Tepic Shopping Day:

Tepic is a thirty mile drive up a scenic, winding road to an altitude of 2700 ft.  If you make an early start by bus or taxi  the breakfast buffet at the "Quetzatcoatl" vegetarian restaurant is exceptional. You may shop in the city's three mercados and many stores. There is also an interesting archeological museum, a craft museum and numerous galleries specializing in Huichol Indian art. Businesses close for siesta between 1:30pm and 4pm offering an opportunity to enjoy lunch, visit the cathedral, the historic graveyard and to stroll the colonial streets  before needing to catch the last bus or collectivo taxi back to El Encanto

San Blas Excursion:

San Blas is a short bus ride from El Encanto. It has a lovely little mercado (public market)  a bank with an ATM machine,  some colonial architecture, and a nice, wide beach with numerous restaurants.  It graciously offers visitors it's friendly and quaint pueblo charm. The Feast Day of San Blas on February 3rd is always a delight

Mexcaltitlan

An hour and a half drive plus a ten minute boat ride will take you to the ancient home of the Aztecs, affectionately known as the "Venice of Mexico." It's streets are laid out in the form of a Celtic cross and become canals during the summer rainy season. It has a nice museum, no motor traffic, delicious and unique shrimp tostadas, and some of the region's best seafood