Riviera Nayarit San Blas Sport-Fishing Tournament 2013

Riviera Nayarit is hosting this year’s International Sport-fishing Tournament of San Blas, located on the Riviera Nayarit  from record asistencia torneo de pesca san blasMay 29th to June 2nd, 2013 at the Tourist Marine place located in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico.
San Blas is both a port and popular tourist destination, located about 160 km north of  Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta and 64 km west of the state capital Tepic. The town has a population of about  8,700 pe0ple, and was founded by local Indians in 1531.  However, the official date is 1768 for that event, when Don Manuel Riviera and 116 families were ordered to occupy the town on orders from the Viceroy of New Spain; and San Blas became a new naval base for the Spanish Navy.
San Blas is also known for its amazing estuaries and fresh water springs with a gateway to an extensive mangrove forest and federally protected nature preserve where hundreds of bird species like blue, yellow and pink footed boobies can be found and other jungle life.  Along with all of this history, wild life, flora and fauna – San Blas is known for its fishing, and delicious San Blas shrimp!

The San Blas 2013 Fishing Tournament will be very much like last year’s tournament.  The fees remain the same, but this year the prizes SanBlas: image 42 0f 60 thumbhave increased – making it more fun than ever to win!  This year the winner of each category wins a CAR!  In addition to a chance to win a car the $19,000 peso registration fee includes participation in the daily “Jackpot,” the Inauguration Ceremony, the official lunch on Friday, the closing Ceremony, and one ticket for the raffle – if you don’t win a car, maybe you can win a brand new outboard motor!  Its easy to register via Bank Deposit, wire transfer or cash on the same day of the event.
Click here to go to the Registration page.

When you are registering ask about custom tee-shirts for your crew.  For more information and the exact times visit http://www.clubdepescadeportivatepic.com/programa.html

Tournament by Vessel
Each vessel can have up to 4 fishermen on board; the winner will be the one that catches the heaviest fish in each category record asistencia torneo de pesca san blasduring the three days of the competition.
Catches by Day (maximums per vessel):
- Three Sailfish – minimum weight 25 kg each
- Three Mahi Mahi – with minimum weight 10 kg each
- One Marlinminimum weight of 85 kg
* Note: every single fish officially weighed in, after a vessel’s return will become the property of the Sport-fishing Club of Tepic, even if it doesn’t meet the get the minimum weight. So, don’t get attached folks!  If you would like information from someone who does this every year and knows all the ropes, contact Peter Vines on his facebook http://www.facebook.com/pvfishing?fref=ts

Thanks goes out to Riviera Nayarit for the great photos.  This is a big event every year for all of the fishing folks out there….so get registered for this fun event, and get out there, catch the big one, and take home a car!!

Have some fun fishing in the annual San Blas International Sport-Fishing
Tournament on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico!

 

 

Legend of Mexcaltitán Island

Mexico exists in large part due to the Aztec civilization, and the Mexican state of Nayarit is Aztec country.  Even the great Maya of the Yucatan Peninsula were invaded by Aztec predecessors.  Long before the “Riviera Nayarit” was considered a tourist destination, it was part of the influential Aztec empire.  Credited for naming the country of Mexico, the Aztecs also authored the crest in the center of the Mexican flag, which became the Mexican National Emblem.

The image of the emblem comes from the Aztec legend, which identifies their new settlement as the place where a heron would be seen sitting on top of a cactus in the center of a lake capturing a snake in its beak.  On their pilgrimage from the island of Mexcaltitán in 1091 – considered the mythical Aztlán and birthplace of the Mexican identity – they searched for this new land, witnessing the snake-capturing heron in the region now known as Mexico City, and built Tenochtitlán in 1325, a significant site of ancient Aztec ruins today.

Arising out of this legend, historians believe the mythical name of the island, “Aztlán,” means “land of the herons” in the Aztec Nahuatl language, and its formal name “Mexcaltitán” derived from the Nahuatl “Metztli,” their moon goddess, which means “in the moon’s house.”  While the island may have multiple names, they do know the Aztecs eventually referred to themselves as the Mexicas after settling in the new region and calling it “Mexica,” which stems from the island name and later evolved into “Mexico.”

Tourist Attractions

Mexcaltitán’s historical significance makes it a truly magical place today. After receiving Historical Monument status in 1986, the island was designated by the Mexican government as a Pueblo Magico (magic town).  The Pueblos Magicos (magic towns) program began in 2001 to support the preservation of valuable historical areas which influenced Mexican culture and tradition. With about 40 Pueblos Magicos, it has increased tourism and income to towns that model Mexican culture, history, and architecture.

