THE PROJECT
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
REGIONAL CULTURE
HISTORY OF SAN BLAS
The historic port and town of San Blas has inspired many famous poets and writers including Ernest Hemmingway and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote "The Bells of San Blas" while living here for many years. "What say the bells of San Blas/To the ships that southward pass/From the harbor of Mazatlan?/To them it is nothing more," Longfellow wrote while contemplating the colorful history, cobblestone streets and scenery of the Port of San Blas.
FOUNDATION OF SAN BLAS
San Blas was founded in 1531 by the Spaniards, but its official date of founding is 1768. The fort was established as a strategic base of operations for the formidable Spanish navy, the Spanish Armada, which patrolled the Pacific Ocean intercepting pirates and recovering the cargoes they had stolen from merchant ships. The cargoes, which often included chests full of gold and silver, were stored in the heavily guarded Contaduria fort building. Saint Father Junipero Serra, the 'Apostle of California' was the founder of the first nine of twenty-one Spanish Missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. This coastal region was then known as Alta California in the Province of Las Californias of New Spain. Father Serra and his exploratory missionary team launched their epic journey from the shores of Las Islitas beach in 1768.
San Blas is unique among many popular tourism destinations in Mexico because arriving to the town is like stepping back in time; to a time when things moved slower. Here, even simple daily activities such as strolling along the hand-laid cobblestone streets or drinking a cup of coffee at one of the small cafes on the central plaza take on a new dimension with a heightened sense of enjoyment.
The origins of San Blas date back to the late seventeenth century, a time when the port was constructed as a shipyard and point of departure for the colonization expeditions of the Spanish Crown throughout North America and to the orient.
HUICHOL INDIANS
San Blas is also noted as the birthplace of one of Mexico’s oldest indigenous indian tribes, the Huichol (pronounced “wee-chole”). The Huichol are easily recognized as their customary clothing all white, with brightly colored patterns embroidered into their shirts and pants. They are also famous for their beaded artwork, which is sold in fine art galleries all over the world.
There are over 18,000 Huichol people currently in existence. Descended from the ancient Aztecs, the Huichol Indians are a family oriented people.
The Huichol hold several major tribal ceremonies in San Blas each year, with tribal members traveling from all over Mexico to participate. Some of the ceremonies are considered sacred, and take place on a hidden beach cove overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and non-Huichol persons are prohibited from attending or filming the ceremonies. They can be heard, however, as the various rituals involve the firing of large explosives whose thunderous booms can be heard all over town.
HUICHOL NIELI'KAS
The Huichol people are known for their beautiful Nieli’kas which are created for display in their holy temples and religious caves. Beaded eggs, jaguar heads and intricate yarn paintings are a hallmark of Huichol artwork. Ceremonial bowls, and hand-painted figurines are also a celebrated part of Huichol artwork. Celestial events such as solar and lunar eclipses are often depicted on Huichol artwork using bright colors and ancient handcrafted techniques. Colorful masks are a traditional aspect of Huichol Indian art developed to mirror the face-paint during religious ceremonies.
REGIONAL CULTURE
HISTORY OF SAN BLAS
The historic port and town of San Blas has inspired many famous poets and writers including Ernest Hemmingway and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote "The Bells of San Blas" while living here for many years. "What say the bells of San Blas/To the ships that southward pass/From the harbor of Mazatlan?/To them it is nothing more," Longfellow wrote while contemplating the colorful history, cobblestone streets and scenery of the Port of San Blas.
FOUNDATION OF SAN BLAS
San Blas was founded in 1531 by the Spaniards, but its official date of founding is 1768. The fort was established as a strategic base of operations for the formidable Spanish navy, the Spanish Armada, which patrolled the Pacific Ocean intercepting pirates and recovering the cargoes they had stolen from merchant ships. The cargoes, which often included chests full of gold and silver, were stored in the heavily guarded Contaduria fort building. Saint Father Junipero Serra, the 'Apostle of California' was the founder of the first nine of twenty-one Spanish Missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. This coastal region was then known as Alta California in the Province of Las Californias of New Spain. Father Serra and his exploratory missionary team launched their epic journey from the shores of Las Islitas beach in 1768.
San Blas is unique among many popular tourism destinations in Mexico because arriving to the town is like stepping back in time; to a time when things moved slower. Here, even simple daily activities such as strolling along the hand-laid cobblestone streets or drinking a cup of coffee at one of the small cafes on the central plaza take on a new dimension with a heightened sense of enjoyment.
The origins of San Blas date back to the late seventeenth century, a time when the port was constructed as a shipyard and point of departure for the colonization expeditions of the Spanish Crown throughout North America and to the orient.
HUICHOL INDIANS
San Blas is also noted as the birthplace of one of Mexico’s oldest indigenous indian tribes, the Huichol (pronounced “wee-chole”). The Huichol are easily recognized as their customary clothing all white, with brightly colored patterns embroidered into their shirts and pants. They are also famous for their beaded artwork, which is sold in fine art galleries all over the world.
There are over 18,000 Huichol people currently in existence. Descended from the ancient Aztecs, the Huichol Indians are a family oriented people.
The Huichol hold several major tribal ceremonies in San Blas each year, with tribal members traveling from all over Mexico to participate. Some of the ceremonies are considered sacred, and take place on a hidden beach cove overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and non-Huichol persons are prohibited from attending or filming the ceremonies. They can be heard, however, as the various rituals involve the firing of large explosives whose thunderous booms can be heard all over town.
HUICHOL NIELI'KAS
The Huichol people are known for their beautiful Nieli’kas which are created for display in their holy temples and religious caves. Beaded eggs, jaguar heads and intricate yarn paintings are a hallmark of Huichol artwork. Ceremonial bowls, and hand-painted figurines are also a celebrated part of Huichol artwork. Celestial events such as solar and lunar eclipses are often depicted on Huichol artwork using bright colors and ancient handcrafted techniques. Colorful masks are a traditional aspect of Huichol Indian art developed to mirror the face-paint during religious ceremonies.
THE SITES AND SOUNDS OF RIVIERA NAYARIT
From the rocky seashore of Punta Mita to the Palm Tree lined waters edge of San Blas and the beautiful sandy beaches of Matanchen Bay, the Rivera Nayarit is fast becoming the Treasure of the Pacific. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Western Sierra Madre Mountains this tropical paradise coastline stretches almost 200 miles. Nayarit’s southern border is just 20 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Its northern border of San Blas a mere 40 minutes west of the Tepic International Airport. On every Nayarit beach, in every little Pacific Coast town, Mexico’s lush vegetation, the extraordinary animal species, and the beauty of nature will leave visitors spellbound.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST WAVE IN AMERICAS
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