The 'Mexican Alcatraz' Opens its Doors to Tourism

by Valentín Fuentes
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Sun April 9, 2023

An image of Nelson Mandela, the emblem of freedom in the world, welcomes visitors to the new tourist center Islas Marías, known as the Mexican Alcatraz, which served as a prison from 1905 until 2019.

Now it has been declared a Natural Protected Area. This new tourist attraction located on the coasts of the Mexican state of Nayarit, in the Pacific Ocean, is part of an archipelago made up of the islands Maria Magdalena, Maria Cleofas, and San Juanito, which in 2010 were declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

To reach the Islas Marías resort, travelers board a modern ferry from the port of Mazatlán (Sinaloa), or San Blas, Nayarit, which takes three hours to reach Puerto Balleto (71 miles away), the site of the vacation center operated by the Mexican Navy.

The all-inclusive packages offered to tourists consist of two nights of accommodation in double or single villas located in Puerto Balleto, with breakfast and buffet lunch in the restaurant. Guests can also look forward to experiences and visits to points of interest of the island, such as the former Governor's House, the Lighthouse, the Temple of Guadalupe, Chapingo Beach, the viewpoint Punta Halcones, the cemetery, the site museum, the old salt flats, the Calera, the hill of Christ the Redeemer, from where visitors enjoy a majestic view of the Pacific, and even an evening experience to admire the constellations with an expert explanation, among others.

Punta Halcones, Islas Marías, Mexico, Mexican Alcatraz

The biosphere reserve of Islas Marías has 54 species of protected terrestrial and marine fauna, of which 19 are endemic, such as the yellow-headed parrot, raccoon, and rabbit. In addition, sharks, humpback whales, and dolphins can be seen from the coast, as well as several birds, such as pelicans and blue-footed booby birds, among many others.

At Playa Chapingo, visitors enjoy a day of relaxation in beachfront hammocks, as well as sports activities such as beach soccer and volleyball, as well as snorkeling in a particular area protected by shark nets and supervised by expert caretakers who ensure that tourists have the necessary safety.

Unique Experiences

Tourists are provided with friendly and helpful guides who take them on board comfortable vehicles to the various areas of interest of the former prison. The tour to the cemetery stands out, where they can see the graves of important characters who lived imprisoned in the Mexican Alcatraz; for example, the "Toad," a serial killer who, legend has it, murdered more than a hundred people.

Another point of great interest is the Cristo Redeemer, where visitors take a 45 minutes trek to reach one of the highest points around and enjoy extraordinary sunrises and views of the various islands. On the other hand, tourists can visit the Temple of Guadalupe, where they'll find images made by prisoners and relics of the work done by evangelists sent to this site during the era in which it served as a fearsome prison.

Islas Marias, Mexico, prison cells, mexican alcatraz

One of the most exciting points of interest on tour is the remains of a Maximum Security Prison abandoned in 2013. Visitors can walk through the cells, showers and the eating and exercising areas used by Mexico's most dangerous criminals.

In addition, for those who love culture, the tourist center Islas Marías offers a museum that tells 115 years of history in modern exhibition rooms. Ono is dedicated to notable inmates, such as the writer José Revueltas, a political prisoner who lived long years in this place, from where he wrote several of his most emblematic works. In addition, in the space around it, tourists can see examples of old cells and facilities.

One of the tours includes visits with historical explanations of the Salinera (saline factory), Calera (quarry), and Camaronera (shrimp farm), places where prisoners spent long hours doing forced labor and were considered the most feared for the cruelty with which the former inmates of the prison were treated.

Another of the most attractive areas is a craft corridor where members of different indigenous communities offer products to visitors. In this area, tourists can buy products made by artisans of the cultures Wixárika, N'ayeri, O'dam, and Tepehuanos, among others.

The Islas Marias resort is designed for families, groups of friends, and lovers of biodiversity and culture who want to spend a weekend away from the city and in contact with the vast nature of the state of Nayarit. Travelers from the U.S. and Canada can take a connecting flight from Mexico City to Tepic, only half an hour from San Blas Harbor, the boarding point to the former Islas Marías Prison Center.