Tepic is the capital of the small state of Nayarit, which produces much of the country’s tropical fruits and most of its tobacco. The city is the traditional homeland of the Cora Indians. Along with their close relatives, the Huichol, they fled to the surrounding mountains to escape the cruel Nuno de Guzman in the sixteenth century. Today, Tepic is a crossroad of agriculture and commerce, where farmers come to town to buy supplies and sell their produce.

Several lovely lakes are within an hour drive of Tepic. Off the toll road to Guadalajara, a signed road leads to Santa Maria del Oro, where horses and guides can be hired for treks into the nearby mountains. Below the village lies the deep, crystalline crater lake Laguna Santa Maria del Oro, surrounded by verdant hills. You can swim, fish, and take a picnic.