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It’s best to use a higher-clearance vehicle such as a Jeep or truck, though a Nissan Tsuru may also work depending on the condition of the road as you near the site.

To get there follow the highway to Zacualpan, Las Varas, and then towards Puerto Vallarta to the Alta Vista turn off. It requires about an hour to reach this ancient site still used today for rituals by a native Indian group.

The turn off for the site is found about two miles, or just over 3 kilometers, north of the Hwy. 200 Boca El Naranjo/Lima de Abajo turnoff --- so if you pass the fruit stands at Boca El Naranjo/Lima de Abajo you’ve gone too far. The turn off is on the east side of the road (left from PLT or right from Boca El Naranjo/Lima de Abajo) and is the turn used to go to Alta Vista which is the municipality some eight miles east from the highway.

After turning off the highway and about a mile of winding uphill, you’ll turn into a tree-lined gravel road on your left. If you go too far you’ll come to a farmhouse, in which case you need to turn back because you went too far. Continue down a gradual slope for about half a mile (1 kilometer), and then turn onto another narrower road on the right. You may have to open a wire gate to go continue on the road. After about another kilometer (half-mile) of going downhill, the road may become too rough for a passenger car. If so, you might have to walk the last mile or two kilometers. Continue downhill bearing right along a stream bed, to the end of the road where the path crosses the stream. Go across the stream on foot and straight ahead, to the site.

At the site you will find a palapa shelter, normally a caretaker is present and should be offered a gratuity (about $2 to $3 USD per person). The half-mile self-guided trail runs along the edge of a stream bank surrounded by forest.

The bank and pools of the stream are dotted with dozens of petroglyphs that experts have estimated date back at least 2000 years.

These ancient rock carvings—including sun images and humanesque figures— are thought to have served as a means of communication between the people and their gods.

Signs in both English and Spanish interpret the history of the area and the origin and meaning of the petroglyphs. At some places along the path you can see flower-adorned shrines placed by the Chacalan natives.

Due to wet, often impassable roads during the rainy season, the petroglyphs are only accessible from about November to July.

You’ll likely spot a variety of birds and probably crocodiles along the river banks!

Continue your trip with a visit to the historic 16th century Spanish fort in San Blas, where canons look out across Matanchen Bay. You may find Huichol Indians (who live in remote villages in the mountains east of San Blas) selling handmade beadwork and other crafts in the town’s main plaza. Follow your explorations with a meal at Garza Canela (Cinnamon Heron), one of the region’s best (yet reasonably-priced) restaurants, with possibly the world’s best ceviche.

In addition to the large variety of bird life there are also 6 species of reptiles, among them the brown iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) and the Mexican Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) which is known as a “false coral snake” for its black head with a post-ocular band that is orange, yellow, or white followed by a black band. Both reptiles are in danger of extinction. You’ll have a chance to see the famous green iguanas (Iguana iguana) too.

Isabel Island is one of the principal nesting sites of marine birds in the Pacific Ocean, a unique place with a plethora of life. There are many Frigates, Brown and Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, Bridled Terns, and Brown Pelicans. You have the opportunity to see numerous red-billed tropicbirds, with beautiful long white tails, along the tall cliffs surrounding Isabel. On the lee side of the island are blue and red footed boobies that are quite interesting to observe during their mating rituals.

This part of the island is also a prime place for snorkeling, one of very few in the Eastern Pacific where are found coral reefs, home for tropical fish. In some 3 feet of water you can see Surgeon Fish, Trumpet Fish Fish, Needle Fish, Eels, Sea Urchins and more. The water is normally clear and warm, offering an excellent visibility. You must bring your own snorkle gear.

It takes about 2 1/2 hours to cross the 42 nautical miles from San Blas to Isla Isabel, so it’s necessary to get an early start from San Blas. Optionally you can stay over night or longer if you bring your own camping gear and carry enough food and water. You must provide your own gear and food.

To set foot on the island requires an authorization issued by the National Commission of Protected Areas (CONANP) and be accompanied by a duly authorized guide.

