Every once in a while we hear from expats who live in villages and towns far from the major expat centers in Mexico. Minnesotan Gerald Raley thought expats should know more about Teacapan, Mexico so he sent us some information on his new hometown.
Teacapan is a coastal village of less than 5,000 people on the southern border of Sinaloa, just across the Agua Grande River from the state of Nayarit. It’s about a two-hour drive south of Mazatlán and is known for its large estuary, one of Mexico’s largest.
The area attracts many eco-tourists because of its 30-mile-long estuary, which is filled with tropical flowers, countless species of birds and other wildlife. Some have called it a “mini-Amazon.”
Gerald tells us, “The estuary has several things to note besides fishing and eco-tourism. Oysters have been plentiful in the past and mid-way between Teacapan and Escuinapa there is a massive pile of empty oyster shells. The oyster shell mound is 25 meters high (82 ft.). Estimates are there are 260 to 300 million shells that have never been opened. Mangroves cover the shoreline and millions of palm trees provide habitat for diverse species. Pirates also frequented the area in the 1800s. They left after “The Battle of Teacapan” when the last ship was disabled far up the estuary.”
Gerald has lived in Teacapan for three years now and describes it this way: “The streets are sand, except for the main highway/street and the U forming the Malecón. They can be a mess in the rainy season and dusty when it is dry, but continually offer special sights during a typical day: school children in uniforms, people walking to one of the local stores, horses grazing on the grass or being ridden somewhere, fishermen with their catch, iguanas lounging in the trees or on the lawn, a delightful array of birds, a mom pushing a stroller and baby or a neighbor wanting to fill an empty coffee cup.”
Gerald says there is a newer motel and good restaurant just as you enter Teacapan (Las Mangos), a very good Japanese outdoor restaurant and EcoMotel, quite a few small cafes and the usual grilled chicken spots. Along the Malecón there are several open-air restaurants with nice views and places for lodging. Fishing boats line the shore and you can depend on gorgeous sunset views.
Throw in Teacapan’s roughly 30 miles of unspoiled beaches and you have an expat destination worth considering.
