Spanish speakers call it Isla de la Piedra but in English it’s Stone Island. There are no Holiday Inns or Hiltons here, no franchise restaurants. For that matter, it’s not even an island. Isla de la Piedra is located on a peninsula of land across the harbor inlet from the main part of Mazatlan, Mexico. It is accessible by road, if you can call the rutted, washboard track that leads to it a road. Most people eschew the road and instead catch a small wooden for $20 pesos round trip (less than $2 U.S.), which is likely why it came to be called an island.

Beach at Stone Island begins at the base of the hill, wraps around the bay, and stretches for 25 miles

Once across the inlet, a short walk brings visitors to the Pacific side of the narrow isthmus. To the right, about 15 beach palapa restaurants offer delicious local food, priced more affordably than anywhere in Mazatlan proper. This 2 kilometer strip of “development” also includes one three story apartment building that rents rooms for $25 per night and a hand-built hostel that rents hammocks for $5 per night. To the left is nothing but a wide expanse of beach and swaying palms – more than 25 miles of pristine sand with shallow water perfect for wading.

Stone Island or Isla de la Piedra – take your choice – is not likely to be developed any time soon, if ever, since the lands are owned collectively by a handful of residents who jointly control all decisions regarding development. However, as more and more tourists discover this gem, pressure will mount. Residents have already relented and leased land to foreigners who have erected modest homes and in return have been awarded long term leases.

Rent a hammock at the hostel or just visit for a day

To reach Stone Island, head toward the Mazatlan lighthouse, which sits atop a conical hill at the end of the harbor inlet. On the quay leading to the lighthouse, one launch operator provides rides for $25 pesos  trip. A bit further south, just past the Baja Ferries terminal, a dirt road leads to a second launch operator who charges $20 pesos. Boats leave every 15 minutes or so, and the last boat departs at 4 p.m.

Photo Credits: Alaska Dude

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels