Barras de Piaxtla

Barras de Piaxtla is a fishing village and a stretch of coast near the mouth of the Piaxtla River, a few kilometers north of Las Labradas and about an hour north of Mazatlán. It spreads along some 14 kilometers of bays, estuaries, and lagoons inside the Meseta de Cacaxtla protected area, and its dark volcanic cliffs, shaped by the sea over thousands of years, give it a dramatic look that people often compare to the coasts of southern Europe.

The landmark is the old lighthouse, white with red stripes, which stands over the end of the beach; it no longer works, but its height gives a sweeping view of the bays and the village. Nearby, Playa Quetzalan, known locally as Hinchahuevo, has the volcanic headland of Punta Prieta and a natural stone arch called La Ventana, a favorite spot for photos.

The beach has some of the best waves in the area, so it draws surfers, and the estuaries and mangroves around Pueyeke beach can be explored by kayak. Sea turtles nest on the coast, and the surrounding dry forest is home to deer, ospreys, and peregrine falcons.