El Maviri

El Maviri, also called Las Ánimas, is an island in Topolobampo Bay, in Ahome municipality, joined to the mainland by the Las Ánimas bridge. It is the busiest beach on the bay and open all year, with a long stretch of sand, gentle water on the bay side and sunsets popular for wedding and engagement photos. The road out is a scenic drive past desert scrub, mangroves and low hills.

Food is half the reason to come. The beach shacks cook pescado zarandeado over charcoal, either the classic version with butter and onion or newer variations, and run cold bars of ceviches and raw shellfish: shrimp, pen shell scallops, octopus, oysters, clams, crab, mangrove cockles and conch. There are coconuts, coconut horchata and beer, and norteño bands stroll the sand. Boats leave from El Maviri for trips around Ohuira and Topolobampo bays, to look for Pechocho the dolphin and to visit Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Patos, roosts for resident and migrating birds; people also go sport fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing and diving.

On a bend of the island road, a few meters from the beach entrance, is the Cueva de los Murciélagos, a closed old mine. Every day around 6 pm thousands of bats pour out in dark clouds against the evening sky; one local report estimates some five million animals of more than six species. Watch from a distance.

There are no hotels on the island, but camping is allowed with permission, and air-conditioned cabins stand near the bridge. Public restrooms are available, and tourist police and civil protection crews patrol. Drinks and food are only allowed in aluminum or plastic containers.