Built in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica by the Aztecs, this small island is only 400 meters (1,300 feet) in diameter, has no cars, and can be easily traversed by foot within an hour or two.  The island is accessible only by boat and is a 20-minute ride from La Batanga pier on the mainland near San Blas.  During rainy season, September through November, the roads are normally under water, making the only way around town by boat and earning it the nickname: “The Mexican Venice” (La Venecia Mexicana).

Surrounded by wetlands and endangered mangroves, conditions are ideal for shrimp fishing, the primary livelihood of island residents.  Mangrove marshes are natural shrimp habitats and also provide material to construct levees and make barcinas (special bags) for drying shrimp, the latter consisting of manta cloth and palm leaves.  Travelers who enjoy eating shrimp will find a variety of regional specialties with fresh shrimp, such as zarandeado, tamales, paté, and aguachiles (spicy lime shrimp).  It is also the place where dried, crunchy shrimp or “cockroach shrimp” were created, a delicious snack served with chilled cerveza (beer).

For such a small island, its rich history offers significant cultural attractions.  Dotting the natural landscape of this picturesque little island are traditional tile-roofed buildings and small unnamed stores that residents identify by memory.  Central to the island is the town square with a church and museum, Museo del Origen (Museum of Origin) which contains artifacts of Mesoamerican history and Aztec culture, including an archaeological stone engraving with that meaningful image of the heron capturing a snake, without which, Mexico may not be known as the cultural treasure it is today.

The island of Mexcaltitan is one of various tourist attractions worth visiting near the beach town of San Blas in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

 

 

Play at Playa Las Tortugas

Protecting endangered sea turtles is an important part of Mexico’s various nature conservation programs.  In the township of Otates, southwest of San Blas and northwest of Chacala, lies a glistening gold beach in the Riviera Nayarit called Playa Las Tortugas (Beach of Turtles). Named for the sea turtles that nest here, this secluded beach extends across miles of pristine Pacific coastline bordered by hundreds of immense coconut palms on a working coconut plantation.

Although it’s not easy to find, it’s well worth the trip.  Heading northwest beyond the charming beach town of Chacala, Playa Las Tortugas is about a one-and-a-half hour drive from Bahia Jaltemba Bay which includes a 30-minute drive along a rocky dirt road that winds through the lush tropical countryside. There are only a few road signs spread wide apart, so just when uncertainty kicks in, “Ah ha!” Another sign points in the right direction.

Trusting the road and bouncing through rural Nayarit unveils this secluded beach, tucked away in a remote location – one of the reasons why it’s worth the visit.  There are virtually no people; the beach is empty and peaceful; and there are no vendor stands or shops.  If you plan to stay a while, bring plenty of drinks and snacks.  One thing you will find is a small community of brightly colored villas for vacation rentals or retirement homes surrounded by lush tropical gardens at the end of the road.

On the villa grounds at Playa Las Tortugas is a turtle rescue sanctuary for protecting the offspring of endangered sea turtles that nest on the golden sand.  Supported by donations and volunteers who scout the beaches looking for the turtles’ shallow nests, they save the eggs; bring them to the sanctuary for incubation; and then release ready young hatchlings into the ocean.  Visitors are welcome to observe and learn about sea turtles, and participate in turtle releases – a wonderful experience!

What else can you do at Playa Las Tortugas?  Plenty. Besides swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing, this beach happens to be a secret spot for surfing and boogie boarding for its long, intense waves.  Other popular vacation activities include kayaking along the beach and canoeing through the coconut palm-lined estuary.  Surrounding tropical rainforests, marshes, and mangroves are natural habitats for hundreds of native and migratory birds making this an ideal spot for birding and bird watching.

Enjoy a true escape to Playa Las Tortugas northwest of Chacala and southwest of San Blas in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

 

 

Welcome to the new Rivera Nayarit Fun website. our goal here is to help you find out more about the region just north of Puerto Vallarta, now being referred to by the Mexican Tourism Board as Riviera Nayarit.

Whether you come to Sayulita for the Surfing, Lo De Marcos for the fishing, or San Blas for the birding, there is plenty to do along the Pacific Coast of Mexico’s state called Nayarit.

Come Travel to Mexico for Vacation.

© 2012 Riviera Nayarit Fun Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha