San Blas, located a few hours south of Mazatlan or a few hours north of Puerto Vallarta, is a quiet, seaside fishing community with affordable accommodation, a quiet zocalo and a beach with waves large enough to surf. The atmosphere is very friendly with locals smiling and waving or just walking up and sitting next to you on a park bench. I would have to say that I received more smiles in San Blas than any of the other towns and cities that I had visited.

Let’s get the bad out of the way first. Sand flies. San Blas is know for its sand flies and while they’re a nuisance this should not be a deterrent to visit the area. Purchase some repellent before you go or where shoes when you’re not in the water. A good breeze will always get rid of them and they’re not noticeable in the town cause, well, they’re sand flies…not pavement flies.

After traveling for a few days from the Copper Canyon in the north I was pretty much wiped out and tired and not in any mood for joviality. Then again, who can resist a clown. The first person to greet me getting off the bus was a clown who was on his way to a birthday party.  I had only just arrived, hadn’t seen any of the town or beach but I already liked the place.

I was fortunate enough to be traveling with two very lovely Polish girls, Agi and Agata, who were my Ying and Yang. One was always read to party while the other thought it best we all turn in for the night. They left me in a restaurant watching the bags while they traipsed off to scout out hotels. In a corner behind my table the proprietor and two of her friends were having a chat about the three of us when I looked their way. One of them pointed after the two girls and laughed, “Dos mujeres….dos problemas.”

I loved it here.

The girls had found a wonderfully, simple hotel for about $10 each per night. The rooms opened onto a lovely court yard beautifully adorned with plants, flowers and an old canon. There was even a swimming pool available to use but why bother with the ocean so close by. I can’t recall the name of the hotel but if you come across a place that has a crocodile in the reception area then you’ve found it.

While San Blas is known for its beaches it should also be noted that the town is surrounded by jungle and tours are available by boat through these estuaries. If birds and lizards are your thing then this would be a great place to unpack the binoculars and hire a tour. There is also a crocodile hatchery located in town for these adorable little critters.

We spent a few days enjoying the comforts of the hotel and the hospitality of the town before moving accommodations to the beach. As always I was traveling with a tent and sleeping mat and there were some places to camp out of town on the beach. Unfortunately the place we found, Stoners Surf Camp,  had extra tents available and I would not be sharing my tent with two lovely polish girls.

Stoners is a very relaxed place to camp out as you can well imagine by the name. There is a restaurant available and cold drinks are also served. As a guest we were able to use the surf boards and if you’re not a guest then they’re available for a nominal fee. The area of San Blas is known for shrimp and in the evening Pompis, the owner, would give us use of the kitchen where we would share communal meals of shrimp salads, fried shrimp, shrimp omlettes and shrimp cerviche’s. Take a look at their website. Since my last visit it seems Stoners has gone through some upgrades and not offer accomodation other than just tents.

San Blas it worth the side trip if you’re not into touristy towns and all inclusive resorts. The town itself is refreshing and friendly and there is plenty to do once you get tired of relaxing with a cold beer in the Zocalo. The beach, aside from the sand flies, is welcoming with its soft, grainy sand and water as warm as a tepid bath. It’s certainly a place I would return to.

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