Aerial View of San Blas

Mexcaltitan-San Blas

South of Mazatlan and north of San Blas is the island town of Mexicaltitan. This unusual community is laid out on a smaller scale much in the way the Spaniards described the Mexico City of Montezuma. Some experts on Pre-Hispanic America are convinced that this village is the Aztlan mentioned in Aztec chronicles as the home of the tribe before it wandered into the highlands of Mexico. The streets are normally dry excepting for the spring rainy season when they become canals crossed by little bridges. On June 29 the islanders celebrate the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. The highlight of the day is the race around the island by a pair of canoes manned by images of the saints. The money and the rooting is for St. Peter. If he wins the shrimp haul will be good.

OPPOSITE PAGE: San Blas a seaside town of swaying palms, thatched huts and ruined palaces a place for those who want to get away from it all.