La Tovara National Park: San Blas Mangrove Boat Tour

La Tovara is a freshwater spring about 2 km southeast of San Blas, Nayarit, where water pushes up at the foot of the sierra and slips through mangrove channels toward Matanchén Bay. The standard visit is a boat tour of roughly two to three hours that ends at a clear spring pool where swimming is allowed inside a fenced area. The wetland covers 5,733 hectares and has held Ramsar status since 2008, which matters less to the casual visitor than the practical fact that this is the most reliable wildlife outing on this stretch of Mexico's Pacific coast.

Boats leave from two docks. La Aguada is the cooperative's main departure point on the road from San Blas toward Matanchén, about 10 minutes by car from the center. El Conchal sits closer to the town side. Both run the same route, and you can buy a seat on a shared boat or pay for the whole boat if you want to leave immediately — a full boat runs about 800 pesos, which is worth splitting if you are a group of six to eight.

What You Will See on the Water

Crocodiles, Turtles and the Spring Pool

The first stretch runs through mangrove tunnels so narrow the branches close overhead. Guides cut the engine and pole through the tightest sections, which is when you start noticing things — a river crocodile the length of your arm on a mud bank, an iguana that has not moved since the last boat passed, turtles dropping off logs as you approach. Larger crocodiles do appear, sometimes floating like drifting timber until they turn a yellow eye your way. Keep your hands inside the boat; nobody needs to test the gap between a camera and a snout.

The route continues to a small crocodile enclosure near the spring, and then to the pool itself. The water is genuinely transparent, fed by the spring rather than the estuary, and cooler than you expect. Swimming is confined behind a mesh barrier, which sounds restrictive until you remember what lives in the surrounding channels.

Birdlife and the Pacific Flyway

San Blas sits on the Pacific Flyway, and La Tovara's mix of fresh and salt water creates feeding conditions that pull in enormous numbers of birds. You can see around 300 species in winter and close to 500 across the year once migrants and endemics are counted. Boat-billed herons, rufous-bellied chachalacas and lilac-crowned parrots are the names birders come for. If you are not a birder, the spectacle still lands: herons lifting off in front of the bow, snail kites working the reeds, kingfishers stitching along the bank.

I would take a dedicated birding guide over a standard tour if birds are the point of your trip. The cooperative skippers know the channels cold, but they are not naturalists, and a specialist will put you on species the general route passes without comment.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There from San Blas and Beyond

From San Blas, take the road toward Matanchén and follow the signs to the embarcadero — the drive is under 15 minutes. From Puerto Vallarta, expect roughly three hours by road; from Guadalajara, closer to three hours via the Mexico 15D toll highway, with tolls in the region of 800 pesos. Buses from Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and San Pancho run to San Blas, and drivers will drop you at the boat launch entrance if you ask. The nearest major airport is Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International (PVR).

Hours, Costs and Timing

The docks operate daily, generally from 8 am to 6 pm, though the last departures thin out by mid-afternoon. Fees are subject to change — check the official site for current rates. Budget two to three hours for the full loop including the spring stop. Mornings are better on two counts: the light is softer and the wildlife is more active before the heat settles in.

When to Go

November to April is the dry, cooler window and coincides with peak migratory bird numbers. The San Blas International Festival of Migratory Birds falls in the last week of January, which is the single best week of the year for birding but also the busiest. June to September brings heat, more mosquitoes and sand flies, and heavier rain — though it is also surf season across at Matanchén Bay, so some travelers pair the two.

What to Bring and What to Skip

Insect repellent is not optional. San Blas has a reputation for gnats and it is earned, particularly in the wet months. Bring sun protection too, because much of the route is exposed despite the mangrove shade. A hat, water and a dry bag for electronics cover the rest. Wear shoes you can slip off if you plan to swim. And bring cash in pesos — the docks are not set up for cards.

If you are prone to motion discomfort, mention it when you board; the skippers run the open stretches fast and the turns are sharp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is La Tovara worth visiting if I am not a birdwatcher?

Yes — the mangrove tunnels, crocodiles and spring swim stand on their own. Birders get more out of it, but the two-to-three-hour route delivers wildlife sightings regardless of whether you can name what you are looking at.

Can I swim at La Tovara?

Swimming is permitted at the spring pool at the end of the boat route, inside a fenced enclosure that keeps you separate from the crocodile channels. Bring a towel and shoes you can remove easily.

How much does the boat tour cost?

Shared seats are the cheap option, while a private boat for your group runs around 800 pesos total — a good deal if you are six or more. Fees are subject to change, so confirm current rates at the dock or on the official site.

How do I get to La Tovara from San Blas?

The departure docks, La Aguada and El Conchal, are a 10 to 15 minute drive from central San Blas on the road toward Matanchén. Taxis and rental cars handle it easily, and buses from Puerto Vallarta or Sayulita can drop you at the launch entrance.