The Marias Islands welcomed one of the most feared prisons and isolated from Mexico, installed in 1905 and closed since 2019. For more than a century, well-known inmates passed through its cells, such as the writer and political activist José Revueltas.
Located in the Mother Mary Island -the largest and the only one that has been inhabited-, the building in which the prison was located has been refurbished with a clear objective: to look towards a sustainable future , becoming a natural reserve of inordinate beauty.
The prison was closed in 2019
But that isolation to which these spectacular portions of land that dot the ocean in the Riviera Nayarit , declared UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010 , will have its end this year: from July 2021 the paradisiacal archipelago -which has been uninhabited for two years- You will receive visitors daily.
The core of this ecotourism project, located 60 miles from the coast of San Blas, will be the Center for Environmental and Cultural Education "Walls of Water - José Revueltas" , which will aim to promote respect and the protection of biodiversity.
A great biological diversity that, because has not suffered the consequences of mass tourism that has deteriorated natural enclaves in other areas of Mexico, is conserved healthy and exuberant.
If you are passionate about birds, here is the home of the Amazona de Tres Marías, an endemic parrot that is not found anywhere else in the world. blue-footed boobies, blue mockingbirds, broad-billed hummingbirds, hook-billed kites , the Caspian tern or the blue-winged teal are other flying species that roam the islands.
On the other hand, divers and snorkelers will be able to enjoy Coral reefs, colored mollusks, more than 21 types of sharks and 10 different varieties of stripes. Without forgetting the expeditions of whale watching.
What about water sports? Hammerhead Beach on Maria Cleofas Island is perfect for him surf , while the island of San Juanito can boast of having one of the longest waves in Latin America.
A paradise for diving lovers
Looking ahead to the summer, the Mexican government is working on updating the regulations so that sustainable tourism activities are allowed on the islands , respecting the native ecosystem and, in turn, protecting the natural heritage, country's social and cultural
"We are excited about this new development that will enhance Riviera Nayarit's offerings and continue to strengthen our commitment to offering responsible travel experiences and sustainable," explained Marc Murphy, General Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).
"The Marías Islands will offer visitors greater opportunities to enjoy our incomparable natural beauty, and an exceptional opportunity to be part of recent history , as we transform a prison into an educational center," he noted.