Last Updated on July 3, 2025
It’s one of the most surprising places you’ll ever visit, and my husband and I were enthralled to find this “hidden gem.” I don’t like to use that cliché often, but there’s no better way to describe Santa María del Oro.
Located about 40 minutes southeast of Tepic, Nayarit’s state capital, the town is centered around an enchanting crater-lake in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Here in the heart of Nayarit, mountains meet sky and nature unfolds in vivid hues in a place seemingly untouched by time. The quiet destination offers a landscape that invites stillness, introspection and awe. Here, time slows, routines fade, and presence becomes effortless.
Along the morning journey, in El Borrego, a well-loved roadside restaurant lures travelers to its door with its fragrant birria cooked to tender perfection, a wood-fired pork served with hand-pressed tortillas. Though it’s still early, the tables are full as locals and travelers gather around generously-filled plates and shared rituals.
The Town and Its Landmarks
Santa María del Oro reveals its essence not in spectacle, but in simplicity. With a traditional Mexican vibe including cobblestone streets, the town remain unhurried, lined with adobe houses and shops bearing hand-painted signs. The town owes it foundation to Franciscan friar Juan Leyendo with support from conquistador Nuño de Guzmán.
The baroque Templo del Señor de la Ascensión, built in the 17th century (around 1594), remains a focal point with its neo-Gothic atrium and 16th-century paintings, a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts. Nearby, the Casa Curato, houses sacred art and a serene garden.
The town center offers a kiosk and plaza while Casa de la Cultura is a hub for arts and cultural events, showcasing regional heritage and traditions. As much as we’re fascinated with the local artisans crafting their colorful Huichol-style morral bags and other handicrafts, we are here for another reason – to see Laguna de Santa María del Oro.
The Lagoon: A Living Canvas
Cradled within an extinct volcanic crater, the lagoon has a quieting, serene presence. The roughly 1.25 mile wide and almost 200 feet deep natural lake features forested hills, lush vegetation and waters shifting between turquoise, emerald green, blue or gray depending on the mineral content and depth in different areas. Unique microorganisms within the water also play into this visual transformation, making the lagoon not only a landscape, but a living, breathing work of art.
The lagoon, surrounded by pine-oak forest with wildlife like deer, pumas, ocelots, armadillos, eagles, falcons and diverse aquatic species has quite a myth associated with its impressive beauty.
A romantic legend tells of forbidden lovers whose tears filled the lake when they were prohibited from seeing one other. Other tales involve lost churches, dragons, and hidden princesses. Mornings with misty, ethereal views provide even more strange feels.
Water activities include swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, boat rides, fishing for bass and perch, along with windsurfing and waterskiing. A paved road circles the lake, dotted with restaurants, boutique hotels, cabins and camping spots. Several viewpoints and lookouts offer panoramic views of the lake and surroundings. You’ll want to take lots of photos as the lake offers some incredible Instagram-worthy shots.
Just 20 minutes away, Arcadia Park Adventure in Real de Acuitapilco adds a contrasting rhythm. Zip lines glide over ravines. Hanging bridges sway between pines. Waterfalls, some 100 feet high, offer natural walls for rappelling. Nature reveals its wilder edge, and each challenge rewards with vistas and exhilaration.
Flavors of Santa María del Oro
This region is filled with a myriad of traditional foods, some prepared with twists of creativity.
Seafood is popular here with dishes such as pescado zarandeado (grilled fish), camarones al mojo de ajo (garlic shrimp), Aguachile, a Mexican chili-lime ceviche dish, and fresh lake offerings like tilapia and bass.
Along the lagoon’s edge, El Desagüe serves a menu rooted in regional tradition. The house specialty — crispy fish chicharrón, golden and tender — is paired with handmade tortillas. Nace del Mar offers an amazing view and stunning sunsets with violets, pinks and golds mirroring on the surface of the lagoon. 4 Mares is the restaurant’s signature dish bringing the sea inland with a rich blend of fresh marinated seafood.
When to Visit Santa María del Oro
The dry season runs from November through April and is the most popular time to visit with little rain and clear, sunny skies. During the rainy season (July to October), the area is lush and green, but also more humid with frequent afternoon showers.
Santa María del Oro does not rely on spectacle to captivate. Its power lies in atmosphere, balance and depth. Here, nature speaks softly, traditions endure quietly, and wonder returns — slowly, steadily and completely. It’s a treasure to celebrate, and if you find yourself in the Riviera Nayarit region, don’t miss out on a side trip to this fascinating destination.
