Beach 25 km southwest of El Rosario
A long, open Pacific beach beside the Caimanero lagoon, where families gather on weekends and dolphins are often seen.
El Caimanero is El Rosario's beach, a long, open stretch of Pacific sand about 33 kilometers from town. Behind it lie the Caimanero and Huizache lagoons, one of the largest coastal wetlands in southern Sinaloa, formed by an old mouth of the Baluarte River.
The lagoons are a major stop for shorebirds, with tens of thousands of birds of many species at peak times, so the drive in is as interesting as the beach for anyone with binoculars. Out to sea, dolphins are often spotted swimming beyond the surf. On weekends and holidays the beach fills with families from El Rosario and the surrounding villages, eating seafood at the beach restaurants.
The big event of the year is the Fiestas del Mar during Holy Week, when the beach turns into a four-day party with live bands, dancing, and crowds. If you prefer peace and quiet, come on a weekday.
What to see and do
Spend a day on the beach and eat seafood at the beach restaurants.
Watch for dolphins beyond the surf.
Bring binoculars for the shorebirds on the lagoons along the way.
Join the Fiestas del Mar if you are here in Holy Week, or avoid them if you want quiet.
Getting there
From El Rosario it is about 33 kilometers, roughly 40 minutes by car, through La Estación, Los Ojitos, La Cruz Pedregoza, and Agua Verde. The open Pacific surf can be strong, so swim with care and stay near other people.
25 km southwest of El Rosario
Directions from El Rosario on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Playa El Caimanero
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Weather warm
Playa El Caimanero shares the climate of El Rosario, 25 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make El Rosario your base
Playa El Caimanero is an easy trip from El Rosario, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around El Rosario
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Cacalotán
· Town · 9 km away
A former mezcal hacienda town at the foot of the sierra north of El Rosario, with 19th-century rural architecture and old grinding wheels. -
Agua Verde
· Town · 16 km away
A fishing village by the mouth of the Baluarte River, with estuaries, mangroves, and lots of waterbirds; on the way to El Caimanero. -
Chametla
· Town · 16 km away
Sinaloa's oldest settlement, on the Baluarte River: colorful adobe houses, a big pre-Hispanic site, and a quiet beach nearby. -
Laguna del Caimanero
· Lake · 21 km away
A huge coastal lagoon full of shorebirds; in the dry hot season its marshes crystallize into a white plain of natural salt. -
Teacapán
· Town · 52 km away
A fishing village at Sinaloa's southern tip, on a mangrove estuary with quiet beaches; about an hour south via Escuinapa.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.