churches with verified hours.
- Rainy-season flood and hurricane fixtures so the decision line can flip to skip.