Our location has been a favorite for a myriad of peoples since well before Columbian times, as evidenced by the bits of pottery, arrowheads, and other pre-Columbian artifacts which come to light pushed up by roots of our coconut palms. For millenia this special place has drawn visitors to the opportunity of enjoying the natural warmth of the sun and ocean, as well as as the magical energy of the moon, sun, ocean, mountains and estuary where they come together.
 
Here you can experience peacefulness along quiet stretches of beach and coconut palm groves, tranquility that is difficult to acheive in more populated resort areas, and natural beauty unlike that of any place you may have traveled.
 
Whether your interest is to simply relax in the warmth of the sun, sand, and tropical Pacific water, or participate in a wide array of activities such as canoeing, wave or ocean kayaking, boogie boarding or surfing, horseback riding, excursions to waterfalls, or sea turtle conservation, a yoga retreat at Playa Las Tortugas offers it all.
 
For pricing and other information about a particular retreat please click on the menu item below that corresponds to that retreat.
 
To arrange a retreat at Playa Las Tortugas please contact: , and thank you for considering Playa Las Tortugas as the host for your retreat. 
 
As a reminder, our peak occupancy is typically from Thanksgiving through Easter, and therefore we recommend that for these times you consider reserving your dates at least six to nine months prior to your retreat date.

 
Whether you spend your days at Playa Las Tortugas surfing, kayaking, taking walks on the beach, reading, birdwatching, or simply enjoying quiet time, a therapeutic massage will help you to relax even more deeply and slow your pace, or soothe your muscles. Our massage therapist provides a professional massage in the comfort of your own villa or on your private rooftop terrace.
 
Appointments are subject to therapist availability and should be booked in advance.
 
Please contact Adriana adriana@playalastortugas.com for pricing information and to arrange a massage during your stay.
 

Trips can be arranged to last from several hours up to a full day, depending on your wishes, as our guide can accommodate your schedule with adequate notice.
 
The coastal sightseeing boat tour takes passengers to the north around the point of Platanitos across clear blue waters past palm-filled estuaries, pelicans nesting in high, sheer cliffs, deserted beaches such as “Limoncito” at Jolotemba, and the small fishing and shrimping towns of Santa Cruz and Miramar.

Wave Riding in the Ocean Kayak

Come ride the exciting waves of your particular future on an ocean kayak, just in front of your villa, or paddle to one of the many nearby beaches.

Nearby Ocean Kayak Outings

You can make a short trip of about one-hour from our beach around the double point to the fishing village of Platanitos and enjoy fresh seafood such as the mouth-watering “pescado sarandeado”.

Longer Ocean Kayak Day Trips

There are also opportunities to go on journeys of up to two hours to the Punta Gorda beach just north of Platanitos, a half-day to the Jolotemba beach, or three-quarters of a day south to Boca Chila or north towards Santa Cruz and Miramar.

A day spent in our warm, clean surf or ocean is the perfect way to work off that extra serving of flan from last night’s dinner.

You may also opt for a deep sea fishing excursion that takes 7 to 8 hours including round-trip travel time of about 3 1/2 hours.  You’ll have an opportunity to hook sailfish weighing up to 100 lbs. or more, mahi mahi “dorado” weighting up to 20 lbs., and various other fish.

Make sure to pack a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, drinking water and other beverages, breakfast or snacks, and a cooler if you want to bring some of your fish back to Playa Las Tortugas.

Here are some recipes for cooking your catch

Jack Crevell or “Toro” Machaca
—Filet and boil in lightly salted water until the skin begins to come free
—Pull and shred the meat
—Chop onion, garlic and tomato and saute in a pan with oil until soft
—Add oregano and cumin, and optionally, chile pepper to taste
—Add shredded meat and a small amount of water to create a consistency like tuna salad
—Use on tostadas, in tacos, or with tortillas as an appetizer

Sierra Ceviche
—Filet and boil in lightly salted water, then scrape the meat free of the skin
—Chop the meat finely and soak in lime juice for 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours
—Chop onion, tomato, chile and cucumber to mix with the fish just prior to serving
—Just prior to serving, put the fish in a strainer or colander, press out the lime juice and then mix the onion, tomato, and other ingredients
—Use on tostadas or in hard tacos as an appetizer