Nayarit combines culture, dreamy landscapes, and authentic local experiences; it’s one of the best places to embark on a road trip steeped in history, tradition, and natural beauty. This state boasts hidden gems that hide treasures amidst landscapes, gastronomy, and architecture, such as Tepic, Barranca del Oro, El Rosario, Estancia de los López, and the Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) of Amatlán de Cañas.
What places to include on a road trip? Here, we share a must-see route perfect for starting from Tepic to Amatlán de Cañas, a two-day adventure to explore colonial towns, taste unique flavors, and discover hidden spots among the mountains and Pueblo Mágicos (Magical Towns).
Day 1: From Tepic to Amatlán, with a taste of nature and architecture
The adventure begins in Tepic, the state capital, an ideal place to hop off the plane and start with a delicious breakfast at “Emiliano Comida y Vino,” a downtown restaurant that is highly recommended for its combination of contemporary Nayarit cuisine with haute cuisine techniques.
What to eat? Eggs with Sicilian pesto are a favorite dish, made with crusty bread, fried eggs, cottage cheese, sundried tomato pesto with garlic, basil, and pecorino cheese sabayon, accompanied by a high-altitude coffee from Nayarit.
Once recharged, it’s time to take the Tepic-Ixtlán del Río highway and then the freeway. The landscape will gradually change with hills full of vegetation and curves in the road that reveal spectacular natural viewpoints.
The first stop will be the Pueblo Mágico Ahuacatlán, a town with a colonial soul. Its main square welcomes everyone with leafy trees, benches occupied by locals enjoying the moment, and a peaceful atmosphere.
It’s surprising to see two churches facing each other: the Parish of San Francisco de Asís, a 17th-century Franciscan building, an ideal place to fall in love with its quarry façade, and the Garden of the Absent Children, a space surrounded by food stalls serving typical dishes such as tostadas de pata, “Chago” cakes, and “Las Tortillitas.” A few meters away is the Church of the Lord of Forgiveness, a simple setting with a high historical value but featuring an architectural contrast.
Nayarit is a beautiful state.
After exploring, you can make a brief stop in Barranca del Oro, a town nestled between mountains. Its viewpoints offer panoramic views worthy of photography, and its streets retain that old-fashioned feel that enchants curious travelers.
Here is Panadería Nico, a delicious spot to savor a dessert, a concha, or a freshly baked cajeta-filled croissant, perfect for continuing the journey to a hidden natural oasis in El Rosario, known for a treasure called El Manto. This unique waterfall of crystal-clear water is found after descending 144 steps, leading to a canyon covered in vegetation. The sound of the water guides you to an imposing seven-meter-high crystal curtain.
The trip continues to Estancia de los López, a place to stop and learn about its peanut-growing tradition with a visit to the artisanal factory where you can try a delicious peanut sauce, candied almonds with honey and sesame seeds, and learn how the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.
To conclude this tour, you must visit Amatlán de Cañas, a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) with cobblestone streets, beautiful adobe houses, and red-tiled roofs that look like something out of a storybook. We begin with a visit to the imposing Lateran Basilica or Temple of Jesus of Nazareth, built in 1881, and let yourself be enveloped by the atmosphere of devotion and peace.
A traditional glass of tejuino, a fermented corn drink with a refreshing and acidic note, is ideal for combating the heat. For lunch, Los Tukanes restaurant is the perfect choice, with shrimp a la cora (a traditional style of corn) or charcoal-grilled flank steak. For a relaxing break, we suggest Bungalows Pavorreales, a cozy accommodation surrounded by nature.
Day 2: A Tour of Artisanal Flavors
It all begins with a delicious breakfast at Mi Lindo Nayarit, across from the basilica, with eggs made to order, refried beans, and handmade tortillas, a pot of coffee, or local hot chocolate.
Amatlán is the land of cacao and peanuts, and one of the best ways to enjoy it is by starting with its chocolate route. A must-see is the chocolate corridor with Olga Lidia, an experience where you learn about the entire ancestral process, from how cacao is roasted on a comal (grill) to how it’s ground on volcanic rock, as well as tasting a thick, cinnamon-laced chocolate made with metate, full of authentic flavor.
Amatlán de Cañas is not just another tourist destination; it’s a haven of calm, history, and natural beauty that invites you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with yourself. An ideal setting for those seeking off-the-beaten-track routes, authentic flavors, and a special way to round off a great trip through Nayarit.
These wonderful destinations are part of “Undiscovered Mexico,” a campaign created by the Nayarit Tourism Secretariat that seeks to showcase the state’s secret places full of tradition, adventure, and natural beauty.
Source: sinembargo
